Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Fairway City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Fairway residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Budget: From inflation to rising health insurance costs to uncertainty around federal grants and programs, municipalities are facing a number of budgetary pressures. As you face difficult decisions about what city services to fund and how much to spend in the coming years, what city services will you want to protect most? On the other hand, are there aspects of city spending you want to see trimmed?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Ward 2
Dan Bailey (incumbent)
A long term plan for a new or completely rebuilt Police Station will be the largest item in the coming years. The current building is undersized and literally falling in. Past that, I believe the city is in a good position in terms of how we budget Capital Improvement projects 5+ years out. Infrastructure (Both internal and external) will continue to be items we need to plan for and upgrade. Keep in mind that most infrastructure (Water, Sewer, Stormsewer, Power, Gas, Street Lights, Sidewalks, Roads, etc.) was installed when the city was developed 75 years ago and is not thought about until there is a problem. I think all of the private entities (Evergy, JCW, Waterone, Kansas Gas) are doing a great job working with the city to upgrade while minimizing disruption to residents.
Emily Snyder
I would prioritize road and stormwater improvements, park safety, and police staffing. These essential services are what our residents count on and pay for. Fairway residents expect excellence in the fundamentals, not extravagance and we should focus on protecting the basics.
Ward 3
James Hafner
Core city services like Public Works should be maintained, while periodic services can be reviewed for cost efficiency. Long-term infrastructure and sustainability planning is vital. Parks and Recreation should focus on community-building programs that also generate revenue. With Fieldston of Fairway opening, integrating new residents can strengthen the tax base. Plans to relocate the Police Department should include community input and fiscal consideration.
Bill Stafford
In speaking with the citizens in Ward 3, the most critical service provided by the city is public safety. Our police department plays a critical role in maintaining the safe community we all value, and I will work to ensure the police department remains fully supported.
Parks and Recreation services are highly valued and used by many citizens. Maintaining and improving these amenities would be important. Likewise, Public Works—particularly our investment in roads and tree maintenance—has long been a point of pride for Fairway and should remain a funding priority. Including our lean administrative staff, these four departments; Police, Public Works and Parks and Recreation, comprise 74% of Fairway’s budget.
I support the current council’s diligent budgeting process, and with over 40 years of experience managing company finances, I am prepared to help Fairway to continue operating efficiently. While I will always look for opportunities to trim unnecessary costs, I will not support cuts that would compromise safety, infrastructure, or the quality of life that Fairway residents expect and appreciate.
Ward 4
Kiel Corkran
I most want to protect our public works and parks system, keeping our city a healthy and beautiful place to live. It is important we stay committed to protecting our environment and green spaces and keep up city maintenance to meet all residents’ needs. I also want to focus on improving infrastructure to make Fairway a more walkable city, as residents I’ve spoken with in Ward 4 have expressed a desire for more sidewalks and streetlamps on corners to increase visibility and safety at night. On the other hand, I want to reevaluate our police and administration budget to see if there are ways we can use funds more efficiently and maximize effectiveness while avoiding excess spending. I’d like to see us work toward modernizing our communications systems to utilize more electronic methods in place of paper, which would not only trim down some waste and save money on supplies, but increasing our online presence would also contribute to transparency and keeping our citizens informed and involved in local government. As residents continue to face the pressure of high cost of living I hope to see more consideration in the budget toward creating a safety net that could help our residents stay afloat when encountering unexpected financial emergencies. If elected I would advocate for measures such as a housing assistance program or a transitional program to help renters be able to become homeowners and permanent residents here in Fairway.
Tanya Keys (incumbent)
Through focus groups and survey responses we know core city services are a priority. Managing an array of parks and recreation options is important such as more events at the pool or small events at the park. maintaining the mill and overlay for roads is a key attribute important to residents. The city needs to consider options for a police department facility in order to assure their building or space meets the needs of their department. I can’t think of any aspects to be trimmed and feel like when adding to services or supports that residents as the city to consider that we find responsible ways to fund any additional costs through fees or efficiencies gains elsewhere.
