Michael Hoffmann: 2025 candidate for Warrenville mayor

Bio

Office sought: Warrenville mayor

City: Warrenville

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired former electrician/business owner

Previous offices held: Ward 3 Alderman for four years

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? Also, what makes you the best candidate for the position?

I believe that Warrenville should have a more honest leadership.

Yes, the overuse of TIFs and irresponsible building development that leads to higher property taxes.

I've been involved in government for 16 years. I was the Ward 3 Alderman for four years. I ran my own business for 25 years and I'm a dedicated, lifelong resident of Warrenville.

What is the most serious issue your community will face in coming years and how should leaders respond to it?

High property and sales taxes are costly to the residents and deter businesses from choosing Warrenville over other communities in the area.

How would you describe the state of your community's finances? What should be the top priorities for spending during the next few years? Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed?

Inadequate, the city recently had to raise taxes to 6.96% which is over double what the CPI was.

Spending should be audited and reviewed for efficiency.

All nonessential spending should be curtailed.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project you must address? Why and how should it be paid for? Conversely, during these uncertain economic times, what project(s) can be put on the back burner?

Maintaining the streets to a high quality.

Thru the city budget.

No major infrastructure projects and I don't see any in the near future. Our priority will be to get our property and sales taxes lowered to attract more businesses to lower property taxes even more.

Describe your leadership style and explain how you think it will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

Leadership style, straight forward and to the point. Everyone will be treated fairly and equally, encouraging them make the right decisions for their constituents.

What’s one good idea you have to better the community that no one is talking about yet?

I would use my Warrenville mayor’s salary as seed money to bring back a Warrenville free newspaper to inform citizens and improve transparency in our city government.