Jeff Warr has always been interested in public service.

In the 1990s he ran and was elected to the Tyler City Council and served as mayor pro tem. This was when the city moved from property taxes to sales taxes, Warr said, which paid great dividends for the city.

Then Warr took a ten year hiatus from public service to spend more time with his family. But now, Warr will be replacing JoAnn Fleming as Smith County Commissioner.

Fleming served four years and is stepping out of the spotlight of the commission. He takes office Jan. 1.

Warr said his expertise is in risk management and real estate.

"As the county grows I'll be able to help them stay on a good financial path."

Warr said he hopes to keep the Smith County Commission's tradition of openness, transparency, accountability for the taxpayers.

Out of 254 counties in Texas, Smith County has the fifth or sixth lowest tax rate in the state. He said although this is good for growth, it can also be negative when trying to maintain facilities.

"It's a double-edged sword." With the growth, there is a lot more pressure on the county's resources.