City Budget

Public health and public safety are my top funding priorities. The municipal government must represent the people and ensure the general welfare. In re-budgeting, we must address underfunded areas such as maintenance and repairs, grant matching, and communication. Proper planning and budgeting are critical to maintaining the integrity of funds and ensuring responsible funding. For example, citizen complaints about excessive police response times highlight the need for well-maintained and adequately staffed facilities. While the city has built a new facility, it's essential to ensure its upkeep and proper staffing. Contracts with private organizations should also focus on improving 911 operations and staffing to address citizen concerns effectively.

Sound decision-making that directly addresses the city's needs is crucial in budgeting. By focusing on these priorities, we can better serve our community and ensure their safety and well-being.

Maintenance and repairs are a funding priority. Maintaining the infrastructure that taxpayers have already paid for is critical to ensuring the quality of life through recreational, cultural, and educational environments. Maintenance and repair funds should take precedence over beautification and revitalization funds. It's more responsible to ensure the care and upkeep of existing infrastructure than to build new infrastructure without a maintenance and repair plan and funding in place.

Grant matching, while not a top funding priority, is often overlooked and should be greatly considered to maximize revenue through federal, state, and privatized grants. Having grant matching funds available ensures we are prepared to increase our revenue through governmental relations and grants. Increasing community development block grants and appropriately using federal transportation grants for infrastructure are essential for improving economic development and quality of life, while also lowering private property taxes. Communication is another underfunded priority. A well-funded communication initiative is vital for inter-governmental relations, proper representation, and accountability to constituents. By focusing on these areas, we can enhance our city's financial health and ensure more efficient and effective governance.