City Elections: Jeff Starkey on Financial health

Patch recently asked the seven candidates running for New Port Richey City Council:  "How do you define whether the city is “financially healthy?” What are your ideas for making sure the city meet that definition, if it hasn’t already?"

We also asked:

"What’s your position on the ideas of cutting services, raising taxes or increasing fees as options for helping the city be financially healthy? What other strategies would you use?"

We got answers.

Here's what Jeff Starkey had to say:

A financially sound city is a city that has a responsible debt level. It’s a city that can afford to hire and sustain a workforce sufficient enough in size that all areas of public service are being appropriately addressed. I do not feel that are city is currently financially healthy. We have empty commercial buildings that are not generating tax dollars. We have vacant houses with yards that are overgrown with weeds and brush. We have tenant occupied dwellings that are not kept up to the standards that landlords should be required to adhere to. When people are out looking for houses with their real estate agents, they normally don’t choose houses in neighborhoods that are not kept up. Our residents that do take care of their property should be commended.

They should not have to step outside and look at vacant dwellings that are simply eye sores. The city owns property that it never should have purchased. We need to do a better job at marketing these properties for sale. The church on River Rd. is overgrown with weeds and vines on the side of the building. The grass in front of the building is dead and brown. How can the city government ask individuals to take care of their properties when the city is not doing the same? It all goes back to the subject of public safety and community involvement to get our city cleaned up. I believe that if these issues are addressed properly, we will see the community redevelopment that everyone is constantly referring to.

Nobody wants to see taxes increased or services cut. However, I am not at liberty to say whether or not a tax increase or cutting public services are currently necessary. I’ve met with Doug Haag, the city’s finance director for two hours and we barely scratched the surface of our financial dilemmas. Our city needs a jump start. I think that it is great that seven individuals are vying for two seats on city council. I can’t remember the last time that we had so many candidates. It’s a sign that people do care and they are fed up. A cleaner and safer city will lead to a stronger local economy which in turn will lead to additional tax dollars.

Find the other six candidates' responses to this question at our hub article.