The Current: Q&A Liberty County Commission Chair candidates

Michael is originally from Miami, Florida. He earned an associate's degrees in computer engineering and electronic engineering from Savannah Technical College and a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Ashford University. Navarro has lived in Hinesville since 2005.

Michael currently works as a School Bus Driver. He previously worked in the U.S. Army for 20 years as a soldier, civilian, and contractor, mainly in security roles. Navarro also has experience as a manager.

Michael Navarro's campaign for Liberty County Commission Chairman is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

Supports early voting to reduce wait times on Election Day.

- Supports early voting to reduce wait times on Election Day.

Public Services

Supports reducing the budget and property taxes.

Supports eliminating the state income tax.

- Supports reducing the budget and property taxes.
- Supports eliminating the state income tax.

Economy

Education

Believes increasing police presence, providing recreational activities for youths, and improving quality of life would help reduce gun violence.

Supports increasing police presence to deter gun violence.

- Supports increasing police presence to deter gun violence.

Public Safety

As of October 9, 2024, Michael Navarro’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Twitter

Facebook

Michael Navarro

As of October 14, 2024, Michael Navarro’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Michael Navarro has nearly 20 years of experience in security at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as a soldier, Army Civilian, and Security Contractor, reaching the rank of Chief of Guard. He has also worked as a School Bus driver for Liberty County for the last three years.

Believes the retired community is "especially affected since they are on a fixed income."

Supports receiving donations through the website or via mail.

Has been a resident of Liberty County for over 20 years.

Believes many friends leave the county due to lack of public services.

Believes in providing Economic Relief through tax cuts.

Believes high taxes have been a long-standing issue in Liberty County and wants to address it.

Believes the middle class is struggling with high inflation, an unstable economy, and increasing taxes.

Opposes the 35% increase in property taxes for FY 2024.

Believes the middle class is "taken for granted" and excluded from discussions on improving their lives.

Believes youth sports are a valuable community investment.

Believes in the importance of education and plans to prioritize it as CEO.

Believes education is "the most crucial of all support."

Believes providing activities for kids is crucial, saying it is "the second most talked about issue I hear among residents."

Believes participation in team sports leads to higher GPAs for high school athletes.

Supports the construction of a second sports facility to accommodate more athletes and add new sports, including chess.

Supports public safety measures to ensure community security.

Believes employees need access to higher-level supervisors who can effectively address issues with first and second-level supervisors.

Supports providing headsets that read aloud to voters.

Believes individuals who have been ruled mentally incompetent by a court should not have access to firearms.

Believes in enhancing public safety measures.

Believes in addressing public safety through comprehensive criminal justice reform.

Supports lowering rent and tax bills for residents.

Believes in supporting the development of local businesses and infrastructure to enhance community growth, drawing from two decades of witnessing Liberty County's evolution.

Believes property taxes should be lowered.

Believes in strong community ties, saying, "My wife and children, Michael, John, and Julianna, have made this our home."

Believes in stable homeownership, saying, "After leaving the military, we bought our home in 2005 and still live there today."

Opposes tax increases, citing the Liberty County Board of Commissioners' decision to raise property taxes by 35%.

Opposes the lack of development of exit 76 in Midway by Liberty County.

Believes Liberty County needs a "change in course" for transportation and infrastructure.

Believes the Recreation Department is understaffed and under-resourced to meet current demand.

Believes in the importance of addressing backdrafts in firefighting.

Believes voters need to consider the future of Liberty County and decide whether to "stay the course or vote for change."

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is specifically responsible for preparing the county budget, which must be passed by the rest of the County Commissioners. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commission Chairs have additional executive duties including coordinating with the office of the Mayor for your county, appointing Commissioners to committees, and representing your county at official functions.
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.