The 2023 election cycle is around the corner, Cedar Valley Sentinel sent out an invitation to all of the Candidates running for office in Fairfield and Eagle Mountain with an invitation to answer a set of questions. Over the course of the next few weeks we will be publishing those questions and the answers provided from the candidates. If you have missed any, or would like to go back and review them, you can do so by visiting this link: Cedar Valley 2023 Election Center. #2023
Question: What is your stance on fiscal responsibility and budget management? How do you plan to balance the city’s financial needs with the expectations of residents?
Hollie McKinney
Fairfield Mayor
My stance on fiscal responsibility and budget management is that it should be a top priority in governing the town. I believe in ensuring that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and transparently. If the community is engaged through meetings and opportunities for input with the budgeting process it not only ensures their voices are heard but also provides valuable insights and perspectives that can contribute to sound financial decision making. I am the only one on the council that sits in a state audit every year and I plan to continue doing that. I will also actively seek Grants that are available for small towns.
Michael Weber
Fairfield Council Seat A
Our leaders should be open and honest and transparent in all they do. The only dollar we can spend is one that has the best interest of the whole town in mind.
Craig Morris
Eagle Mountain City Council
No responses to questions returned.
Jared R Gray
Eagle Mountain City Council
There is a lot of work that goes into balancing the needs and wants of all stakeholders when it comes to fiscal responsibility and budget management. If you want to have a say in how your tax dollars are being spent in the city, please speak up, attend city council meetings and participate in making Eagle Mountain better for everyone. The previous budget passed can be found at https://eaglemountaincity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/FY-2022-Budget-Book-Combined_FinalWeb_Optimized_Corrected.pdf.
Scott Ferre
Eagle Mountain City Council
I believe that government should be bound by the same rules that govern households and businesses. Meaning government entities local, state and federal, should live within their means and operate within a balanced budget. Sometimes this will require tough decisions that may be unpopular, but with tough decisions the public should expect and receive transparent explanations as to why government leaders made said decisions. The city’s financial needs and the expectations of the residents should be one and the same. The purpose of the city government is to serve the residents of Eagle Mountain so all financial needs of the city should benefit the residents of Eagle Mountain.
Angelina Washburn
Eagle Mountain City Council
I am opposed to debt for municipalities. In the form of bonds or loans. I recognize that the needs of the city outpace revenue because we are heavily residential. Budgets should be adhered to strictly and approved by supermajority votes. Special interest initiatives can be supported by the city and city council but should find funding through other efforts. City council members should be prepared to assist and guide committees or individuals in the process to get the funds for worthwhile initiatives.
Rich Wood
Eagle Mountain City Council
Eagle Mountain has been on both ends of fiscal responsibility. We were overspending for years, and now we have become so cheap that we are understaffed, underservicing, and delayed crucial tax increases that have some of our services dangerously close to running out of funds in the near future. We cannot be afraid to do responsible increases, funding crucial infrastructure projects(whether it is through collected taxes or issuing a bond), and educating the citizens on why their taxes will increase to accomplish this. It is naïve for us to think as citizens that we will have a fixed tax for the duration of our time in any city. There is a cost to living in any city, that cost is the burden of the citizens.
Craig Whiting
Eagle Mountain City Council
I own multiple businesses and appreciate the need to operate frugally in order to create financial stability & success. We need to think carefully about “wants” versus “needs.” Yes, definitely supply money for the “needs.” We need a clean city with strong infrastructure. When it comes to “wants”, require rigorous scrutiny & debate before deciding. I support keeping taxes as low as possible. I also don’t want accolades for spending other people’s money – there’s no prize for that. I was at Neptune Park the other day and noticed a monument detailing the name of each city council member that brought the park to be. However, the monument got the names wrong: the monument should have had the name of each taxpayer that paid to create the park.
Melissa Clark
Eagle Mountain City Council
As a family, we are graduates of Financial Peace University. While on City Council, it was my priority to make sure the City budget maxed out the “rainy day” financial reserves so we would always have some money set aside of unforeseen or unavoidable expenses. In municipal government there are some legitimate reasons to bond and “go into debt”. Examples of legitimate reasons to bond include essential infrastructure, limited instances of impact fee eligible amenities and public safety. Eagle Mountain has done a really good job of keeping the tax rate low and providing the basics. As those who have responsibility to judiciously use taxpayers’ money, we should also make sure that our city staffing levels are set to provide services in a timely manner, but not ever excessive and wasteful.
Alina Pringle
Fairfield Council Seat A
One of the biggest responsibilities of the town council is to manage the budget of the town and to be fiscally accountable.
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.