Q & A Growth and Development : Thousand Oaks Hopefuls Differ on Fiscal Plan

QUESTION: The city is rapidly approaching build-out. As a council member, what would you do to keep the Thousand Oaks economy vital at a time when developer fees could trickle out by the end of the century?

John Ellis

The anticipated build-out applies only to large expanses of undeveloped land. There will be significant in-fill and replacement construction for the foreseeable future. This predictable activity supported by ethical and efficient government will keep the city fresh and vibrant. All fees must be set to support the required services. I have proposed and will support extensive staff training and the use of readily available but as yet unused low cost technology to provide superior, rapid and much more reliable service from the city staff.

Ekbal (Nick) Quidwai

Our net bonded debt per capita was only $29.27 in 1985; in 1994 it was a whopping $143.06! That’s almost a 400% increase. We do not need to build Taj Mahals, and need to focus on the basics like street maintenance, libraries. Working to get legislation passed that would divvy up sales tax on a per-capita basis. I have spoken in vain to have a golden oak team to rehabilitate the Northrop manufacturing operation. This city is not dependent on such fees as it is evident that almost 100% of the $7,406,838 collected from Shappel and Dos Vientos has gone to build a new City Hall. We won’t need a fifth City Hall for another century!

Trudi Loh

Now is the time to face this undeniable reality and formulate a fiscal plan for the next 10 years and beyond. We must make conservative investment decisions. We must face any long-term drains on the general fund and re-evaluate management or policy decisions which are causing such drains. We must secure state and federal funds to which we are entitled. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, we must sustain and expand our sales-tax base. We should consider marketing to attract tourist dollars, particularly for specific events, such as a film festival or other cultural or Convention Center events.

Ramaul Rush

As a council member I would support recruitment of new businesses in our community. As a council member I would utilize the services of the newly created Budget Committee to identify future revenue sources.

Mike Markey

With limited revenues we must implement programs to sustain the growth of our revenues. Our economic development can be accomplished by attracting high-tech bio-research corporations such as Amgen, Baxter and Vivitar. In addition, the city can look to promoting revenue-generating programs. I would propose a job-training center for our community. This will encompass business, government and citizens working together to employ our citizens. I will recycle government dollars back into Thousand Oaks to stimulate our business vitality. I would turn this vision into reality by utilizing redevelopment funds and federal beautification grants.

Lance Winslow

It is a fallacy to believe that developers fees have been the main source of revenue for our town. Sure they have helped, but those dollars go to increasing infrastructure due to burdens from projects themselves. Thousand Oaks receives approximately 1% of the 7.25% we all pay in sales-tax revenue each time we purchase a product in our city limits. Therefore we should “Buy Local.” Our businesses need to sell more products locally. We should probably encourage neighboring cities to shop here too. Let’s market Thousand Oaks! Call 1-800-879-TRUE for my free 10-page report.