The Credit River mayor’s seat and two city council member seats are up for election this November. The Credit River Residents for Change supports the election of current City Council Member Bill Markert for mayor, and current City Council Member Abe Zanto and Bruce Wise for the two council seats. The CRRC’s citywide campaign is being conducted to elect Bill Markert as Credit River mayor and Abe Zanto and Bruce Wise as city council members because the CRRC believes that these candidates will listen to residents, be transparent, be fiscally conservative, collaborate with Scott County to search for solutions on aging septic systems and wells without constructing city sewer and water lines, and maintain Credit River’s rural character.
These three responsible candidates will best address the key issues facing Credit River and its residents as explained below.
Key Issues Affecting Credit River Residents and Goals of the Credit River Residents for Change
- Property Taxes: Limiting future property tax increases and possibly lowering property taxes.
- Development: Maintaining the rural/residential character of the city; avoiding higher density housing development.
- Sewer/Water: Investigating options with Scott County to replace the few non-compliant septic systems to avoid significant property tax increases on all residents to pay for extending sewer and water lines into northern Credit River.
- City Hall: Determine the viability of updating and/or remodeling city hall without cost to residents by using the $600,000+ in federal government COVID relief funds received by Credit River and earmarked for city facilities.
For Mayor: Bill Markert Brings Experience, Expertise, and Leadership
Visit www.MarkertForMayor.com
- Experience: Current Council Member, Past Planning Commission Chair, and Former CFO, COO, and EVP of Finance.
- Budgeting: Budgeting should be guided by careful fiscal analysis so that government operates within its means.
- Property Taxes: Limiting tax increases to approximately the inflation rate; stop higher tax levies to build reserves.
- Development: Protecting Credit River’s rural character without ushering in high density development.
- Sewer/Water: Considering all reasonable alternatives with Scott County to resolve the small number of non-compliant septic systems before constructing expensive city-owned sewer and water lines.
- City Hall: Undertaking further investigation to remodel the current city hall before buying land for a new city hall.
- Leadership: Real leadership involves listening, being transparent, using common sense, and respecting others.
For City Council: Abe Zanto Focuses on Responsible Leadership
Visit www.AbeZanto.com
- Experience: Current Council Member, Past Planning Commission Member, and proven business executive.
- Budgeting: Budgeting is a serious undertaking and should be based on a fiscally conservative approach.
- Property Taxes: Ensuring that taxes do not follow an upward trajectory and continue to be lower than nearby cities.
- Development: Making sure growth is planned, preserving open spaces, and keeping Credit River a “rural” city.
- Sewer/Water: Understanding all the options is essential, not just deciding to extend sewer and water lines.
- City Hall: Updating the current city hall building will most likely serve the city well for years to come.
- Leadership: True leadership involves listening, using common sense, and supporting the best interests of all.
For City Council: Bruce Wise Cares About and Wants to Maintain the Rural Character of Credit River
Visit: brucewise4creditriver.com
- Experience: 30-year Credit River resident, former technology group manager plus financial services industry.
- Budgeting: Budgeting needs to focus on whether an expenditure is needed and investigating less costly options.
- Property Taxes: Being a fiscal conservative, addressing the impact of higher taxes on residents must be a priority.
- Development: Opposing higher density developments that detract from the rural character of Credit River.
- Sewer/Water: Researching alternatives to assess options and costs, and work with Scott County for a resolution.
- City Hall: Updating city hall is needed as recommended by the citizens advisory committee.
- Leadership: Respecting resident concerns, considering all options, and focusing on most cost-efficient approach.
