Scott A. Brown: 2025 candidate for Wheaton City Council North District

Bio

Office Sought: Wheaton City Council North District

City: Wheaton

Age: 49

Occupation: Wealth management

Previous offices held: Wheaton City Council member since 2021

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

Staffing & Succession Planning: Our long-standing city manager is retiring, and we have an open assistant city manager position. Filling these roles is a top priority for city council to maintain Wheaton's positive momentum and ensure strong city services and economic development.

Resident advocacy is crucial. Wheaton must listen to residents to ensure proper programs and safety. For instance, as a residential community, Wheaton must improve our sidewalk network and traffic controls so children and families can fully enjoy everything Wheaton offers.

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?

Overall, Wheaton is in a strong financial position with two key achievements I have advocated for during my time as a council member.

First, Wheaton is one of very few communities in Illinois to maintain a AAA Bond Rating, which I’m proud of. Second, we have not raised our tax levy for six consecutive years, efficiently stewarding resident tax dollars.

Our top spending priorities are aging infrastructure, particularly sewer and sanitary systems. Thankfully, we have prioritized these projects and are executing them within our means.

What do you see as the most important infrastructure project the community 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?

Wheaton faces significant challenges with our aging sewer/sanitary systems and flooding issues, requiring both fiscal prudence and urgency. We have built fund balances to address these improvements and are working with city staff to prioritize projects based on factors such as age, impact to residents, and costs.

While we have identified some cosmetic projects (like streetscape beautification), we may need to defer those for more urgent infrastructure needs.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage local government? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions with your city council.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving on various teams and groups throughout my life, which have taught me conviction and approachability.

From sports in my college days to serving in my children’s schools (co-chair Engage 200 Program 2013), and with Wheaton College’s Board of Visitors (2020-2023), I welcome healthy conversations to serve the residents of Wheaton. I find genuine energy in that.

I enjoy working shoulder-to-shoulder with colleagues who care and love to collaborate on ways to best serve a greater cause. Having lived in Wheaton for nearly 40 years, I can't think of a better cause to serve than the residents of Wheaton.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I believe in Wheaton and love this community! Our residents have incredible talents, and our children have limitless potential. The hope each of you bring to our future inspires me. My service to Wheaton is not for my benefit but for you and your family.

I am committed to ensuring your right to joy and the opportunity to live your life in this amazing community. Let's believe in ourselves and what we can achieve together!

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

I want to see a more structured engagement across Wheaton’s community leaders. Specifically, Wheaton City Council, Wheaton Park District, and Wheaton Library should collaborate more.

We all serve our residents, and a formal medium for sharing ideas and working together would be beneficial. Currently, each operates independently with informal collaboration. I haven't done as well in this area and challenge myself to increase engagement for the benefit of residents.