Budget Expertise

By Jan Marx

As Mayor I have led the city through the worst recession since the great depression and placed us firmly on the path toward financial sustainability. Our budget is balanced with no cuts and a 20% reserve. We have successfully negotiated a 6.8% compensation reduction with all five unions, which saves $3.1 million a year. Some people fear that the city is in dire financial straits, but this is simply not the case.

As Mayor I have led the city through the worst recession since the great depression and placed us firmly on the path toward financial sustainability. Our budget is balanced with no cuts and a 20% reserve. We have successfully negotiated a 6.8% compensation reduction with all five unions, which saves $3.1 million a year. Some people fear that the city is in dire financial straits, but this is simply not the case.

With higher-than-expected Sales Tax and Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenues, the city's revenue is increasing, and housing prices are beginning to rise, which will bring more property tax into the city coffers. Our low debt ratio and excellent financial management have earned the city a AA+ bond rating. Under my leadership, the city is beginning to thrive again.

With my knowledge and experience in municipal, university and trust administration finance, I am the only qualified candidate for Mayor to guide the city through the next two year budget process. My eight years on City Council have also given me ample experience in municipal finance and management.

Before becoming an attorney and trust administrator, I was a community college and university administrator with progressively greater budgetary responsibility. I started a branch of a community college, then was an Assistant Dean of Students at Stanford University in charge of Graduate Student Housing, and then Dean of Students at one of the Claremeont Colleges. As an attorney, I ran my own successful estate planning and real property law firm with associates and employees for seven years and a solo practice for another ten.