Jamestown Council Member
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
David Steele
(NON)
What are your top priorities?
What is the biggest challenge facing the city, and how would you address it?
How would you meet the housing needs of the city?
Do you expect that the new state law capping property tax budget increases at 3% will impact our city’s budget?
What values or experience would you bring to the budgeting process?
Maintain a balanced budget. Increase Housing opportunities. Retain and hire staff for department openings. Continue to support jobs and employment opportunities.
One of the biggest challenges is providing a living wage for city employees. With a limited budget and a 3% cap on property tax the council will need to look at other sources for city income to maintain benefits and increase salaries to attract and maintain employees. It is difficult to compete with private companies when our income is limited.
We have been working on this issue for several years and have found that we lack developers and those that we contacted stated that they are busy at their own localities. We have developed a plan with the JSDC assistance to develop two sites for housing that should be shovel ready this year if all agreements are signed. Also infill with vacant lots redevelopment are encouraged.
This will have an affect on city budgets when our costs for insurance, fuel, equipment replacement and repairs have increased 10% to 15%. This will put cities under extreme stress to maintain streets, water, sewers and employment.
I have served 8 years on the council and have been learning something new every year. We have made gains in cutting cost by creating efficiencies in operations in several departments. Recycle reuse vactor truck, cooperating with Rural Water to supply leachate to the waste water plant and recycling lime water at the water treatment plant will save in labor and electrical costs.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.