Todd Henderson

What are your top three priorities for enhancing economic growth opportunities

throughout Hope Mills?

The Chamber of Commerce should set the agenda for business‐town

collaboration—bringing recommendations to Town Hall, rather than waiting for directives

from the town. Local businesses in Hope Mills need to actively partner with the

Chamber, sharing the positions they need to fill and the services they require. Town Hall

can amplify those efforts by resharing Chamber posts about job openings, vendor

alerts, and community events.

Moving forward, the town will recruit top talent for municipal roles and rely on local firms

to deliver professional services at competitive rates. By trusting the Chamber as the

expert voice for business, the mayor and town manager can focus on ensuring daily

operations run smoothly and responsibilities are met.

Fiscal discipline is equally important. Tax rates must strike a balance—fair to

businesses, yet affordable for residents. Every dollar collected in taxes is one less dollar

a citizen can spend at local shops, dine out, or enjoy family activities. When budgets

tighten, families face real choices between essentials and leisure. That’s why the town

must operate within a realistic budget, just like any business. While budget amendments

are sometimes necessary, we cannot let our appetite for growth outpace responsible

spending.

Public organizations answer to citizens instead of shareholders, but the goal remains

the same: maximize the community’s return. Keeping taxes reasonable encourages

residents to invest their earnings back into Hope Mills businesses, creating a healthy,

symbiotic relationship among the town, local enterprises, and citizens.

Accountability cannot be an afterthought. Every town employee who encounters an

unresolved issue should report it immediately to the appropriate department—or at least

to the town clerk for proper routing. Problems should be fixed promptly, not only after an

influx of citizen complaints.

Pride in our community isn’t about grand announcements or flashy projects. It’s about

quietly maintaining and improving our shared home every day, without being told. This

mindset—of individual responsibility and collective stewardship—will brighten Hope

Mills more effectively than any single major initiative

What are the most pressing issues facing Hope Mills, and how will you work to solve

them?

Transparency and accountability aren’t optional—they’re essential. I’ve seen too many

elected officials fail to hold town staff to the same standards they expect of themselves,

whether through slow responses to basic citizen requests or unprofessional treatment.

A “weak mayoral system” shouldn’t excuse weak leadership. I’m committed to changing

that by setting a new bar for how our town operates.

 I will forge regular one-on-one meetings with each council member to build trust

and alignment.

 I will use procedural tools like budget amendments—and refuse to allow a vote

on any proposal unless every detail is made public.

 I will publish a clear vision in my Mayor’s Roadmap and host quarterly public

forums for direct feedback.

 I will deepen community engagement through formal partnerships with the

Chamber of Commerce and neighborhood associations.

 I will institute measurable performance metrics for every department, with

transparent monthly reports posted online.

 I will leverage every communication channel available to keep residents in the loop and

solicit real-time feedback by continuing to live-stream town hall meetings on Facebook

and YouTube, relaunching the town’s X account for timely updates and resident surveys,

and sharing success stories and milestones on all social media platforms to include

Instagram. This while not a be passing phase for during an election campaign but will be

the standard.

 We’ll also overhaul the town website for user-friendly, professional experience.

Every public official—on the job or on their personal social feeds—will adhere to a

uniform standard of professionalism and courtesy.

This approach persuades my peers, galvanizes citizen support, and delivers tangible

results that amplify my leadership, even within a “weak” mayoral system. Together, we’ll

restore accountability and strengthen our community.

Transparency in our finances isn’t optional—it’s essential. With growing concerns over

taxpayer‐funded expenditures and shrinking reliance on state and federal aid after

recent natural disasters, every department must rigorously eliminate nonessential costs.

Although our millage rate slipped, soaring property valuations have driven many

residents’ tax bills up—mine climbed by roughly $1,000—placing disproportionate strain

on seniors and others living on fixed incomes. As basic living expenses continue to rise,

we risk losing valued neighbors. We owe it to every household to prioritize fiscal

responsibility and clear, accessible reporting.

That’s why I’m proposing a comprehensive forensic audit of all town spending from

2020 onward. Upon completion, we will publish every legally releasable document and

present the findings both in person and across our print outlets, website, and social

media channels. To reinforce accountability, I will also invite the State of North Carolina

to conduct annual and surprise financial reviews, ensuring our books meet the highest

standards for both local taxpayers and independent state oversight.

What makes you the best candidate to represent Hope Mills?

After completing my service here at Bragg, I’ve carried forward the discipline, resilience,

and integrity instilled by the military and my parents. Rather than holding onto my old

rank, I now put those same values into action through collaborative local leadership.

True leadership isn’t about knowing every answer; it’s about involving the people we

serve. When someone offers an honest, commonsense solution to a problem, we owe it

to our town to give it full consideration. Our community expects a leader who holds

individuals accountable—for what they do and for what they fail to do.

Ensuring safety is an essential responsibility. We’ll install a safety net to prevent children

from swimming too far into the lake and maintain our dam’s log boom to extend its

lifespan. Having the best amenities is admirable, but we must always address

maintenance needs before pursuing wants.

Every interaction—whether with a neighbor or a gas‐station attendant—is an

opportunity to build trust through patience and genuine care. In Hope Mills, I stand as

an equal: no one’s voice is more important than another’s. At Town Hall, I will cultivate

this ethos, empowering every staff member and ensuring all perspectives are heard.

I pledge to champion our community—collectively and individually—guiding Hope Mills

toward a future rooted in commonsense solutions, accountability, and compassionate

service.

Bonus question: Recent property revaluations have resulted in increased financial

obligations for property owners within the Hope Mills town limits. The majority of

property owners have experienced a substantial tax increase, averaging around 60%. If

elected, what strategies would you implement to alleviate this financial strain on

residents while maintaining the provision of essential services?

Our town thrives when our town’s finances are transparent and responsibly managed.

With taxpayer dollars funding every service, we must eliminate unnecessary

expenditures to minimize operating costs and tax burdens. Recent natural disasters

have strained our budget and made state and federal aid unpredictable. Meanwhile, a

lower millage rate hasn’t reduced actual tax bills—rising property values pushed mine

up by about $1,000—adding severe pressure on fixed-income residents, reducing local

spending, and threatening our workforce stability.

To safeguard funds designated for specific items or contracts and prevent robbing Peter

to pay Paul, we will implement:

• Dedicated accounts or sub-ledgers for each contract or line item, with

permissions restricted to authorized staff.

• The Town Manager will clearly outline why approvals are required for budget

amendments and describe the steps that will prevent future misallocations. No transfer

from an earmarked account may occur—or be presented to the board for a vote—until

this explanation and action plan are provided.

• Embedded audit trails in our financial system so every transaction is logged,

reviewed, and timestamped.

• Scheduled reconciliations and variance reports to flag unauthorized reallocations

immediately.

These measures not only guard against resource shifts but also build transparency and

trust, protecting vulnerable residents, strengthening household purchasing power, and

securing the stable workforce and customer base our businesses depend on.