Committee To Elect Marty Leonard

Committee To Elect Marty Leonard Vote to Elect Marty Leonard, Alderman at Large on Tuesday, November 7, 2023

11/06/2023

POLLS OPEN AT 6:30 CLOSE AT 7:30
TIME FOR A CHANGE
VOTE
MARTY LEONARD

10/30/2023

In our increasingly digital age, effective communication and accessibility are paramount in local government. As an alderman, I am committed to improving transparency and fostering open dialogue between our council members and the community. To this end, I firmly believe that every councilman should have a city provided email address. Providing email addresses for all council members is a practical step towards enhancing communication and engagement. It offers residents a direct and convenient channel to reach out to their elected representatives, share their concerns, and contribute their insights on matters of importance to our community. Furthermore, email addresses for council members enable us to keep the lines of communication open, ensuring that we are responsive to the needs and questions of our constituents. It strengthens the connection between those who serve and those who are served, reinforcing the principles of accountability and accessibility that are the foundation of effective governance.

10/30/2023

One of my key objectives as an alderman is to enhance the responsiveness of our local government to the evolving needs of our community. To achieve this, I advocate for a return to 2-year terms for the alderman at-large position. Shortening the term length for this seat allows for more frequent opportunities for the community to assess and shape the direction of our local government. A two-year term will foster greater accountability and ensure that our elected officials remain closely attuned to the concerns and aspirations of our residents throughout their tenure. In an ever-changing world, it’s crucial that we maintain a flexible and dynamic approach to governance. Two-year terms provide the agility needed to respond promptly to emerging challenges and capitalize on new opportunities. I firmly believe that this shorter council term will promote a more vibrant and engaged local democracy. It will encourage greater participation from a wider range of community members and enable us to maintain a council that truly represents the ever-evolving voice of our residents. Together, we can work to create a more responsive and accountable local government that better serves the interests of all our residents.

10/30/2023

Budgets CAN be amended,
TAX RATES CAN NOT!
Time for a change
Vote Marty Leonard

10/30/2023

As an alderman, one of my foremost goals is to ensure transparency and accessibility in our local government. To achieve this, I am committed to implementing a live feed of our board meetings. This initiative aims to bring our community closer to the decision-making process, allowing residents to tune in and stay informed about the important discussions and decisions that impact their lives. A live feed of board meetings not only enhances transparency but also encourages active civic engagement. It empowers our residents to participate in the democratic process by providing real-time access to the decisions that shape our community. By making our meetings easily accessible to all, we foster an environment where diverse voices are heard, ideas are shared, and accountability is upheld. I believe that an informed and engaged community is the cornerstone of effective governance. By implementing this live feed, we take a significant step towards building trust, fostering open dialogue, and working collaboratively to address the needs and aspirations of our residents. I am excited about the possibilities that this initiative brings, and I look forward to working together with our community to make it a reality. Together, we can create a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive local government that serves the best interests of all our residents.

10/29/2023

I believe The City of Randleman should have cut your taxes, but they didn't, one of the many reasons I believe it's time for a change. Let's break down what's happening in simple terms:



Reevaluation: This past year was a re-evaluation year for Randolph County, resulting in an average increase of approximately 29% in property values. For most city residents, this means higher taxes this year due to these re-evaluation changes.



If you're unsure about your property value or how much your taxes have increased, you can use the following steps to check:



1. Visit Randolph County's GIS Website. (https://gis.randolphcountync.gov/randolphts/)

2. Search for your address.

3. Click on "Tax bill," located under your name and address in blue. (This will open in a new window.)

4. The first bill on the list is for the current year (2023), and the second is for the previous year (2022). Compare the totals to see how much more you paid.



If you encounter difficulties or have further questions, you can reach out to Randolph County's tax department through the means available on their website HERE (https://www.randolphcountync.gov/335/Tax).



With these significant increases in property values, totaling approximately $866,183 or more in additional revenue for Randleman, it's essential to understand the impact on your taxes.



Collection Rate: The city estimates it will collect around 96% of the taxes, which is approximately $831,536. However, a more realistic estimate might be 98%, equaling $848,860 or more. Despite property values going up almost 30%, the city shows only about a 3% increase in revenue.



