Kimberly Covelli: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Kimberly Covelli

City: Cary

Office sought: Village of Cary Trustee

Age: 41

Family: Husband (Chris) and three children aged 8, 6, and 6 months old

Occupation: Police Commander

Education: Master's Degree in Business Administration; Graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command

Civic involvement: Volunteer at many special events inside and outside of the Village of Cary, participated in the Village of Cary Park District's comprehensive plan, volunteer for Cops and Kids program, active member at Saint Anne's Church

Previous elected offices held: Village of Cary Trustee

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes, in 2015 won as a write-in candidate

Website: www.commit2cary.com

Facebook: Cary Connection

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your community and how do you intend to address them?

There are several issues the next board will face, but I believe the biggest challenge is finding additional revenue sources to ensure keeping a balanced budget each year. In August 2017, staff proposed potential revenue sources to board members, which only included new taxes, increasing property taxes through new growth, and increasing license and permit fees. I believe it is important for village staff and board members to continue to promote and identify new revenue sources other than simply continuing to pile on taxes to the citizens. Specifically, I believe we need to identify and promote businesses generating new, reoccurring sales tax. I believe we need to recognize the open land opportunities we still have, and we need to ensure we are making all efforts to add these types of businesses to those areas. Maplewood is an example. The last builder who came forward only proposed adding high-density residential units to the area. I suggested lessening the residential density and look at adding businesses in line with the character of the downtown area. It is imperative the Board does not waver on prioritizing the importance of sales tax revenue. We cannot continue to strain our residents with more taxes.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Since being voted in as a write-in candidate in 2015, I have held true to my campaign promises. I feel it's incumbent upon elected officials to not simply rubber stamp projects. Because of this philosophy, some individuals have translated my unwillingness "to go along to get along" as being negative. I've proudly said no to increasing the tax levy each year, I've voted no to irresponsible spending, and I've voted no to handing out taxpayer money to other financially stable organizations asking for donations. I've questioned and went against the traditional way of doing things - the answer "because that's the way we've always done things" is not a sufficient answer. I believe in educating myself on the matter and seeking resident input on important issues. In addition, I have championed the use of more communication tools to the residents of Cary including defending the need to video board meetings, advocating Village run social media outlets, and supporting a new Village website. I currently work in the public sector and bring a dynamic perspective adding value to board decision-making. If reelected, I will continue to work just as hard the next four years as I have when I was first elected.

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

My leadership style is that of a servant leader. I believe elected officials are representative voices of the citizens and must put citizen concerns and wants at the forefront of their decision-making. Over the past several years, Jim Cosler and I have maintained a social media presence. We've listened to residents and have used their input to make decisions. One of the first items we asked for resident input on was if residents felt Cary tax dollars should be used to fund a roundabout outside of the Village limits. An overwhelming majority of responses we received said no. We obliged and voted no on the matter. We were overruled with majority of the board members at the time voting yes, but that is just one of the many examples of what it means to be a servant leader. I have a solid background in servant leadership serving as a police officer for over 16 years. In my career, I have been a huge advocate of community policing and one of my many responsibilities in the department includes spearheading our crime prevention and community relations programs. Having an engaged community, one that is working together, is key to a successful community.

How would you describe the condition of your community's budget, and what are the most important specific actions the town should take to assure providing the level of services people want?

I would describe Cary's budget as strained. The current projection for the 2019 and 2020 Operating and Capital Budget projects Cary's expenditures greater than its revenues. These budget deficits will negatively impact the Village's general fund, which is not sustainable. Furthermore, Cary's police pension is underfunded and each year, to meet the state statute requirement, the Village must place additional dollars into the pension to accommodate the shortfall. During the Village Board's past budget meetings, I have had to make tough decisions on prioritizing expenditures. Prioritizing expenditures is the most important action the village board should take to assure residents continue to receive the services they expect. I believe fixing roads, addressing safety concerns such as lack of or deteriorating sidewalks, having proper equipment for staff to do their jobs is priority number one over beautification projects. I am a firm believer in making sure spending priorities are in order. I relate this to my personal life all the time - if you have the option between fixing your broken furnace to ensure your house has heat or paint your whole house because you're bored with the color, you're going to fix your furnace. Government spending is no different.

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

It's not a popular topic, but I believe the Village of Cary is missing an opportunity to recoup $35,000 to $40,000 a year from the services it provides to outside entities. Currently, the Village does not charge a majority of outside parties for the extra use of its personnel. During the 2017/2018-budget year, police overtime was estimated at $100,000 over budget. Village personnel working overtime at parades, events, festivals, and so on should receive compensation from the entity contracting them for hire. I feel these events are great and the village board should continue supporting these events with honoring road closures, providing equipment, and volunteering; however, the village board also needs to understand it cannot shoulder the added expenditure of paying its personnel the overtime expenses. Surrounding towns are charging for these expenses, so this is not a unique concept. It is imperative for staff and board members to maintain positive relationships with outside groups, but there also needs to be a mutual understanding. Just as the outside groups are faced with financial challenges, so is the Village of Cary. By continuing to work together, groups can problem solve and devise creative solutions.