Candidate Survey: David Jacobson – First Ward DeKalb

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Candidate Survey: David Jacobson – First Ward DeKalb

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Candidate’s Name: David Jacobson
Ward you are running for: First Ward, City of DeKalb
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Response to the budget crunch (candidates were given a selection of multiple choice answers to choose, from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree)

Unfortunately taxes and fees must be increased to meet expenditures. Strongly Disagree
Lower the expenditures to meet the revenue. It’s that simple. Strongly Agree
Taxes are high enough so let’s raise fees. Disagree
This is a time to lean on staff for their recommendations. Strongly Disagree
Let’s do what the citizen advisory committee recommends. Agree
Hold the line on taxes. Use the rainy day fund to cover expenses. Things have got to get better. Uncertain
Explain: The City Council should act as the Board of Directors for our $70 million City Corporation. They need to take the lead in defining policy, addressing fiscal instability, and bringing about the change necessary to make the operation fiscally sustainable for the long haul. The reality is, this just isn’t occurring. I have been a strong VOCAL proponent of policy and goal setting, as well as strategic planning sessions at the council level in order to formulate a plan of action. These calls have fallen on deaf ears. The reality we face is that our population is shrinking, those coming into the community are often poorer than those they are replacing and taxes are already too high. Any additional tax increases will force many of our long time residents, retirees, business owners, and landlords -in other words, the bulk of our city’s income base- to actively seek to leave DeKalb, only compounding our problems and perpetuating a downward spiral of our community. The fact is, we need immediate, whole scale, and comprehensive change- In how we think, how we plan, how how we spend, and how we offer services to the residents in a cost effective matter. It will take leadership, vision, and the ability to direct staff to make these changes AT THE COUNCIL LEVEL- something that has been lacking for years- to begin to force the change that is so imperative to our City’s future.

What type of taxes/fees/fines would you increase if you must? (candidates were given a selection of multiple choice answers to choose from)

Property taxes I will not increase this tax/fee/fine during my term in office
Retail sales tax I will not increase this tax/fee/fine for FY 7/1/2015 – June 30, 2016
Gasoline tax Yes. I will increase this tax/fee/fine if needed to meet operating expenses for the next fiscal year
Utility tax I will not increase this tax/fee/fine during my term in office
Water usage fees I will not increase this tax/fee/fine for FY 7/1/2015 – June 30, 2016
Building permit fees I will not increase this tax/fee/fine during my term in office
Business/Building registration/license fees I will not increase this tax/fee/fine during my term in office
Fines for city ordinance violations I will work to build consensus to take action to reduce this tax/fee/fine
Fines for traffic violations I will not increase this tax/fee/fine during my term in office
New tax, fee or fine proposed (use explain) I will not increase this tax/fee/fine for FY 7/1/2015 – June 30, 2016
Explain While I would like to explore other avenues for funding first, the only tax increase I would even consider in this climate would be a slight increase (1-2 cent) in the Motor Fuel Tax if dedicated solely to road repair. Our road infrastructure is to the point where it is beginning to fail, for years we have put off doing much, if anything about it (outside of TIF districts). The reality is that the deferred maintenance has built up and the need for revenues to commit to adequate funding likely exists. In the case of motor fuel tax, as much as 50% of fuel is sold to “out of towners” (Includes large truck fueling operations on peace road, oasis, commuters, students, etc.). These “out of towners” often do not pay their fair share to use our roads, services, infrastructure, etc. which are generally supported by the local tax payer. As fuel prices have come down considerably and the actual out of pocket expense to the average resident would be approx $10-15 a year I would consider the argument and weigh it based on its merits. In terms of the taxes and fees structure overall, I have generally been the most conservative member of the council when it comes to increases of such and have led the charge against nearly all of them. I will continue fighting this battle as I believe we are already considerably overtaxed as residents.

Where would you cut expenditures if necessary to balance the budget? (candidates were given a selection of multiple choice answers to choose from)

Senior administration Highest priority to balance the budget
Administrative support Only if absolutely necessary
Police department Highest priority to balance the budget
Fire department Highest priority to balance the budget
Planning department Only if absolutely necessary
DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport Highest priority to balance the budget
Public works department Highest priority to balance the budget
Streets department Only if absolutely necessary
Water department Only if absolutely necessary
Professional consultants Highest priority to balance the budget
Social services Only if absolutely necessary
Economic development (DCEDC) Only if absolutely necessary
Tourism department (DeKalb County CVB) Only if absolutely necessary
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Only if absolutely necessary
Downtown DeKalb promotion Only if absolutely necessary
Across the board cuts to meet to balance the budget Highest priority to balance the budget
Hold the line use rainy day fund to balance the budget I will not cut expenses to this department
Instruct senior staff to recommend precision cuts to balance the budget Highest priority to balance the budget
Explain I would like to see comprehensive cost savings measures. We need to define what services are necessary and proper and which are luxuries. Too often these decisions are made after following impassioned pleas from staff or on individual case-by-case decisions. For those services that are defined as necessary we need to do them better, more effectively, and at less cost. We need whole scale change in how we operate. We need to implement technology to make the staff we have more efficient, we need to implement other, real world, cost savings strategies, and most importantly reduce over time expenses in our departments. During contract negotiations, we need to do negotiate from a power position instead of cowering in fear of arbitration.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in DeKalb are expiring. Should it be extended or expanded or replaced by the Enterprize Zone program? (candidates were given a selection of multiple choice answers to choose from)

It’s time to end the TIF program. Return all TIF funds to the local government units. Strongly Agree
The TIF program should be extended for the DeKalb City Center/Communiversity plan. Disagree
The old Greek Row and University Village area should be a new TIF District and revitalized. Undecided
Replace TIF with the Enterprise Zone Agree
Let TIF expire but employ a pay-as-you-go (no debt) plan for the remaining term. Undecided
There’s a better idea for TIF (explain) Strongly Disagree
Explain TIF has been exploited and incorrectly squandered for years. TIF is a mechanism that COULD transform blighted neighborhoods. Unfortunately DeKalb (Along with most municipalities) has proven time and time again that they are not capable of using this money effectively or responsibly and have allowed special interests, rich out of town developers, poorly selected committees, and staff to direct the funding into investments that the taxpayer has not (an likely will never) see actual returns on.

Do you support the DeKalb City Center/Communiversity plan?

Should the Office of City Clerk be fully restored as independent of the city manager, mayor and city council?

Yes

How would you rate the job performance of the current incumbent serving as alderman in your ward?

Explain As the current incumbent it would be easy to rate myself as excellent. Being more critical of myself, I would say Good, but can always work toward better. I have attempted to strongly represent the needs of my constituents as well as the citizens and business owners in DeKalb as a whole. Until the my ward is perfect, with no issues whatsoever (which I realize is likely an unattainable goal, but one to strive for anyway) theres always work to be done.

How can you improve the ward you are seeking to represent?

The First Ward is facing lots of changes in coming years. Issues such as the future of University Village (which is in the 2nd ward, but greatly impacts the surrounding neighborhoods, most of which are part of the first ward), the future of Greek Row, the future of Iron Gate all will be soon in the forefront. These issues are complex and will require a massive planning and resident input process. I will focus directly on these issues and push for those planning efforts to begin immediately. In addition, in my 2nd term, I will advocate for the need for business development in the ward and continuing safety improvements and initiatives.