We have made good progress in enhancing our local economy and improving the city's financial condition over the past four years. Our city's continued fiscal stability hinges on increased economic vitality. We have a strong appetite for high quality city services and must pay for those services.
A sustainable economy makes good use of available resources, supports local business, provides housing for local workers, supports important community needs such as public safety, schools and parks, and promotes social responsibility. I support new local business projects which increase revenue while keeping the unique character of our city.
I will continue to be a voice of fiscal responsibility on the council, insisting on another tenet of sustainability: living within our means. The people of Davis have shown trust in the city government, by increasing the sales tax and renewing the schools, library and park taxes. The city, in return, must act responsibly to safeguard each resident's contributions to public funds and carefully consider each allocation from the city's coffers. I am glad to say that the city's fiscal processes have improved during my tenure on the city council and that we have eliminated a $2 million structural budget deficit.
Over the next four years I will work to:
- Enhance our vibrant destination downtown.
- Energize struggling neighborhood centers, including establishment of a "green business zone" to encourage the location of green businesses in one of these centers. Such a zone could include an electric car sales center, a photovoltaic business, retail shops marketing rainfall harvesting and composting equipment and other similar busineses.
- Strengthen Davis as a tourist destination for arts, agriculture and university settings.
- Leverage the unique economic opportunities UC Davis presents to our community by supporting innovative, green, life science and other technology related busineses.
- Continue to improve our city's financial and budgeting operations.
- Include consideration of active economic development in the next General Plan update.