Meghna Bansal: 2023 candidate for Naperville City Council, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 47

Occupation: Finance executive

Employer: Q1 Technologies Inc.

Previous offices held: Wheatland Township Board trustee since 2021

Q&A

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

A: We are on the cusp of significant changes for a community of our size. The decisions we make today are going to significantly impact the livability of Naperville for generations to come. Public safety and security including, cybercrimes will be most serious issues that community will face in the coming years.

The city council will need a plan to combat the rising crime rate, including creating specialized units that will need advanced training and equipment. With the looming recession, and growing stress, we are observing a high rate of mental health issues. These can pose a great risk on individual and masses and should be proactively addressed.

We will need to dedicate required resources for a 24x7 help line and trained professionals to deal with mental and social well-being. I am concerned with a possible rise in hate rhetoric developing with rise in diversity in Naperville. We will have to work to train our first responders and build a positive environment for all diversities.

Q: How would you describe the state of your community's finances?

A: Naperville has been growing and has now become the second largest economy of our state with a proposed budget of over $603 million.

Though our city has managed to keep its budget balanced, I am concerned about numerous short- and long-term expenses on the horizon pertaining to infrastructure, public safety, health, wellness, and federal/state mandated projects. Inflation and unknowns have to be accounted for.

We must find funding for these without increasing the property or sales taxes for our residents. We will need to maintain the AAA bond rating, so we can have the best interest rates.

Economic development is a key, it has to be done without compromising residents' safety and city's fabric. We will have to attract new businesses and tourism, so we can increase our revenue base while generating more employment. A forensic audit of our expenses will need to be conducted to save any unnecessary spending. With my strong background in finance, I will be working very closely on this matter.

Q: What should be the three top priorities for spending in your community during the next four years?

A: Public safety and security, including cybercrimes, should be the No. 1 priority for spending. Supporting and empowering law enforcement, our front-line police and firemen is critical. With the looming recession, and growing stress, we are observing a high rate of mental health issues in all ages. EMS is getting increasing calls regarding these matters.

I believe mental health and overall social well-being should be another priority to the city. The city should budget funds for supporting research, training, and equipment to handle these issues. Also, optional checks on our growing senior populations should be implemented.

My third priority is economic development especially in south and east Naperville area. It should be priority as I believe as it will leads toward creating more revenues to the system, brings innovative ideas, creates more jobs higher wealth, labor support, and better quality of life for the residents, kids and generations to come.

Q: Are there areas of spending that need to be curtailed? If so, what are they?

A: As we are recovering from the impact of COVID-19, we are faced with uncertainty of rising inflation & shortage of resources. To deal with these and to fund other important projects/issues, we need to do a forensic audit and work on curtailing projects that may be deferred or dropped.

Couple of examples are: The city spent huge amount of money on purchasing vendor licensing and services, which we understand we need for residents' benefits. Re-evaluating these can be an opportunity of curtailing down of money spent. Software and hardware maintenance expenses this year are increasing by 20.5% is a good example.

Another area I believe is the city beautification project in improving signage and enhancing entry points. Naperville is beautiful, and it is important that it should maintained but at these uncertain times when the budget is raised 250% for this line item we have to think twice and can be put on hold for some time.

Q: 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?

A: There are many projects in Naperville that need attention. Washington Street bridge seems to be an important project as it is deteriorating and can be a safety risk.

Widening of North Aurora Road, 248th Street, and a few other identified streets requires immediate attention due to high traffic volumes.

These can be funded by the city's motor fuel tax fund revenues from state of Illinois and it's a part of city's annual street maintenance improvement program.

We can also apply some of the funds from the American Rescue Fund grant.

Once we have funding for essential projects then we can look at funding some of the nonessential streetscape, sidescape, beautification projects and parking decks, which do not pose a direct risk on pedestrians and vehicles.

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

A: I am an avid listener and believe in teamwork. In my 20-plus of experience working with private sector, government, nonprofits, and community organizations, I have always succeeded by working with the groups and teams.

As a finance executive for my company, I collaborate with the functional and executive team members. I have succeeded by incorporating everyone's ideas.

Working with government is different and has its own challenges.

As a Wheatland Township Trustee, I have worked with budgets, general assistance, roads and bridges, tax assessments. I have solid experience working with board members, staff, taxpayers, and community members, who bring diverse political and social views to the table.

Similarly, I have experience working with White Eagle board and homeowners in coming to solutions after open discussions. With my unique experience of working with government, business, and nonprofit sectors will help me hit the ground running from day one with existing and new members on the council.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: Naperville is my home. I moved here over 18 years back and have built my business, raised my family and have been involved with the community.

Currently I serve on the Wheatland Township as an elected trustee and elected member on the White Eagle Board.

Professionally, I am the finance executive for a global company. I am the women chair for Indian Community Outreach and have been instrumental in organizing India Day Festival and many other events. I am intellectually honest with the approach to issues. I believe the decisions we make today will significantly impact the livability of Naperville for generations to come.

I also bring in a much needed viewpoint from a minority on the council. My strong finance and business background of 20-plus years, experience as elected official, experience working with several boards, volunteering experience of over 20 years, and having raised my family and business in Naperville not only motivates me but also qualifies me to be the best candidate for the job.

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

A: Naperville has grown multifold in last few decades. It has been rated as one of the best cities many times by several local and national organizations. It has also become very diverse with ethnic populations increasing to 31%.

With its economic/population growth and increase in diversity, some work needs to be done. My idea is to take the enhancements/development to east and south side of Naperville along with our beautiful downtown and theme the city with consistent welcoming artwork from all ethnicities.

This can be accomplished by engaging nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations, utilizing local talent, artists, and our incredible volunteers. This can be done as a competition with some sponsorships without spending city budget. This will result in making our city more welcoming for businesses, youths, seniors, and residents of all ethnicities.