White County Commission Q10 Candidate Responses

The Main Street Journal – Sparta has been listening to the community. Over the past several weeks, readers have submitted questions they want answered ahead of the 2026 election—and we’ve taken those directly to your County Commission candidates.

Here is your tenth question, and answers from those candidates who chose to respond.

Please explain what you know about the role you wish to fulfill.

BRYAN COLE: I understand that this role requires decision-making on budgets, policies, and county operations while representing constituents fairly. It requires accountability, communication, and a commitment to doing what is best for the entire district.

ANDY DAVIS: The role of a County Commissioner is to represent the people in your district and help make decisions that guide the county forward.

That includes setting the county budget, approving spending, and making sure taxpayer dollars are used wisely. Commissioners also work on policies and resolutions that affect things like infrastructure, public safety, schools, and county services.

Another important part of the job is listening to the people in the district and bringing their concerns and ideas to the commission. A commissioner should be accessible and willing to hear from the folks they represent.

It also means working with the other commissioners, the county executive, and department leaders to solve problems and make decisions that are in the best interest of the whole county.

At the end of the day, the job is about being a good steward of taxpayer money, using common sense, and making sure the people in your district have a voice in the decisions being made.

ERICK DILDINE: The black a white answer to balance the budget , but what I know about the role is. The role of a county commissioner is to represent the people of their district and make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire county. It’s about being a voice for the community, listening to concerns, and making sure those concerns are brought to the table when decisions are made.

A commissioner is responsible for helping manage the county’s budget, making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, and that the county is living within its means. That includes funding for things like our road department, emergency services, schools, and other essential services that our community depends on every day.

The job also involves working with other commissioners, county leaders, and departments to make decisions on infrastructure, growth, and long-term planning. It’s important to be able to work together, even when there are different opinions, to find solutions that benefit the county as a whole.

I also understand that this role isn’t just about meetings it’s about being present in the community, staying accessible, and keeping people informed. Too often, people feel disconnected from local government, and I want to help change that by being someone who listens and communicates openly.

My faith plays a big role in how I approach serving others. I believe we are called to care for one another, to lead with honesty, and to always try to do what is right even when it’s not the easiest path. That’s the mindset I will bring into this role.

Most importantly, I see this position as a responsibility to serve not to push personal agendas, but to do what’s right for the people. As a dad and a member of this community, I take that seriously and will always put our families and our future first.

JAVIER ORTIZ: This role is about leadership, accountability, and service. It requires making tough decisions, balancing budgets, listening to constituents, and working with others—even when there are disagreements. It’s about doing what’s best for the county.

The County Commission and individuals in each seat have certain duties as laid out by the Tennessee Constitution and statutory law. Simply put, its main role is act as the legislative and representative body for the county it serves. This includes Budgetary oversight and allocation, Legislative determination on local policies and ordinances, and the investigative work required within committees, appointments, and confirmation procedures. The Commissioners are tasked with doing this work for their respective constituents to ensure our county government is in-line with the ideals of our Constitutional, Representative Republic. Commissioners must be well versed in Constitutional Obligation in order to fulfill this obligation.

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