Osceola County Commissioner District 5

Judy Robertson

Judy Robertson
5190 Harkely Runyan Rd. St. Cloud
407-709-0456
judy@judyrobertson08.com
www.judyrobertson08.com
Republican
Age: 53
Occupation: Business owner; Robertson Homes (construction), St. Cloud Bites (restaurant), Magnolia Square Post Office (contract unit)
Total Monetary Contributions To Date: $7,263
Total Monetary Expenditures To Date: $6,282.22
Download 1st Quarter Financials
Download Financials as of 7.18.08

Previous/Current Elected Office:
Osceola School Board 1994-2002

Previous Campaigns for Elected Office:
School Board

How Long have you lived in Osceola County?
27 Years

What is your history of community service?
Growth Management Task Force, St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce-Board of Directors, active in legislative issues, Leadership Osceola, Board of Directors of Florida School Boards Assn., OASIS, PTO officer, SAC chair, mentor/tutor-8years-Hickory Tree Elementary/St. Cloud High School, St. Cloud Little League-coach/manager 7 years, Cornerstone Church-building committee.

Why are in you seeking this office?
District 5 deserves stronger representation, and with my experiences I bring a New Point of View to the County Commission with practical ideas for the future of our county. I am responsive to the needs of our citizens and will return phone calls and will maintain an office in the district

What makes you the best-qualified candidate?
My experience of having served on the School Board makes me uniquely qualified in dealing with concurrency issues which will become increasingly important into the future. Charlie and I have raised our sons here in Osceola County into responsible, productive adults, the most important job given to us. I am sensitive to the needs of families and work tirelessly when an important issue comes up.

Current or former elected official you most admire and why?
It is a tie. As Senate President, Toni Jennings, and House Speaker Dan Webster, Florida was well served. They were responsive to acute needs of schools in the state, demanded accountability but also provided needed financial relief. It is because of their good work that encourages me to get involved in legislative issues, because I learned you can make a difference.

If additional revenue becomes available where would you spend it?
I would use it to develop an enterprise that would produce revenue for the county and makes us less reliant on property taxes, such as alternative energy production or garbage service.

If revenue falls short, what are the areas you would target for cuts?
My first priority would be to fund public safety. In addition to police and fire, there is mosquito control, animal control, and protection of our lakes. I wouldn’t target a certain area, I would ask for recommendations from the county manager and weigh it against what I feel is important.

Under what circumstances would you raise taxes?
If it was voter approved.

What is the top issue facing Oceola County?
Protecting water resources and job diversity

What does Osceola County government do well?
The building/engineering dept. is well run and responsive to its customers.

What does Osceola County government do poorly?
Transition to the new county manager. Job action affecting county employees should have been delayed a few months until the county manager could do his own assessment.

Rate the job performance of the County Manager.
I cannot rate his performance at this time because I have only second hand information.

How would you help businesses in Osceola County?
Incentives for expansion of existing businesses, not just new competing interests. When discussions involve MSBUs and the fee schedule, I will be watchful that the businesses aren’t charged unfairly in an attempt to make up the tax shortfall. I will work to streamline all processes that will allow business to open in a timely manner, recognizing that time spent is money spent.