Wichita City Council District 3

Charles Dahlem: Cutting back on TIFs until the economy corrects itself and better times return. This could result in possible savings of several million dollars

Charles Dahlem: Setting a realistic budget and learning to live within our means and to be more frugal in this temporary economic downturn.

Charles Dahlem: Stopping blight and enforcing existing codes ie parking in yards etc., encouraging community involvement against graffiti

Charles Dahlem: The no interest loan to the Warren Theater group, was not explained to the public in detail; and would not have made the deal without investigation.

Charles Dahlem: Road maintenance is a high priority. A sales tax increase of ½ to 1% could be implemented if passed, placed into a lock box only for infrastructure repair and maintenance as intended.

Charles Dahlem: TIFs should be used only after developers have been thoroughly vetted and have put significant funds into the project.

Charles Dahlem: Let Bill Koch have the boathouse back and let the Sports Hall of Fame go forward..

Charles Dahlem: At this time, the issue on pit bulls has been resolved by the present city council.

Charles Dahlem: I would vote for a one cent sales tax increase, if it would lower property taxes. I think any sales tax increase for what ever reason should be used only for its intended purpose not to just go into the general fund and be used wherever.

Charles Dahlem: The present city law did not go far enough, I would support a complete ban

Charles Dahlem: Job fairs would be a good start. Helping speed up the unemployment filing process and once filed making available the resources in a timely manner for the unemployed to locate Federal, State and County agencies for retraining.

Charles Dahlem: An increase in the fines, adding the cost of cleanup to the property tax, doing the same as with mowing and weed control.

Charles Dahlem: I do not believe the city should be in the business of franchising…stay with the free market principles and let the professionals due their job.

Charles Dahlem: Give the property owners the option of cement or asphalt then add the cost as a special assessment.

Charles Dahlem: Neighborhood associations serve as a pulse of local concerns and are mostly the eyes and ears of a councilmember.

Charles Dahlem: DABs are an excellent resource, the only change that I would like to see is some kind of term limit to get new ideas from different community members

Charles Dahlem: There is no question, there should always be transparency in all of government, after all we are not six separate cities; we are one city.

Jim Skelton: There are many opportunities to cut back on spending. Some are; Staff reorganization, reduce travel expenses, reduce the reforestation program, reduce cultural art spending, challenge department heads to cut a certain percentage from operating expenses, stop city promotional item purchases, reduce channel 7 programming, halt new vehicle purchases. Additionally, the city could increase collection of delinquent taxes, court fines, and tickets. Anytime the city cuts back or has to trim expenses there will be an opportunity cost to services or to projects. During tough times the city needs to focus on maintaining the core, or traditional services to the public. I believe the above categories will provide the city with ample opportunity to balance the budget. The fire and police departments should not be cut at all.

Jim Skelton: The past four years of service have provided me with ample opportunity for relevant education and experience. As a council member, I have learned a great deal how the city operates and what the community challenges are. I have developed and maintained good relationships with other city council members and city staff. This has taught me how to approach a problem and who can help me solve it. As a council member, I have taken much time to visit with citizens in order to learn who they are and what issues they face. My job has exposed me to many citizens with whom I have friendly relations that work with me for the betterment of this community. The job as city council member has taught me a great deal, and I will draw upon this knowledge and experience to increase the effectiveness of service my second term.

Jim Skelton: I believe the city needs to increase the budget for street maintenance. This will avoid greater expense to future city councils and public. This is an issue that will have to be addressed sooner or later, and cannot be avoided. The city council needs to quit passing the buck to the future on this item.

Jim Skelton: As a member of the city council I must try to avoid publicly bashing other council members at all opportunities. When there is a disagreement between myself and some or part of the seven-member body, I vote and explain my actions. I do not wish to carry old baggage in with me when we are on the next issue. Bashing other council members when not needed could lead to resentment and poor relations.

Jim Skelton: It is imperative the city fund the street maintenance program to its proper level. In 2009, the city street maintenance program is $8.5 million. A $10 million minimum is needed to stop the downward trend of street conditions. There is a $1.5 million shortfall to the street maintenance program in 2009. The city needs to spend more than $10 million a year in order to start improving the condition of Wichita streets. The funding source could be savings from other projects the city contracts. The city should have a policy to spend a portion of project savings on the annual street maintenance program, or replacement of significantly deteriorated streets. In 2008, the total net project savings was $18 million. If half of this was spent on street maintenance, the city would have a $17.5 million program, over twice what is spent now. This is a plan that would require the city council to change spending habits. No additional resources are needed.

