Council candidates outline thoughts on infrastructure, funding

With a little more than one week until the April 5 elections, candidates for Jefferson City Council sat down with the News Tribune to discuss the various issues.

This week, we focus on infrastructure and other funding issues facing the city. Next week, look for continued coverage of the council candidates and where they stand on issues within City Hall and in their wards.

Ward 1

First Ward Councilman Rick Prather is facing no challenge on the April ballot as he seeks his third term on the City Council.

In August, the city will ask voters to renew its five-year, half-cent capital improvement sales tax. Cole County's sales tax is on the April 5 ballot. Prather said the sales tax is vital to Jefferson City, and without it, the city would have to lose some services supported by the tax. He specifically noted the city's overlay program, which receives $1.2 million annually from the half-cent sales tax.

Prather said collaborating with the county on large public works projects funded through each entities' half-cent sales tax shows the great ability to work together to complete major projects, like the improvements to Stadium Boulevard and U.S. 54.

"There are other projects we need to continue working together on, and I think the people expect that. After all, Jefferson City is part of the county," Prather said. "We can get more done together than we can do separately."

When asked if the city's contract with the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce for economic development services is the best way to promote such development, Prather said it's the best way the city has now. Prather said if someone thinks of a better way to promote economic development, he would listen, but he believes the chamber does a good job.

On the issue of a potential conference center, Prather said he considers the lodging tax vote in February 2011 to be tied to a downtown location, and if that is no longer feasible, he would need to see what Jefferson City residents want before moving forward.

"I kind of go back to the original vote that was taken and the fact that the citizens gave a vote for having a conference center," Prather said. "If that's not possible, we need to go back to the people and get some ideas, whether it be through town hall meetings, surveys or through the media and try to figure out what instead we should spend that money on."

When asked whether forced annexations are necessary for growth or if growth should be limited to voluntary annexations, Prather said he prefers voluntary but noted annexations are necessary.

Ward 2

In the city's 2nd Ward, incumbent J. Rick Mihalevich faces the first challenge to his seat from Bud Fisher.

Mihalevich said renewing the city's half-cent capital improvement sales tax is his highest goal.

"It means so much to the overlays and the infrastructure improvements that we make across the city and it keeps us going," Mihalevich said. "Without that, I don't think we'd be keeping up with the needs that the residents expect from the city."

Fisher agreed, saying without the tax, many goods and services would not be able to be provided ,and the city would lose its progress.

"We cannot just maintain the status quo. We cannot just stay where we are, or we will sink," Fisher said. "We have to grow, we have to have progress in order to keep alive."

Mihalevich said cost-shares with the county or the state on large public works project like the Lafayette Street interchange are always good when it can make the city's dollars go farther.

Fisher said the county and city have grown stronger together and havebeen able to avoid duplicating projects by coordinating.

On the issue of the chamber contract, Mihalevich said it is the best solution the city has right now for promoting economic development, noting the council periodically reviews the contract and looks to see if there are other, better ways, consistently returning to the chamber as the best option.

Fisher said the chamber is well-suited and well-equipped to promote economic development, but he believes there's more the city can do. Fisher said he'd like to talk with the chamber and see where the staff thinks they could use assistance to better promote the area.

When it comes to the conference center, Mihalevich said he is supportive of a downtown location and believes that's what voters were promised when they approved the lodging tax increase in 2011.

Fisher said there needs to be plenty of discussion before moving forward to get a consensus, adding discussions also should be had with those in the hospitality industry. Like Mihalevich, Fisher said he believes the location must be downtown where it would be most accessible.

On the issue of annexations, Mihalevich said he doesn't think there truly are forced annexations as residents of the proposed area always vote on the issue first. He said the city should avoid doing any "land grabs" unless there would be a benefit to both the city and the proposed area of annexation.

Fisher said he would always prefer voluntary annexations, but in situations where a forced annexation serves "a greater good," it should be considered.

Ward 3

Erin Wiseman is the sole candidate for the 3rd Ward seat currently held by Bob Scrivner, who is term-limited and ineligible to seek re-election.

Wiseman said the city's half-cent capital improvement sales tax is really important to continue. She noted she has previously gone to the council to address sidewalk issues and funds for new or improved sidewalks often come from the sales tax.

"The city wants to continue improving and looking beautiful and maintaining our infrastructure," Wiseman said.

Wiseman said collaborations with the county or state are a great way to keep moving forward and avoid duplicative efforts.

On the issue of the chamber contract, Wiseman said she believes the chamber does a great job of marketing businesses and getting involved in the community, but in terms of economic development, she would need to look at the contract and see what it outlines.

