We have been fortunate over the last 8 years to have had a period of sustained economic growth.  With that growth the city came to expect more of the same and became too dependent on revenue from impact fees and other streams that have dried up with the current economic downturn.  We must develop a long-term strategy that diversifies the city’s revenue portfolio.  As mayor I will focus our efforts on retaining and supporting our current businesses while seeking to maximize opportunities for future businesses.  We need to have a good mix of small, medium and large businesses.  With the district court located within our city boundaries we should explore ways to attract more attorneys and other professional corporations within our city boundaries.  We should also seek to attract light manufacturing, technology and other businesses that diversify the opportunities for employment for city residents.  This will serve to minimize commutes for West Jordan residents and will also keep tax dollars close to home. 

A vibrant business community is crucial to our tax base and to avoiding the need to raise property and other taxes to meet future needs.  This is vital to keep our budget balanced. As Mayor I will promote our city as the best business location with skilled labor.  I will work with our Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to promote our city. Our General Plan document can be used to show prospective businesses we have planned and are ready for growth.  This Plan must be kept current and anticipate future needs and opportunities. 

As Mayor I will work with businesses desiring to locate in West Jordan to inform them of the quality of our services, the quality of our people and the quality of life that we enjoy.  Tax breaks should no longer be given to businesses to relocate to West Jordan unless certain conditions are met.  Businesses should be required to meet certain thresholds of employment, and other milestones before any tax incentives are provided.  Staging these benefits to companies will entice economic growth while preserving the integrity of the city budget.  We can no longer afford to give away our residents tax money without reaping some significant and sustainable benefit. 

As Mayor I will work to consult with business leaders and other government leaders to develop an economic growth committee.  We need to learn from those who do and know.

To further enhance our economic climate we need to provide for adequate recreational opportunities for our residents and to entice businesses to locate to our community.  In this economic downturn our current city leaders have diverted resources away from maintaining our parks and from developing properties that the city already owns.  Residents need near-by recreation now.  West Jordan can do better.  Some resources devoted to bike trails could enhance recreation and also simplify transportation.  Other traditions beyond the West Jordan Stampede could be developed under the tutelage of city residents that would draw people to our city.  The Sugar Factory complex is ideally located to be developed as an arts center that could serve the entire southwest portion of the valley.  As mayor I will support the efforts of the Sugar Factory Arts Council to develop and implement their business plan to bring this facility to fruition. 

The City of West Jordan is a community that thrives on careful and harmonious balance.  Over the next four years as Mayor I will require thoughtful planning to manage development. We need to make West Jordan a lifetime community.  Our current residential development focus has been on starter homes and multi-family developments.  We need to continue some development in these areas but the current council has extended this type of development beyond the limits that our own master plan calls for.  We must also encourage developers to build homes that our children can move into once better established financially.  We don’t want to educate and provide for our children and their children only to see them move to other valley locations for more desirable housing.  In so doing they take their sales tax and other spending with them. 

We need to also plan for adequate housing for our senior residents to allow them to stay in the neighborhoods they've helped to build and to have resources close at hand to allow them to age in place.  We must continue to have a thoughtful residential development plan that attracts and retains families and individuals for West Jordan to continue to thrive.

As Mayor I will insist that development is restored to the principles in the master plan.   We must make the process of property development more rational.  We can streamline the application process for development yet preserve the character of our city and protect property rights. As Mayor I will work to facilitate rational development by seeking input from the Utah Home Builders Association, which is located in West Jordan, as well as other proven leaders in the building community.