Raleigh City Council - District B
John Odom
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
Teamwork and transparency are two things I’m known for. We must work with the county, the state, and federal governments. We also need to respect one another’s positions as we negotiate. We get nowhere when we make decisions made from anger.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
When we voted on the ordinance we knew that we would need to make changes. I look forward to working with those who have to deal with the ordinance on a day to day basis. Staff and citizens input are very important.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
The passing of the bond will help us with infrastructure needs. Our growth over the last 20 years has been great and if we are able to maintain that, we should be able to maintain a great quality of life. If we use new dollars correctly, our citizens will have a community that is affordable. Keep taxes low.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
The way to reduce the budget is for the city manager and department heads to reduce their budgets by some percentage. If all departments are under control we can reduce spending. Parks and greenways have always been one of my issues. Affordable Housing is a big need at this time. So I would look at each issue one at a time. If needed, I would spend more money.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Our underground water and sewer pipes are aging. We must make sure that we keep up with repairs while keeping our debt service as low as possible.
The city of Raleigh commissioned a survey in 2016 which showed that transportation issues remain our residents’ top concern. Do you support the $206.7MM streets and sidewalk bond package which includes a 1.29-cent property tax increase?
Yes
Do you support a major league soccer stadium downtown?
Yes
Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of businesses?
Yes
What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and far term?
Teamwork and transparency are two things I’m known for. We must work with the county, the state, and federal governments. We also need to respect one another’s positions as we negotiate. We get nowhere when we make decisions made from anger.
What would you like to see updated in the city’s Unified Development Ordinance related to land use, regulations and/or density that ensures our market remains competitive and attractive for business and residents?
When we voted on the ordinance we knew that we would need to make changes. I look forward to working with those who have to deal with the ordinance on a day to day basis. Staff and citizens input are very important.
How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
The passing of the bond will help us with infrastructure needs. Our growth over the last 20 years has been great and if we are able to maintain that, we should be able to maintain a great quality of life. If we use new dollars correctly, our citizens will have a community that is affordable. Keep taxes low.
Identify two specific areas in the city budget where you might reduce spending and two specific areas where you might increase spending.
The way to reduce the budget is for the city manager and department heads to reduce their budgets by some percentage. If all departments are under control we can reduce spending. Parks and greenways have always been one of my issues. Affordable Housing is a big need at this time. So I would look at each issue one at a time. If needed, I would spend more money.
What is an uncomfortable truth about Raleigh that voters must confront?
Our underground water and sewer pipes are aging. We must make sure that we keep up with repairs while keeping our debt service as low as possible.
