Cindy Charlton-Matejka
For Hurricane City Council
CANDIDATE Q&A
Question #1
Washington County’s rapid growth pressures both development and preservation of open spaces. What is your proposed zoning strategy to balance new housing and commercial projects with maintaining the region’s natural landscapes, and how will you address community concerns about overdevelopment?
Washington County's growth has been quite significant...READ MORE
Washington County’s growth has been quite significant within the past 5 years, equaling 1210%. I hope that I can encourage a balanced growth with both housing and commercial needs at a rate that can support the local economy. If we do not grow there is recession, but Hurricane is growing at a rate that is worrying our citizens and it needs to be addressed. Zones need to be appropriated as “such” and not changed for the convenience of developers.
Question #2
Aging infrastructure, such as roads, water lines, and public facilities, requires ongoing investment. What is your plan to fund and prioritize maintenance and upgrades, and how will you balance these costs with other municipal budget demands?
All too often we think putting a patch on...READ MORE
All too often we think putting a patch on something will fix things temporarily, without really addressing the real issue. There needs to be a solid master plan in place utilizing money wisely, whether that comes from the current tax bracket, bonds, grants, etc. and ensuring safety and quality of life for our public. The main priority should be the safety of our citizens, and their needs. Money should be in an infrastructure fund so the city never goes into crisis mode.
Question #3
With rising populations, how will you ensure that police, fire, and emergency services remain adequately funded and staffed? Please specify whether you would reallocate existing budgets, seek new revenue sources, or implement other strategies to meet these needs.
Public safety should always be ANY government...READ MORE
Public safety should always be ANY government officials main priority and hearing the voice of the people. Public safety should be the main priority in any budget. Growth should never outpace our ability to protect residents. There is much funding out there and resources, heads need to come together for the common good of the community. Obligation bond, increase developer fees, federal grants, private donations are a few ideas for assisting.
Question #4
Large and even small scale development projects often spark community debate. How will you ensure that residents’ voices are meaningfully incorporated into decisions about zoning and development, and what specific mechanisms (e.g., town halls, advisory boards) will you establish or strengthen?
Listening to the public's concerns should be...READ MORE
Listening to the public’s concerns should be a top priority for all government officials. I have attended several city council meetings, and a planning commission meeting recently. I do appreciate the fact that at both, voices were allowed to heard by city officials. As an educator, when I receive an email from a parent, I’m on it, replying almost immediately, if I have an answer great..and if I don’t, I’ll find it.
Question #5
To reduce reliance on tourism and construction, what specific industries or business types will you target to diversify Washington County’s economy, and what incentives or policies will you propose to attract them?
Washington does thrive on tourism, with 10 million...READ MORE
Washington does thrive on tourism, with 10 million annual visitors. Tech start-ups and small scale innovation companies would be a great incentive for our communities. The opportunities for our students/higher educational institutions would be abundant.
Question #6
Washington County is experiencing increased traffic congestion, particularly in urbanizing areas. What specific infrastructure improvements or policies will you prioritize to reduce traffic delays and improve road safety, and how will you fund these initiatives without overburdening taxpayers?
Without financial burden to tax payers we need to...READ MORE
Without financial burden to tax payers we need to improve traffic flow and enhance the quality of life. SR9 is backed up daily, morning or afternoon. UDOT has in place a plan to assist with this burden, it’s just not here yet with targeted roadway improvements. Funding can come from impact fees on developers, state/federal grants, and changing/prioritizing the current budget.
Question #7
Given the ongoing drought concerns in Southern Utah, how will you prioritize water allocation among residential, commercial, agricultural, and recreational (e.g., golf courses) users? Please provide a specific plan or framework to ensure equitable distribution while addressing conservation goals.
Drought is a long-term reality we must...READ MORE
Drought is a long-term reality we must plan for. After meeting with the director of the conservancy, they are putting measures in place to ensure safety in regards to water. Do we need rain?..YES. Plans are being implemented with golf courses to utilize reclaimed water. In addition, six new reservoirs are being built.