Policy Position of The Week: Protecting Tax Payers
Currently, there is no limit on the City’s debt rate, other than the State law rate of $2.50 per $100 of valuation. As mayor, I will propose a City Charter Amendment which would set a maximum rate lower than state maximum to provide greater protection to Burleson taxpayers.
Ronnie Johnson
Platform: Proven honest leadership
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
- In 2020 Chris Fletcher claimed Burleson's Debt was unsustainable. In 2022, once elected, Chris Fletcher reversed his position by supporting the largest DEBT bond in the history of Burleson (86 million)
- It has become clear that tax payers need protection from politicians who say one thing and do another.
- POLICY POSITION: Currently, there is
- In 2020 Chris Fletcher claimed Burleson's Debt was unsustainable. In 2022, once elected, Chris Fletcher reversed his position by supporting the largest DEBT bond in the history of Burleson (86 million)
- It has become clear that tax payers need protection from politicians who say one thing and do another.
- POLICY POSITION: Currently, there is no limit on the City’s debt rate, other than the State law rate of $2.50 per $100 of valuation. As mayor, I will propose a City Charter Amendment which would set a maximum rate lower than state maximum to provide greater protection to Burleson taxpayers.
- We need to manage our finances more carefully. Chris Fletcher ran on a platform to get the city’s debt under control. Then last year he voted to borrow another $85m, and they're already talking about ANOTHER $85 million in the next 5 years.
What's Gone Right
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
- I have lived in Burleson for more than 50 years. In all that time, I’ve seen a lot of positive change in this town. We have good schools, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and some of the most talented city staff I’ve ever worked with. None of that is by accident, and if we want to protect what we have, we can’t take any of it for gran
- I have lived in Burleson for more than 50 years. In all that time, I’ve seen a lot of positive change in this town. We have good schools, safe neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and some of the most talented city staff I’ve ever worked with. None of that is by accident, and if we want to protect what we have, we can’t take any of it for granted.
- Burleson Texas is a city with a lot of character. If we want to preserve that reputation, we need to start making some changes before we outgrow ourselves.
- It's important to take our time as a council to approach city planning with balance. Most importantly, its about learning from what was done right and knowing what we can do better!
Budget
Policy Position: PROTECT THE TAX PAYER FROM POLITICIANS WHO SAY ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER
City Council Meetings
- We need to manage our finances more carefully. Chris Fletcher ran on a platform to get the city’s debt under control. Then last year he voted to borrow another $85m, and they're already talking about ANOTHER $85 million in the next 5 years.
- Most people didn’t realize that bond came with strings attached that didn't protect the citizens mon
- We need to manage our finances more carefully. Chris Fletcher ran on a platform to get the city’s debt under control. Then last year he voted to borrow another $85m, and they're already talking about ANOTHER $85 million in the next 5 years.
- Most people didn’t realize that bond came with strings attached that didn't protect the citizens money for projects they were voting on. It became a blank check, and I wasn't comfortable with that. That’s just bad policy and it didn’t have to be that way.
- As a council member I voted “NO” because when I say I’m a fiscal conservative, I mean it.
- Currently, there is no limit on the City’s debt rate, other than the State law rate of $2.50 per $100 of valuation. As mayor, I will propose a City Charter Amendment which would set a maximum rate lower than state maximum to provide greater protection to Burleson taxpayers.
City Council Meetings
Improve Community Relationships
City Council Meetings
- The Mayor is one vote on the council, but the job of the Mayor is to help build a consensus amongst all 7 council members. Right now, our debt is doubled and our council is divided.
- In our city charter, it’s the Mayor’s responsibility to run our meeting. For the last two years, Chris Fletcher has not run any council meetings and citizens
- The Mayor is one vote on the council, but the job of the Mayor is to help build a consensus amongst all 7 council members. Right now, our debt is doubled and our council is divided.
- In our city charter, it’s the Mayor’s responsibility to run our meeting. For the last two years, Chris Fletcher has not run any council meetings and citizens were both denied and forgotten their right to speak to city council.
- Chris Fletcher's inability to run a council meeting can lead to legal liabilities that could fall on us as tax payers.
- If I’m going to run those meetings, they’re going to be professional, and they’re going to be civil. We don’t all have to agree, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to treat people.
Improve Community Relationships
Improve Community Relationships
Improve Community Relationships
- As city council members, we should be servants within the community, not authorities over it. How can we expect residents to trust us with their concerns if they’re in fear of us? Members of our city government used to be respected, because they were respectful to the people of this city. I’ve heard more complaints about the behavior of o
- As city council members, we should be servants within the community, not authorities over it. How can we expect residents to trust us with their concerns if they’re in fear of us? Members of our city government used to be respected, because they were respectful to the people of this city. I’ve heard more complaints about the behavior of our elected officials in the last few years, than in the previous 25. I will not stand for members of the community or city employees being disrespected, demeaned, or insulted by their own elected officials. Burleson deserves better than that. You deserve better than that.
What has Gone Right
BFD Infrastructure
School Resource Officers
School Resource Officers
Ronnie was part of the 2019 council who approved Fire Station 16: The 14,000 square foot fire station replaced fire station 2 and has enhanced capabilities for emergency management .
School Resource Officers
School Resource Officers
School Resource Officers
Since the beginning Ronnie has always and will continue to support the city's partnership when providing School Resource Officers. Council approved 5 new SRO's since 2021.
BPD & BFD Staffing
BPD & BFD Staffing
BPD & BFD Staffing
Ronnie was part of the 2021 Council who approved ten new police officers and thirteen new fire department members. Additionally, council approved to increase both BPD & BFD pay by 30%.
Parks
BPD & BFD Staffing
BPD & BFD Staffing
A great deal of recognition should be given to residents and park board members who volunteered their time and efforts into helping to improve community spaces such as:
Splash Pad
Dog Park
Improvements to:
Cindy Park, Clark Park, Claudia's Playground
All were council approved at various years.
Proud Member of the First Chrisitian Church of Burleson
Church Leadership
Ronnie & Peggy Johnson have attended First Christian Church of Burleson since 1971. Over the last 50 years, Ronnie has served on numerous leadership positions including Chair of the board. He currently serves as the Vice Chair. Peggy Johnson is presently the treasurer and has served in this position for nearly 20 years.
BISD Sports hall of fame