Allen Hall

Ward 4 Alderman Candidate

Allen Hall
www.hallforalderman.com

Meet the candidates on video at the following link:
http://www.tennessean.com/section/special0469
Thank you to the Tennessean for taking this initiative for our community.

Spring Hill Alternate Questionnaire

1. What specific event(s) sparked your interest to run for this position, at this time?

The property tax issue got my attention. During its debate I contacted and probably talked to every alderman. Based on some of my questions one of them suggested I might consider serving as an alderman myself. I took a look at my own life and realized that both my father and grandfather had served the local community in some type of government capacity for decades and that it was time for me to do the same.

2. What are the 3 greatest achievements in our city during the past 4 years? Why?

-The changes in the way the city is being run; its sense of direction, planning, and administration; and the increased transparency that has been part of those changes.

-Business and economic development of the City. Residents have more options and fewer reasons to spend their hard earned dollar elsewhere.

-The hospital and the obvious impact it will have on our local economy, the well being of our citizens, and the city’s image.

3. What are the 3 greatest failures of our city during the past 4 years? Why?

There are several “failures” most all of them related to finance and administration that could have been avoided with proper oversight during the first half or so, of the previous 4 years, and in several years prior. Examples would include the illegal transfer of moneys between funds; the city’s accounting methods and a failure to ratify budgets to name three. But I think it hyperbole to categorize these as “great failures” because within the last year our city has made significant progress in correcting the deficiencies that lead to those failures.

4. Do you support the current HCA hospital coming to our city? Why or why not?

Absolutely, the hospital directly impacts the well being our citizen and is quintessential example of how both economic development and the safety and security of our community can be realized in one major project.

5. Do you believe that the Mayor and Aldermen are adequately compensated? If not, what should the compensation package be?

Those serving on the BOMA certainly don’t pursue the job for the money. The work required for the office and other posts, city commissions for example, require a level of commitment that few if any cities could afford to adequately compensate.

6. What are your feelings regarding the eligibility of elected officials to be included in the City of Spring Hill’s medical insurance plan free of charge?

As discussed in question #5, it would be nearly impossible for the City to adequately compensate BOMA members for their time. This is true for rest of the City’s employees as well. Offering the opportunity to participate in the City’s medical insurance plan is (or can be) a significant portion of their compensation. Thankfully, my family has insurance coverage via other means, but that may not be true for others. It’s easy to imagine a scenario where a city employee might have to resign their post or office to take another job to ensure that their family is protected. In that way the city’s health insurance not only protects its employees, but also protects the city’s investment in their employees.

7. In this economic downturn, where do you see additional income streams being generated to keep city services at our current level?

Property tax in my opinion is one of the fairest methods to fund city services. Ideally as more of our residents spend their dollars locally the dependence on property tax will lessen and other taxes such as sales and business tax will become more reliable.

8. If we need to begin cutting city expenses, where would you plan to trim the budget?

This would depend on how much trimming would have to be done, making it very difficult to discuss hypothetically. In principle, I would look at operational efficiency and deferring non-essential projects; however, we must be very prudent in how we define “non-essential”. Infrastructure funding including safety and security are investments that may cost us more, if we don’t do them.

9. Were you in favor of re-instating our city property tax?

Unfortunately, the property tax should have never been eliminated. There is a reason 90% or more of the cities in Tennessee have some type of property tax. Property tax is one of the fairest and most dependable methods to fund city services.

10. Do you see an immediate need for a tax increase? If so, to what rate?

No. We need to evaluate the effectiveness of the reinstated property tax during the remaining fiscal year.

11. What executive experience do you have that allows you to be qualified to lead our city?

I have been a business owner for 10 years, and more importantly as a consultant who is in the business of finding solutions. Additionally, I have prior experience working with government that affords me some insight into dealing with government agencies.

12. How many Board of Mayor and Alderman meetings have you attended in the past 2 years?

At least the last 7 or 8 in person and others over the past few years, one of those being before my wife and I moved to Spring Hill.

13. How many Planning Commission meetings have you attended in the past 2 years?

I attended my first Planning Commission meeting this week after a zoning issue in my ward was brought to my attention by concerned citizens; however, I don’t feel it is always appropriate to attend commission meetings as the commission itself exists to vet the issues, before they come to the board. To inject a “political influence” makes their job that much more difficult and their recommendations less objective.

