Fiscal Responsibility

Here is one specific example from my time on city council.  When I was part of the Golf Committee, we looked at maintenance costs and determined that we could reduce that budget by 5% and it would not have a noticeable impact on the playing conditions at the course.  In fact, this was achieved by utilizing a different labor approach to tree maintenance on the course, as well as engaging in competitive bidding for the chemicals and fertilizers used on the turf. At the time, some people reacted with "the sky is falling" rhetoric that course conditions would suffer and would drive people away.  At the end of the season, these same people admitted that the "course had never looked better".  The cost savings wasn't huge when compared to the city's overall budget at the time, but it reflects my commitment to ensuring that we were careful stewards of the taxpayer's money. 

As Mayor, my pledge is that the budgetary process will be transparent and I will not rely on gimmicks such as tax capacity fluctuations and home valuations to "hide" increases in the levy.  When I spoke two years ago at a truth in taxation meeting about a proposed nearly 10% increase in the levy, I was told the city was not "on a spending spree".  That description is up for debate, but I do know that I have heard from numerous senior citizens who feel they are being taxed out of their homes and other residents who are not in favor of continuing levy increases that approach double digits.  As your Mayor, I will listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure that we are doing our part to provide tax relief and efficiencies when possible.