League Of Women Voters Questionnaire Response
The League of Women Voters invited candidates for public office to provide a response to five questions that will be posted on their VOTE411.org voter guide.
Following are the questions and my response to each. Thank you for your support and vote!
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Why are you running for this elected position? (1000 Characters)
I have the experience! I've had a seat on the council for 8 years and I now possess detailed knowledge of how city government works. I've built working relationships with the leaders of our departments and in the community at large. It sounds like a campaign slogan, however, it's a fact, I've done the work! I made a commitment to the people of this city that I would listen to and represent them. That is what I do every day. When you've been a sitting member of the council, you will have faced many situations in which yes or no decisions were made. You can trust that my decisions were made through research and putting my feet on the ground. It's impossible not to have upset some people with certain decisions. It comes with the territory. With the current election cycle and new candidates, you don't know what you're going to get. None have faced the public under pressure. This city, in this moment, needs a seasoned council member. I am that person!
What are the two most compelling issues on which, if elected, you feel you can make a difference? (100 Characters)
-A city budget operating on modest revenue.
-The impact on future development of Blue Crane/Runway.
What is one of the biggest challenges facing your city in the next 5 years and how will you start to address it? (1000 Characters)
Growth that is outpacing our city's revenue stream.
We have good people operating our departments and good people working for them. We have upgraded a lot of our infrastructure so most of it is in good shape. However, the maintenance and upkeep of everything is an ongoing cost that continues to become more expensive. When I was first elected to the city council, Bella Vista was struggling financially and adding people and keeping our facilities and equipment current was a huge struggle. However, due to the advent of the collection of the internet sales tax and the federal government covid relief fund program (funds we used to pay police salaries during that period, which saved general revenue funds for other means) we got a boost in our city coffers. However, that boost was only temporary. Working to stay current with people, vehicles, work equipment, technology, etc. has become more expensive, and it is challenging us again.
What areas of the budget do you feel need review for reduction or reimagination? (1000 Characters)
Headcount and capital expenditures.
The city is growing quickly which requires more people and infrastructure to keep up with resident expectations. We're going to have to be very smart and strategic with the modest revenue of the city. Currently, the city generates enough revenue to cover salary, benefits and operating expenses. However, when you add in requested capital expenditures through 2027, we're looking at a deficit of $6M - $7M. Some of that deficit has been mitigated through the borrowing of $5.4M to complete the remodel of FS #1. However, we're still facing a deficit, and there are additional capital needs being identified. There are options for mitigating such as going to our residents to ask for an extension to the current bond that was approved for the public safety building, rebuild of fire station #3 and the fire training facility; or through increased sales tax revenue that might unfold with future commercial development. However, that will not happen overnight.
How satisfied are you that the make-up of the city workforce and commissions represents that of the city? (750 Characters)
The city has good and experienced leadership in place and retention of people within departments has improved. If I were to "expert" one area, it would be to revisit moving code enforcement from CDS to police and building inspection from CDS to fire. I believe code enforcement, building inspection and planning are more of a natural fit and lends itself to the sharing of resources. Concerning commissions, I think it's like the city council. You're going to seat people that hold their hand up. For some, it's a good fit and for others, maybe not so much. You just hope you can get enough of the good ones, and I think by and large we have.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Council Member, Doug Fowler