Barry G. Richards

Questionnaire from The Chamber, Leading Business in Cabarrus

Note: The following responses are verbatim from the candidate and have not been edited.

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

Age 63, Mt. Pleasant High Grad.

Appalachian State Grad BS Political Science 1985/ Master's Public Administration 1990.

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Master Theological Counseling 2003

Ordained Chaplin  2006

Retired NCDMV.

Live in St. John's community on same land from ancestors since 1735.

Charter Member of Community Church of Mt. Pleasant.  Attend weekly and participate intentionally.

Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share any experience in an elected role that would be relevant to voters.

I have always been politically involved national, state and local.  Talked with some people and jumped in.  I am the best candidate with my background as a local government administrator in NC and education.  I have written federal and state grants.  I have administered governmental budgets and lowered taxes and raised revenue at the same time.  I have actual plans to lower taxes and raise revenue.  I will decrease property tax exposure to all land paying taxpayers and personal property tax owners.  I will look at each line item during budget deliberations.  I will listen to the people and am very available throughout the County by attendance at school events throughout the county.  Pull up a chair and seat and we can talk.  Everyone should have skin in the game paying reduced taxes and my accommodation to listen.

Tell us about 2-3 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.

Best predictor of future is the past.  I maintained taxes or lowered property tax as Town Manager.  I administered and came under-budget in federal/state grants while building water/sewer plants, recreational upgrades and rehabilitating homes in impoverished areas.  I have worked with economic development for over 5 year period as town manager.

I got rid of business taxes because they were petty and a nuisance for the amount of money they actually produced.  It wasn't a lot to the business but just not having to deal with it was appreciated by local businesses.

I have included in budgets the administration for fire, rescue, and police without decreasing funding for public safety.

What is one thing you would like to accomplish in the first six months if elected?

I like boring.  I hear the current commissioner meetings are "entertaining."  I don't want to entertain.  I just want to govern with boring sobriety.  I want all citizens to be able to come to a meeting and present their opinions and request.  Doesn't mean they will get what they want but they can present in a civil manner to an engaged board.

Cabarrus County includes both fast-growing communities and areas facing economic challenges. How would you guide county policy and investment decisions to support balanced growth and opportunity across the entire county?

I would first work with the municipalities in their land planning and zoning.  The municipalities with their extraterritorial zoning lead commercial/industrial development and the county needs to work with them as they develop residential and business growth.  The County has a part in budgeting economic growth administration.

The county needs to look at revenue bonding dependency and lowering taxes at the same time.  A huge industrial base growth should occur with lowering property taxes to balance budget.  This unique planning will allow all property owners to benefit for economic growth and  from the homeowner to the large business.  We need to explore deeper not just make it a question of do we or do we not endorse revenue bonds.

Electric and phone utilities should be able to keep up with growth.  Water and sewer utilities will need support from all governmental entities.  Schools will need to remember the property tax proceeds are not infinite.

County government plays a central role in funding public school facilities and long-term capital needs. How would you approach decisions related to school capital investment to ensure facilities keep pace with growth, support student success, and remain fiscally responsible for taxpayers?

I am a product of the Cabarrus County school system.  My education base, moved me along to a few college degrees.  Schools are a big part of the budget but schools will need to remember the property tax proceeds are not infinite.  Schools will need to look at employee attrition and not not just rubber stamp a new hire.  Just because the state partially pays for a position does not mean we accept that position once opened by attrition.  Same for county employees.

A strong workforce depends on more than jobs alone. It is shaped by access to education, child care, and community resources. How would you use the county’s role to support workforce participation and quality of life for Cabarrus County residents?

Economic growth produces job opportunity.  We have a great Cabarrus workforce and small business environment that is conducive to growth.  The private sector is the lead in this, not the government.  I would get government out of the way by reducing zoning requirements for landscape and esthetic amenities.  I would lower on site development and allow business more freedom in how they develop their sites.  Building codes need to remain for safety and as currently legislated.  This would support workforce opening.  We need to increase the workforce by capitalism, not government interference.  All able body people in Cabarrus should be looking for work or retiring.

Economic growth is essential to maintaining a strong tax base, supporting public services, and creating opportunity for residents. How would you approach county-level policies and investments to ensure Cabarrus County remains competitive in attracting and retaining businesses while managing growth responsibly?

Cabarrus County is the best place in the Charlotte metro area to raise a family in quality schools and residential domains.  We have rural or urban environments for all.  It is the most attractive place for commercial growth and proves it by the latest additions and continual business growth.  That commercial growth will continue.  I would work closely with State economic development units as I have in the past with annual reviews and recruitment.  I would lead economic growth to Cabarrus and then support them with lower taxes.

While counties do not regulate businesses in the same way as the state or municipalities, county policies can still influence the cost and ease of doing business. How would you consider the impact of county decisions on the business community?

I would work with municipalities in economic growth leads and placement.  Lower restrictions and taxes to get businesses to Cabarrus.  State generated revenue from sales tax to state reimbursements will continue to grow with economic growth.  A solid balance local budget will occur.  The burden on property owners will lessen.  Everyone will have skin in the game.