Monroe Common Council
There are four candidates for five seats on the Monroe Common Council. Incumbents Brooke Bauman, Chris Beer, Ron Marsh and Jeff Newcomer are on the ballot.
Position sought: City of Monroe alderperson
Age: 40
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Significant other, Ryan Drew, and daughter, Maddisyn, who is a freshman at UW-Platteville
Education: Monroe High School; Blackhawk Technical College, Business Management Degree (with honors); currently enrolled at Gateway College, Marketing (Dean's list)
Occupation: Accounting/Management Assistant for the School District of Monroe at the Monroe Public Library
Previous elected positions held: Current Ward 2 Alderperson in my third term. Currently serve on the following committees/boards: Salary and Personnel Committee (chairperson), Finance and Taxation Committee, Public Safety Committee, Green County Historical Society Board (president), and Green County Economic Development Board of Directors
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
One of the biggest issues we are facing is our tax rate. For 2015-2016, Monroe was in the top 10 percent in the state of the highest total tax rates. This is not only putting a financial strain on the current citizens, but also discouraging people from moving to Monroe. We need to take a serious look at what can be done to reduce the burden the tax payers. Hopefully, with the implementation of priority based budgeting over the next few months, we can use the information and determine the changes that should take place to help reduce the tax rate.
Another area that needs to be addressed is the lack of good paying jobs that are available in Monroe. Information suggests that approximately 50 of employed Monroe residents are traveling more than 10 minutes a day for work. Additionally, people are moving more toward the northern part of the county to be closer to better employment opportunities in the Madison and Dane County areas. Through more focus on economic development, I am hopeful that we can work to create and retain better paying jobs here and as a result, grow our population, or at least keep the residents we have.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
I also think that the elected officials need to take a look at the amount of borrowing that we are doing in order to fund capital projects and equipment. For the 2017 budget, there is over $1.2 million for debt service, which is the amount we are making in payments (both principal and interest) for notes and bonds... over $603,000 of this is made up by the tax levy. Last year the tax levy portion of the debt service was approximately $500,000, so an increase of approximately $100,000. This amount just seems astronomical to me. We can't keep borrowing. We need to take a close look at what we are purchasing and try to look to alternate funding sources to alleviate the tax burden.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
This is the first year of the at-large election for City Council. This means the voters cast their ballot for those that they think are the most qualified for the position and do their best to represent the citizens. Although there are only going to be three names on the ballot, I still think that I continue to be very qualified to represent the people that call Monroe home. I live here, have gone to school here, raised my daughter here, and work here. I love this community. I am proud to call Monroe home, but I also realize that there are things that we can do to make Monroe a better place to live, work, and visit. During my time on City Council, I have worked very hard to stay informed of the issues, talk to my constituents, and vote in a way that is in the best interests of the present and the future residents of Monroe. I hope that you the voters see my dedication to this community and have faith that I will continue to do my best to represent you.
Age: 40
City/town of residence: Monroe
Family: Significant other, Ryan Drew, and daughter, Maddisyn, who is a freshman at UW-Platteville
Education: Monroe High School; Blackhawk Technical College, Business Management Degree (with honors); currently enrolled at Gateway College, Marketing (Dean's list)
Occupation: Accounting/Management Assistant for the School District of Monroe at the Monroe Public Library
Previous elected positions held: Current Ward 2 Alderperson in my third term. Currently serve on the following committees/boards: Salary and Personnel Committee (chairperson), Finance and Taxation Committee, Public Safety Committee, Green County Historical Society Board (president), and Green County Economic Development Board of Directors
What are the top issues facing this district/municipality and how would you work to resolve it?
One of the biggest issues we are facing is our tax rate. For 2015-2016, Monroe was in the top 10 percent in the state of the highest total tax rates. This is not only putting a financial strain on the current citizens, but also discouraging people from moving to Monroe. We need to take a serious look at what can be done to reduce the burden the tax payers. Hopefully, with the implementation of priority based budgeting over the next few months, we can use the information and determine the changes that should take place to help reduce the tax rate.
Another area that needs to be addressed is the lack of good paying jobs that are available in Monroe. Information suggests that approximately 50 of employed Monroe residents are traveling more than 10 minutes a day for work. Additionally, people are moving more toward the northern part of the county to be closer to better employment opportunities in the Madison and Dane County areas. Through more focus on economic development, I am hopeful that we can work to create and retain better paying jobs here and as a result, grow our population, or at least keep the residents we have.
What are other key issues facing the district/municipality, and how would you work to resolve them?
I also think that the elected officials need to take a look at the amount of borrowing that we are doing in order to fund capital projects and equipment. For the 2017 budget, there is over $1.2 million for debt service, which is the amount we are making in payments (both principal and interest) for notes and bonds... over $603,000 of this is made up by the tax levy. Last year the tax levy portion of the debt service was approximately $500,000, so an increase of approximately $100,000. This amount just seems astronomical to me. We can't keep borrowing. We need to take a close look at what we are purchasing and try to look to alternate funding sources to alleviate the tax burden.
Why are you the best candidate for this office?
This is the first year of the at-large election for City Council. This means the voters cast their ballot for those that they think are the most qualified for the position and do their best to represent the citizens. Although there are only going to be three names on the ballot, I still think that I continue to be very qualified to represent the people that call Monroe home. I live here, have gone to school here, raised my daughter here, and work here. I love this community. I am proud to call Monroe home, but I also realize that there are things that we can do to make Monroe a better place to live, work, and visit. During my time on City Council, I have worked very hard to stay informed of the issues, talk to my constituents, and vote in a way that is in the best interests of the present and the future residents of Monroe. I hope that you the voters see my dedication to this community and have faith that I will continue to do my best to represent you.