Issues for 2025 Budget Year*

*For those who just want the headlines

Focus on land, water, environmental issues
Control of community development within our boundaries
Prevention of infringing, excess irresponsible development on our borders
Extremely focused financial controls to constrain taxes while maintaining reserves for the unexpected
Attention to the lower income struggling residents and service people who work here but struggle financially
Maintain our existing quality of life

Who should join the four incumbents on November 5th

The person who wins!
Someone who has been actively involved in council meetings.
Someone with serious experience in oversight of a 20 million dollar municipal operation
A multitasking individual who has a grasp of the issues of 2025 and 2026 affecting the city.
Someone with serious understanding, concern and attention to land, water and development issues both city (and county as they affect our boundaries).
Someone who believes in significant public outreach because negative responses from the public is caused by many issues including lack of personal involvement & motivation by the public.
Someone who believes lack of understanding causes blame and negative comments toward Sebastian even when they are county issues and actions.
Someone who advocates more workshops and knowledge offered to the tax-paying public about the core issues, regarding why they exist, what they achieve, how they achieve it and why they are critical to quality of our health and life.
Someone who recognizes that ignorance by the public of any subject causes apathy by those who don’t know or understand. This apathy causes a lack of support of any problem in the city and can affect its existence and improvements.
Obviously that someone will not be me in 2025.

ISSUES FOR SEBASTIAN - THE CITY

Lack of community involvement. It is limited to a small percentage of total residents.
The ongoing battle between the demand for roll back rate versus the real need for funding to sustain growth, quality of life and the shortfalls we will face in the future.
Push back on continued infringement at the city limits by excessive development without due diligence or safeguards.
Continued over-development on Indian River Drive outside city limits, north and south.
Federal and State reduction in funding at all levels (which is and will continue to, effect what the city has to now find funding).
Continued land, water, utility conservation. Continued caution and control of the developmental planning, project diligence, and approvals.
Continued transparency (as in past years) in municipal staff operations and budget/cost control (public workshop details so public feels that they understand where their money is going).
Environmental guardianship in storm water, septic to sewer, degradation of the lagoon by any source.

I have been involved, in the City of Sebastian as presented in bi monthly details and special projects and workshops.
Financial Budget and quarterly reviews gave me understanding of staff effectiveness, as I utilized my past experience.
Irresponsible allowance of storm water issues (I generated 3700 voters’ petitions opposing the South Indian River Dr “Monster Hotel” approved by county land development.)
I have been a resident for 18 years. I have been extremely active since 2019.
I attend 90% of city council meetings either in person or actively on ZOOM. ( Even in the summer).
I was an appointed active member of the City Budget Advisory Board.
I am a strong advocate of the municipal staff, the committees, the police department and especially the city council.
I believe the current incumbents are “Best of Breed” both in city charter members, the staff and the council. The city charter and staff is the best it ever has been.