When asked what parts of the city budget should receive more funding and where cuts should be made, my honest answer is this: without reviewing the actual budgets of each department, it would be imprudent to single out specific line items.
What I can say, based on decades of experience leading businesses, managing personnel, and overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, is that responsible fiscal management follows a clear process. First, gather all the facts. Second, determine the true priorities that best serve citizens. Third, identify areas where funding can be reduced or redirected without harming essential services. Finally, allocate additional resources where they will create measurable improvements for residents.
This disciplined approach has served me throughout my career, from growing a single office into a multi-state company with hundreds of employees, to chairing the Planning & Zoning Board where every decision affects our community’s growth and quality of life.
Any candidate who suggests cuts or increases without first doing this work is either
guessing or playing politics. Relying solely on department heads is not enough – they may understand their operations, but they may not fully see how their decisions affect citizens day to day. My job includes finding and removing waste and inefficiency.
Blackfoot families work hard for their money. As mayor, I’ll make sure the city does the same cutting waste, prioritizing essentials, and putting every tax dollar to work for you.
