League of Women Voters election survey: Justin C. Epker, candidate for Dallas City Council, District 1

by Staff of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on May 9 features a number of city council races.

The responses of Justin C. Epker, who is running for the District 1 seat on the Dallas City Council, appear below. Epker is running against five other people - Jesus Lara Tovar, Sean Paul Segura, Delia Jasso, Mark D. Gonzales, and Daniel J. Benchot.

LWV: What are your qualifications for this office?

Epker: As a community and economic development consultant, I have hands-on experience dealing with the needs of local government. I have helped communities across North Texas obtain over $26,000,000 in grants for infrastructure improvements, affordable housing and parks & recreation. In addition, I have been involved with several long-range, comprehensive planning studies.

LWV: The City of Dallas has a potential $100M shortfall in the next city budget. How would you close the gap? If you would cut services, which ones would you cut?

Epker: Recently, the city approved over $1,000,000 for flat screen televisions at City Hall and GPS units for garbage trucks. Our municipal courts have failed to collect $424,000,000 in potential fines since 2002. Countless properties with years of delinquent taxes are held up in our court system. Dallas is losing money due to wasteful spending and inefficient government. I will work to streamline the court system so we can collect the fines, fees, and property taxes.

LWV: Are you in favor of a convention center hotel? If yes, do you support the current plan to finance its construction with revenue bonds and have the city own the hotel?

Epker: I'm opposed to the taxpayer-owned convention center hotel. However, I'm not opposed to the city acting as a partner in the development of the convention center hotel. For instance, we could use the money already spent on the development phase of the project ($75,000,000) to attract a private investor to complete the project.

LWV: What is your response to recent reports (e.g., Corps of Engineers, North Texas Tollway Authority) regarding the Trinity River tollroad/levee issues?

Epker: Flood protection should be the first priority of this project. Moving forward with the tax-payer approved toll road at this time will increase the cost of the project and might jeopardize the levees. Until we know the extent of the sand in the levees, and what it will cost to remedy the situation, the toll road should be put on hold. However, the park features and flood protection should continue as planned.

LWV: Do you think the City of Dallas Ethics Code needs to be strengthened? If yes, in what way(s)?

Epker: I would need more specific information in order to answer this question. In general, I would support any measure that helps the citizens of Oak Cliff hold their elected officials accountable.