When it comes to the conference center, Wiseman said she believes the concept is worth investigating, but she doesn't know exactly where she stands on that issue quite yet.

"I think that's something to be careful about on the City Council. It's not something to take lightly and just jump into," Wiseman said. "We need to take a lot of consideration with what the public wants."

On the issue of annexation, Wiseman said it's really a case-by-case issue of what is in the best interest of the city and the proposed area of annexation, especially when looking at potentially adding costs to the city.

Ward 4

In the city's 4th Ward, incumbent Glen Costales is facing a challenge from David Durbin.

Costales said the city's half-cent sales tax is particularly important, noting without it, much of the city's ongoing maintenance operations would cease.

"We're looking at about $14 million of projected stormwater expenditures, and we're not even talking roads or equipment upgrades or vehicle replacements or anything," Costales said. "So yes, we need to keep it."

Costales did specify he believes the 10 percent that traditionally is allocated to the city's parks department could be cut in half, as the department has its own funding source through a dedicated half-cent sales tax of its own.

Durbin said he also sees the tax as important, adding voters need to remember it's not a new tax but one that has repeatedly been reauthorized by the people.

"It is a way to fund needed capital improvements in the city," Durbin said. "It has been valuable and will continue to be valuable to the city."

Costales said collaborating with the county on large public works projects is a great way to address issues on major arteries used by all county residents, including those who also live in the city.

Durbin agreed, saying the collaborations are an excellent way to prevent duplication between the city and county, while providing the best services to the city's and county's mutual residents.

On the issue of the chamber contract, Costales said the best way to promote economic development would be a more incentive-based contract than the current contract with the chamber. He suggested a base fee of maybe $60,000 with a bonus for every job hiring a Jefferson City resident who pays at least twice the minimum wage. Costales specified the chamber would have to prove they were responsible for bringing that job and hiring that person.

"They're the ones that are going to have to prove to us that they've earned the money," Costales said. "If they hire somebody from Columbia that wants to drive here, they don't get the incentive because we want to promote hirees within town."

Durbin said until he is shown otherwise, the chamber is the best option the city has to promote economic development.

When it comes to the conference center, Costales said the city should be open to anything, noting the hoteliers he has spoken to believe the Truman Hotel is the ideal spot because of the overflow hotels available nearby.

Durbin said voters specifically approved the increase in lodging tax funds with the promise it would be used for a conference center, and it's important to uphold that, noting he also understands the value of a central location for such a project.

"I think we need to honor the voters' wishes in that regard," Durbin said. "I certainly think that a center would be beneficial to the city of Jefferson."

On the issue of annexation, Costales said he is against forced annexation and believes it is the city's job to make something as attractive as possible so people want to be part of it.

Durbin said he only supports voluntary annexations, noting the city must be strategic about where such annexation areas are.

Ward 5

Fifth Ward Councilman Larry Henry is facing no challenge as he seeks his third term on the City Council.

Henry said the city's capital improvement sales tax is absolutely important, especially concerning the city's existing infrastructure.

"That sales tax is going to be very important, and what the public has to understand and realize is that's how we get a lot of street projects taken care of," Henry said. "If you want your neighborhood to continue to get fixed up or you want your streets overlayed and things like that, we've got to have the funds to do so, and that's what this tax is a part of."

Henry said collaborating with the county really helps on big money projects that otherwise would not get done simply because one entity could not afford it alone.

On the issue of the chamber contract, Henry said though the chamber does take hits from the public, it is the best option the city has right now, and they have been able to bring in major projects in the last year, such as the Special Olympics Missouri Training for Life Campus and Continental Commercial Products.

"I mean, quite frankly, if not for them, who else is going to do it," Henry said. "I think what we have to do is allow the chamber to do its job. If there's some things that we feel the chamber is lacking in, that's why they get evaluated every time they come up for re-funding."

When it comes to the conference center, Henry said it's always good to explore new opportunities and development, but it's important to make sure the project is done right, which could mean finding a way to move forward or holding back. He also noted the importance of public input in however the project is pursued.

On the issue of annexation, Henry said they are good for growth and development, but he's not necessarily for forced annexations, which can cause legal issues.

"You don't necessarily want to force anyone into annexation," Henry said. "I like to say, kind of smooth it over a little bit, kind of talk "em into annexation. I never like to use the word forced."


Check next Sunday's edition of the News Tribune for more on where the candidates for Jefferson City Council stand on city issues.


Related article: Council candidates field questions on taxes, redevelopment, vision for Jefferson City


Earlier coverage:

Council candidates talk issues at forum, March 23, 2016

Meet the candidates for Jefferson City Council, March 16, 2016