Currently I am serving as the Chairman of the Budget Review Committee. The BRC is a committee of 5 citizens appointed by the City Commission. We review the proposed city budget in great detail, meeting with the heads of the various city departments, and make recommendations to the City Commission on spending priorities. More often than not, our recommendations are accepted.

From my perch on the Budget Review Committee, I recognize the financial challenges the city faces in the short term. These challenges arise from the recently passed constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption, the flat and possibly declining property values, the stalled population growth of the city, and declining revenues to the city from the state sales tax and from construction permit fees.

From 2001 through 2006, the city’s budget increased some 60% yet the rate of inflation over that same period was only a little over 20%. No wonder the citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of the constitutional amendment that promises to lower the tax burden.

My knowledge of the budget and the budgeting process uniquely suits me to the challenges that lay ahead for the city. While I would be only one vote of five, I can assure you that I will take the message sent to heart and work to reduce the tax burden.

While financial issues will be a major factor, my campaign will also stress a number of other of issues important to maintaining the quality of life in Wilton Manors:

• Provide sound oversight over the fiscal management of the city and insure delivery of the property tax reductions the citizens asked for by passing the Constitutional Amendment 1 on January 29, increasing the homestead deduction.
  
• Adopt private sector corporate business-like principles to city management such as top to bottom reviews of functions of various departments, benchmarking against cities of comparable size, and incentives to city employees who come under budget in their expenses or exceed revenues in their departments.
  
• Recognize that the local businesses provide the basic fabric of a vibrant and prosperous community and work with local business leaders to encourage the opening of new businesses. At the same time, be more responsive and attentive to business leaders’ concerns.
  
• Preserve the things that make us a community, our own library, our own police department, and maintain our beautiful parks.
  
• Only permit development that makes sense for the city and that betters the city, not because it makes sense for the developers. Insist on development that meets the Smart Growth Partnership criteria.
  
• Promote water conservation by encouraging more participation in the NatureScape program. At the same time review water billing policies that will encourage conservation and penalize excess usage.
  
• Encourage greater citizen participation in city governance and utilizing the three neighborhood associations as a two way conduit of information
  
• Examine the creation of a citizen’s patrol to help our police force and more formalized neighborhood watch programs.

Wilton Manors is a great place to live and I enjoy calling it my home. I would like to help make it even a better place to live and with your help, we can do so.

Don’t hesitate to contact me at Tel: 954-530-9798, Cell: 954-270-6520 or at steve@stevezollo.com to discuss these issues and anything that concerns you and that you would like me to bring attention to as I campaign to serve your needs. Running a campaign today is costly and I encourage you to support me financially as I give voice to your concerns. The maximum contribution any one person can give is $500 but any amount will help. You can visit the contribution section of my website for detailed information regarding contributions.

Thank you for your time and I hope to have your vote come November 4, 2008.

Sincerely,
Stephen M. Zollo