My plan for A Brighter Future for Meridian

The current system to fund and build roads in Meridian is broken. As a city we have no control over our roads. We are at the mercy of the Ada County Highway District and the Idaho Transportation Department. Instead of begging for them to address rapidly-growing congestion, we need smart reforms. 

We can expedite our number one transportation concern – road and intersection widening – by bringing more money to match ACHD funding. We should let citizens vote on a registration fee increase that will directly fund roadway improvements. With this funding we can leverage ACHD planning to speed up transportation projects. This “user fee” approach is clean, simple to understand, and efficient to administer and keeps Meridian dollars building Meridian roads. 

I also support reforming the Ada County Highway District to add two additional commissioners – from five to seven – and creating sub-districts that include entire incorporated cities, like Meridian within its boundaries. This change will allow greater advocacy for the city within ACHD planning and budgeting and help prioritize our funding needs within Ada County.

Our low crime rates are the result of investments in our police. But with a rapidly growing population I believe one of the smartest investments we can make is adequate training for our police officers. A healthy relationship between law enforcement and citizens is a hallmark of safe and united communities. I will support the needed investments in people and equipment to maintain the high standards of our police force, but I will also ask them to follow the same principles as our citizens by striving to do more with less.

And with two brand new fire stations coming online, the city has a duty to ensure these stations have adequate funding and staff. I support that effort and will work to ensure they have the resources to do the job right. However, our rapid growth threatens to eat up a growing portion of our city’s budget. This is why responsible, well-planned growth is important. By managing growth we can pay for our fire and first responders. 

Holding the line against runaway budgets is one of my highest priorities. I believe governments owe it to their citizens to always strive for fiscal responsibility. But advancing a conservative budget doesn’t mean “slash and burn.” It means directing precious taxpayer dollars towards essential services and critical infrastructure – things the city is required to provide its citizens. 

As a member of the city council I will be a fierce advocate for conservative budgeting. My position is that the city’s budget should not take the 3% maximum allowable budget increase each year. City departments will have to justify any increases beyond inflationary costs and any new spending must be essential to expanding the city’s core services.  

Governments must be accountable and responsive to citizens. That’s a hallmark of good, conservative governance. As a member of the city council I will work to bring better government accountability by focusing on; 1) a more responsive permitting process; 2) advocating for increased government transparency; and 3) cutting red tape and reducing complexities that make working with government confusing.

I support recent efforts to provide police in our high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. Tragically, evil people ignore the “gun free zone” signs outside our schools, making them vulnerable targets. It is critical that the city, our police officers, and the school district work together on a daily basis to protect our children.

I support an emphasis on family-friendly events where parents feel comfortable bringing their children. Families and children should have numerous opportunities to socialize and interact in an environment that is fun and safe.