4 Years of Progress​
When I ran four years ago, I promised these three things.
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Here’s how I've delivered on each.
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Advocate for financial transparency and accountability:
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The City has partnered with Dakota Media Access and I host Bismarck Insights twice each month, highlighting what is happening in city government and the business community.
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Several positive tax and financial improvements that directly benefit residents have been implemented.
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I led the effort to reduce the excessive City reserves by 20% of the general fund revenue, which translates to just over $13 million. This adjustment released these funds to be used for capital projects, thereby reducing the taxes you pay. It ensured your tax dollars were working for you – not sitting unnecessarily in an account.
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I spearheaded the reduction in base water rates by 5% per household each month. Previous commissions had increased them too much and taxpayers were paying the price.
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I worked closely with legislators to bring $50 million in state funding to expand the water treatment facility. This major investment saved local taxpayers from covering the full cost and represents one of the largest special project allocations Bismarck has seen in years. Our legislators deserve recognition for their strong advocacy.
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Lead with courage
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I took action to reform the underperforming Event Center. There was a lack of accountability in operations, finances and service delivery. We are on track now to bring in a third-party company – a model that has proven successful in similar communities.
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I insisted on a capital improvement plan for the Event Center. For the first time since it was built nearly 60 years ago, the Event Center has a capital improvement plan to extend its life, rather than starting from scratch to build a new one that would cost taxpayers significantly more.
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I established the first ever Code of Ethics for elected and appointed officials in Bismarck.
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I streamlined City management duties so the full City Commission does not need to be involved in the interview process for every department director. This ensures City staff is not micromanaged by commissioners in the selection process who may not have expertise in their area and removed the requirement that department directors must endure demeaning public hearings when their performance is questioned.
Create consensus when there is division
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Many issues are answered with a simple phone call to a City office or commissioner. I believe that is the best way to handle concerns. If it takes more than one person to resolve it, I like to bring the impacted parties into the room and develop a solution. This rarely makes the headlines and social media posts, and that is fine. Most people don’t want to air their issues in a public forum like a commission meeting.
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I lead our commission meetings with professionalism and decorum, ensuring all voices are heard and discussions remain productive.
A culture of service and efficiency.
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