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Dear Mayor, City Council, and City Staff,
As a longtime Clayton resident, I’d like to share a few thoughts ahead of today’s budget workshop, which I regret I’m unable to attend. I appreciate the city’s effort in organizing this important meeting and providing residents with the opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the budgeting process.
While today’s focus is the overall city budget, it's also worth reflecting on how reserves have accumulated due to past budgeting decisions. For years, these reserves grew—not necessarily as a sign of financial strength, but because funds were not always used as originally intended. This contributed to a perception that residents were overtaxed and that the city was slow to address community needs.
Fortunately, I believe that period is behind us. Under the leadership of City Manager Kris Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and the Council, we are seeing a more disciplined, transparent, and strategic approach to financial management. Recent restructuring and consolidation of city staff and resources reflect a renewed focus on accountability and professional governance. I commend this progress and feel optimistic about the direction we're heading.
As the city evaluates its budget and plans for the future, I support the responsible use of reserves for their intended purposes—such as budget stabilization, capital improvements, and vehicle replacement—while maintaining the prudent reserve level of 40%. Surplus funds should be put to work meeting real community needs—not left idle or as a cushion for inadequate planning.
In my view, raising taxes should not be the first solution, as has been suggested by a current and former council member. Instead, I encourage the city to continue seeking creative, sustainable strategies to support financial health. Some ideas worth considering include:
• Leasing or selling underutilized city-owned properties to generate recurring revenue.
• Installing solar energy systems and selling excess power back to the grid.
• Hosting additional city-led events to generate revenue and support local businesses, following the successful model of the CBCA (Clayton Business and Community Association).
• Actively pursuing state and federal grants for public projects.
• Introducing paid parking in high-demand areas to fund infrastructure improvements.
• Offering tax incentives to encourage local business growth.
• Exploring naming rights for public buildings as a form of private sponsorship.
• Partnering with neighboring cities to share services and reduce costs.
By adopting innovative and forward-thinking strategies, Clayton can diversify its revenue sources, reduce reliance on future tax increases, and invest more effectively in the needs of our residents.
If a tax increase—such as a sales tax or parcel tax—ever becomes truly necessary, it should only be pursued after all other viable options have been thoroughly explored and clearly communicated to the public. Our community deserves a government that is thoughtful, transparent, and fiscally responsible. With time on our side and a large reserve at our disposal, let's do the necessary work required to get our city in order.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank City Manager Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and Council members Jeff Wan, Jim Diaz, and Rich Enea for their leadership. I believe the steps taken under their guidance have set Clayton on a more stable and promising path. With continued focus on smart budgeting and strong community engagement, I’m confident Clayton will continue to thrive.
Sincerely,
Gary Hood
Clayton Resident
As a longtime Clayton resident, I’d like to share a few thoughts ahead of today’s budget workshop, which I regret I’m unable to attend. I appreciate the city’s effort in organizing this important meeting and providing residents with the opportunity to stay informed and engaged in the budgeting process.
While today’s focus is the overall city budget, it's also worth reflecting on how reserves have accumulated due to past budgeting decisions. For years, these reserves grew—not necessarily as a sign of financial strength, but because funds were not always used as originally intended. This contributed to a perception that residents were overtaxed and that the city was slow to address community needs.
Fortunately, I believe that period is behind us. Under the leadership of City Manager Kris Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and the Council, we are seeing a more disciplined, transparent, and strategic approach to financial management. Recent restructuring and consolidation of city staff and resources reflect a renewed focus on accountability and professional governance. I commend this progress and feel optimistic about the direction we're heading.
As the city evaluates its budget and plans for the future, I support the responsible use of reserves for their intended purposes—such as budget stabilization, capital improvements, and vehicle replacement—while maintaining the prudent reserve level of 40%. Surplus funds should be put to work meeting real community needs—not left idle or as a cushion for inadequate planning.
In my view, raising taxes should not be the first solution, as has been suggested by a current and former council member. Instead, I encourage the city to continue seeking creative, sustainable strategies to support financial health. Some ideas worth considering include:
• Leasing or selling underutilized city-owned properties to generate recurring revenue.
• Installing solar energy systems and selling excess power back to the grid.
• Hosting additional city-led events to generate revenue and support local businesses, following the successful model of the CBCA (Clayton Business and Community Association).
• Actively pursuing state and federal grants for public projects.
• Introducing paid parking in high-demand areas to fund infrastructure improvements.
• Offering tax incentives to encourage local business growth.
• Exploring naming rights for public buildings as a form of private sponsorship.
• Partnering with neighboring cities to share services and reduce costs.
By adopting innovative and forward-thinking strategies, Clayton can diversify its revenue sources, reduce reliance on future tax increases, and invest more effectively in the needs of our residents.
If a tax increase—such as a sales tax or parcel tax—ever becomes truly necessary, it should only be pursued after all other viable options have been thoroughly explored and clearly communicated to the public. Our community deserves a government that is thoughtful, transparent, and fiscally responsible. With time on our side and a large reserve at our disposal, let's do the necessary work required to get our city in order.
In closing, I want to sincerely thank City Manager Lofthus, Mayor Kim Trupiano, and Council members Jeff Wan, Jim Diaz, and Rich Enea for their leadership. I believe the steps taken under their guidance have set Clayton on a more stable and promising path. With continued focus on smart budgeting and strong community engagement, I’m confident Clayton will continue to thrive.
Sincerely,
Gary Hood
Clayton Resident
Great letter. I couldn’t have said it any better.
ReplyDeleteI was at the meeting last night and the audit report was excellent. Thank you, Clayton City Council for doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteNo new taxes! Spend down part of the reserve and use the money for what it was intended for. Stop hoarding our money. A big shout out to our mayor and city manager for doing the hard work that prior councils neglected to do.
ReplyDelete