| Summary | |
| Cara Keys’ Candidacy Discussion on Richard Urban Show | |
| Richard and Cara Keys had a discussion on the Richard Urban Show. Cara, a young mom of four and a small business owner, introduced herself as a candidate for the vacated County commission in the separate Sound district. She shared her background as a real estate appraiser focusing on commercial work in three states and her knowledge of zoning ordinances and land use issues. Cara explained her motivation for running for public office, emphasizing the need for civility and common sense in county issues. She expressed her desire to lead with civility and common sense, and to bring positive change to the community. | |
| Solar Development in Jefferson County Discussion | |
| Cara and Richard discussed the future of solar development in Jefferson County, with Cara proposing to remove solar farming as a permitted use by right in the zoning ordinance. She also suggested that a secondary plan, if a three to two Commission vote to remove the solar text amendment does not happen, increasing buffer zones and addressing topsoil issues. Cara emphasized the need for transparency and potential legal implications of denying permits to existing projects. Richard mentioned that the County Commission President, as a real estate agent, has a conflict of interest regarding solar development. Cara noted that the Council President, who works in real estate, had recused himself from related votes. [Editorial note: Steve Stolipher did not recuse himself in the vote on December 21, 2023 to reverse the removal of the solar text amendment by the votes of Commissioners Krouse and Jackson on September 7, 2023. He claimed that recusal was unnecessary because he was voting on “removing an illegal action”.] | |
| Cara’s Role in Real Estate and Politics | |
| Cara discussed her role as an impartial valuer of real estate and her newness to politics. She emphasized her commitment to not trash or bash anyone in her campaign. Richard then asked for her opinion on the prosecution and removal of county commissioners, which she stated she was not involved in and did not follow closely. Cara expressed her concern about the division within the Republican. | |
| West Virginia Property Tax System Concerns | |
| Richard and Cara discussed the property tax system in West Virginia, expressing concerns about the Board of Review process and significant increases in property values. They suggested that the County Commission could have more oversight to prevent such increases. Richard shared his experience of a 70% increase in his home’s property’s value and a 130% increase in property values in Westridge Hills. He finds this suspicious and possibly indicative of corruption. Cara agreed, expressing concern for the impact on young families and the aging population, particularly in terms of inflation and social security. They both suggested that the County Commission should play a more active role in addressing these issues. | |
| Property Tax Concerns and Excess Levy Spending | |
| Richard discussed his concerns about property tax, specifically the excess levy for schools, which he believes is not transparent in its spending. He mentioned that out of the 25 million dollars allocated, only 5 to 7 million might be spent on teacher salaries, with the rest going to central office staff and unspecified expenses. Cara expressed her need for more research on the issue and agreed that the money should primarily go to teachers. Richard also mentioned that he had requested more detailed information on the spending of the excess levy, but had not yet received a satisfactory response. | |
| New Houses and County Finances Discussion | |
| Richard and Cara discussed the impact of new houses on the county’s finances and infrastructure. Richard questioned why the county would lose money despite the increased property taxes from new developments. Cara explained that the development of new properties puts additional burden on existing infrastructure, such as schools and EMS. She also mentioned that impact fees, which were previously high, were lowered to some $2000 per new build, with only $1 going to schools due to decreasing enrollment. Richard pointed out that the schools’ enrollment is expected to decline, not increase, and questioned the need for impact fees in this context. | |
| Impact Fees for Fire, EMS, and Schools Discussion | |
| Richard and Cara discussed the impact fees for fire and EMS services in their area. Richard expressed concern about the lack of sufficient service in the mountain region and suggested that fees for fire and EMS could be supported. Cara explained that the fees could be used for growth in 1st responders, additional vehicles, and building expansions. She also mentioned that the fees had been lowered in the past, which led to increased development in the county. Richard expressed his opposition to impact fees for schools, citing their recent collection of an extra 6 million dollars and the construction of a potentially unnecessary school. | |
| Jefferson County Impact Fees and Land Use Discussion | |
| Cara and Richard discussed the breakdown of impact fees in Jefferson County. Cara explained that the fees vary depending on the tax district and the type of dwelling. Richard expressed interest in understanding the historical breakdown of these fees and their allocation to schools. He also mentioned his intention to publish a report on his website detailing the allocation of funds to teachers versus central office staff and other expenditures. The conversation then shifted to the issue of land use in the county, with Cara highlighting the need for oversight on high-density residential areas and the issue of solar development. | |
| Improving Infrastructure and Emergency Services in WV | |
| Cara and Richard discussed the need for better infrastructure and emergency services in West Virginia, particularly in areas like Shannondale and the mountain. They highlighted the challenges faced by the current volunteer system for fire and ambulance services and the lack of adequate fire and emergency services. Richard suggested the need for a firehouse in Shannondale and an exit from Shannondale to address the issue of blocked roads in case of emergencies. Cara agreed, emphasizing the importance of hearing the concerns of county residents on the mountain and addressing the infrastructure issues. | |
| Tax Allocation and School Funding Discussion | |
| Richard and Cara discussed the allocation of taxes in their county. Richard pointed out that the county gets only 22.5% of the tax bill, while the schools receive 72%. He expressed concern about the bloated school administration and suggested that a fire levy would be relatively small. Cara proposed a more sustainable solution, suggesting that a commercial tax base could help fund EMS services and alleviate the burden on residents. She emphasized the need for a balanced budget and suggested that a tax base for businesses could help address the county’s problems without resorting to a band-aid solution. Cara said that the firehouses should not have to fundraise to sustain themselves. Firehouses may be eligible for federal grants as they work together. | |
| Republican County Commissioner Candidate Discussion | |
| Cara is running her campaign on civility. She discussed her professional experience, and knowledge of land use issues. She is a Republican with traditional values and the people that she supports and her opponent supports are very different. She feels that she will provide needed service to Jefferson County.
Candidate website: votecarakeyscommissioner.com |
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