Do you support eliminating the hotel bed tax that was passed this last June to offset budget deficits?

I would support rolling back the hotel bed tax when the economic recovery allows.  I had supported the tax only if the MTCVB would be held harmless in this budget and made a motion to retain that agency at the contractual amount.

What internal cost cutting measures would you direct the City Manager to take to reduce spending?

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We have already mandated myriad internal cuts:

    * The number of people on City staff is 400 fewer than last year at this time [we're at approximately the same level as 1999];

    * Every department - except public safety - has taken a 7.5% cut;

    * Five unpaid furlough days have been mandated for every City employee - except public safety and other critical staff;

    * Virtually every expenditure made by City staff is being scrutinized and major purchases must be approved;

    * Maintenance on City Parks has been deferred;

    * City staff are paying a greater share of their medical costs;

    * The contract for median maintenance has been reduced significantly;

    * In the last fiscal year, I took specific measures to reduce my Ward VI Office Budget by $23,630;

    * Resurfacing of City neighborhood streets has been deferred;

    * Replacement of City vehicles has been deferred to the greatest extent possible;

    * Funding for nonprofits has been cut by 15.5%;

As part of this year’s budget process, I tried to re-categorize how we look at funding of outside agencies, which includes everything from the Humane Society to Animal Control to TREO to arts organizations.  This effort was to separate our economic drivers and our Intergovernmental Agreements from social service and arts organizations. This re-categorization would provide a clearer foundation for any funding decisions we make.  I hope to incorporate this approach in next year’s budget.

I would welcome SUBS member input on budget cutting measures when we begin discussion of next year’s budget.

What plan or plans do you have to help stimulate the economy?

Downtown revitalization is moving forward, which is providing hundreds of jobs to Tucsonans.  The recently completed 4th Avenue Underpass employed as many as 1,000 people over the two year period, according to Sundt. The new Convention Hotel is anticipated to employ 500 at peak construction. And construction of the new main entrance to the Convention Center will employ dozens.  This means local paychecks.  As a result of revitalization we already have many new jobs.  For example, three new nightclubs/restaurants will be open in the next month or so [one is already open], employing more than 200 people.  New jobs.  But we must look beyond Downtown and create a business climate that will attract new businesses to our community, especially clean high tech industries.  I still believe we can become the SolarCon Valley!

What are you plans to address downtown development?

In the past three years, here’s what’s happened:

    * The new Convention Center Hotel is in design, with funding for final designs of it, expansion of the TCC, and construction of the TCC garage approved - and construction of the new Main Entrance to the TCC underway;

    * 4th Avenue Underpass Redesigned and completed;

    * One North Fifth reconfigured and at full occupancy;

    * Maynard’s Market thriving;

    * Depot Plaza Garage [the crane] is well underway;

    * Madden Publishing bought, renovated and moved into the historic MacArthur Building;

    * Unisource decided to build its new corporate center Downtown;

    * Scott Avenue was rebuilt - and the infrastructure beneath it - and is a model of what Downtown streetscapes will look like;

    * Six older buildings Downtown are reviving the historic beauty of their facades;

    * The route for the final piece of the Downtown Links has been determined. I’m pleased to have worked recently with an important Downtown business along that route to assure that not only its historic warehouse, but the business itself is saved;

    * And much more!

One critical element is the presence and partnership of the UA in our Downtown in terms of not only student and faculty housing, but bringing entire UA programs to the Downtown.  Discussions have been underway on one such possibility, and I’ve been involved in several other newer efforts to accomplish all of these goals.  It will strengthen and diversify our Downtown AND benefit the UA, which is landlocked.  Ours is a signature University that needs to and deserves the space to expand.  Downtown is the perfect place.

In the future, every project will have an individual project ‘tracking sheet’ with project goals, budgeted costs, changes and progress - and these sheets will on-line and available to anyone with computer access.  A new team has been put in place and is meeting weekly to assure consistency, continuity and clarity on every dollar spent.  The focus right now is and must be on the economic drivers that are so important to our community’s future.

Do you support the City creating a new Professional Services tax?

I am not comfortable with a few professional services having been singled out.  Certainly this is an issue we must consider, but NO decision can or should be made without stakeholders at the table so we can understand fully the implication of any action contemplated.  My door has been - and will continue to be - open to business people who are willing to share their perspectives and concerns.  These meetings will continue to inform every decision I make.



Do you support the City reintroducing the renter’s tax?

I would have a hard time supporting any fee or tax that would put the majority of the burden on those most vulnerable in our community. I fought the proposed renter’s tax last year for exactly that reason.  The utility tax, while still painful, at least spreads the pain throughout the entire community, rather than targeting one segment.  That is the same approach I’ll use in coming decisions.

Do you support the Public Safety First Initiative? If so, how will you pay for it and are tax increases part of your proposal?

I support public safety … and have demonstrated that support for 4 years.  In fact, as the result of action taken by the Council in April 2006, we now have 80 additional police officers on the force and our firefighters are at full staff.   I will continue to support public safety to the greatest extent possible in our current economic circumstances.  If PSFI passes, I will work with the community and my colleagues on Council to determine how best to pay for this unfunded mandate.