Fiscal Sustainability and Accountability
Wheat Ridge, like all cities in Colorado, relies on sales tax revenues to provide essential services to residents. Currently, the costs of providing these services exceed our revenues. We must responsibly grow our sales tax base in order to keep pace with the needs of residents.
In 2003, when first running for council, Karen identified that city’s land-use plans did not have a workable strategy for fostering economic health and preserving community character. She said the plans needed to be changed to better reflect economic realities and the needs of the community.
In part, due to Karen’s efforts over the last four years, the city has created and adopted the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, and the Wadsworth, Northwest, and Fruitdale Subarea Plans. Each of these plans contains a vision that protects the character of Wheat Ridge, while creating better opportunities for businesses and residents.
Before Karen’s tenure on the council, Wheat Ridge did not have a strategic plan to guide short and long-term expenditures, including costly capital improvements. Karen was crucial player in getting City Council to create and adopt a strategic plan and tie the city’s budget and long-term capital investments to the priorities outlined in the plan.
Karen was also a key partner in:
- The creation of Wheat Ridge 2020
- Greater public participation in the city’s budgeting process and creation of an easier to understand budget.
- Getting back to basics and greater investment of the cities limited resources in making our streets and neighborhoods safer.
- Responsible economic development plans balanced with inclusive community planning that protects the rights of all residents not just special interests.