Why I Changed My Vote on the Texas Roadhouse Development Reimbursement

I want to explain why my vote regarding the Texas Roadhouse development project changed from opposition to support.

Sometimes items come before the council that are a bit murky in the presentation. To me, that is what happened for the site development reimbursement for TR LLC, which is part of the local Arkansas-based developer Boen Kemp. They are the ones that want to bring the Texas Roadhouse brand to Russellville. Based on what I understood at the time, I had concerns about using public funds to reimburse a developer connected to a large national restaurant chain. Because council members have a responsibility to carefully review how public money is spent, I initially voted against the request.

After that vote, I received additional information directly from the developers that changed my understanding of the project.

The company requesting the reimbursement is not Texas Roadhouse itself, and the reimbursement request is specifically related to the cost of demolishing an existing building on the site so the property could be redeveloped.

That distinction mattered to me.

Not only would this be benefiting a small business (that only has 5-10 employees) who is based here in Arkansas, but it would be one plug we could put into our local economy to stop the sales tax leakage going to neighboring cities. Another positive, brought up by Councilman George at July's agenda prep meeting, is that this would help strengthen that section of Main Street's appeal by removing an eye-sore and replacing it with a new business.

I also learned more about the source and intended purpose of the funding. The money being used for this reimbursement is specifically designated for economic development projects. It is not money being taken away from police, fire services, streets, parks, sanitation, or other basic city operations. These funds are intended to help make development projects possible, particularly when expenses such as demolition, infrastructure, or site preparation might otherwise prevent a project from moving forward.

The money in question is to help bridge the gap between where the developer needs to be to bring in Texas Roadhouse. They will only get the reimbursement if they hold up their end of the deal which is to provide 60 full-time and 60 part-time jobs, and $160,000 in sales tax within the first year. The council has in place what is called a "clawback" and that is where if those metrics aren't met they have to pay back the reimbursement to the city for failing to hold up their end of the bargain.

Being that projects like this bring new investment, construction activity, jobs, sales-tax revenue, and additional visitors to Russellville, it's hard not to support it. While every economic development request should be evaluated carefully, this type of project is consistent with the purpose for which these funds were established.

Changing a vote should never be done casually. However, I also do not believe elected officials should refuse to reconsider a decision when new and relevant information becomes available. My responsibility is not to defend an earlier vote simply because I made it. My responsibility is to make the best decision I can with the most complete information available.

After learning that the request came from a small Arkansas developer, understanding that the reimbursement covered demolition of an existing structure, and confirming that the funds were specifically intended for economic development purposes, I believe supporting the reimbursement is the appropriate decision.

Residents deserve to know why their elected officials vote the way they do, especially when a position changes. I remain committed to asking questions, reviewing the details, protecting taxpayer interests, and being transparent about my decisions on the Russellville City Council.