Conservative tax policy.
Conservative tax policy is of highest importance. There is no reason to increase taxes on Oldsmar residents. We already pay more than enough.
But holding taxes low is only part of conservative fiscal policy. Making sure that Oldsmar gets back every tax dollar that it can is also key. Sometimes this is done through legislation, but increasingly tax dollars make their way home through grant programs that are used to enhance our city.
Making Town Center Development happen!
For years, the Oldsmar Town Center project has suffered through starts and stops. It's time to jump-start this project and get it off the ground!
A succession plan for City Manager and other Key Positions.
In the coming years, there are key people that have been extremely important to the growth and advancement of Oldsmar that will be moving on. It is so important that we create a strong, comprehensive plan to make sure that Oldsmar doesn't miss a beat in the process.
New Master Plan for Canal Park and the entire Oldsmar Parks System.In 2015, Oldsmar will open a World Class BMX racing and training facility. This is an exciting addition to the Oldsmar Parks System. In the year ahead, Oldsmar will begin developing a plan to update and upgrade the surrounding athletic fields at Canal Park. Who better to work on such an important project than a parent that spends countless hours at that facility for practices and games?
Make Oldsmar a go-to family destination for kids' and family sports and activities.
Through Canal, Sheffield, and other Oldsmar parks and properties, we have an opportunity to make our city a haven for family activity. The land in Oldsmar is more than sufficient to host strong BMX, baseball, soccer, football, rugby, lacrosse, and cricket groups, to name a few. Through existing plans to expand the cities Parks and Recreation facilities, there is no reason why we cannot have strong dance, gymnastics and basketball programs as well. Keeping kids active in organized activities helps them on so many levels. The health, social, ethics and team building benefits cannot me underestimated!
Enhancements to our Parks and Recreation offerings to better serve families with summer camps.
Oldsmar is home to thousands of families. For all of the great services offered in Oldsmar, many families find themselves looking to Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor in the summer months for camps and recreation for their kids on break. That means that thousands of Oldsmar families are spending their money with these other park services simply because we do not have a comprehensive and exciting family program in Oldsmar. It's time to provide those services to Oldsmar families and keep that money in our city.
Oldsmar is home to thousands of families. For all of the great services offered in Oldsmar, many families find themselves looking to Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor in the summer months for camps and recreation for their kids on break. That means that thousands of Oldsmar families are spending their money with these other park services simply because we do not have a comprehensive and exciting family program in Oldsmar. It's time to provide those services to Oldsmar families and keep that money in our city.
The Grant System
Growing jobs in Oldsmar by expanding economic development initiatives.
We pay our taxes and some of that money goes to Oldsmar but most of it goes to county, state, and Federal governments. Let's get that back! Through Federal and state grant programs, Oldsmar could expand economic opportunity attracting new businesses, and encouraging existing businesses to expand.Examples:
http://www.eda.gov/funding-opportunities/
http://www.flgov.com/financial-incentives
Advancing Oldsmar’s environmental and sustainability efforts.
Within the grant system, Oldsmar can bring tax dollars back to our city by applying for grants to increase efficiency. A great example of this is the Oldsmar Fire Department where they have been replacing all lighting with efficient LED systems. Our tax dollars want to come home. We just have to do a little leg work in the grant system to bring them back.
Examples:
http://energy.gov/eere/wipo/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/res/gov.htm
