By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

                District 4 Levy County Commission candidate Tim Hodge said it’s been a lifelong goal of his to be elected to the commission.

            “This ain’t something I decided to do because I heard Ms. Lilly (Rooks) is retiring. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hodge said.

            Hodge was one of the candidates participating in the Levy County Executive Committee candidates’ forum in Cedar Key on July 22.

            Questioner Stoney Smith asked Hodge what makes him the best candidate.

            “I’ll tell you I’m level-headed, I’ve got common sense, I’ve got good work ethics, I work really good with other people, I’m concerned, I can work with other commissioners,” Hodge said. “Just whatever it takes, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve got to get it out of my system.” He drew laughter.

            Smith asked Hodge to explain how much experience he has in preparing and authorizing budgets.

            “I’d have to know what I’d be working with – make something happen, make it work. You can’t just go in there and get crazy with it. Something else I need to add – there is a lot I need to learn. This isn’t something I’m walking into and I know all about it,” Hodge said.

            Smith said taxes were discussed with other county commission candidates along with the fact that Levy County has a population of less than 50,000 and is always looking for money.

            “What’s you’re feeling on taxes? Are they too high, are they just about right or are they pleasantly low? Smith said.

            “Well, taxes is a sore subject. There is a time when you have to do that. There’s maybe a time when you have to maybe raise taxes. I ain’t saying you’re going in there the whole time and not raising taxes. Sometimes it has to be done. To me, my taxes, if it was $100 a year, it would be too much for me,” he responded.

            “What is your position on the toll road?” Smith asked.

            “I’m dead against the toll road. I absolutely am,” Hodge said to applause. “It’s not what Levy County needs. It really don’t. There’s a chance it may destroy the things that we want out here.”

            Smith asked if Hodge was in favor of adding family insurance to employees’ policies that they don’t have now. (the county commission no longer pays for employee family coverage)

            “You know I would love to see that. People that go to work there, they go with the intention of retirement and insurance. Me, I personally think the insurance is outrageous. I would love for the whole family to be on it and have a lower insurance,” he said.

            “But how do we pay for it? Smith responded.

            “I don’t know the best way to do it.  I don’t know to be 100 percent correct,” Hodge said.

            Smith said the other county commission candidates were asked which part of county government should get more attention. He asked Hodge which departments he thought he would give the most attention.

            “There are several that are important. You got law enforcement, fire department, and personnel. All of these is very important,” Hodge said. “If you don’t need them, you don’t think about it. When you need them, you want them right now – I definitely back all the law enforcement and first responders. That’s very important to me.”

            Smith said staffing is a problem in some departments.

            Hodge responded that he talked to a county employee in Yankeetown.

            “He was disgusted they are making him work double shifts. According to him they are getting real fed up with it,” Hodge said. Hodge didn’t say which department the employee worked for. He ran out of time on his interview.

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Enterprise Reporting July 22, 2022; Posted July 26, 2022