Posted AZ Daily Sun: Wednesday, February 10, 2010
It has been a challenging two years — not only here in Flagstaff, but across Arizona and the country. The economy is teaching us important lessons about how to do more with less at City Hall, yet not shortchange our hardworking families who expect and deserve vital services they pay for through their tax dollars.
We’ve experienced dramatic dips in revenue and an urgent need to be innovative in balancing our City budget. We have been successful, but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve worked with our City council and residents to keep critical City services, such as police and fire, intact, while trimming costs in other ways. We did not raise our sales taxes and we lowered our City property tax rate.
With your help, here is a snapshot; what we have achieved thus far:
– Balanced the City’s budget, wiping out a $13 million deficit. Protected public safety by keeping Police Patrol and Firefighter employment whole
– Created 80 high-wage jobs and incubated eleven businesses
– Created a Flagstaff economic recovery program:
– Accelerated Rio de Flag construction
– Repaved roads and delivered a major streets maintenance program
– Injected an additional $250,000 into new tourism marketing delivering increased Flagstaff occupancy and minimal revenue decreases
– Tax rebate incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades
– Tax rebate incentives for purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles at local dealerships
– Maintained full funding for our vibrant art and cultural community
– Implemented an affordable housing incentive policy, invested in homeless populations, and implemented a land-trust with Habitat for Humanity
– Implemented strategic City planning through Regional Planning, Land Development Code, and Zoning Code comprehensive rewrites
– Obtained federal funding dollars for Police, Brownfield re-development, flood control, public transportation, low-income housing, and energy efficiency
My primary goal right now is to keep the momentum going and do what is best for all residents in Flagstaff. I’ll continue to work hard to pave the way for a brighter future by promoting high-quality job creation through investments in sustainable, clean technologies. By supporting our local schools and NAU we can work together to continue raising the quality of life for everyone in Flagstaff.
You hired me as your Mayor and I feel blessed and privileged every day that I come to work for you. I don’t view my first term in this position as a stepping-stone to higher office but instead as a solid foundation to complete the work needed to ensure a safe and vibrant future for all Flagstaff families.
We still have significant challenges ahead, yet we have an important opportunity to continue our fresh vision for a sustainable future. I would be honored to have your vote again as we head into our 2010 Mayoral primaries. I enjoy working with you and listening to you and I take all of your suggestions to improve our City very seriously. I truly believe Flagstaff is the best community in Arizona to live, work and raise a family and I would be proud to continue working for you.
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