Leadership and Accomplishments

transportation

• Negotiated a partnership agreement with state officials that resulted in a $133 million investment in new and improved Hays County roads.
• Implemented a long-range plan for Hays County transportation including the construction of new traffic corridors, new overpasses and bypasses, and improvements designed to streamline traffic flow.

economic development

• Advanced pro-jobs policies of low taxes, infrastructure upgrades, and regulatory efficiency that led to the third highest rate of job growth in the nation according to CNN Money.
• Attracted new businesses to Hays County, including a new medical center, major convention center, biomedical research and high-wage industry.

conservation

• Pioneered a conservative approach to land and natural resource conservation rooted in the local community, not federal regulation. Through voluntarism, partnerships, grants, and land trusts, Commissioner Conley’s conservation leadership is preserving cherished water sources and natural treasures in San Marcos and the Wimberley Valley for future generations to enjoy.

veteran's services

• Chairs the Hays County Veteran Affairs Committee, working to improve access and transportation to medical appointments and other services for area veterans.

private property rights

• Authored and passed a resolution to restrict the county’s use of eminent domain and safeguard private property rights. Following the Kelo v. New London Supreme Court decision, which held that local governments could exercise broad discretion in the use of eminent domain, the Conley resolution was one of the first in the nation to voluntarily restrict the use of eminent domain powers by a local government.

lower taxes + spending

• Never voted for a tax increase. When a majority of Democratic commissioners voted to raise property taxes, Commissioner Conley identified $1.5 million in spending cuts to eliminate the need for new revenue without affecting citizen services. (See 9/24/2009 editorial)
• Doubled the homestead exemption for senior citizens and created a homestead exemption for disabled citizens on fixed incomes. In its first year, the Conley homestead exemptions saved an average of 14% for seniors and 25% for disabled citizens on their county property tax bills.
• Commissioner Conley’s disciplined financial leadership has tripled Hays County’s savings account from $10 million to $30 million and improved the county’s bond rating from B-plus to AA-plus, placing the county on its strongest financial footing in recent history.

public safety

• Spearheading a major renovation of emergency communications that will bring all law enforcement and fire departments together with a state-of-the-art central command center.
• Secured a state grant to develop a new, high-tech warning system for dangerous low water crossings.

law enforcement

• Provided bulletproof vests to local law enforcement, giving officers the tools and support they deserve.
• Forged a partnership agreement between county law enforcement and local school districts to provide resource officers for school campuses.
• Led the effort to give competitive pay to Hays County sheriff’s deputies, enabling the county to retain highly skilled officers and better compete for top recruits.

2nd amendment rights

• Leading a partnership effort to establish Hays County’s first shooting range, providing residents with a local option for personal protection and firearm safety courses, and area law enforcement with a local training center.
• Voted against a county regulation designed to restrict the personal use of firearms on one’s own land.