As published in the November 1, 2009 Toledo Business Journal
Keith Wilkowski,
Candidate for Mayor of Toledo
Mayoral candidates address regional issues
Toledo Business Journal recently spoke to Toledo mayoral candidate, Keith Wilkowski. He shared the following thoughts.
Toledo Business Journal: Water is clearly a regional issue, and communities outside Toledo have now increased efforts to obtain alternative suppliers. One issue that outside communities cite is the requirement that, in addition to increasing rates for water, a share of the economic development benefits from projects must be paid to the City of Toledo. Do you see a loss of customers for Toledo water in the future? What impact will this have on the cost of water for Toledo residents (or is this not a real issue)? Do you see a role for a regional water authority? Explain your thoughts on this topic and any specifics you might suggest.
Keith Wilkowski: I believe in a regional approach to water and economic development, and I believe that sharing the benefits of regional development must be a part of that approach. I am proud to say that I led the successful negotiations between Toledo and Rossford to form a fair and equitable Joint Economic Development Zone in which Toledo provides water to the Crossroads area and receives, in addition to water revenues, a share of the income tax. I am confident that with the right leadership, we can find common ground on this issue and come to an agreement that benefits the entire region.
I do think that if Toledo adopts a position that is heavy-handed, unreasonable, and threatening (as the current administration has done), we will see other communities find other sources for water. Not only will that harm Toledo, it will cause northwest Ohio taxpayers and ratepayers to pay for unnecessary costs of duplicative infrastructure. Since I’ve negotiated fair agreements in the past, I am confident I will be able to do that in the future with our surrounding communities.
TBJ: What is your position on merging the City of Toledo Department of Economic Development with the Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC)? Are there other City of Toledo and Lucas County departments that you believe should be combined or any other departments or services in any other political entity that offer an opportunity for consolidation? If so, which specific departments and services?
KW: I believe there is a great opportunity to work regionally on economic development, including achieving a coordinated economic development office. In part, the LCIC grew because the City has done such a poor job in the area of economic development.
To essentially “start over”, as Mayor, I will transform the City’s Department of Development into a new Office of Innovation, Technology, and Jobs led by an experienced entrepreneur. Additionally, I will transform the Department of Taxation and Treasury into the Office of Business Assistance and Tax Administration, assigning each business within the City of Toledo a point of contact in City government on business assistance issues. While I support a more cooperative and regional approach to economic development, I believe it is critical that the city of Toledo have a first-rate economic development apparatus and a full-time economic development director.
Opportunities abound to save taxpayers money and improve efficiency through consolidated service delivery and cooperative agreements between Toledo and other governmental entities. Creative joint service agreements would allow each jurisdiction to maintain its independence, thus avoiding unproductive and divisive "uni-gov" debates, while achieving the financial benefits of regionalism. Claims handling, building inspection, tax collection, grass cutting, and joint purchasing are but a few examples of areas where we can save taxpayer dollars through cooperation.
TBJ: There has been a great deal of attention on Toledo’s budget deficit. What is your position on raising new revenues through an increase in taxes or fees?
KW: I am adamantly against raising taxes and fees, and I am the only candidate for Mayor who has pledged not to seek any tax increase. I believe that holding the line on taxes and spending is essential to Toledo’s long-term financial health and economic growth. The City of Toledo must balance its budget not by increasing the tax burden on our businesses and families but by instead making fundamental changes to the way we conduct business. As Mayor, I will mandate three-year budget projections, use technology to improve government efficiency, and forge cooperative agreements with other governmental entities to engage in joint purchasing and service delivery.
TBJ: There has been much discussion on the issue of the City of Toledo and other communities in the region becoming more “business friendly.” What are the three highest priority actions that you would take in your first 30 days in office to address this?
KW: First, I will look to our community’s entrepreneurs and business leaders to lead our efforts to make Toledo more business friendly by establishing a City of Toledo Small Business Commission to evaluate how proposed and existing legislation affects small businesses and to issue policy recommendations.
Second, I will transform the Department of Taxation and Treasury into the Office of Business Assistance and Tax Administration. The new office will actively work to promote resources available from City government, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, and other economic development and business assistance entities.
Third, because it is so important, I will commit once again that I will not increase taxes for the residents and businesses in Toledo and will look for ways to reduce taxes and fees whenever possible. That is a true “business friendly” policy that we must adhere to if Toledo is to attract and retain businesses.
I make these firm commitments to businesses because we must recognize that 70% to 80% of the new jobs that will happen for our community in the coming years will come from existing businesses and start-up companies. We must treat our existing businesses as customers. A Wilkowski administration will do just that.