1. Real Estate Taxes-
The 2008 budget contained the largest year over year real estate tax increase in the past ten years. A 5% increase in revenue would have been expected if the tax rate was equalized at $0.94 per $100 of assessed value; homeowners would have kept approximately $4.5 million that was spent by the city. In 2008, total expenditures increased by $88.5 million (27%) over the prior year. Those expenditures should have been reduced to keep the real estate tax rate equal. Councilman Helgeson’s initiative to repeal the common good fee was a positive measure to help decrease homeowners’ expenses.
2. Cornerstone Project on Lakeside Dr-
Smart growth is critical to our economy, and as a professional engineer, I am most qualified to review these developments. I like the layout, density, and planned mixed use, creating a town center. While traffic will certainly increase, the close proximately to several major roads will mitigate future congestion. The proposed park, walking trails, and green space will help create an open feeling in our City’s urban environment. I agree with council’s decision and the development will benefit the City. In addition, tax revenues generated by these projects will keep tax rates from increasing.
3. Heritage High School Project-
Our students deserve facilities that are conducive to learning. According to council minutes, voting to build Sandusky deferred the Heritage project until 2012. A subsequent meeting revealed that building Heritage now could require a 15% increase in real estate taxes – over $5 million annually. The School Board must prioritize large projects for scheduling in a fiscally responsible manner. I would like to build a new Heritage, but I would not agree to a tax increase of that magnitude without a referendum. I would support the project in the future, when we can afford the debt service.
4. Racial Equality-
It is shameful that issues of racial inequality and mistrust continue in our city, and the Community Dialog is a good step towards bringing Lynchburg together. I served on the Diversity Council of Central Virginia, working towards this goal. The privately formed group did not have the power to bring about real change, however, this Dialog, supported by the City, has strength of numbers. Hundreds of citizens are engaged and will make a positive change for our city. Only commitment to honest and open discussion can bring change where it is needed. You will get that commitment from me.
5. Bluffwalk Payment-
I do not support using public dollars to guarantee private loans. The Bluffwalk project is of strategic importance as a downtown anchor and will continue to be a source for tourism, economic growth, and increasing tax revenues. I understand the complicated nature of historic tax credit projects, and I support smart growth projects that are investments towards generating future tax revenue. We must strive to keep taxes low and champion investments that will promote economic development.
6. Big Box Idea-
Smart growth is development managed to produce the best long term economic results for the city with the least adverse impact. Some of the restrictions in the proposed ordinance may drive investors away, but increasing the ordinance threshold to 100,000 square feet could offset these limitations. We need to work with groups willing to invest in our city to ensure smart growth, with minimal environmental impact, that that benefits all our citizens. As a professional engineer, I am most qualified to review this ordinance and build consensus between the City and developers in order to improve our community.
7. Difficult Decisions when it comes to School Funding Cuts vs Police & Forefighters-
This strikes at the heart of our quality of life. Education is the backbone of our community and cannot be compromised, yet we jeopardize the safety of our citizens if first responders are not fully funded. It takes an experienced problem solver, with the ability to build consensus, to lead our community through these complex problems. As a small business person, I am accustomed to making these difficult decisions and stand prepared to develop solutions while on City Council.
8. Protect Local Streams and Rivers-
The policies are in place, and now it is a matter of enforcement and action. Local efforts have considerably improved water quality; however, much work remains along the James River and in our older neighborhoods. As an engineer, I designed and constructed CSO projects and can see the improvements to our waterways. In addition, I helped write the City’s Erosion & Sediment Control ordinance. These are smart growth policies minimizing the adverse impacts on our environment and improving our quality of life
9. LU Proposed Development of Candler's Mountain-
Our city needs to support smart growth and development. I define smart growth as development that provides the greatest long term economic benefit with the least adverse impact. The Falwell Ministries are our second largest employer in the area and create a tremendous amount of growth and jobs in our community. The Planning Commission should work with our corporate citizens to promote smart growth opportunities and minimize environmental, traffic, and other impacts within the limits of the existing laws.
Other Issues-
- What qualities do you feel are important for a School Board appointee? The board needs a combination of business-minded people capable of handling the school system’s large budget and career educators who know the challenges and priorities of the school system.
- What do you think are the issues creating conflict in matters of growth and development? The biggest challenge facing Lynchburg was the fact it’s a “landlocked” city unable to grow its borders. Officials need to pursue “smart growth” .
- Should Liberty University have to pay taxes on its recreational amenities, including a new park being planned that would offer a ski slope and roller coaster? I would like to see the city’s existing “amusement” tax, which claims 7 percent of the intake at all ticketed events, suspended for nonprofits in order to help groups such as downtown theatres improve and perhaps one day achieve self-sufficiency.
As a
small business person working with complicated projects, he’s
uniquely suited to understand your concerns and the budgeting
and fiscal accountability of City Council. He will fight to keep
local real estate and business taxes as low as possible and
government regulations to a minimum.
