ShawneeDispatch.com

To bring more businesses and developments to the city, Shawnee City Council candidate Lori Barngrover says Shawnee needs to project a positive image.

“Shawnee is an amazing city; we need to make sure everyone can see it the way we do,” Barngrover said.

And the members of the Council are a big part of presenting that image to help draw new developments and lessen the tax burden on residents, she said. Barngrover, 33, a Realtor and graphic designer, will take on incumbent Michelle Distler for the Ward IV seat on the Council in April.

In addition to aggressively pursuing economic development to increase the city’s commercial tax base, Barngrover said Shawnee should look at reassessing its licensing and fees compared to surrounding cities and possibly offer voter-approved sales tax incentives if it needs to increase revenues.

She listed economic development as one of the biggest issues for residents in the ward.

“We need to attract a balance of family-friendly and commercial developments to increase our commercial tax base,” she said.

She also listed making improvements to streets and neighborhoods, especially Midland Drive, and supporting the city’s parks and recreation programs as top issues for Ward IV.

Those goals may be hard to reach quickly, as the city faces falling revenues in both property and sales taxes. As the Council looks at methods of saving money, Barngrover said a department-by-department evaluation seeking money-saving adjustments would be a good first step.

She also suggested the city review outsourced items to see if there are more cost-effective ways of doing them in-house.

“Making changes to save money is great as long as they are long-term ideas and not just short-term fixes,” she said.

Barngrover said as a lifelong resident who is active in the community, her knowledge of the city and its residents would help her as a Council member.

“I have a strong belief in public service and have taken an active role in Shawnee,” she said. “My experience from working with people in the community, be it the Old Shawnee Days Committee, in my own private business, or as a member of the Planning Commission and parks board, has given me the insight to serve on City Council.”

Lori Barngrover

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