With the elections for North Ogden City Council is coming fast Lynn Satterthwaite had a few questions for the candidates. The Candidates responded with some great answers, with answers on hand the thought was maybe others wanted to know what the candidates’ thoughts were. Thanks for sharing Lynn Satterthwaite!
Question #4 is: Employee costs are rising each year. How do you plan to deal with this issue?
Ryan Barker
This is a question that as of this time I am not sure how to answer. I realize that employee costs continue to rise each year; however, I also believe that as a City we should make sure that our employees are paid what they are worth. I believe that employees should be paid fairly in order to retain them. I feel that it is more beneficial to have trained personnel who are paid fairly than having to hire entry level personnel for less money who still will need to be trained. If the employees are not compensated fairly the City will become a training department for other cities and we will not be able to retain our quality personnel.
Blake Cevering
All of us are being subject to rising living expenses, the employees of North Ogden are no different. Adequate compensation is one factor that keeps great employees. However, we need to insure that North Ogden has enough employees without having too many employees. We need to be lean yet avoid deficiencies in service. I am a fan of employee accountability and improvement. I would encourage annual reviews of employees/teams and complementary cost of living allowances based on accomplishments. I would be the first to be an advocate of tax increases for COLA's for employees.
Julie Anderson
We need to always make sure that are employees are taken care of. It is a hard one to really put your finger on when you are not involved with every day and then try and say how to deal with it. I believe we need to be competitive and do our homework on what other cities do to keep their employees and not have a large turnover. Retaining experienced employees has monetary value.
Sarah Fawson
This is an issue that every business has, as demands grow, the team needs to grow to meet the needs. The city, similar to a business, is affected by supply and demand. Growth in our city means that with more homes and businesses the demand for services increases. It also means that there are more residents and businesses paying impact fees, utility fees and increasing North Ogden's sales tax revenue. Like any good business, costs (employee or otherwise) must be carefully allocated within a budget to meet the needs of servicing the city. Each department within North Ogden City should undergo regular review and should always have goals to improve efficiency and streamline processes. Employees of the City should feel that their input is valued. Each of them are in positions to recognize services that could be improved, and their work environment should encourage employee input to improve services.
Question #5 is: The city does not have adequate funding to repair, replace and maintain city assets including water, sewer and storm drain lines, water meter equipment, vehicles and buildings. How will you deal with this issue?
Blake Cevering
I believe in saving. I believe in being cautious with money, mine and the money of other people. For me, the widow's mite has a broader application than just religious circles. I am a big advocate for saving for a rainy day. However, large savings accounts may not exist, yet, we need to have adequate infrastructure. Because of this I believe that bonding might be an option ... but an option that is paid off as quickly as possible. In saying that, I also believe in being very transparent with citizens so they know what challenges the city faces with infrastructure. When
people see and understand the need, they feel ownership. They may not want to bond or have a raise in taxes...but it is reality.
Julie Anderson
While bonding is not always the best way to go. Sometimes you have to incur debt. This is one area that we need to make sure we are funding we need to stop robbing one account to pay the other. I would most probably go for a bond that would take care of those things in our infrastructure that are going to continue to fail in the future years. Successful businesses spread capital expenditures over time with debt.
Sarah Fawson
A well thought out budget includes future planning and saving for expected needs. I appreciate the work that has been done in evaluating the depreciation of city assets and setting aside a portion of the budget for expected future expenses. We should be prepared to replace essential equipment and assets in our city when they reach their useful lifespan. This planning will help North Ogden to avoid crisis budgeting or bonding in the future when assets break down. I hope to carry this vision forward and will always encourage solutions that avoid debt and keep interest working in our favor.
Ryan Barker
Unfortunately this is another question that I am not able to fully answer yet. I am not sure how to raise additional funding needed. After working with multiple departments I fully respect what they are able to accomplish with the funds that they have. I admire our City employees that strive to maintain the city's infrastructure as best as possible and still work on improvements as needed. I think this is a problem every city deals with in that as a city we need to be fiscally responsible with our Tax Payers money but also strive to make improvements when needed.
