I am a fiscal conservative.  I believe that managing public money is a matter of public trust and one of the most important duties a public official undertakes.  Officials who run city government must treat the taxpayers' money with as much care and restraint as they exercise with their own money, if not more. 

We need to focus our spending on a pay-as-we-go basis.  As a government we must be immune to ideas that cater to “insiders” and those of special interests while mortgaging our children’s future.  The choices we make today will determine what kind of city our children and their children inherit from us. 

While there are many good ideas, some are best performed by government and some are not.  Essential services must come first.  Other good ideas should be considered in an attempt to improve the quality of life for West Jordan residents but should be limited in scope and considered not only in the current city budget but with thought toward sustainability in future budgets as well.  Unfortunately all good ideas won’t be able to be funded.  

The taxpayers of West Jordan deserve to know the honest numbers behind what's being collected and what's being spent.  Currently there are some indications that West Jordan city government is living beyond its means.  As mayor of West Jordan I will lead thoughtful discussion about our wants and needs so that current residents have the services they need but also so that future residents aren’t sidled with debt.  Resident input will be vital to this process, as will be the thoughts and opinions of our valued city employees. 

As part of a long-term fiscal strategy, I believe it is important to protect our city employees.  Many have served the city for years.  We must do all that is possible to ensure that employees have fair compensation in terms of salary and benefits.  They must also have the other resources they need to effectively do their jobs.  As a business owner I know first hand that people are your greatest assets, and I will represent this belief in City government. 

In the recent past the city has made deals with Kraftmaid, and Oracle.  Unfortunately the anticipated results didn’t materialize in terms of jobs or tax revenues.  The decision making process that led to these decisions in the past needs to be reconsidered to avoid the same mistakes in the future.