Outgoing Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips reflects on 16-year journey

Published 5:40 am Monday, December 16, 2024

After 16 years as Smith County’s Precinct 3 Commissioner, Terry Phillips is one of the longest-serving officials in county history. Now, a new chapter in his life begins.

“It’s not easy to get that far,” Phillips said. “I’m proud of that, that my constituents had that much faith in me and believed in me enough to let me serve them for 16 years.”

Phillips took office in January 2009 after defeating incumbent Bobby Van Ness in a runoff election. Although he hoped for four more years, his tenure is now ending after an opponent won in a recent election.

J. Scott Herod, new commissioner, will step into the role after winning the Republican primary runoff in May with nearly 90% of the vote, surpassing Phillips. Herod later triumphed over Democratic candidate Edith Mayfield Wilson in the November election.

Phillips’ path into public service was inspired by his early experiences with local politics and the example set by his best friend’s father, Lee Horton Jr. When Phillips first ran, he strongly opposed the commissioners’ decision to give themselves a raise.

“The raises really spring boarded me into it,” Phillips said. “Nobody can give themselves a raise.”

He hoped to change that. When he was elected, he gave half of his salary back. Phillips said he’s never voted to give himself a raise. While there have been cost-of-living increases, he believes people shouldn’t be in office for the salary but to serve and do the right by the community.

He’s always been honest with people, he said. When they reach out, he could give them a comforting answer, but he prefers to tell the truth, even if it’s not what they want to hear — whether it’s something they can’t do, won’t do, or costs too much. He’s upfront with them, he said.

It hasn’t always been easy, Phillips said. His commitment to being direct and transparent has remained constant, although he admitted his straightforward approach didn’t always resonate with everyone. While Phillips acknowledged he could have done some things differently, he wasn’t sure if it would have improved things. Still, he believes he got the job done.

Phillips said he would never claim credit for anything on his own because it takes three votes to get anything done. With this in mind, he talked about the achievements the group has made over the years.

When Phillips first arrived, the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office was in a small, cramped building downtown. The judge would hold court there, and the setup was so tight jurors had to move just to let someone get to the bathroom. It was far from ideal, with boxes piled up everywhere.

Phillips found a solution at the old Gibraltar Chemical facility on Highway 155, which had 6,000 square feet of office space. He worked out a deal, sold the downtown building to the city of Winona for its police department, and used the funds to remodel the facility. The upgrades provided the judge with the space needed to run the court and still offer extra room today.

The county built a new dog shelter, replacing the facility in Winona, which was in terrible condition. The previous shelter was an old metal building that had rusted out, with rats and the elements getting inside. They purchased new property down the street and remodeled it into a brand-new shelter that can handle a large number of dogs well into the future.

Additionally, the Smith County Jail, which was another major project, is now fully paid for. They were able to pay it off in about eight years. Phillips said the new jail deal was a great success. Before, the county was spending hundreds of thousands of dollars sending inmates out of the county. With the new jail, they were able to stop that expense and keep things local.

Phillips said the parking garage and courthouse progress will continue after his departure. During his tenure, the court has made strides in improving neglected county facilities without excessively burdening taxpayers.

While not a major achievement, he’s pleased the tax rate has remained relatively stable since he came into office. Considering the growth the county has experienced, the tax rate isn’t bad; He said Smith County is still one of the lowest taxing entities in the state.

He believes the county could operate on less than the current budget. Phillips noted he’s been the only commissioner to vote against several budgets due to tax increases.

“It’s not always easy to challenge the system and say, ‘Hey, we need to question this. We need to look into why we’re doing this,” Phillips said. “I’ve always spent and looked at the county’s budget as if that money was coming out of my back pocket.”

Phillips has been pro-business in Smith County, working to make the area appealing for companies. Businesses see the county’s affordable tax rate as an incentive to relocate, bring jobs and boost the local economy. Those employees, he added, would buy homes, shop locally and contribute to the community.

Reflecting on his years in office, Phillips highlighted the rewarding aspect of working with dedicated, long-time employees. Seeing them strive for excellence and serve the community has motivated him.

He wants new commissioners to take a stand when needed and strive to make Smith County one of the best places to live while maintaining an affordable tax rate. He hopes his legacy inspires future commissioners to stand firm in their convictions and not shy away from challenging the status quo, to feel empowered to ask tough questions and do what’s right for constituents.

“Believe me, it hasn’t been easy. I get in a lot of trouble, but I don’t care. I can look back and say I’ve done the right thing, and that’s what it’s got to be all about,” Phillips said.

He’s grateful to the community for trusting him and letting him serve. He thanked them for the chance to help make the county a better place to live, grow a business and raise a family.

Phillips plans to focus on his business and real estate investment work, which will continue to take up much of his time. He also hopes to travel more. Phillips expressed an interest in staying involved with the Lindale Republican Club, a group he values for its conservative focus and attending Grassroots America events when there are speakers he’s interested in.

Herod will be sworn in Jan. 1.