Age: 49
Occupation: Veteran Benefit Counselor
What qualifies you for the position:
The ability to apply level-headed and rational thinking when facing tough decisions and the desire to reduce the tax burden on Monroe taxpayers while maintaining essential services.
Community involvement: Monroe Noon Optimist Club.
Education: Albany High School graduate.
Previous experience: 26 years working in county government, preparing budgets and operating within their limits.
Q: In expectation of falling revenues (such as state shared revenue) and increasing costs (such as health care and pension plans costs), what should the City of Monroe do to balance its budget next year?
A: Start the budget process as early as possible, preferably when the impact of the State budget changes are known. Direct the City Administrator to meet with all departments for full budget reviews to determine where processes can be streamlined and cuts can be made. Postpone capital purchases that are not absolutely necessary.
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: The top priority should be to work to bring in businesses to fill empty buildings and stores. Revitalize and brighten the downtown parking ramp by painting and adding lighting to attract and encourage use by business owners, employees of the downtown area, customers and tourists.
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 feel that Monroe has always done a very good job of promoting tourism. One thing that I feel is lacking in Monroe, and should be explored, is a multi-functional conference center-type facility to hold small- to medium-sized conferences and other events. One option would be to work with the owners of existing facilities to assist with promotion and also work with owners of existing empty commercial buildings to convert them to this type of facility, as well as with area hotels and restaurants for lodging, catering and transportation needs.
A: Start the budget process as early as possible, preferably when the impact of the State budget changes are known. Direct the City Administrator to meet with all departments for full budget reviews to determine where processes can be streamlined and cuts can be made. Postpone capital purchases that are not absolutely necessary.
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: The top priority should be to work to bring in businesses to fill empty buildings and stores. Revitalize and brighten the downtown parking ramp by painting and adding lighting to attract and encourage use by business owners, employees of the downtown area, customers and tourists.
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 feel that Monroe has always done a very good job of promoting tourism. One thing that I feel is lacking in Monroe, and should be explored, is a multi-functional conference center-type facility to hold small- to medium-sized conferences and other events. One option would be to work with the owners of existing facilities to assist with promotion and also work with owners of existing empty commercial buildings to convert them to this type of facility, as well as with area hotels and restaurants for lodging, catering and transportation needs.