Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
20. What major capital projects does our City need? How would you propose funding these projects?
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
The City needs to pull back in all of its satellite sites by adding to its current City Hall and providing structured parking to accommodate its needs. We need a better City Court Facility that assures the safety of judges and their staffs. We need a bigger library on the Eastside to accommodate the community. The current facility underserves its customers. We need to renovate many of our facilities and assure are initial capital investments in these are not lost by a lack of maintenance.
In fact, the Mayor and Council has directed the City manager to conduct a facilities needs assessment. From that assessment the Mayor and Council will prioritize the plan for action and enter into discussing how to pay for these identified needs. One way is to ask the community to bond for these needs. Another way is to continue to budget out of the general fund monies to patch and paste worn facilities.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
Transportation and roads are a priority. I support the 2008 transit tax, especially 401. I am unsure if I support a sales tax for the impact of new development on roads and highways. I would support bonding for future roads and highways. Some projects we should immediately consider are the realignment of Lonetree and the JW Powell project.
One way to raise some revenue for transportation would be to sell private advertisements on City buses. Another way to fund projects is to bond, but this may require taxing to guarantee revenue. This is an idea that could be explored. A third way to raise revenue is to lobby the legislature to adequately share revenue.
One idea that I propose to solve the traffic issues is to implement a carpool program or park and ride program for employees to take the bus or carpool to work. Reducing congestion is key to a good transportation policy.
Karla Brewster
In addition to moving (or at lease improving) the city’s public works yard, Flagstaff needs to start the Rio de Flag project- most of funding from the feds; Lake Mary widening is a city priority as is Forest Health (small diameter wood utilization) – both with grant funding from the federal government. Passing NAIPTA is also a priority, funding coming mostly from the federal government with a small increase in the city tax rate.
Coral Evans
There is a lot of talk about a parking structure downtown. An ideal place (I think) would be the west parking lot area of City Hall. This project could be a public/private venture and funded as such (with assistance from revenues expected to be generated through the implementation of the Downtown Management Plan).
I think an additional overpass, from Lone Tree to Route 66 would assist in eliminating some traffic issues. One possible way to accomplish this could be the use of bonds.
Again, we need a new Public Work Yard. Perhaps this could be accomplished as a capital project.
Morgan Hagaman
Flagstaff needs better roads and more of them. We need to make sure that our current roads are maintained in a satisfactorily manor. We need to bring in more north south corridors to relieve traffic congestion. We need to make sure that our Police have the proper funding to keep some police officers in Flagstaff. These projects have to be done and the City needs to look at any and every possibility of funding them.
John McCulloch
We should have a comprehensive Transportation Bond Program as quickly as possible to present to the voters which would address current and future traffic needs. A western alternative to realign RT180, an Interchange at Lone Tree and I-40, extending Enterprise to Cedar Avenue, building another way over or under the railroad downtown and from west Route 66, widening Fourth Street from Huntington to Butler Ave. and connecting John Wesley Powell Blvd. To Fourth Street are important parts of the puzzle we need to be planning and building for now to prepare this community for the future. These projects will be weighed against our debt capacity and existing “pay as you go” improvements as well as improving our relationship with ADOT to move this agenda forward.
With the ongoing cost of the war in Iraq and the state budget shortfalls, we should not believe someone else is going to step up and help us pay for these projects. We will have to face the reality that it will only cost more as time goes on. After the successful 1988 street bond election, we had a $1.42 secondary property tax along with a .66 primary tax for a combined rate of $2.08. For fiscal year 2007-2008 the city has a combined rate of $1.55 which I believe is moderately low and that voters would support an increase to 1988 tax levels. What that can purchase against our bonding capacity will be left to city management and then prioritized by the council after public input.
Micole Shorty
Parking in the downtown area is next to impossible. A parking garage needs to be constructed and have an express shuttle to take citizens downtown. This will also alleviate the traffic congestion in that area. A municipal bond specifically for this should be implemented.
Al White
I’d like to see a Lonetree interchange and overpass to Route 66. Stormwater needs some work to flood control- the previously mentioned public works yard may be a capital project. Airport, streets and water wells and infrastructure are all part of 120 million in budgeted dollars. The 10 bond projects from 2004 are worth 155 million over 10 years. Bonds, debt service, pay as you go, grants & BBB revenues are used to pay. |
