The Clayton Connection with Amy Callaghan Vol. 3
Hi and welcome back to The Clayton Connection with Amy Callaghan.
As promised, this newsletter will focus on fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
One of the priorities of my campaign is to bring attention to the Clayton city budget and its need for proper fiscal management. As a commercial property manager, I have managed many budgets that are larger than Clayton’s, so I understand how to dig into the numbers and ensure funds are used properly. I also understand how to use dollars wisely when looking at large infrastructure repairs, grounds maintenance and capital improvements.
True accountability must guide the management of Clayton's municipal finances. With the city confronting ongoing structural deficits and navigating crucial economic decisions, such as the proposed 1% local sales tax measure on the ballot (Measure M), voters deserve clear financial reporting and strict budget discipline. Residents expect tax revenues to directly benefit our neighborhoods, maintaining essential services, keeping our community safe, and sustaining our local infrastructure without draining our fiscal reserves.
While this additional tax revenue will bring much needed relief to the city, this does not mean that we are, or will be, financially sound. The additional revenue generated is not a stable source of funds. Unless our economy improves, people will continue to spend less, which means that the sale of goods and services will not generate revenue for the city to their full potential. I believe that Measure M is a good stop-gap measure for the near term, but we will need to look at additional sources of revenue for our sustained financial future.
The city will need to increase its efforts to retain existing businesses and drive new businesses into town. Other cities rely on Economic Development Personnel, as well as their local Chambers of Commerce to help drive business growth. Clayton has neither of these, however, we do have the Clayton Business & Community Association. A strong partnership will need to be re-established and fostered between the City and the CBCA to make the best of the resources that both have to offer.
Simply put, Clayton spends more than it takes in, putting vital services we rely on at risk, including police and maintenance services. Recently it was reported that The Concerts in the Grove has been losing money ever since the city began managing the series and we are in danger of losing this beloved Clayton tradition. I find this unacceptable. For years, Concerts in the Grove paid for itself. Under volunteers, the 2022 season finished with a surplus leaving a reserve of nearly $96,000. Since the City took over in 2023, the series was reduced from 10 to 8 concerts, and yet the city spent more money than it raised every year. The reserve has fallen to under $60,000. The City's own budget projects a $23,000 shortfall in 2027.
If elected, I'll work to put the series back on a self-sustaining footing. I'd review the needless spending and additional costs occurring since 2023, like a stage, a management promoter, and $10,000 in marketing costs. I will bring back the Patron Sponsor program, which gave donors at the $200 level a thank-you gift and encouraged more giving from the public.
While the concert series was not intended to be a profit-making venture, neither was it meant to be a drain on city funds. Clearly the volunteers did a much better job of running and sustaining the series while keeping the event focused on the Clayton community. A return to volunteer management should be considered for this event and reviewed as a possibility for all city-sponsored events calling for taxpayer funding.
As your council person, I will take a professional approach to the city budget, find out where the money is going, and work to make Clayton financially healthy. I will take a leadership approach centered on accessibility, transparency, and collaboration to bridge the gap between residents and city policymakers. Making local governance accessible means keeping city council decisions fully visible. Working together with shared respect allows Clayton to preserve its safe, vibrant, small-town character while successfully addressing its fiscal and operational challenges.
I would love to meet you and talk with you about the issues at any one of my upcoming events and would be honored to earn your vote.
~Amy
