Ozarks Profile: Tom Chudomelka

As a Christian County commissioner, what are your top three priorities for 2004?

As always, the first is to make sure the overall county budget stays in the black. Increasing funding for law enforcement, especially after having to cut that budget last year. The biggest priority this year will be the completion of the comprehensive study for the extension of Kansas Expressway from the Greene County line south to Missouri Highway 14. We, in conjunction with the city of Nixa, are about to choose the engineering firm. We hope to have contracts finalized by the middle of January.

What do you expect to happen with county revenue in 2004?

I believe that county revenues will increase much more rapidly for 2004 than they have in the past couple of years. With the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Ozark, I hope to see a 10 percent growth much more than the 3 percent projection we used the last two years.

What are the most important challenges facing Christian County in 2004, and how will they be addressed?

Growth in this region is the biggest challenge. Right now, the only way to address this is with our planning and zoning codes, although we have discussed impact fees for road improvements and other services.

What is your philosophy on growth and development?

The gates to this county have opened. By word of mouth or other means, people (more people) are hearing about this area and how terrific it is. This means we need to build because they are coming. We, as leaders, have chosen to try and solve the problems that follow this kind of growth, and that's what we must do.

How is the county managing growth and construction?

The only way we have of managing growth and construction is our planning and zoning code. We currently have no building codes, but we have had some meetings to receive input about building codes from the public.

Where in the county will growth happen in 2004?

Growth in the county will be centered around Ozark and Nixa as in the past. But all areas, no matter how rural, have and are seeing building. Sparta, Highlandville, Clever and Billings are due for some rapid expansion. Also, the new village of Saddlebrooke will bring growth to the southern Highway 65 corridor.