Question #6 is: What would you like to accomplish while serving on the city council?
Julie Anderson
I would like to give the people of North Ogden the ability to know and understand how they can keep this cities small town feel and yet allow the businesses and growth to come. To help know that they can make a difference in what is built and where. To make sure that as the developers continue to build that they are not getting rich of the backs of north Ogden residents without giving something back.
I would love to develop the area south of the Equestrian arena into a great park that has pickle ball courts, running tracks, lacrosse fields, I would also like to see the dog park moved to its permanent location
Sarah Fawson
I look forward to serving on the North Ogden City Council and adding a new perspective to the dynamic team that manages the city, the local laws and helps shape the development of our city. I hope to encourage resident engagement and participation in decision making at the city level, support the rights of property owners, encourage thoughtful economic development and rigorously maintain the budget. The priorities I have for serving on the North Ogden City Council are all weighed by the premise that government should be small in size and effective in processes. I value personal responsibility, property rights and low taxes. I think that the United States Constitution is always a guide we can look to in balancing the roles of government at all levels and any laws should fit within the framework of the constitution.
Ryan Barker
I am not running for City Council because I disagree with the direction the Council is heading. I feel the Council already has the City's best interest at hand and would like to help any way possible. Having grown up in North Ogden on a farm I have seen the City grow from lots of farmland and little commercial development into lots of residential development with fewer farms. I would hope that I would be a voice of reason and a member who would be able to see the rights of property owners but also understand that direction the city would like to go. I would not want to change the direction that the council is heading but would want to lend my voice in helping any way possible.
Blake Cevering
I have always been impressed with a comment from John Adams, second president of the United States. He said: "The happiness of the people was the purpose of government and therefore that form of government was best which produced the greatest amount of happiness for the largest number." It will be impossible for any government to make each and every citizen happy with decisions that are rendered, in fact, it would be crazy to believe that you could, but one goal for me would be to treat people with respect and kindness. At the close of my tenure (if elected) I would like to say that I did my best to create happiness for as many North Ogden citizens as possible. To my best ability I want "unity in our community."
Question #7 is: What are the issues that you think need to be addressed in the city?
Sarah Fawson
Economic Development: North Ogden is growing. I hope to encourage smart development and bring resources and conveniences to our city in a way that allows us to keep our hometown appeal. New businesses in our community allow us to use our purchasing power to invest in our own community. The balance of residential to mixed use properties and business/commercial use is always a hot button issue. This dynamic and ongoing discussion requires community participation and input. I will always encourage open processes, public discourse and residents’ participation in discussion and decision-making. The city council of North Ogden is in a unique position to shape growth in a positive way. I applaud our current city council and mayor for the market-driven solutions and economic development they have brought into the city.
Managing the Budget: Every dollar of the city’s budget matters. As a business owner, I recognize that every dollar that I spend in my business matters. I budget for my business, I budget for my family and an essential part of the job for city council members is to actively engage in maintaining a responsible and well-planned budget. We have to be vigilant in managing the budget to allow residents to keep the maximum amount of their hard-earned paychecks in their own pockets. Tax money is not free money, it was acquired from the hard work of citizens in the community. Frugality should be priority and any use of tax dollars should be well thought out, discussed and decided upon openly, and with public input. Where possible private solutions should replace government funded.
Ryan Barker
I think that the issues that need to be addressed are already being considered. I agree that the intersection of 2600 N. 400 East needs to be widened and changed. I agree that 400 E. and 2600 N. both need to be widened. I think the area around King's and Kirt's needs to be addressed and improved. I also think that as the city continues to grow the Police Department will need to grow as well. The issue of extending Monroe Blvd. will need to be addressed at some time. I think that we will need to work with Weber School District in getting another elementary school built in North Ogden to help with the overcrowding issues. There are lots of issues that will need to be addressed as the city continues to grow but nothing that will be insurmountable.
