Corpus Christi (KIII News) — In a recent interview Barbara Canales, Democratic candidate for Nueces County Judge, said Nueces County is in bad fiscal shape -- she said it is essentially broke.
However, retiring Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal, who is a Republican supporter of Canales' opponent Mike Pusley, took exception to that comment.
"Well it's very disturbing, Nueces county is not broke," Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal said.
Neal responded to a statement made during a profile report on 3News highlighting the two candidates who want the county's top job.
"I think the biggest issues is our fiscal issues. our house is not in good shape," said Barbara Canales, Democratic party candidate.
Canales has made the county's shortfall, and subsequent tax increases part of her platform.
"Our taxes are too high, and they just had to increase our taxes because we're broke," Canales said.
"What we have done over the last two years is we've concentrated on using the effective tax rate. Moreover, by using the tax rate it has affected our fund balance," Neal said.
Commissioners did raise the tax rate by one point three cents and have instituted management changes as well as a hiring freeze.
"By the end of this fiscal year we should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 21-22 percent of our fund balance built back up and we will be back up and will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20-to-21 million dollars. So whatever is being said about the county being broke is not true. Now we are managing very carefully," Neal said.
Canales said the county still needs to do better.
"I'd like to see our cash reserves return to the place where they need to be which is 25 percent. That is so we can handle an emergency situation. What I've learned is resiliency is key for any county," Canales said.
Whether the County's fiscal issues are good to go or in need of a total revamp, the decision will ultimately be up to the voters.
The midterm election is Nov. 6 early voting continues until Nov. 2.
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