Hays County Commissioner Will Conley Announces Bid For Re-Election

Republican Will Conley is running for re-election of Hays County Commissioner, Precinct 3. In 2004, Will Conley was elected in 2004 and overwhelmingly re-elected in 2008 and 2012. As Commissioner, Conley has been instrumental in finding cost-effective transportation solutions and securing millions of dollars to improve safety and traffic flow on Hays County roads. He has worked hard to make Hays County a national leader in job growth, creating an environment that led to more than 10,000 new jobs being created in the county. He was an integral leader in the campaign to Save our Wells by helping to pass legislation and creating a regional coalition to give us the support that was needed to protect our water resources. Will’s on the ground leadership through the past flood events was essential to ensuring citizens received necessary services and his relationships across our region assisted in bringing in needed resources for our community.

“I was the first person in my family to graduate from college and opened my own business after graduating,” said Conley. “My family embodies the American Dream and its twin pillars of hard work and freedom. Through my public service, I fight to protect this dream for my own children and future generations to enjoy,” Conley explained.

Described as “an effective leader with a vision” by the Austin American-Statesman, Commissioner Conley has championed limited but effective government by cutting taxes, eliminating waste, and reforming his county’s regulatory culture to create a business-friendly climate. His pro-jobs policies spurred an historic wave of new business investment, leading CNN Money to feature Hays County as having the third highest rate of job growth in the nation.

In his three terms in office, Commissioner Conley has been a reformer and coalition builder that has developed community driven plans to address the current and future needs of Hays County for public safety, justice system reform, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development and the protection of our natural resources and quality of life.

An advocate for taxpayers, Commissioner Conley doubled the homestead exemption for senior citizens and created a homestead exemption for disabled citizens on fixed incomes. In their first year, the Conley homestead exemptions saved an average of 14% for seniors and 25% for disabled citizens on their county property tax bills. In twelve years, his disciplined financial leadership has more than tripled Hays County’s savings account, balanced 12 budgets, passed with exemplary status 12 financial audits, accelerated our debt payments saving tax payers millions of dollars and improved the county’s bond rating from BBB- to AA rating we currently hold today, placing the county on its strongest financial footing in recent history. He also authored one of the first-in-the-nation voluntary restrictions on the use of eminent domain powers by local governments to safeguard the sacred right of property ownership and has fought abuse by special districts use of eminent domain in Hays County.

In recognition of Commissioner Conley’s energetic, conservative leadership, he received a gubernatorial appointment as Commissioner of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and the Texas Department of Transportation inducted Will into their hall of fame by awarding him the “Roadhand Award” for his leadership in transportation for Hays County and our region. His straightforward approach and problem-solving acumen also won the support of his peers in local government, who elected him to chair the Capitol Area Council of Governments and Capitol Area Regional Transportation Planning Organization during the 2012-2013 term. Commissioner Conley is also serving an unprecedented third term as chairman of the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, immediate past chair of the Greater San Marcos Partnership – Economic Development Board, and serves on the Region L water planning group charged with meeting the long-term water needs of more than two million Texans.

Commissioner Conley is owner and president of Conley Enterprises, an auto services business that he opened in 2001, at age 23. In the years since, he has expanded the business and helped to raise more than $225,000 for local charitable causes. Commissioner Conley holds a degree in political science and business from Texas State University. Commissioner Conley’s civic involvement includes service as a current or former board member of the Hays County Food Bank, Crime Stoppers, San Marcos Main Street Association, and the Texas State University River Center Master Planning Committee. He is a member of the National Federation of Independent Business, San Marcos and Wimberley Chambers of Commerce, Texas State University Alumni Association, President of the Wimberley Valley GOP, Lion’s Club, Ducks Unlimited, and National Rifle Association.

Commissioner Conley and his wife, Erin, reside in Wimberley with their three children, Eve, Abram, and Forrest.

The Republican primary election takes place on March 1, 2016. Early voting begins February 16. To learn more about Will Conley, visit his website: www.VoteWillConley.com.