Today's Foundation, Solvang's Future

Housing, energy, water, and daily living costs touch every household and should be weighed in every partnership, contract award, and budget decision.  Solvang is also facing needed updates to bridges, roads, parks, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and existing water infrastructure that require sizable investments.  We must find creative ways to govern maintenance, repairs and City expansion plans while responsibly maintaining costs.

• Weigh housing, energy, water, and WWTP costs in every partnership and contract decision.
• Find effective ways to apply standards and planning while driving housing growth.
• Sustain the civic organizations, non-profits, churches, and service organizations that keep Solvang thriving.

Solvang is enjoying a moment of solid fiscal health. However, major infrastructure needs must be addressed and will require sizable investments. This trend is common all around us - schools, roads, grids, and water infrastructure are all competing for the natural cyclical attention that translates to significant investments and cost stacking. Constant evaluation of where we dedicate dollars and how we protect generated revenues is the work of the truly dedicated.

• Strategically direct investment to Business Development projects, marketing tourism, and Chamber business relationships for growth.
• Pursue grants and practice detailed budget governance as the city faces sizable infrastructure investment.
• Conduct discreet evaluations of financing options for all capital expenditures and investments.

When I helped organize a valley-wide workshop, Solvang and our neighborhoods were early in promoting FireWise certification, leading key high risk fire zone neighborhoods into improved conditions. Fire response and readiness remain a vigilant priority. In addition, focusing on improved Policing service levels and tools for our enforcement resources to maximize preventative approaches to public safety.

• Keep fire response and readiness a vigilant priority and building on FireWise certification.
• Improve relationships and service levels in our Policing contracts.
• Continued work on strong ordinances, policies and enforcement tools to make public safety best in class, efficient and cost effective.

Aging road, bridge, water, and sewer infrastructure needs rebuilding, not just maintenance, to last for the next 40 years. This is necessary work over the next four years and beyond. We must now face deferred infrastructure maintenance and updates for parks and roads, ahead of pending new growth. These decisions will position the City for lasting resiliency for the next several decades.

• Rebuild roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems sized for the next 40 years, not just patched.
• Address deferred infrastructure, park, and road maintenance ahead of new growth and plan capital spend carefully.
• Continue the work established with the Eastern Management GSA to govern Solvang's water wells for the long term.

Research shows investments in civic and commercial constructs dedicated to community recreation and arts are disappearing and that correlates with diminished social connection - this is a municipality's most impactful priority for it's community. By working to define the Parks & Recreation Master Plan for the next 20 years; maintaining open green space; and investing in recreation, arts, culture, and youth programs - these items will be prioritized along side all pressing decisions.  Elizabeth's work will be creative and diligent to keep these investments as the highest goals and objectives.

• Shape the Parks & Recreation Master Plan for the next 20 years.
• Maintain open green space and invest in recreation, arts, culture, and youth programs.
• Build on serving on the Aquatics Foundation and SYV High School Joint Use Agreement and the Co-founding of Solvang Cinema Arts.