ShawneeDispatch.com

This is an updated version of the story to clarify the candidate's stance on the city's franchise fees on utilities.

Michelle Distler

While financial incentives will be necessary to increase development in the city, Michelle Distler says the city will need to be cautious when handing them out.

“Financial incentives must be considered individually for their long-range effect,” she said. “Too often they are used simply as a means to satisfy short-term needs.”

Distler, the incumbent in Ward IV for the Shawnee City Council, said the city needs a fiscally sound and well-structured blend of incentives to effectively stimulate economic development.

One option Distler suggested four years ago to help with development, but the city did not move forward with, was to become a “Certified Local Government” to establish a preservation commission and make the city eligible for state funding.

“I think something like this would not only encourage historical preservation and development in my ward, but in the downtown area as well,” she said.

She said that until and even when the city has a larger commercial tax base, the city needed to keep conservative spending in mind.

She suggested the city perform a line-item efficiency review to help it see the big picture when trying to cut costs.

“The city has never had a review done, and it might be beneficial in finding easier and more economical ways of doing things,” she said.

Doing so would be helpful to address one of the items Distler says is the most important for Ward IV residents: The city keeping a past promise to voters to lift the franchise fee on utilities in exchange for voter approval of a local sales tax.

She said she has heard from several constituents the city shouldn’t have taken action that would add to utility bills in tough times.

"They felt strongly that while they are also suffering in these economic times, the city should cut back as they have and not be putting an additional burden on their utility bills," Distler said.

A promise made, she added, should be a promise kept.

"The promise was made by a past council that if the residents approved a sales tax, the city would remove the franchise tax. Now they have voted to reinstate the franchise tax,without repealing that sales tax. Promises made should be promises served."

Distler also listed allowing competition among trash haulers and opposition to the widening and realignment of Monticello Road south of Midland Drive as major concerns for residents in her ward.

Distler said she takes her role as a Council member and advocate for residents seriously and would continue to apply her beliefs of limited government and fiscal responsibility to make the best decisions for the city.

“… my main focus will be on a responsive, transparent government, the preservation of community environments and historical landmarks, the responsible development of economic resources, and holding the line on taxes,” she said.

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