My Vision for Wellington
My vision for Wellington is simple: make life more AFFORDABLE for residents, EASIER for businesses, FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE for the town, and ensure every decision is driven by residents, not bureaucracy.
On affordability, water bills keep rising. When the town raises rates, residents conserve water, which reduces the water fund revenue and makes the problem worse. Short term, expenses need to come down. Cutting expenses will stop the bleeding, but growth is the cure. The water and sewer plant's $73.3M loan is a fixed cost. The more customers we add, the lower the cost per household.
On businesses, building takes nearly three years under requirements twice as strict as nearby towns. Traffic studies, parking requirements, fire sprinkler requirements, and grease trap regulations are driving businesses away. Those barriers should come down. More businesses mean more sales tax revenue, lower utility costs, and better services for everyone.
On finances, I want the town to live within its means. The town is currently overspending in the General, Sewer, and Park fund. We need to balance the budget and get spending under control.
On resident-driven decisions, the Connell asphalt plant showed what happens when leaders rubber-stamp staff recommendations. 4 Trustees used common sense and reversed the Planning Commission's approval. The court upheld it. Residents were right. Every decision should put residents first.
At the end of four years, Wellington should be a place where people can afford to live, businesses want to locate, and residents trust their leaders. That is the goal.
On affordability, water bills keep rising. When the town raises rates, residents conserve water, which reduces the water fund revenue and makes the problem worse. Short term, expenses need to come down. Cutting expenses will stop the bleeding, but growth is the cure. The water and sewer plant's $73.3M loan is a fixed cost. The more customers we add, the lower the cost per household.
On businesses, building takes nearly three years under requirements twice as strict as nearby towns. Traffic studies, parking requirements, fire sprinkler requirements, and grease trap regulations are driving businesses away. Those barriers should come down. More businesses mean more sales tax revenue, lower utility costs, and better services for everyone.
On finances, I want the town to live within its means. The town is currently overspending in the General, Sewer, and Park fund. We need to balance the budget and get spending under control.
On resident-driven decisions, the Connell asphalt plant showed what happens when leaders rubber-stamp staff recommendations. 4 Trustees used common sense and reversed the Planning Commission's approval. The court upheld it. Residents were right. Every decision should put residents first.
At the end of four years, Wellington should be a place where people can afford to live, businesses want to locate, and residents trust their leaders. That is the goal.