As a small business entrepreneur, I have experienced how the local government interacts with businesses. I am a mom of two daughters who are recent graduates of Auburn High School. Both received an excellent education. I am a homeowner who relies on the city to perform regular services. I have served on several community organizations. These aspects of my life are the foundation for my guiding my decision making. The relationship of the city to its citizens and stakeholders is critical for sustained success and a high quality of life.
Maintaining excellence in the quality of services we provide for a growing population. We are addressing infrastructure needs, impact on our sewer and water, and ensuring our revenues are matching the pace of growth. We have a six-year Capital Improvement Plan that identifies infrastructure and capital projects. The Citizen's Survey is a tool utilized to address the concerns of the citizens. We work through a biennial budget to set the priorities of projects that are designed to maintain excellence in the quality of services provided. We undergo a Comprehensive Plan update and review the Future Land Use plan regularly to ensure growth is understood and planned.
Auburn's approach to managing growth and development is multi-faceted. We analyze population growth, areas of high demand, impact of development on our resources through the Comprehensive Plan, Future Land Use Plan, Zoning, traffic impact studies that are development specific, coordination with county, state agencies that have jurisdiction in the unincorporated areas of Auburn, Auburn 2040, a citizen led strategic planning document and continual review of market impacts on the city. The focus we have to increase our parks and recreation facilities is one tool to balance quality of life with economic prosperity.
Just recently, the city had our AA+ and Aa2 bond rating re-affirmed, which indicates that we have a financially sound City with excellent leadership and quality of life indicators. Our budget is a biennial budget that maintains a positive reserve. The council holds multiple days of presentations from each city department which are open to the public and public hearings before it is voted on by the council. The budget is available online to the public for continual review. The city provides an audited report annually to the public. I would not propose a change at this time.
I have a favorable opinion of the Auburn Public Safety Department's level of care and service. We have added Fire Station No. 6 in the Northside of Auburn. We recently opened a Public Safety Training Center in North Auburn designed to train our employees regularly. We are evaluating the need for a Police precinct on South College. We have invested in drones for response that has proven to protect our citizens and officers effectively. I believe staying current with technology advances that can equip public safety to be even more effective should be a priority.
I know that Auburn's focus is on ensuring its infrastructure is keeping pace. That is continual need as prioritized in the budget and Capital Improvement Plan.
I do believe the rate of expansion is sustainable.
The current structure of the Board of Education in Auburn has proven effective. I do not propose any changes at this time.
As with any development proposal, the council should consider health, safety and welfare elements. Data Centers should be scrutinized on the aspects of health, safety and welfare to ensure undue stress on the community.
The Auburn City Council has made great strides in encouraging public input by structuring meetings to include citizen comments at two stages (Items on the Agenda and Citizens Open Forum) not including public hearings. Citizens have the FixIt App to notify of concerns in the city. The Council holds packet and planning meetings open to the public. City Council meetings are streamed on radio and online. All meeting agendas, packets and minutes are available online. I personally hold Ward meetings to interact with my constituents when issues of interest arise.
