Rich Krause

(HEATH, TX – Feb. 19, 2021) Rich Krause, community leader and 26year Heath resident, has announced his candidacy for Re-Election to Heath City Council, Place 6 in the May 1, 2021 election.

Krause currently serves on Heath City Council, Place 6 and said he looks forward to continuing his service to the citizens of Heath.

“I hired on at E-Systems (Now L3Harris) in 1990. My 30+ years of Program, Material, Subcontracts and Quality Management gives me a unique perspective on the various stake holders and processes related to operations. I have augmented this with over 60 hours of training with the Texas Municipal League including 1 of only 62 in all TX Municipal Government employees and volunteers to graduate from their Texas Municipal League Leadership Academy in 2014. I believe good business practice is essential in operating our city. These insights have already been utilized to save Heath taxpayers money by insisting on greater competition for contracts on service and construction better negotiating.

“My goal as a City Councilmember is to continue serving current Heath citizens as the #1 customer. I have always supported high quality, low density development. Even when we had a developer run council and I was the only vote in opposition to developments that are not consistent with our comprehensive plan (which I helped update in 2008 and 2018).”

As a 26-year resident from when Heath had 2K people, I have seen the good bad and ugly in our growth. Our city manager and staff depend on the council for vision, guidance, sound principle, policy and practices to maintain and improve our growing city. I am adamant that we do this with transparency and integrity while not selling out on our wonderful city staff and citizens.

I have no direct or indirect conflict of interest with No Personal or Financial gain in any developments. My income has always come from defense contracting in reconnaissance and anti-terrorism, a very honorable and unrelated industry located outside Rockwall in Hunt county.

Krause has a significant record of volunteer involvement in our city and county since 1999 having served in many leadership roles and organizations including:  Heath Park Board, Heath Board of Adjustments and Heath Comprehensive Plan Committee, Chairman of Rockwall County Republican Party Precinct 2C, Leadership Rockwall Class of 2015 renovating the Meals On Wheels facility, 2006/2007 Rockwall ISD Bond Election Steering Committee, Chairperson of 2010 Census Committee, County of Rockwall Grand Jury, Vice President of Rockwall County Republican Men’s Club and President of Antigua Bay Home and Property Owners Association.

Krause believes in continual learning obtaining an AAS/Business Management at Richland Community College, BS/Human Relations and Business Management from Amber and MBA/Strategic Leadership from Amberton University. Additionally Rich has accumulated over 100 hours of company training and 60 hours of Texas Municipal League city council training. No day job can teach and train the unique skills required for excellence in community service.

Rich was married to Heather Krause 34 years before she sadly and suddenly passed away in 2017, has two children that grew up in Heath, and five grandchildren. Ashley and her two children reside in Heath as did his father before passing away in 2019. “I may not have been in Heath 4 generations, but I have moved 4 generations to Heath!”

Accomplishments on Heath City Council include: Consistently fought for high quality low density development. Only high-quality boutique commercial and retail. As the Council Liaison to the Park Board I insisted on consistently imposing impact and fee in lieu or land for parks at final platting. Increased the cost for developers on fee in lieu for Parks and now includes park development vs just dedicating land for the citizens to pay for improvements. Our first developer provided park is near completion in Heathland Crossing. Insisted that park fees be broken out and reported separately to the Park Board and in the city budget. Updated the Park and Trail plan to best utilize growth, preventing lost opportunity. Initiated the Parks and Trails of Heath (PATH) program in 2020 that has already raised over $30,000 and added improvements including shade trees, park benches and water station in the Heath Town Center Park.

Initiated public notice on fence variances for transparency to prevent surprised property owners when neighbors exceed height and or visibility requirements. Initiated additional fees for those requesting after the fact variances or conditional use permits. Improved detail and clarity in reporting from Heath departments, construction and service request for proposals, proposal evaluations and contracts with increased detail and competition. Recruited and mentored the local contractor who installed Heath’s beautiful street signs funded by our HEDC/HMBC, well within cost and schedule, after the city received multiple no bids for the project. Recruited many current and past talented members of the EDC, P&Z, Special Events and Board of Adjustments.

Anticipated challenges include: Completing street and infrastructure improvements while the city develops over 2600 new residential lots. Implementing the latest Comprehensive Plan, Park and Trail Plan and related ordinances. Completing the new Town Center Overlay District Master Plan. Increasing enforcement of development standards and ordinances to assure compliance. Keeping city council and staff focused on the Citizens vision of Heath by preventing developers and related associates from regaining control of Our City Council. Supporting our awesome Heath Department of Public Safety as we grow with needed staffing, equipment, and facilities.