Jim Skelton: TIF districts are appropriate to use in blighted areas. The Old Town TIF is an example of a successful project. TIF bonds pay for the initial infrastructure and site improvements, businesses moved in, and the TIF bonds and nearly paid off. Now we have a lively entertainment district. The Arena TIF was required to provide streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements to accommodate the new facility. Without a TIF, city at-large funds would have to have been used for the downtown improvements, cutting back on scheduled projects and other budgeted improvements citywide.

Jim Skelton: The proposal that has the most merit in my opinion is the Bill Koch proposal. It is desirable by many citizens to take advantage of the funding he will provide. It is possible the Sports Hall of Fame could become a greater attraction if moved into the building. I am not in favor of tearing down the boathouse.

Jim Skelton: I supported the recent vote to change the city's ordinance. The revised ordinance allows for a maximum of two pit bulls per household, and it also requires adult pit bulls to be micro-chipped, spayed or neutered. The city should also fund the public safety position called animal control officer to the proper level.

Jim Skelton: I will support a public vote only after much more information is provided about the potential costs vs. benefits of the plan. The public needs to fully understand the ramifications before any vote on taxation.

Jim Skelton: I did not support the recent smoking ordinance adopted by the city. I would be in opposition to additional rules and regulations.

Jim Skelton: At this time of economic uncertainty, partnerships are critical. We should try and keep communication open between all agencies - public and private. Improvement of the economy is always a challenge for local government. Even during economic downturns, the city must reach out and try and keep local businesses strong and recruit new industries. Get the word out about the city's career development office in order for the public to take advantage of the employment services the city has to offer. The phone number for the career development office is 337-9444.

Jim Skelton: I believe the city should begin writing fix-it tickets and littering tickets in addition to court action to address blight. A ticket with fines could be written to slum property owners, tall grass or for trash violations. Just as any ticket, this requires remediation and a fine. This is a proposed ticket that could be appealed in court just like any speeding ticket. I believe the city needs to write a bunch of these tickets now. The city always needs to take special considerations for elderly and handicapped citizens when enforcing city codes. Churches, neighborhood organizations and other groups work with city staff to clean up neighborhoods and repair houses of the elderly and handicapped who cannot afford to pay for the work. I support these initiatives.

Jim Skelton: Yes, I am supportive of looking into a franchised trash system that uses private haulers and takes the micro-haulers into consideration. Many benefits could be realized with a franchised trash program. Some potential benefits include one day for your entire neighborhoods to have trash service, improved recycling opportunities, improved bulky waste disposal, lower cost of service, less road wear and tear. The city could also save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in clean-up costs from illegal dumping. Franchising could also lead to fewer dumpsters in some commercial areas. Any revenue earned by the city in franchise fees could be used for additional street maintenance.

Jim Skelton: The current system of petitioning for paving has been in place for many years. Many times this leads to dirt streets being paved in existing neighborhoods when the majority of owners sign for paving. There is no other mechanism for paving streets. A developer petitions the city for special assessments when paving in new additions, for example. There are no federal grants or other local programs that would provide free pavement to citizens that live on dirt streets. If the government would start suddenly providing free paving, I am sure taxpayer equity would be brought into question as neighborhood street paving has historically been done by petition. The city should increase the eligibility for low-income deferral when special assessments for paving come to question.

Jim Skelton: Neighborhood associations are a very positive attribute to this city. Members of neighborhood associations work with community police, city staff, and elected officials in addressing many issues including; reporting graffiti, gang activity, vandalism, property condition and street maintenance. Neighbors use meetings as a social mechanism for community networking and knowing who their neighbors are. Neighborhood associations are very important to the city of Wichita.

Jim Skelton: Yes, district advisory boards give citizens an opportunity to weigh in on issues facing their district and the city of Wichita. The DABs vote in an advisory capacity on many issues before any city council action. The city council member may use comments or other input to enhance knowledge of issues while present at DAB meetings. I consider DAB boards an important process in city government.

Jim Skelton: American governments are public entities created by American citizens. Heads of government are elected by a constituency to represent them. Anything elected and other public officials do should be open for public examination. Citizens should have a right to any and all information regarding what may affect their lives. Sometimes public staff and elected officials have access to sensitive information regarding business or security that must be safe-guarded. This is information that is discussed in executive session that must be kept confidential. I will strive to aid citizens that need information. I will help citizens get information at all opportunities.