I would like to thank you for filling in the oval and filling in City Councilman Steve Poore.
Hello, my name is Steven (Steve) Poore. I am an Independent running as a named candidate for Flagstaff City Council. The recent decisions approved by the City Council demonstrate the need for someone with my experience and abilities. On April 19, 2024, the draft report of the water rate investigation was released. Since this report was issued after the closing of nominating petitions to run for City Council, I decided to run as a named candidate due to my disappointment in the handling of the rate case.
I have over 23 years of experience analyzing and investing in S&P 500 companies. I analyze revenue forecasts and corporate investment plans four times a year. This unique experience allows me to add value to the City Council’s oversight of the City’s budget forecasts and capital expenditures.
Over the last 16 years of my career, I have supported Native American tribes through economic development investments, and my experience successfully implementing a variety of economic strategies to suit different cultures and needs gives me confidence that I can lead the City of Flagstaff into a more fiscally responsible future.
The rate increases for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water are far more expensive than necessary. The analysis used to predict the need for these increases was questionable at best. I am the only citizen to propose an alternative to the rate increases. My plan would reduce the water rate increase to 40% compared to the proposed 167% increase, and reduce the wastewater rate to 43% compared to the proposed 146% increase. With my encouragement and support, the City Council was ultimately able to reduce the water rate by 50% and the wastewater rate by 96%. I will fight to reduce the water rate increase by an additional 20% and the wastewater rate increase by an additional 50%.
I am also working to reduce last year’s stormwater increase by 66%.
I will work to save taxpayers approximately $600 million in projected costs of our carbon neutral plan. Flagstaff can attract investors to build solar farms and sell the power to Arizona Electric Service, which will help us meet our carbon reduction goals.
Flagstaff’s minimum wage law has led to the loss of over 923 jobs and the closure of numerous businesses. Flagstaff voters should reconsider their decision to set the highest minimum wage in all 50 states.
My overall goal is to take action to lower the cost of living in Flagstaff, and I am the only citizen who has actually attended the Flagstaff Budget Retreat over the past two years, so I am more prepared than the other City Council candidates.
I believe one must always understand both sides of an issue before concluding what is best for all Flagstaff residents. I always ask three questions before concluding anything: 1) Compared to what? 2) At what cost? 3) What hard evidence is there?
Senators Deb Harris and Lori Matthews have endorsed my candidacy.
Next month’s Flagstaff Business News will cover housing, Flagstaff water, Proposition 488 and the minimum wage in Flagstaff.
Mail-in ballots will be sent out to Flagstaff voters on October 9th. Please fill in the oval and list Steve Poore as your candidate for City Council. FBN
Steve Poore
Stephen P. Poore of Flagstaff paid for it.
(Political Candidate Column)