Fiscal Responsibility

My 16 years of experience in helping to develop Ogden City’s budget provides me with the unique ability to scrutinize line items and funding requests from the various city departments. I have a very good sense of what is meat – and what is fat.

I also understand that to provide quality services, we have to invest in infrastructure, equipment, tools, and a fair wage for city employees. It all costs money – your tax dollars.

With our current economic climate, I am more committed than ever to taking a hard look at any new project that is not within what most of us would consider basic municipal services.

Right now we have several city-started projects, like the River Project that haven’t been completed or even fairly begun. We should not provide funding for projects like ice towers or velodromes until we can afford to hire enough police officers and contain rising utility costs.

More than 95% of the time, the council has been able to work out a compromise on budget issues. I have supported budgets that contained funding for projects that I didn't necessarily support, because negotiation and compromise are needed to move forward.

I will continue to work with my fellow council members and Ogden's administration while representing the residents of Ward 1 and the City at large.

Let’s tighten our belts, focus on providing safety and services, and protecting the amenities that benefit our residents and attract visitors.