Source: page 4 of the City of Randleman's Adopted Budget (https://cms9files.revize.com/randlemannc/FINAL%20BUDGET%20MESSAGE%20FY%2023-24%20FY%2024%20-%20June%20%2027%202023.pdf)

County Collection: Randolph County, responsible for collecting these taxes, will likely collect 99% of the money, around $857,521 or more.



Source: page 2 and 4 of Randolph County's Settlement Report (https://www.randolphcountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1426/Tax-Department-Fiscal-Year-Settlement-Report-PDF?bidId=)



Fire Tax: The city also collects a county fire tax, which will increase by about 29%, or approximately $203,000 or more.



Source: page 335 - 337 of Randolph County's 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget (https://www.randolphcountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/2690/2023-2024-Fiscal-Year-Budget-PDF)



Total Increase: When you add up the increases in property tax and fire tax, the city will receive about $902,690 or more.



Budget Discrepancy: Looking at the city's adopted budget this year, it appears there was a miscalculation in projected revenue. Property tax should be around $3,691,634 (using the more realistic 98% collection rate), not $3,000,000.



Source: page 9 of the City of Randleman's Adopted Budget (https://cms9files.revize.com/randlemannc/FINAL%20BUDGET%20MESSAGE%20FY%2023-24%20FY%2024%20-%20June%20%2027%202023.pdf)



The fire tax should be around $893,511, not $700,000. This indicates an extra $885,205 or more in revenue that the city didn't account for.



Budget Decisions: The city decided not to lower taxes despite having this extra money, all while maintaining the same level of service. This raises questions about their financial decisions and why they didn't reduce taxes, especially considering the recent water rate increase.



In simple terms, the City of Randleman is receiving more money due to higher property and fire taxes, but the current city council chose not to cut taxes, even though they had the means to do so. This has led me to question their financial decisions, why the current board members up for re-election Mr. Mike Dawkins or Ms. Renee Bryant haven’t questioned this, and how the citizens feel about Randolph County’s decision to lower its tax rate but Randleman desire to maintain theirs. Something is not adding up and WE (the citizens) are the ones paying the bill.

10/14/2023

I would like to address the topic of defunding the police, which appears to be a prevalent RUMOR about my stance. I want to make it abundantly clear that the idea of defunding the police department or any other critical city department has never crossed my mind, nor will it ever be part of my approach. While it's evident that our city may have fiscal inefficiencies that require our attention, it's important to emphasize that these issues should not be linked to reducing resources for public safety. We are fortunate to have dedicated employees not only within the police department but across various city departments. My firm belief is in providing them with the necessary tools for success and offering opportunities for growth and recognition. During my career with the city, I always expected more from my employees, encouraging them to go above and beyond their job descriptions. In addition to this, I have always upheld and advocated for the principle of promoting from within, and I maintain the same philosophy to our current police department and staff. We are a small town, and part of our charm is the expectation of small-town service. This means placing the welfare of our neighbors ahead of our own at times, fostering a sense of community and togetherness. It also means the idea of retaining the resources needed to protect and support our community, without resorting to defunding measures, which would only make an already challenging job even harder.

10/04/2023

I'm Marty Leonard, and I'm running for Alderman because I believe in putting your priorities first. With over four decades of dedicated public service, including over 30 years as Fire Chief, I understand the needs of our community.

My core goals are clear:

Lower Taxes: I'm committed to fiscal responsibility, aiming to reduce the tax burden on hardworking families and local businesses.

Transparency: I propose a live feed of board meetings, ensuring you have real-time access to city decisions and discussions.

Accountability: I advocate for reverting to a two-year term for alderman at-large to enhance accountability and responsiveness.

Open Communications: In our increasingly connected world, it's vital that all council members have a city-provided email for efficient and transparent communication.

Furthermore, I'm committed to creating better checks and balances within our local government, ensuring that decisions are made with fairness and responsibility.

But to achieve these goals, I need your support and involvement. Together, we can make Randleman a more prosperous, transparent, and accountable city for all.

Follow this page to discover the reasons behind and the strategies I’ve laid out for achieving these goals.

Address

Randleman, NC
27317

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