PRIORITIES

You can count on me. I’ve listened and learned, and I’m ready to fight for your priorities.

Strengthen Fiscal Oversight and Long-Range Financial Planning

Sound financial management doesn’t just mean scrutinizing the current year’s budget; it means thinking long-term. Will the town have adequate resources to maintain existing infrastructure and current service levels much less be able to meet future needs and demands? The answer lies in both proper financial controls and long-range financial planning. As your councilmember, I will push for:

Five-year financial forecasts that delineate one-time and ongoing revenues and spending and estimate the impact of proposed capital projects and service improvements on the operating budget.

Bring more transparency and accountability to the budgeting process through more detailed budgets, community budget workshops and online budget surveys.

Diversify revenue streams to lessen the overreliance on the local sales and use tax, beginning with a revenue study to examine ways to match fees with the cost of services to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Develop and track performance indicators to measure the effectiveness, workload and efficiency of programs and services.

Adopt budget controls at the departmental level and review current contracting practices to place more emphasis on the qualifications and performance of contractors.

Promote Smart Growth

Timnath is a desirable place to live as evidenced by its rapid population growth. With this growth has come an expanded tax base, more housing options and new local businesses. All good stuff. But if the growth is too rapid or not carefully managed, it can lead to increased traffic congestion, diminished service levels, higher housing prices and loss of community identity. We need to put in place thoughtful, proactive residential and economic development practices to get ahead of the curve. Here are my ideas:

Expedite update of Timnath’s comprehensive plan. Timnath’s updated long-range plan, expected this July, will articulate a vision for growth, land use, housing and infrastructure through 2045. Completing the update soon is essential because the next step will be a necessary update of land use codes. The town must move quickly because development proposals submitted before the updates are adopted will not be held to the new standards.

Create an economic development director position. Unlike neighboring communities, Timnath does not have any staff to plan, encourage and support thoughtful economic development. As a councilmember, I will renew efforts to make this a priority. Timnath needs someone who is responsible for attracting and supporting the types of businesses, especially locally owned ones, that meet the needs and desires of the community. One of the first tasks for this position should be revamping business tax incentives that haven’t been used for the purpose they were intended.

Proactively support the economic and cultural revitalization of Timnath’s Old Town business district and adjacent neighborhoods. Vibrant downtowns are essential for communities to thrive. Without more attention to Timnath’s historic town center, Timnath will be a collection of isolated neighborhoods with no unifying core. If coordinated with future investments in Old Town, the recreation center approved by voters in November will be a community gathering place and catalyst for downtown revitalization. I will work to ensure the recreation center stays on schedule, within budget and complements existing and future development in Old Town as well as in the River Bend Urban Village on Signal Tree Road.

Revise the neighborhood meeting process for new developments. Town code requires developers to host “neighborhood meetings” as part of the development process. Currently, developers notify only property owners within 500 feet of the development and then provide a summary report to the town. Five hundred feet is clearly inadequate for developments that affect the entire community, and a summary report from the developer lacks objectivity. I will fight for broader, more effective outreach and participation and require objective feedback be collected by the town.

Rein In Metropolitan Service Districts

Metro districts are special district governments used to finance neighborhood streets, sidewalks, stormwater facilities, parks and other amenities. They have the power to incur debt, levy property taxes and assess fees. Most Timnath residents live in a metro district, and the districts account for 1/3 or more of your property taxes. They are intended to lessen the initial cost of public infrastructure on towns and cities, but at what cost to homeowners? These districts are established by homebuilders and often continue to be controlled by them even after neighborhoods are built out. As a councilmember, I will advocate for:

Studying the pros and cons of continued reliance on metro districts as a financing tool for future developments.

Annual reviews of metro district finances and operations to ensure they conform with service plans and property tax and fee limits imposed by the town.

Adequate notice and full disclosure of metro district operations, meeting agendas and minutes, budgets and financial reports, and governing board elections.

Timely consolidation of subordinate districts and complete control of metro boards by homeowners.

Enhanced requirements for educating prospective homebuyers about their rights and responsibilities as residents of a metro district and underlying homeowner associations.

Ease Traffic and Diversify Transportation Options

Traffic congestion and safety are concerns for Timnath residents, and the town should stay ahead of these problems before they become more serious. Longer commute times and traffic diverted to local streets during rush hours would add to the frustration. More emphasis should be placed on facilitating transportation alternatives within Timnath and with other communities. Here’s what I’ll do as your councilmember:

Examine ways to reduce heavy truck traffic on Harmony Road, Weitzel Street, County Road 5 and Buss Grove Road. Truck traffic, particularly overweight trucks, contribute to traffic backups, pedestrian and vehicular safety concerns and road damage. I will recommend the town study the feasibility of imposing a road user fee on overweight trucks using these major arterials. It could incentivize truck drivers and their employers to use other roads or at least, shift some of the burden of road maintenance costs from Timnath taxpayers.

Select a single hauler for trash and recycling collection. Many neighborhoods in Timnath are serviced by three or more hauling companies — sometimes on the same day. This contributes to traffic congestion, air pollution, safety concerns and potentially higher road maintenance costs. Adopting a single-hauler system could not only reduce heavy truck traffic on neighborhood streets, but also lower average collection fees, improve customer service and subsidize recycling costs through a state-funded program.