Joel Hicks is a fourth-generation Texan, U.S. Air Force veteran, and longtime Guadalupe County resident with over 30 years of community involvement. A Texas Lutheran University honors graduate, he served eight years on the Cibolo City Council and on multiple planning and development boards, building expertise in local government, infrastructure, and regional planning. A single father, he raised two children, now enjoying life as a grandfather. Hicks coached youth sports and announced Steele High School varsity baseball from 2009–2024. He champions fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment, and smart growth, and is running for Guadalupe County Commissioner, Precinct 4.
Q&A Responses
1. Infrastructure and economic competitiveness
Q: How will you prioritize road, bridge, and infrastructure investments so businesses can move goods, serve customers, and grow without delays or added costs?
A: As County Commissioner, my top priority is ensuring roads, bridges, and infrastructure work efficiently for residents and businesses. Reliable transportation keeps costs down, commerce moving, and communities connected. I will focus first on maintaining and repairing existing infrastructure, since preventive maintenance is more cost-effective than emergency fixes. With Guadalupe County growing rapidly, I will prioritize key corridors that support business activity and regional connectivity, especially in high-growth areas. Drawing on my regional planning experience, I support proactive, long-term planning to prevent congestion before it becomes costly. I will also pursue state and federal funding partnerships to reduce the burden on local taxpayers, ensuring responsible, transparent use of public funds.
2. Fiscal policy and predictability
Q: How will you balance responsible budgeting and tax rates with the need to invest in services and infrastructure that support a strong business environment?
A: Strong business growth and responsible budgeting go hand in hand when priorities are clear. My focus is funding core county services—roads, public safety, and infrastructure—because they are essential to economic success. I support spending smarter by reviewing budgets to eliminate inefficiencies before raising taxes, ensuring maximum value from every dollar. Investments should deliver measurable benefits, such as reducing congestion, improving access, and lowering business costs, which help grow the tax base without raising tax rates. Smart growth, supported by infrastructure, attracts jobs and businesses. By leveraging state and federal partnerships and maintaining transparency, we can protect taxpayers, support businesses, and keep Guadalupe County competitive.
3. Growth management and development certainty
Q: How will you support sustainable growth while providing clear, consistent policies so businesses and developers can plan and invest with confidence?
A: Sustainable growth requires clear rules, consistent policies, and proactive planning. Businesses and developers need certainty, not shifting standards, to invest with confidence. I support predictable, consistently applied policies and planning infrastructure—roads, drainage, and utilities—before development occurs, preventing congestion, flooding, and costly retrofits. Growth must be coordinated with cities and regional partners, including TxDOT, to align county policies with long-term regional and thoroughfare plans. Responsible development should strengthen the tax base, create jobs, and protect quality of life, mobility, and public safety. Smart planning ensures growth adds value rather than long-term costs, keeping Guadalupe County competitive and resilient.