Dustin Good: 2025 candidate for Elgin City Council

Bio

Office sought: Elgin City Council (Vote for 4)

City: Elgin

Age: 39

Occupation: Software developer

Previous offices held: Elgin City Council

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

Elgin’s most serious challenge is balancing essential infrastructure investment with community affordability, especially amid changes in federal funding and polices that impact our economy. Our aging water system urgently needs investment, particularly for lead service line replacement, while residents face rising housing costs and economic uncertainty.

To tackle these interconnected issues, the council must prioritize strategic, fiscally responsible planning. During my first term, I supported comprehensive water infrastructure initiatives while advocating for development policies that increase housing accessibility across income levels.

Moving forward, we must continue data-driven investments in critical infrastructure, exploring funding opportunities such as extending our TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district, pursuing grants, and establishing public-private partnerships. Additionally, strengthening our response to homelessness through expanded housing will further ensure community stability.

By simultaneously investing in our physical infrastructure and social fabric, we can build a stronger, more resilient Elgin without overburdening taxpayers

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?

Elgin's finances are relatively stable but face growing pressures.

We’ve responsibly maintained the same general property tax levy for 11 consecutive years through operational efficiencies and disciplined budget management. However, upcoming challenges include the state's reduction in food sales tax revenue and increasing service rates.

Our top spending priorities should include:

• Water infrastructure modernization, particularly lead service line replacement

• Core neighborhood infrastructure including streets, sidewalks, parks, and stormwater management

• Strategic technology investments that enhance service delivery while reducing long-term costs

• Initiatives that support economic development and expand our tax base

Rather than across-the-board cuts, we should focus on improving efficiency. I've supported investments in technology like ClearGov’s budget platform that save staff time and reduce errors.

For reductions we should be evaluating our capital improvement schedule to identify projects that could be moderately deferred without creating higher future maintenance costs, while also reviewing fee structures to ensure they appropriately reflect service delivery costs.

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?

The most important infrastructure project Elgin must address is our comprehensive lead service line replacement program. With over 10,000 lead service lines remaining, this is both a regulatory requirement and a public health priority.

This project should be funded through a combination of sources: we’ve already secured forgivable loans from the Illinois EPA, allocated ARPA funds, and are pursuing additional grant opportunities. The remaining costs will likely require utility fund revenue from water rates, which we should structure to minimize the impact on low-income households.

Projects that could be temporarily deferred include certain aesthetic improvements to public facilities, lower-priority park amenity replacements, and some technology upgrades that aren’t critical to core operations.

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.

Throughout my first term on council, I’ve developed a collaborative approach to policy development that focuses on building consensus without compromising on core principles. My style involves thoroughly researching issues, actively listening to diverse perspectives, and finding common ground that serves our residents’ best interests.

I believe effective governance requires both independence and cooperation. My voting record demonstrates this balance; I’ve voted both with and against every one of my fellow council members based on the merits of each issue rather than political allegiances. This independent thinking, combined with a respectful approach to disagreement, helps prevent the formation of rigid voting blocs that can impede thoughtful decision-making.

When working toward agreement, I focus on data and outcomes rather than ideology. By asking thoughtful questions, consulting with staff and subject matter experts, and considering long-term implications, I help guide discussions toward practical solutions. I’ve found that this approach builds trust with colleagues and staff while producing more durable policy decisions that serve Elgin’s diverse community.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My combination of professional experience, council accomplishments, and collaborative approach makes me the best candidate to continue serving Elgin.

As a software developer with expertise in data systems, and a contributor to City AI Connect — an community focused on responsible AI adoption in local gov — I bring a valuable perspective to discussions about the ethical modernization of city operations.

Additionally, I’ve demonstrated a commitment to independent decision-making that serves residents, not special interests. As a proudly resident-funded candidate, I make decisions without pressure from outside political considerations. This independence allows me to focus solely on what’s best for Elgin.

My first term record shows I can deliver results by working across differences. I’ve supported initiatives that modernized downtown zoning, enhanced budget transparency, and advanced our water infrastructure planning. I’ve shown a willingness to dive deep into complex issues, ask tough questions, and follow through on commitments.

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

One good idea I have to better our community that hasn’t received enough attention yet is launching Elgin’s approach to responsibly deploying generative AI. I’ve already initiated discussions with city staff about preparing our data infrastructure to ensure we can effectively leverage these emerging technologies. Strong foundational systems are essential for maximizing benefits, enhancing service quality, and improving ROI for residents.

However, responsibly deploying technology isn’t just about efficiency, it’s also about understanding when certain “meaningful inefficiencies” should be preserved or amplified.

In local government, relationships, dialogue, and thoughtful deliberation are critical and often require the intentional maintenance of processes that may seem inefficient from a purely technical standpoint.

While we embrace innovative tools, we must consciously protect and nurture these local hubs of democracy. Thoughtfully balancing efficiency gains with the right-sized deployment of AI will ultimately yield more robust and equitable outcomes for our community.