It is hard to believe I have finished my first year serving on the Bartow City Commission. Time flies when you are having fun, I guess. ? I have really enjoyed the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Some of the aspects I thought I would like have proved to be more challenging than I anticipated. And, some of the things I was nervous about, I have actually come to enjoy.
My goal in the first year (and really even still) has been to adopt a learning attitude. In the years leading up to my run for a seat, I followed city business pretty closely and considered myself fairly well informed. However, some of the best advice I received was to spend some time listening and learning from others – former city, business, civic and community leaders. The first thing I came to understand was that I still have much to learn.
But, since one year is kind of a milestone, I thought I would share four lessons I have learned since being elected to the commission.
The Most Important Projects Usually Aren’t the Sexiest
Fixing streets, expanding water treatment facilities or digging wells aren’t usually the kinds of projects that make residents stand up and cheer. But, when a city doesn’t invest in these types of infrastructure projects they can pay for it down the road.
Most folks get really excited about amenities (I do too, bring on the Dog Park already!) And making sure your city has the right mix of amenities for the residents to enjoy is a very important job of the commission. The thing I’ve learned about infrastructure projects though is that they are generally expensive to do if not properly planned for over time. Many of these projects aren’t seen (except for the construction), so it can be harder to see the value in them.
While we still have many infrastructure needs in the city, I’m grateful that we are addressing some of these important projects now. It means we are in a position to consider some of the other types of projects that create meaning and value in a city.
We Can Do Anything that Residents Want to Pay For
In a prior post, I discussed some of the uniqueness of Bartow’s revenue streams. Did you know that Bartow has the lowest ad valorem tax rate of all the cities in Polk County that provide services to residents? That’s pretty awesome.
But, that also means we don’t have a lot of money to play with and so every dollar counts. Over the last year, lots of people stop me to say, “Bartow really needs ___________.” I almost always agree!
What I have learned though is that it’s not exactly the right question. What the commission has to answer is, “Does Bartow need THIS more than THAT?” That is where things get tricky. If we had a money tree most of our problems would be solved, but alas…
It feels like most of the decisions we are forced to make aren’t between right or wrong, but rather good or best. Which brings me to lesson learned #3.
An Idea Doesn’t Go Anywhere Unless Two Others Agree
We have five members on our city commission. When you are discussing an idea, project or ordinance that we would like to take on, at least three commissioners have to agree.
It makes no difference whether it is the greatest idea in the history of the world until three people agree, there are not enough votes to move it forward. That’s why relationships are so important.
A couple of times already, I’ve had been on the short ends of votes. But, while I was disappointed, I did feel like my other commissioners heard me out. I appreciated that. I still feel like I was right ?, but that is how things go sometimes. By responding respectfully, I hope to preserve the relationship and live to fight another day.
Which brings me to my final lesson learned so far…
The Policy-making is Fun. The Politics, Not So Much
Maybe it makes me a little nerdy but I actually like the governance part of serving on the City Commission. I like thinking through policy aspects and trying to create plans that will help the city to flourish five, ten and twenty years down the road. Our job isn’t to “run” the city, we hire staff for that. Our job is to set the policy to guide the city into the future. That’s exciting to me.
What I don’t like is the politics that are inherently baked in. Granted the stage of local government is pretty small in the grand scheme of things. But this is the stage that I play on. It’s my hometown, the city I love.
It’s hard enough to be wise in the decisions we have to make without worrying too much about how a particular decision will be perceived. My goal coming into office was to do the best I can help the city flourish into the future and use the power of government to help those in need. My prayer is that with each choice that is set before us the path we chose moves us closer in that direction.
Those are four big takeaways from my first year in office, but not all that I have learned. I am very thankful to serve the city and her residents and I am thankful for the patience that my other commissioners have shown to me while I figure things out. I’ve got a lot more to learn. But, I’m here to listen and up to the task.