The Jefferson Review Voters Guide

Special Edition

The Jefferson Review Voters Guide is designed to help voters hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent Jefferson County. Candidate answers are published as submitted so readers can compare responses in each race.

Editor’s Note: Candidate responses are not endorsements by The Jefferson Review. Answers are provided by the candidates and are shared for voter information.

Timothy L Bennett Jr

Political Party Affiliation: Republican

Short Candidate Bio

Tim is a faithful Christian, a devoted husband to his wife, Stephanie, and a proud father to their three children: Ethan, Amelia, and Harrison. Tim believes strong communities are built by people who are willing to serve, show up, and invest in the next generation. One of the most rewarding parts of his community involvement has been serving as Director of Festus Tigers Flag Football, where he has had the opportunity to help young athletes build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop life skills that will serve them well beyond the field. Tim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and spent years serving in law enforcement. That experience gave him a deep respect for the responsibility placed on first responders and the trust communities place in those who serve them. He brings that same sense of duty, accountability, and commitment to his current role representing District 5 on the Jefferson County Council.

Why are you running for this office?

My wife and I are raising our children here in Festus, and I want Jefferson County to remain the kind of place where families can put down roots, build a life, and be proud to stay for generations. I was raised in Jefferson County, and this is where I want to continue raising my children and, one day, my grandchildren. I believe this county has a lot to offer: good people, strong communities, and a way of life worth protecting. I am running because I want to help our county grow while keeping the values that make Jefferson County a great place to live.

What experience best prepares you to serve in this role?

My background in law enforcement taught me the importance of public safety, accountability, and listening to people during difficult situations. It also helped me build strong relationships with local law enforcement agencies and first responders in our area.

I also served on the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Festus, which gave me a better understanding of how local government, development, zoning, and land-use decisions work. That experience helps me look at issues from more than one side: the resident, the property owner, the developer, and the community as a whole.

Beyond that, I have spent years working with families through youth football and community service. I believe leadership starts with showing up, listening, and being willing to have honest conversations.

What is the most important issue facing Jefferson County right now?

Public safety is still at the top of the list. People want to feel safe in their communities and homes. They want to go back to a time of leaving the front door unlocked and not having to worry about their property. They want to know that when they call for help, law enforcement, fire, and ambulance services can respond quickly.

Taxes and affordability are also major concerns. Families are being stretched, and people are tired of feeling like they are taxed over and over again on things they have already worked hard to buy. County government has to respect the taxpayer and make sure every dollar is being used responsibly.

To me, public safety, thoughtful growth, and protecting taxpayers all go together. If we do not plan well, costs go up. If we do not grow with intentionality, services get stretched. If we do not listen to residents, people lose trust in local government.

What is one specific thing you would like to accomplish during your term?

I want to make it easier for people to get things done in Jefferson County.

Right now, too many residents and business owners feel like the county process is too difficult, too slow, or too expensive. If someone wants to build something, improve their property, or bring a project to the county, they should not feel like they would be better off annexing into a city just to get it done.

That does not mean we ignore safety, planning, or the concerns of neighbors. It means we need a better process with clearer rules, reasonable permit costs, faster timelines, and simple ways of communication. I believe we can protect the county while also making it easier for people to invest here. There is a better way and I intend to create and implement it.

How would you describe your approach to serving taxpayers?

I am a people person. I enjoy talking with people, hearing their concerns, and having real conversations, even when we do not agree.

I believe there are three ways to get something done: my way, your way, and our way. Too often in government, people get stuck in a “my way or the highway” mindset. I do not think that serves taxpayers well.

My approach is to listen first, be honest, ask questions, and look for solutions. People may not always agree with every decision, but they deserve to be heard and treated with respect. Finding our way starts with availability and open communication. As the current County Councilman for District 5, my track record for communication and availability is already built.

What district or countywide concerns are you hearing most often from residents?

Public safety is always on the top of the list. Residents want to know that police, fire, and ambulance services can respond quickly when they are needed.

When there is an emergency, time matters. People do not want to wait an hour for an ambulance, a deputy, or a fire truck. Lives can depend on response times. I have many family members that are first responders and being former law enforcement myself I know first hand the importance of timely response. Because of this first hand experience I can better serve not only resident but also county departments in finding and utilizing the resources that go into creating better response times.

I also hear concerns about growth, taxes, and whether the county is planning ahead for roads, infrastructure, and emergency services. People understand Jefferson County is growing, but they want that growth handled responsibly so it does not hurt the quality of life we already have. My experience on planning and zoning also aids in the decisions and knowledge needed to handle such important planning for our county.

How should the County Council approach zoning, land use, and development decisions?

It should not be harder to build in the county than it is in the cities, but growth also has to be well thought out. Jefferson County is a diverse county, some developments make sense in certain areas and not in others. That is why the county’s Master Plan matters. We have areas that are better suited for growth, and we have areas that should keep more of a rural hometown feel. The goal should be to follow the plan, listen to residents, respect property rights, and make decisions that make sense for the long-term future of the county.

I believe Jefferson County can have both: responsible growth and the small-town, rural character that people value. We do not have to choose one or the other if we plan well and use common sense.

What standards should council members use when weighing staff recommendations, public opposition, and property owner rights?