14. What specific qualities and ideas do you bring to the table that make you most qualified for this position (feel free to elaborate in at least a paragraph or two)?

My campaign mantra Proactive, Persistent, Accountable probably best answers this question. They are certainly qualities but Proactive and Accountable are also ideas in how we should run the city. For instance, had the city been more proactive in planning city growth and managing its finances the growing pains we have experienced in the last ten to twenty years would not have been as severe. Accountable simply means a tangible and measured approach to decision making so we can objectively evaluate the success or failure of our policies.

15. If you were going to ask 3 questions that all of your opponent(s) would have to answer, what would those questions be, and how would you answer them?

At this time I don’t have any questions. This may change after the ReFS forum and hear more from my opponent.

16. What are your feelings regarding our current city commissions?

-Planning Commission
* Are you interested in drastically changing any aspects of the commission?

No, in general I’m not one to shake things up without good cause and this would apply to all the commissions.

* Who would you recommend and support as the representative from Board of Mayor and Alderman to the Planning Commission?

As previously stated I’m not inclined to recommend any drastic or immediate changes.

* Do you feel that our current Adequate Facilities tax is in fact adequate considering the tough economic times ahead?

That’s an interesting question since AFT or “impact fees” as some call it are only supposed to be used for capital improvements. In “tough economic times” it may actually be prudent to lower AFT in an effort to stimulate development; also the capitol improvements required might actually cost less because the economic state.

* Do you believe that incoming developments should be responsible for road and infrastructure improvements associated with their development?

I’m assuming your referring to specific improvements above and/or beyond those that would typically be funded by AFT. In principle this sounds reasonable, but it seems to me it would depend on where, and in some case, when those improvements would need to be made and additionally how much responsibility is the development’s versus the city’s.

* Do you believe that there is a need for apartment buildings in our city? If so, where would you suggest that they be located?

Via planning and zoning the city has a critical role in establishing a balance that is optimum for all its citizens. I think many if not most folks that call Spring Hill home would like to live here most of their life. This means housing options that they can afford at every stage of their life.

-Economic Development Commission
* What do you believe is the city’s role in economic development?

It depends on the economic climate and state of development in the city. Currently we could benefit from another major project like the hospital. So in times such as these the city needs to actively pursue businesses and organizations that are interested in expanding or relocating and we should always be examining what we can do to facilitate the success small business in and around our community. The current revaluation of our sign ordinance is an example of the role the city must play.

* How would you recommend that we attract and recruit businesses and institutions that provide additional services (such as a community college)?

I think the key to getting desirable economic development is having a professional image. This starts with ensuring that we are prudent in spending city funds in a manner that will maintain and improve quality of life. Beyond those we need to actively pursue parties that have an interest into coming to Spring Hill. The hospital is a quintessential example of how both economic development and the safety and security of our community can be realized in one major project.

-Historic Commission
* The establishment of a Historic Commission was hotly debated in our city. Do you agree with the creation of the Historic Commission?

Historic commissions and districts are always hot topic, but in a dynamic community such as ours they are necessary to ensure that some of our history is responsibly preserved. The challenge is finding a balance with the rights of individual property owners.

* What do you feel is the role of a Historic Commission in our city?

To protect the city’s heritage as reflected in its land use and structures.

* In your opinion, what are the 3 most significant historical sites in our city?

Clearly the Battlefield and Ripavilla are the most well known, but at least one other site is just as significant, and that is the Tennessee Children’s Home. The site is not only important historically, as the former Branham and Hughes Military Academy, but also presently with the outstanding service the Home has provided to this community for over 100 years. To those lives touched, the Tennessee Children’s Home is nothing short of an extraordinary blessing.

-Budget and Finance Committee
* Have you been pleased with the progress made during the past year to bring transparency to our city’s financial problems?

Yes, and continued efforts towards transparency are evident in newly proposed ordinances such as 09-11 and 09-12 regarding records management and an open records policy.

* What do you feel is the most important challenge our city will face in the next year from a financial point of view?

A looming recession and a depressed housing market. We need to insure that we are prepared to be at the leading edge of a recovery for both. So the challenge over the next few years is not simply to remaining financially stable, but to do so while we improve our city’s services and infrastructure so we can reap the benefits of that recovery as soon as it starts to occur.