Virtual Discussion about Traffic Solutions for New Development
Why I Am Running
I feel an obligation to give back to citizens of Huntersville by providing solutions to the challenges our town is facing.
About
I am Pledging to Address Traffic Impacts Created by Development, Housing Attainability and Current Policies That Will Lead to Higher TaxesI have called Huntersville home for over 25 years, am a native of Charlotte, have worked in the finance and real estate sectors most of my career and am a married father.
I firmly believe many of the problems facing our Town are a direct result of problematic long term policy decisions. Some of the problems, like addressing traffic impacts from development are obvious, but others that will result in higher taxes are less so. None of the problems we face are insurmountable and can be addressed with forward thinking policy. I have spent five plus years learning Huntersville's regulatory framework and coupled with my experience in municipal finance as well as real estate makes me uniquely qualified to serve the community. Taking a long-term view and balanced perspective to regulation is the best strategy to create solutions. Actions speak louder than words and to that end, I have already developed solutions to some of the problems we face today and would continue to do so as a member of the Huntersville Board of Commissioners.
I am committed to serving the citizens of Huntersville by solving problems, putting the interest of the public first and not playing politics. Our town board needs members that are professional have different perspectives and can work together for the greater good of our town.
I currently serve on the Huntersville Ordinances Advisory Board and previously served as Chairperson and Vice Chair. In addition to serving on the Huntersville Ordinances Advisory Board, I also Chaired the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) subcommittee and completed the Certified Zoning Official (Planning and Development Regulation) training class at the UNC School of Government. I have additionally served as a board member and treasurer of the Villages of Rosedale HOA, an assistant scoutmaster with Huntersville’s Scout Troop 19 and previously worked in the municipal finance group of Interstate/Johnson Lane and Wachovia Securities.
I am HERE TO HELP, with solutions not empty promises.
I can be reached at 980.285.8310 or electmattjones2023@gmail.com.
Priorities
Traffic and Transportation
Traffic is one of the biggest issues affecting our Town and bad policies over the last 25 years has allowed too many traffic impacts to be created without proper mitigation.
Correcting Policies Before They Lead to Higher Taxes
There are currently a number of Town policies that if left unchecked will lead to higher taxes. These policies need to be changed and processes put in place to minimize the risk of creating similar policy in the future. Read More
Housing Affordability
It is in the public interest that we have housing that is available and attainable for our teachers, nurses, first responders, municipal staff and workforce. Read More
Citizen Engagement and Education
Every elected official has a duty to listen to the concerns of their citizens. However leadership does not end there. Good leaders also help educate and inform their constituents about the issues before them. Read More
Balanced Regulation
The impact of regulation is something that citizens of Huntersville experience daily. Read More
Sound Fiscal and Risk Management
The Town Board has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the citizens of Huntersville as well as to provide oversight. Read More
Relevant Experience
Certified Zoning Official Training
To find solutions to the challenges facing our town an understanding of regulation and the Town’s authority is essential. Over the last five years I had developed a deep understanding of regulation and the Town’s authority via my time on the Huntersville Ordinances Advisory Board and by successfully completing the Certified Zoning Official (Planning and Development Regulation) training at the UNC School of Government.
Municipal Finance
Early in my career I worked in Municipal/Public Finance with Interstate/Johnson Lane and Wachovia Securities. This experience gave me an understanding of how cities, towns and municipal authorities finance their capital projects and operations as well as the tools used to do so. The group I worked in acted as a financial advisor, issued and underwrote bonds. During that time, I reviewed countless municipal comprehensive annual financial statements, helped structure bond issues and bond refinancings.
Ordinances Advisory Board
Since December of 2017, I have served on the Huntersville Ordinances Advisory Board (HOAB). The HOAB primarily acts in an advisory capacity to the planning and town boards as it relates to proposed changes to zoning and subdivision ordinances. During my tenure, I have served as chairperson, for two years, vice chairperson and chaired the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Sub-committee. I am the longest serving member of the board and was the first non-town commissioner to serve as chairperson. During my time on the HOAB, I have advocated for changes to better address traffic impacts from new development, housing affordability and balanced regulation.
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Sub-Committee
The Huntersville Ordinances Advisory Board (HOAB) created the TIA Sub-committee in March 2019 at which time I was appointed to chair the committee. The stated purpose of the sub-committee was to review and recommend changes to TIA process with the goal of making the process equitable, predictable and transparent to all parties impacted by the process. The sub-committee met from March of 2019 until February of 2020 and produced a written set of recommendations.