My Priorities for Lafayette
Financial Sustainability
Like many California cities, Lafayette is operating with a long-term structural deficit. Operating costs, payroll, insurance, and other budget items are increasing with inflation. The City’s revenues haven’t kept pace. Over time, the City’s finances are projected to erode, and Lafayette will need to cut back on road maintenance, public safety, and other services.
I support:
✔ Rigorous monitoring of the City’s budget to ensure our resources are effectively spent.
✔ Active outreach to the community to make sure the budget receives full public input.
✔ Measure H-the half cent sales tax proposal to stabilize the City’s finances and sustain important City services. Even after passage, our sales tax rate will remain below our neighbors in Orinda and Moraga.
Focus on Wildfire Risks
Perhaps more than earthquake risk, wildfire is likely our community’s greatest natural threat. I worked on the Safety Element with the GPAC and organized my neighborhood as a Firewise community. I have worked with Contra Costa Fire Protection District (Con Fire) staff over the past five years. Lafayette needs to step up its work to improve our risk profile.
I support:
✔ Use of City resources to ensure our evacuation routes are well-planned and residents have access to warning systems. The City should work with Con Fire to assess evacuation routes.
✔ Expanding the City’s brush removal collaboration with Con Fire and new approaches to encourage homeowners to remove brush around their properties.
✔ Encouraging more Firewise neighborhood groups in our City. This grass roots approach to public safety can make a difference educating residents as to how to better protect their homes and neighborhoods.
✔ Working with the Insurance Commissioner’s Office to address the loss of homeowner’s insurance by too many Lafayette residents.
Continue the Work on Traffic Safety
Lafayette has made progress on making our streets safer for kids, bicyclists and cars, particularly around our schools. Continuing that work is essential, along with traffic mitigation. I recognize that any work on our streets involves disruption. Further, changing traffic flow or adding walkways can create issues for neighborhoods, so public involvement is an important part of good outcomes.
I support:
✔ Working with our school districts to ensure a safe street environment for our children.
✔ Actively engaging with residents early in the planning process for traffic and road improvements.
✔ Developing improved traffic control to reduce road congestion.
✔ Working to create safe bike lanes where possible.