Age: 34
Occupation: Accounting Assistant and Assistant to the Director at Monroe Public Library.
What qualifies you for the position: As part of my employment at Monroe Public Library, I play a role in establishing, monitoring and balancing the budget; marketing; policy review; and strategic planning. I understand the importance of researching issues to make well informed decisions
Community involvement: Staff Representative to Friends of the Monroe Public Library, Coordinated various community events held at the Monroe Public Library.
Education: Monroe High School, Business Management-Blackhawk Technical College.
Previous experience: Former local and state president of a Masonic youth group, Co-founder of the Monroe Chapter of the Unity Coalition to support troops serving in Operation Desert Storm.
Other: Lived in Monroe entire life, love of Swiss heritage.
A: First of all, city staff are to be commended for working hard to maintain service levels in the last few difficult years. Until the dust settles from the situation at the state level, it is difficult to assess what the city's budget situation will be. I'm looking forward to considering different options that will undoubtedly be presented by Administrator Rath. However, I firmly believe that we should not drain the city's reserve funds to maintain the budget, as this would only postpone the inevitable and put the Monroe in a precarious position.
Q: Equalized property values in Monroe's five Tax Increment Districts (TID) fell by about $6 million total last year. If a TID does not raise enough tax revenue annually and does not have enough excess funds to meet its debt payment, the city must pay those shortfalls from its general fund. This was a concern during the budget meetings this past fall. What should the City do to help generate tax revenues specifically for these districts and to increase business, industrial and job growth in the city in general?
A: Fortunately, the infrastructure development of our TIDs is complete. Tax increment financing is a tremendously powerful tool for municipalities, but it does involve risk. In the current economic climate, the concern over potential shortfalls that the city would need to cover will be a continuing issue. I don't think there are any easy solutions to the decline in value; nor is this a problem the city can address alone. A task force involving city and county representatives, as well as community stakeholders, would be a great start toward finding collaborative remedies.
Q: Mayor Bill Ross has said, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe, and therefore, he has worked with Green County Economic Development Corporation, Green County Department of Tourism and other county offices and municipalities to promote economic growth in the area. The opposite saying, what is good for Monroe is good for Green County, could also be true. Monroe Main Street, Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cheese Days Committee have worked to promote more tourism to Monroe. What should the city do to help promote Monroe - its history, its products and its recreational opportunities - as a destination for more visitors?
A: I agree that as far as tourism is concerned, what is good for Green County is good for Monroe and vice versa. The city needs to work closely with not only the committees listed above, but also with local groups, organizations and businesses to promote all of the wonderful things Monroe has to offer. A great way to promote both Monroe and Green County is through the use of technology, especially social media. Through the use of an effectively utilized technology, we could encourage residents and visitors alike to stop by a local restaurant for a great meal or bring their lawn chair for a concert on the square.
It could also be used to promote the recreational opportunities within our community so families don't feel the need to travel out of town for recreation. Monroe is a great place to visit and live, and we need to show everyone why they should come to Monroe to visit.