Monroe City Council
Brooke Bauman, the incumbent, is the only candidate for Ward 2 of the Monroe City Council. Jeff Newcomer, incumbent, is the only candidate for Ward 4. Chris Beer, incumbent, is the only candidate for Ward 6. Reid Stangel, incumbent, is being challenged by Dustan Beutel for Ward 8.
Position sought: Ward 2 Alderperson
Age: 38
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Daughter, Maddisyn, 17
Education: Monroe High School, Edgewood College, currently a half-time student at Blackhawk Technical College
Occupation: Accounting/Management Assistant for the School District of Monroe at the Monroe Public Library
Previous elected positions held: Current Ward 2 Alderperson and City Council President. Currently serve on the following committees/boards: Salary and Personnel Committee (chairperson), Finance and Taxation Committee, Public Safety Committee, City's Internal Economic Development Team, Green County Historical Society Board, Green County Economic Development Board of Directors, and Green County Solid Waste Management Board.
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve them?
I think the biggest issue we as a city is facing right now is the city's relationship with Green County Solid Waste Transfer Station and the future of the station. The city has been a member of the Green County Transfer Station for years, but now some are questioning whether or not the city should continue that relationship and whether the cost of being a member is a fiscally-wise decision for the city. As a member, the city pays a reduced rate for the residential trash that is collected in the city. Additionally, the citizens that take items to the transfer station to be disposed of are charged a reduced rate. However, there is also a cost to being a member, one of which is having some financial responsibility for the administrative costs of operating the facility. It has been expressed by the Solid Waste Management Board that if the city of Monroe is not a member or if it does not have some flow control in place, the station will close. I think that the council needs to look at the service that the station provides and determine the economic value of that service. If it is decided that the city will not participate as a member or have flow control in place, then the city needs to have a plan in place to accommodate the taxpayers and their need for waste disposal.
Another hot issue that has been going on for quite some time is the parking ramp and what to do with it. Do we repair it? Do we sell it? Do we tear it down and put a surface lot in? Do we tear it down and build a ramp? If we rebuild, how many stalls should it have? Should it have commercial storefronts on it? How do we pay for it? These are just a few of the many questions that we have all either asked or been asked over the past few years. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the matter. There have been numerous individuals, committees and groups that have weighed in on the future of the ramp. I feel that at this point, we have exhausted all of our internal means and need to look to an expert to give us their unbiased, professional opinion on the matter. The council then needs to make a decision, have a plan, and move forward. There has been a lot of time, effort, and money spent on this issue with no resolve. It is time to make a decision about the ramp with the not only the current state of the Square and surrounding areas in mind, but also the future.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
One issue that I think goes unnoticed in the city is economic development. The city has been very successful in attracting new businesses and retaining the businesses that it has. This success can be attributed to the partnerships that the city has with the Green County Development Corporation and the Monroe Chamber. Because of the success of the three entities, a unique situation exists - the city is running out of space for new businesses to build. With this in mind, I think that it is important for the city to look at additional land to acquire to support new businesses that want to build in our great community. Economic development continues to be such a small piece of the city's budget, but is very important to the future of this community. Although it is an initial investment for the city to acquire new land, it will pay off in the future thru property taxes and additional money in the community.
Naturally, the budget continues to and will always be an issue for the council, the city, and the taxpayers. This year, the council decided to use some of the tax levy to pay off debt that was acquired from the purchase of new fire trucks. I think this was a wise decision, as the taxpayers did not see an overall increase on their tax bills. In fact, they saw a decrease. I think that one of the most important things we need to do is work with the department heads and administration to continually look for efficiencies, which will in turn save the taxpayers money.
Age: 38
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Daughter, Maddisyn, 17
Education: Monroe High School, Edgewood College, currently a half-time student at Blackhawk Technical College
Occupation: Accounting/Management Assistant for the School District of Monroe at the Monroe Public Library
Previous elected positions held: Current Ward 2 Alderperson and City Council President. Currently serve on the following committees/boards: Salary and Personnel Committee (chairperson), Finance and Taxation Committee, Public Safety Committee, City's Internal Economic Development Team, Green County Historical Society Board, Green County Economic Development Board of Directors, and Green County Solid Waste Management Board.
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve them?
I think the biggest issue we as a city is facing right now is the city's relationship with Green County Solid Waste Transfer Station and the future of the station. The city has been a member of the Green County Transfer Station for years, but now some are questioning whether or not the city should continue that relationship and whether the cost of being a member is a fiscally-wise decision for the city. As a member, the city pays a reduced rate for the residential trash that is collected in the city. Additionally, the citizens that take items to the transfer station to be disposed of are charged a reduced rate. However, there is also a cost to being a member, one of which is having some financial responsibility for the administrative costs of operating the facility. It has been expressed by the Solid Waste Management Board that if the city of Monroe is not a member or if it does not have some flow control in place, the station will close. I think that the council needs to look at the service that the station provides and determine the economic value of that service. If it is decided that the city will not participate as a member or have flow control in place, then the city needs to have a plan in place to accommodate the taxpayers and their need for waste disposal.
Another hot issue that has been going on for quite some time is the parking ramp and what to do with it. Do we repair it? Do we sell it? Do we tear it down and put a surface lot in? Do we tear it down and build a ramp? If we rebuild, how many stalls should it have? Should it have commercial storefronts on it? How do we pay for it? These are just a few of the many questions that we have all either asked or been asked over the past few years. Everyone seems to have a different opinion on the matter. There have been numerous individuals, committees and groups that have weighed in on the future of the ramp. I feel that at this point, we have exhausted all of our internal means and need to look to an expert to give us their unbiased, professional opinion on the matter. The council then needs to make a decision, have a plan, and move forward. There has been a lot of time, effort, and money spent on this issue with no resolve. It is time to make a decision about the ramp with the not only the current state of the Square and surrounding areas in mind, but also the future.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
One issue that I think goes unnoticed in the city is economic development. The city has been very successful in attracting new businesses and retaining the businesses that it has. This success can be attributed to the partnerships that the city has with the Green County Development Corporation and the Monroe Chamber. Because of the success of the three entities, a unique situation exists - the city is running out of space for new businesses to build. With this in mind, I think that it is important for the city to look at additional land to acquire to support new businesses that want to build in our great community. Economic development continues to be such a small piece of the city's budget, but is very important to the future of this community. Although it is an initial investment for the city to acquire new land, it will pay off in the future thru property taxes and additional money in the community.
Naturally, the budget continues to and will always be an issue for the council, the city, and the taxpayers. This year, the council decided to use some of the tax levy to pay off debt that was acquired from the purchase of new fire trucks. I think this was a wise decision, as the taxpayers did not see an overall increase on their tax bills. In fact, they saw a decrease. I think that one of the most important things we need to do is work with the department heads and administration to continually look for efficiencies, which will in turn save the taxpayers money.