Campaign News & Updates

Fixing Our Roads — Getting Back on Track

As America celebrates its 250th birthday this year, I've been reflecting on what that milestone means. As a Bicentennial baby, growing up during our nation's 200th anniversary left a lasting impression on me about patriotism, optimism, and responsibility.

Throughout my life, I've believed that we inherit something special and have a duty to leave it better than we found it. The roads, infrastructure, and communities we rely on today were built and maintained by previous generations who invested in our future. Now it's our turn to be good stewards of what we've been given. As we celebrate America's 250th, we should also recommit ourselves to preserving and improving Citrus County for the next generation.

What We Should Be Asking

• Are we prioritizing the right roads at the right time?
• Are we using strategies that lower costs for taxpayers?
• Are project costs realistic and transparent?
• Are we investing in preventative maintenance or waiting for failure?

Smarter Road Management

The County has begun using a pavement management system to prioritize roads based on condition, identify the right time for maintenance, and shift toward preventative maintenance instead of reactive repairs. This is the right approach and now we need to fully commit to it and follow through.

Budgeting for Reality

Too often, projects come in over budget—leaving taxpayers frustrated and plans disrupted. We need to use realistic cost estimates from the start, regularly update projections based on market conditions, and set aside funds for cost overruns so projects stay on track. No surprises. No scrambling.

Lower Costs

Bundling projects is a proven way to stretch taxpayer dollars further. Combining multiple resurfacing projects into larger contracts drives volume and predictability, leading to lower costs. Furthermore, using long-term contracts can lock in pricing and reduce volatility in materials and labor, ensuring better planning and direct savings.

What I Will Do Differently

• Prioritize roads using data, not politics
• Focus on preventative maintenance to reduce long-term costs
• Ensure accurate, transparent project budgeting
• Support bundled projects and long-term contracts
• Deliver consistent progress—not stop-and-start funding

Protect What We Love and Plan What Comes Next

Growth is one of the biggest issues I hear about in Citrus First Conversations. But growth isn't just one problem, it's several connected challenges: Traffic. Overdevelopment. Infrastructure. All these issues impact our quality of life. The real question is: Are we planning for growth or reacting to it?

Growth requires leadership. Without it, problems follow.

What We Should Be Asking

• Are we putting infrastructure first, not last?
• Are developments phased to meet capacity before building more?
• Are we holding builders accountable through strong development agreements?
• Are we maintaining our Level of Service (LOS) standards?
• Can residents clearly see what's approved vs. what's actually being built?

What Responsible Growth Looks Like

• Infrastructure comes first
• Level of Service (LOS) standards are protected
• Residents can see what's planned and what is actually getting done

Living Within Our Means and Getting Results

Recent headlines involving government efficiency have sparked an important conversation here at home: Are we living within our means and are we getting results for every dollar we spend? Balancing a budget isn't just about cutting or spending. It's about delivering priorities.

What We Should Be Asking

• How effective can we be in delivering our priorities?
• How focused can we be in allocating resources to achieve real results?
• Can we increase cost recovery through reasonable fees or partnerships?
• Are there opportunities for fundraising or sponsorships?
• Can the private sector deliver some services more efficiently and at a lower cost?