1. Rebuilding trust, ensuring accountability

Across administrations and councils, I have been frustrated by the emergence of in group/out groups that divide us and impair our ability to effectively work together. If successful, these changes will ensure that regardless of the personalities involved and who is in, we will better be able to deliver results for our residents.

- Reform the Citizens Advisory Committee - I'll seek to carve out a new, enlarged role for the CAC by revising their organizational bylaws. In doing so, I'll seek to accomplish a couple things - create both a steering and oversight role for the group. I'll seek to offer them more visibility not just on what's happened, but on what's ahead. Giving those involved a chance to offer their input and represent the views and concerns of residents on any number of issues. I'll also seek to create balance across all city precincts and neighborhoods to ensure a more diverse set of views have a seat at the table.

- Establish a Financial Oversight Committee - I'll look to create a committee with full visibility over administrative spending. Comprised of members of council, the treasurer, and others, they'll receive a regular report on spending activity. Under law, the mayor may have the power to spend. Going forward, I'll make sure that with that power comes accountability.

-Revise Administrative / Department Head Authority Over Spending - I recognize that administrative spending authority has not been revised to account for a changing world. I also recognize that emergency spending is often necessary. But increased authority will only come with increased accountability.

-Establish City Ethics Ordinance - Our city has historically functioned as a high trust society. But as the saying going: trust, but verify. A city ethics ordinance will enshrine a series of good government measures in law. Measures that are common in many other communities.

-Codify Standing Rules for Council / Commission - We often operate on tradition as a government. That model will work until it doesn't. I'll seek to standardize rules and practices across the board and get our decision makers singing from the same hymnal.

-Develop Smartphone App / Workflow System - Effective city communication has long been a concern for residents. Nobody is interfacing using desktop browsers and old school websites. I'll bring back my previous proposal to create an app that keeps residents connected to their government. My goal - to allow residents to submit complaints and watch them be resolved in real time. It's an effective tool that gives residents the updates they need, and one that allows administration to track activity across the board to ensure the job is done.

-Recruiting More Women/ Across Precincts - City government is not often top of mind for most people. As mayor, I'll look to appoint from residents across our city. Resident involvement is essential to creating a more responsive and accountable government.

-Diversify Council Liaison Appointments - The mayor is granted a lot of authority to freely appoint council members to work on the various commissions or committees the city creates. I'll make sure that I appoint members that agree with me, and those that don't, to work in key areas.

-Commit to regular work study schedule - Council is tasked with tackling the so-called "big picture" issues in our city. But the mayor is integral in facilitating those discussions, and executing council's will. I'll look to establish a regular schedule to keep us focused on the things that matter most to our city. A mayor should never be afraid to ask council to answer the tough questions. Whatever the answer, I'll help them get it done.