Why I am running, specifically.

My priorities are fiscal constraint and city services.  The city has a strong fiscal situation that took years to create.  The city has no debt and has amassed its own permanent fund of $130 million.  City code requires that the mayor submit balanced budgets.  It is the case that Fairbanks pays for the government it can afford with the money it has, and government is no larger than we need.  Fairbanks pays its way.  I have been heavily influenced in this respect by watching city council at work. 

Revenue for 2020 is not looking good, so the city’s ability to deliver basic services or fund its capital needs is not looking good, either. The pandemic we’re in might mean we can’t meet today’s city service levels.  This is a time for prioritizing within existing budgets, seeking additional efficiencies (after 3 years of cutting) and if it comes to it, leaning into revenue ideas to fund existing city services.

The city of Fairbanks has powers in its charter that are basic building blocks of our quality of life - snow removal, sidewalk maintenance, policing and emergency services. I think the level of city services is at or approaching a bare minimum. Accidents happen, but recurring scenes like this with city services are “regressive”, meaning the people impacted are those least able to deal with the situation. We need a fully staffed police force. City government must use the people’s money wisely and have something to show for it.

Likewise, the city uses some of its chartered powers reluctantly, for lack of money or will. In the case of the city’s power to ”abate” (tear down), the city has to show for its reluctance a rising tide of condemned nuisance properties, ranging from the Polaris Hotel to buildings in my neighborhood and maybe in yours. I support using existing city powers to neutralize nuisance properties and set the stage for private sector investment to come back in and put properties back on the tax roll.

The city has farmed-out to non-profits a long list of things a city might do. The City Council long ago gave the power for downtown parking enforcement to the Fairbanks Parking Authority. However, the city has lost touch with its role in overseeing parking enforcement.  I support revising the Parking Management Agreement that allows the Parking Authority to collect $93 tickets for expired tags and sends citizens to collections.    

Downtown Plans happen.  The Borough needs plans for its own reasons, the Borough is going to write plans, and the city can benefit if it participates in the ones where it has a stake.  I will see to it that the city has adequate representation to Borough plans that impact the city, and I fully support the city acting as an appeal board for Borough zoning decisions.