Patrick Kelly: 2023 candidate for Naperville City Council, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Naperville

Age on Election Day: 41

Occupation: Attorney

Employer: The Kelly Law Firm, P.C.

Previous offices held: Naperville City Council since 2019

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: Rising infrastructure costs. The city has done a good job in recent years of managing the increased capital costs that have been required to replace water mains, repair roads and maintain our stormwater treatment plant, but there are significant costs still ahead.

In particular, the city will be required to spend tens of millions of dollars to meet new phosphorus wastewater standards and to replace our police department's radios, and we must budget carefully in order to be able to cover those expenses while impacting our taxpayers as little as possible.

A diligent approach to budgeting will be required, along with transparency regarding the need for the expenses.

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

A: Our city's finances are currently very strong. Looking back four years ago to 2019 when I was first elected, the prior council had already done good work improving our city finances. Over the past four years, we have improved our finances even more, by further reducing our debt, increasing our cash reserves, and achieving the lowest city tax rate in 50 years.

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

A: 1.) Planning for the large infrastructure costs noted above; 2.) Ensuring that total staff compensation packages are at appropriate levels necessary to attract and retain talent in a shifting and competitive market; and 3.) Continuing to ensure that our public safety departments are fully funded to maintain the staff, equipment, and training that they need to serve our community at the highest possible levels.

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

A: I do not think any large areas of spending need to be curtailed, but every line item in the budget should be evaluated annually, which we do as part of our annual four-month long budget review process.

Certain "nice to have" projects should be looked at specifically to make sure the proposed spending makes sense, with the rehabilitation of a fountain at a cost of nearly $500,000.00 being one example from the 2023 budget.

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: Generally speaking, we need to make sure that our overall infrastructure remains strong, with projects paid for responsibly and equitably. The aforementioned phosphorus project will cost a significant amount of money, and we need to continue to update our water mains, electrical system, etc. to ensure that the bones of our city remain strong.

We should pay for such projects through a combination of the general fund and long-term debt, while always taking advice from our excellent financial staff and the city's Financial Advisory Board.

I do not see any major planned infrastructure projects that should be put on the back burner at the moment, but we must carefully analyze our Capital Improvement Program every year during the budget review process.

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 have spent a good part of the past four years as a city council member collaborating with my colleagues, city staff, residents, and the business community.

I am committed to meeting with all stakeholders to reach the best possible outcome, and did so on recent major developments such as the Polo Club, Main Street Promenade, the new Mosque on 248th Avenue, and many others.

Sitting down at a table with everyone involved is critical to making sure that everyone feels that their opinions are not only heard but acted on. I will continue to take that approach if reelected to the city council.

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

A: I believe that I have added an important voice to our city council as a local business owner with young children in our public schools, who has a vested interest in the long-term stability and prosperity of our city.

I also have delivered on my promise to be a voice for residents in every area of Naperville, and will continue to be an advocate for residents not only on development projects, but also by ensuring that we live in a safe, sustainable and financially secure community.

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

A: As an incumbent council member, I do not know that I have critical ideas that have not been brought forward already, but two major initiatives that will surface in 2023 that we will be addressing are re-imagining commuter parking and deciding how to handle our approximately $13.0 million worth of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Both of those will require the experienced and steady leadership which I will continue to provide if reelected.