Blake Cevering
• Crime (I would encourage the creation of neighborhood watch groups).
• Making sure the city has a very ADEQUATE savings account for infrastructure needs.
• Housing development/Commercial growth
• Continue developing positive rapport between the city and local businesses
Julie Anderson
The infrastructure needs to be our first priority. We are adding a heavy burden to our already old system. We seem to be seeing a lot of water line failures recently. I would also like to see our business area continue to grow. Maybe even use them in support of our local schools or sports programs.
Question #8 is: How have you already been volunteering or serving in the city?
Ryan Barker
For the past 4 years I have been serving as the Fire Inspector/Fire Marshal for North View Fire District. My responsibilities include working with North Ogden City Planning Department. My responsibilities include ensuring that the residents of the city are safe in all of the cities commercial structures. They entail ensuring the residents have adequate access to their personal homes in case of emergency. I also come in to the Fire Department for Cherry Days to take part of the parade and also am on site in the evening for the Fire Works helping make sure that no emergencies occur. I am part of the public education team that visits the schools in the city to meet with the kids and work with them. I strive to attend City Council when possible to stay apprised of the issues being dealt with in the city and lend my voice when needed.
Blake Cevering
I began volunteering with the city (nearly two years ago) when I was invited by Mayor Taylor to serve on the Economic Development Committee. As part of that committee I assisted in the development of our business summit--which I believe was very successful in developing a stronger relationship between business owners in North Ogden and city officials and staff. When a vacancy occurred on the Planning Commission, I was encouraged to submit an application. After a face to face interview with the mayor, I was appointed to the commission and have been serving for about six months.
Julie Anderson
Yes I have through the posse program for 27 years and I attend city council and planning commission meetings.
Sarah Fawson
I love the opportunities I have had to "pay it forward". The most meaningful service that I have had the opportunity to give are small acts of personal service in serving my family, neighbors and community. I believe that our community is the one we create, having good neighbors begins by being a good neighbor. North Ogden is a friendly community that is created by individual residents engaging in positive ways to create the community they want to live in. In a more official way I have served the community as a Weber County Delegate, and as a State delegate at different times and have valued the opportunities I have had to participate and represent my community. I have served within my church in positions with children, teens and adults as a Cub Scout leader, music director, and religious instructor, within leadership positions for youth groups within my church.
I have also served Weber, Morgan, Davis and Box Elder counties for 11 years as a sexual assault nurse examiner. In this position, I have been able to volunteer call time as a sexual assault nurse examiner for the last 12 years and have volunteered time to for free consultation to prosecutors and defense attorneys in sexual assault cases for Weber, Davis, Morgan and Box Elder Counties. I have also volunteered time to train new sexual assault nurse examiners, law enforcement officers, and family practice residents in serving victims of violent crimes. If you are interested in knowing more about my background and experience feel free to visit: https://www.sarafawson.com/meet-sara
Question #9 is: If you are not elected, what would you do to try to help work on ideas or issues that are important to you?
Blake Cevering
• I will continue to serve on the Planning Commission and seek to assist the city council as they guide and direct the future of North Ogden. I will enforce the vision found in the general plan of North Ogden.
• I would really like to see Barker Park up and functioning as a successful venue for the citizens of North Ogden.
Julie Anderson
I would continue to do what I have been doing. I will monitor the city webpage and raise my voice whenever I have any concerns. I would also like to serve with the youth council.
Sarah Fawson
I will continue my love and engagement for North Ogden City whether or not I am elected. I am happy to call North Ogden home and I will continue to be a thoughtful contributor.
Ryan Barker
If I am not elected I will continue to do what I am already doing. I will continue to attend City Council, I will continue to serve the city through my position with North View Fire District. I will continue to help out at whatever events need volunteers. I have grown up in the city and have no plans of leaving I will continue to serve the city because it will in turn be able to serve me and my family. I look forward to the direction the city is going and hope to be able to help in any way possible.