I think is also where the Master Plan has a huge role. Council members should look at the facts, listen to the public, respect property rights, and use the Master Plan as a guide. Staff recommendations matter because staff members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in their fields. Public input matters because residents are the ones who live with the results. Property owner rights matter because people should have the ability to use and improve their land, as long as it does not create harm for others.

At the same time, we cannot reject every development just because change is uncomfortable. Jefferson County is growing. People want to live here, and businesses want to build here. If we fight every single project without looking at the facts, we will make it harder to fund public safety, roads, and county services without raising taxes.

The answer is not to say yes to everything or no to everything. The answer is to have respectful conversations, ask the right questions, and make a well informed decision.

How would you approach the county budget and spending oversight?

As the current County Councilman in District 5 I already have experience overseeing the county budget, and I believe that responsibility should be taken seriously every year. My approach is to ask questions, review spending carefully, and make sure taxpayer dollars are going toward the services people rely on most, especially public safety, roads, infrastructure, and basic county services.

I do not believe in spending money just because it is in the budget. Every department should be able to explain what it needs, why it needs it, and how it benefits the people of Jefferson County. The goal should be informed spending, intentional services, and respect for the taxpayers who are paying the bill.

What role should the council play in holding county departments accountable?

County departments should be held accountable, but they should not be micromanaged.

Department heads are hired or elected for a reason. They should be allowed to do their jobs, manage their employees, and run their departments. At the same time, they should be willing to answer questions, explain their needs, and be transparent with the council and the public. In my time serving on the Council I have seen the hard work that goes into making this county run, and am proud of the work that is accomplished. I believe that understanding my role as well as the roles of others is a large part of keeping things moving in a positive direction.

The council’s role should be oversight, not control. We should make sure departments are operating responsibly, using taxpayer money wisely, and serving the people well.

How should the council balance private property rights with the concerns of nearby residents?

That is a fine line, and it has to be handled thoughtfully. I believe strongly in private property rights. The county should not get involved in every decision a person makes on their own property. If someone is not harming others, creating a safety issue, or encroaching on someone else’s property, then government should be very careful about stepping in. At the same time, neighbors have a right to be heard when something could affect their property, safety, traffic, drainage, or quality of life. The council has to listen to those concerns while still respecting the rights of the property owner. I believe that my experience leading volunteers, working in law enforcement, and planning and zoning lends me a well rounded perspective when weighing in on these decisions.

Would you support stronger public notice or public explanation requirements for major land-use decisions?

Yes, I believe the public should be notified and informed when major developments are being considered in their area. If a project is going to directly affect residents, they deserve to know what is being proposed and have a chance to speak. But public input has to go both ways. People should be allowed to have their say, but they also have to be willing to listen. We should not deny a project before we understand what it is, what impact it will have, and whether it could benefit the county and residents as a whole.

I support open conversations, varied platforms for public information distribution, and a process where people are given the opportunity to be heard before decisions are made. This is why I encourage people to stay engaged and informed, while there is a lot of information, it is worth paying attention to..

What would make you an effective representative for your district?

I believe what makes me an effective representative is that I know this county, I know the people here, and I care deeply about the future of this community.

My wife and I chose to raise our family here because Jefferson County has always been a place where neighbors know each other, families look out for one another, and communities come together. I was raised here and this county can remain a place where future generations can be proud to live, work, and raise their own families.

As a former law enforcement officer, I understand how important it is to support our first responders and make sure public safety remains a priority.

I am always willing to have hard conversations. I may not always agree with everyone, but I will always do my best to listen, be respectful, and give residents a way to be heard. If I do not know the answer to concerns immediately, I will find it and get back to them in a timely manner.

Like so many people in Jefferson County, I have spent my life investing in this place. My goal is to continue to represent District 5 as I have so far.

Would you support sewer and/or water service consolidation in the county? Why or Why not?

Yes, I would be open to supporting water and sewer consolidation if it is done carefully and in a way that benefits residents long term.

Right now, we have multiple districts, which can mean multiple administrators, multiple offices, and duplicated costs. Consolidation could create an opportunity to reduce overhead, improve efficiency, lower long-term costs, and make it easier to upgrade and expand services.

I understand that people may have concerns at first, and those concerns should be taken seriously. But if consolidation can improve service, support future growth, and help control costs for residents, then I believe it is worth investing in as a county.

In my experience on the Council, sewer and water services are a constant concern and I believe it would be beneficial for the County to get ahead of things so that residents can focus on what matters most to them instead of the worry of if the systems can handle more capacity.

Voters Guide Notice: This candidate profile is not a paid advertisement. Candidate responses are published as part of The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide and are presented in the candidate’s own words.

The opinions and statements expressed above are solely those of the candidate or campaign and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Jefferson Review, its staff, sponsors, or partners. Publication of a candidate response does not constitute an endorsement.

Candidate responses were submitted through The Jefferson Review Candidate Voter Guide questionnaire. Responses are presented in the candidate’s own words and have not been rewritten by The Jefferson Review. Formatting may be adjusted for spacing, readability, or display.

Questionnaire Note: Candidates were invited to respond to the same questionnaire for this office. If a question was left blank, The Jefferson Review may mark that answer as “No response provided.”