Get to know County Commission Republican Candidate Barry Richards
Barry Richards, a lifelong Cabarrus County resident, outlines his priorities for county government ahead of the primary.
Barry Richards is one of eight Republicans running in the primary for three seats on the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners. Here are his answers to questions from The Cabarrus Compass.
1. Please tell us about your background and your connection to Cabarrus County. How long have you lived in the county, and what ties do you have to the community?
I have lived since birth on the same land I have inherited since 1735. I have always been involved socially, politically, scholastically, professionally, and religiously in Cabarrus County.
I am more than engaged throughout the County. My name recognition and positive involvement in various walks of life will help me further my influence and desire to help Cabarrus County get better.
2. What motivated you to become involved in public service and to run for the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners at this time?
I stated above, I am very involved and care deeply for Cabarrus County and see politically the decline in a conservative ideology in Cabarrus financially. We cannot sustain the tax burden without economic growth commercially and industrially.
We must lower governmental expenses in municipal, county, and school budgets so that we can lower taxes. We must lower commercial and industrial standards to influence relocation and growth in Cabarrus County.
3. What qualifications, skills, or experiences do you believe best prepare you to serve as a county commissioner?
I have governmental experience in developing budgets that maintain the tax rate or even lower the rates. I can look at line item budgeting and slash where needed in every department and then hopefully lower the tax rates.
I can engage other local governments and collaborate a unified front. I listen and act appropriately for what is best for all citizens. Everyone has skin in the game and needs to work cohesively.
4. What role do you believe county government should play — and should not play — in economic development, land use, and public-private partnerships?
County government should be the leader in economic growth. Most commercial and industrial growth occurs in the municipal boundaries and extraterritorial zoning areas. We need to lower restrictions collaboratively in those areas. We need to lower expenses in all governments and schools to lower taxes and encourage development. We need everyone to have skin in the game but at a lower price.
Public-private partnerships are usually enhanced at the state and federal levels. Local governments can reduce taxes as federal and state budgets have recently the old Republican way. Just do it and watch revenue increase. Industrial and commercial growth reap benefits from lower taxes. I want private enterprise to increase revenue so all shareholders benefit financially.
5. In your view, what are the most significant issues currently impacting Cabarrus County residents, and why?
Loss of agrarian lifestyle and then the clawback on the sale of farmland by taxation. Individual home expansion encroachment is needed but prices for first-time homebuyers in cost prohibitive. We need to work with all participants in zoning and look at scaling back lot requirements.
We need to bring commercial enterprise that employ and pay at more than a living wage so people can remain in Cabarrus County and not need to live in adjacent counties that keep the Jeffersonian standard of agrarian living paramount.
6. According to the U.S. Census, Cabarrus County’s population has grown from approximately 178,000 in 2010 to about 250,000 today. How would you approach managing continued growth while preserving quality of life for residents?
Relook at zoning and subdivision requirements and enhance single-family unit areas. Multi-family units do not allow for the desire for pursuit of happiness. Life and liberty are great in Cabarrus County.
What we don’t need are an abundance of multi-family units at the expense for homeownership. Change zoning requirements before we lose the Cabarrus identity of the pursuit of happiness/property.
7. What do you see as the county’s most urgent infrastructure or capital needs over the next several years, and how should these needs be addressed?
Landfill expansion is never spoken of but needs to be addressed. Reverse multi-family zoning in favor of single-family homes will help lower school costs. Federal expansion of water and sewer would help immensely. Work with municipalities on how to expand clean commercial and industrial growth.
8. If elected, which area or function of county government would you prioritize for increased attention, and what specifically would you hope to improve?
I would like to improve governmental relations and lean on each other for a holistic environmental and commercial/industrial expansion that enhances single-family improvements.
I also like boring. I have heard that the County government meetings are “entertaining.” I don’t want to entertain. I want to work the business of the County as quickly and judiciously as possible, without fanfare.
9. What is one decision or action taken by the current Board of Commissioners that you believe was handled well, and one area where the board should improve?
The Board should improve on image and working on transition. They may be able to do that best by hiring a county manager with North Carolina governmental background experience.
10. Do you support maintaining current tax rates, lowering them, or making changes to the county’s tax structure? Please explain your position.
I would most assuredly favor tax reductions. I would lower staffing through attrition, not firing. I would promote from within until you find the position that is not needed. Scratch positions not needed. And you do not need to hire at a higher pay rate for new personnel.
11. County budgeting involves difficult trade-offs, and projections show a roughly $13.7 million deficit in FY 2027. If elected, how would you approach setting spending priorities, evaluating potential reductions or revenue options, and closing the projected deficit while maintaining essential county services?
We will scratch lines not needed in line-item budgets. Grow fund balance and use it when needed. Lower taxes and watch people spend that savings in county at their discretion which will allow sales tax increases.
12. If elected, what would be your top priorities during your first year in office, and how would they align with your approach to budgeting and financial management?
I will cut expenses. Period. I will be part of a cohesive like-minded Board that puts the taxpayers first and hopefully cut taxes. I will work with all governmental entities to be like minded in future expectations.