Name as it appears on the ballot: Bryan A. Marley
Previous elected offices held: Town of Hope Mills Commissioner for five terms
Age as of Election Day: 49
Occupation (employer, where you work, what you do): Emergency Services Director, Hoke County
Best phone number and email for voters to reach you. Website and campaign social media:
- 910-964-4876
1. Give us your elevator pitch in 200 words or less. Why are you running for this office? What makes you the most qualified candidate?
As a Lifelong Resident and Five Term Commissioner in Hope Mills, I have a desire to serve the the citizens of Hope Mills. As a former Full-time Employee of the Town and and now current Board Member I vast understanding of Local Government. We have come along ways in Hope Mills and have many more opportunities on the horizon. This has motivated to continue the journey and I would ask for the continued support to see that Hope Mills continues to progress.
2. What do you view as the three most pressing issues facing Hope Mills? How will you address them as a commissioner?
Probably the biggest challenge is the rate of growth and infrastructure and maintaining working relationships between the town’s Planning Department, Developers, DOT, and Utility Companies. Second challenge is recruitment and retention of all town employees keeping them competitive in pay. How would this be addressed. Growth – Continue to maintain those relationships and trust the recommendations of the town’s Planning Staff. Recruitment and retention – In FY24-25 Budget the board implemented a pay plan town wide based on the most recent recommendations of the most recent pay study. This plan is a must to keep our qualified employees.
3. What’s the best or most important thing the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners has done in the past year? Additionally, name a decision you believe the board should have handled differently. Please explain your answers.
Our Town Manager has worked hard with board support to make the necessary changes needed town wide to include improvements to our Police Department and Fire Departments for transparency and trust. Coffee with a COP and Walk with a Cop programs are examples beneficial for instilling trust with the community. With these changes has come staff wide DEI Training including board members to address interest of our community. Additionally, I stand behind decisions that the board has made.
4. With the recent county tax revaluation, property taxes have gone up for many people. If elected, what would you do to address concerns from Hope Mills residents about higher tax bills while maintaining town services?
Continue to work with the town’s Economic Development Committee and the town’s Planning Department. With the county changing the sales tax distribution, the town lost 1.9 Million in sales tax revenue. Unfortunately, this had to be made up through an increase from revenue natural tax amount to maintain the level of service to the citizens of Hope Mills and maintain needed growth demands on the town’s Emergency Services to include the police and fire departments. Commercial growth is the towns greatest source of revenue. That is why working through the Economic Development Committee and our planning staff to create smart growth within the town to lessen the burden on the home owners.
5. The town board recently voted to establish four-year terms for the mayor and commissioners. Do you agree or disagree with this decision to move away from two-year terms, and why? If you disagree, what do you intend to do about it, if elected?
I agree with this decision and voted for the change. This change was needed to create stability and continuity of government for the town.
6. How will you work to attract and retain new businesses and other development to Hope Mills? Name another municipality you believe has made smart decisions about sustainable growth and development, and describe what it has done that could be implemented in Hope Mills.
I trust that the town’s Economic Development Committee and the town’s Planning Department will be able to foster the relationships needed to attract new and exciting things for our citizens. We are starting to see major investments within the town. Also as a commissioner we must listen to the needs of our smaller local businesses that have help to make Hope Mills a better place through their investments as well.
7. Nonprofits are seeing homeless encampments popping up in Hope Mills. What is needed to tackle homelessness in town, and how would you work to implement these solutions?
The town has numerous working committees like our Homelessness advisory committee. These committees are working to bring ideas and recommendations to the board. As well, the town should continue to work with our nonprofits in partnerships to combat these issues.
