Citizens for Vallejo considers the following Core Values are important for each candidate and incumbent for mayor and city council to demonstrate and address.
1. LEADERSHIP AND VISION
Promote a positive image of Vallejo.
Offer a viable Economic Development, Public Safety and Financial plan for Vallejo.
Take risks for Vallejo, but avoid gambling on Vallejo's future.
Apply their experience in taking or willingness to take unpopular position(s) to move a project/idea forward.
Experience working with individuals and groups with opposing views and building consensus.
Communicate effectively with all sectors of the public.
Demonstrated commitment to Vallejo and all of its communities.
2. PUBLIC SAFETY
Present a plan for achieving a higher level of public safety services with a budget Vallejo can afford.
Plan and communicate to the public how the city will "do more with less".
Commit to exploring and delivering innovative, affordable, quality, public safety services.
Institute a public safety audit to ensure the city is providing appropriate and responsive public safety services.
Engage the community in the public safety of our city.
3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Prioritize Economic Development as one of the top three priority activities for the city.
Establish a viable economic strategy for the City that builds on our existing assets, promotes living wage jobs, and creates a diverse economic development portfolio.
Demonstrate experience and willingness to research and implement economic development tools that attract new business to Vallejo and assist existing businesses to expand.
Articulate an Economic Development plan that demonstrates "doing more with less."
Promote inter-jurisdictional working relationships that maximize shared opportunities and resources.
4. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
Vallejo has historically budgeted based on prior year spending. Budgeting for Outcomes allocates available revenue based on the services desired by the public.
Budget for outcomes:
- Engage the public to determine desired services and what the community is willing to pay for.
- Define the level of service, the cost of providing that service and the relative value of each service.
- Match the cost of the desired services against available revenues.
- Allocate available revenue based on the relative value of each service.
- Budget for services based on responsible projections of future income and expenses.
Budgetary Goals:
- Live within our means
- Look to the future
- Stop deferring expenses
- Utilize one time sources of revenue to fund one time expenditure items.
- Establish a minimum reserve fund of 15%
- Commit to a 10 year budget plan
5. TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT
Establish a public participation program that enables citizens to contribute to policy development.
Communicate regularly and consistently with the public.
Respond promptly to public requests for information.
Promote public outreach to inform the public.
Refrain from "back room" and "side" deals.
6. EDUCATION
Though the Vallejo School Board is responsible for K-12 education, there is an essential interrelationship of our schools and the development and growth of Vallejo. The latter of which is a responsibility of city council, and for that reason, a part of the Value Statement.
Forge partnerships with all institutions of higher learning in Vallejo.
Promote relocation of other higher learning and research institutions to Vallejo.
Advance support for students and schools, including foundations, fundraising, research, partnerships, scholarships, with businesses and the communities.
7. CIVIL RIGHTS
Promote peace, understanding and create a healthy and productive community with the elimination of discrimination.
Treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, nationality, religious belief and/or age.
8. VALLEJO CULTURE
Improve the external perception of Vallejo.
Create and take advantage of opportunities to communicate Vallejo's story.
Promote policies that support Vallejo's communities, culture and diversity.
Demonstrate the value of public art and promote policies that support it.
©2016 - Citizens for Vallejo - FPPC Number 1328907