PORT NECHES —
Veteran councilmember Matt Vincent wants to continue his service to the city of Port Neches and see the completion of ongoing projects.
Vincent, 52, is a licensed Realtor with more than 30 years experience. He was first elected to council in 1999 and is vying to keep his Place 5 seat.
For Vincent, riverfront development and diversifying the city’s tax base go hand-in-hand.
“Efforts should continue to be made to develop the riverfront to diversify the tax base and to keep the tax rate as low as possible,” Vincent said. “This will help improve the quality of life for our citizens. The cities bond rating was increased because of acquisition of the riverfront property.”
The city of Port Neches has pumped in more than $8 million in investments on the waterfront in acquiring properties suitable for development adjacent to the Port Neches Riverfront Park. The two pieces of property were once home to an industrial facility and a marine facility. Environmental remediation is complete. The next step is in the hands of potential investors.
“Riverfront development was started to diversify the tax base,” he said. “At some point in the future the refineries will be off the tax roll and we need to start looking outside the box. Some people don’t like change, we need to roll with the flow.”
The city could still benefit from their own investment even if investors fail to materialize in the future.
“The worse case scenario with the riverfront asset is the property is sold the city would make money on it,” he said. “The city and the EDC (Economic Development Corporation) partnered on the purchase. We had four community meetings with input from citizens that live in Port Neches who told us what they wanted to do with the property.”
Vincent also addressed the ongoing litigation between the city and the Port Neches Police Officers Association.
“Good faith negotiations should continue between the Police Officers Association and the city to reach and agreement on a new contract that will be mutually beneficial to the citizens and the Police Officers,” he said. “The city needs to continue to provide competitive salaries and benefits to employees.”
Vincent feels strongly that the city should continue to diversify the tax base and attract new businesses and continue to strive to improve the high level of services citizens expect.
“We need to keep upgrading our infrastructure including streets, drainage, water and sewer lines,” he said. “Efforts to keep good financial management should be on going so competitive salaries and benefits can be provided to all city employees.
Vincent served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission five years prior to his service on council and has been a member of the board of directors of the Port Neches Economic Development Corporation for past 10 years. He is also on the Jefferson County Mosquito Control District for Mid-County commission.
He and his wife Linda have two daughters, Lindsey and Leah. He is a member of First Baptist Church Nederland.
1. What do you think about the tax rate in your community and what should be done about it?
It is important to keep the tax rate as low as possible and also provide the services the citizens expect and also provide city employees with reasonable living wages. It is also important to keep its 20 percent homestead exemptions and disabled and senior citizen exemptions.
2. What should be done about development of the city’s riverfront?
Efforts should continue to be made to develop the riverfront to diversify the tax base and to keep the tax rate as low as possible. This will help improve the quality of life for our citizens. The cities bond rating was increased because of acquisition of the riverfront property.
3. What should be done about the negotiations between the city of Port Neches and the Port Neches Police Association?
Good faith negotiations should continue between the Police Officers Association and the city to reach and agreement on a new contract that will be mutually beneficial to the citizens and the Police Officers. The city needs to continue to provide competitive salaries and benefits to employees.
4. State your platform in 75 words or fewer. If you go over the 75 word limit, entries will be edited to fit appropriate space.
I feel strongly that the city should continue to diversify the tax base and attract new businesses. We should keep striving to improve the high level of services our citizens expect. We need to keep upgrading our infrastructure including streets, drainage, water and sewer lines. Efforts to keep good financial management should be on going so competitive salaries and benefits can be provided to all city employees.
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