Mesa council candidates explain their visions for city

Mesa residents Julie Spilsbury, Marc Lavender, Tim Meyer, Zachary Hichez, Melody Whetstone, Ron Williams, Francisco Heredia and Rich Adams are running for seats on the Mesa City Council.

Mesa is holding its primary election on July 30, although early voting will run by mail from July 3 to July 19 and from July 3 until July 26 for in-person early voting. The general election is on Nov. 5. Early voting for the general election will begin on Oct. 9 with Oct. 25 being the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot, and Nov. 1 being the last day to vote early in-person.

Register to vote at https://servicearizona.com/VoterRegistration/selectLanguage.

The Mesa Independent emailed the council candidates about their plans as council. Their responses are below. Melody Whetstone did not send a response.

Mesa Councilmember Julie Spilsbury.

(City of Mesa)

Julie Spilsbury

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

I have a long history of serving Mesa and with my almost four years on council, residents have seen firsthand that I am a problem solver that is fully committed to making District 2 the best in Mesa.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

Businesses large and small are flocking to Mesa because we have a dedicated and skilled workforce that’s ready to work. Our partnerships with ASU, NAU, Benedictine, Mesa Community College, A.T. Still and others are preparing the workforce that businesses need to be successful.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

I am opposed to a primary property tax and always will be. We should place a cap on utility fund revenues and set our budget based on that cap.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

The 2050 general plan update is a guide for where we want to take Mesa. It’s not a perfect document but it was created through thousands of hours of community input, suggestions and vision, which is why I support it.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

Water is one of the most pressing topics we face, and it’s also one of the key areas the city has a direct involvement in. I am proud of the foresight Mesa has had in water conservation and we must continue to find ways to protect our water resources and invest in technology that can help us be more water and energy efficient.

Mesa Council candidate Marc Lavendar

(Linkedin)

Marc Lavender

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

I think the big item that sets me apart from other candidates is that I am very much like the average Mesa citizen. I work a normal 9-to-5 job, I got better than 90% of my signatures to qualify for the ballot both times I ran, and as a result I feel that I have a very good handle on the issues facing our citizens. I have also been involved in politics for a long time from a peripheral level advising candidates as well as elected officials and even submitting legislation for consideration. I have served as an elected precinct committeeman, state committeeman and a precinct captain as well.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

The best thing the city can do is provide an environment that makes it easy to conduct business in Mesa. By providing an environment by which the classic invisible hand of the free market can take hold; driving business at an organic level is what makes for long-lasting business success that is also more resilient to economic downturns.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

No personal property tax ever — in fact, every single candidate in this election cycle, as far as I know, is opposed to having a primary property tax.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

I am completely opposed to the 2050 general plan. For one Mesa’s topology does not fit the plan, as it is reliant on substantially increasing the use of public transportation. We are a flat city, not a tall city. Second, I believe our development should focus more on single-family residential development as that is a primary means by which the middle-class can build long-term wealth. In addition, individual home ownership has shown to increase the quality of neighborhoods as well as reducing crime.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

I have no desire to uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy as I feel it is expensive and not necessary. As far as water is concerned, I believe our extraordinary high water rates are causing many to cut back already. In my neighborhood alone, I have seen three swimming pools filled in. I don’t believe Mesa is in a water crisis at this time as we are only in a Stage 1 Management Plan, which I support. This will likely go away with normal rainfall. If the drought continues we can then make further plans.

Mesa Council Candidate Tim Meyer

(Tim Meyer for Mesa)

Tim Meyer

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

My extensive experience in local government. I recently retired from the city of Mesa after 26-plus years where my last position was assistant business services director. I have a lot of institutional knowledge of how city government operates and look forward to putting that knowledge to work for my constituents and business owners in District 1 and the city as a whole.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

By simplifying our processes and attracting more companies that will bring high wage jobs to the city. More jobs means more people living in Mesa and spending money in Mesa. This will increase our sales tax dollars and help strengthen our tax base to help fund our budget.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

Mesa residents have made their view very clear on the subject of a primary property tax in Mesa. They overwhelmingly do not support it. As their representative on council, I will speak for the residents and support their direction.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

The 2050 general plan is a very lengthy and comprehensive plan for the city’s growth and future development. The city went to great lengths to solicit input from Mesa residents by conducting districtwide meetings and even online options for residents to provide input. However, I am not sure all of the concerns that surfaced at the meetings made it back to the council for their consideration.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

I fully support our commitment to renewable energy and water preservation. I will work closely with the citizens, business owners, and community groups to bring their ideas and suggestions to the council and work on the best solutions to ensure Mesa is in a very good position to support us all well into the future.

District 1 City Council Candidate Richard Adams

(Rich Adams for Mesa)

Rich Adams

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

Experience and leadership in business in the C-Suite, together with over 40 years of public service in Mesa to include the Planning & Zoning, Visit Mesa and Economic Development Boards, GPEC Board, Falcon Visioning Commission, and Valley Leadership. Founding director of Gateway Bank. President and CEO of one of the oldest business trade organizations.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

By continuing the careful planning and business attraction efforts I have been directly involved in through the Economic Development Board and Falcon Area Visioning Commission. The results of these efforts over the past 15 years are self evident.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

I am opposed to a primary property tax. Over the years the vast majority of Mesa citizens remain opposed to this, and that’s enough for me to say no. Moreover, this kind of tax would not support job creation and hinder business relocations.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

Having served on the 2020 General Plan taskforce and using that as a basis of comparison, I think that while no plan is perfect, the 2050 general plan reflects the will of the majority as best it can. At the end of the day, the voters will decide.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

To preserve and continue the job creation we’ve enjoyed and our quality of life, energy and water must be reliable, affordable and renewable, in that order of priority. If reliability is impaired, the other 2twobecome moot. I will support policies that follow this logic.

District 1 Council Candidate Zachary Hichez

(Zachary Hichez)

Zachary Hichez

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

I think the two things that set me apart from the other candidates is that I’m one of the younger individuals running and I’m a regular citizen. I don’t have any business or chair any organizations. Heck, my wife and I are still waiting to buy our first home.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

I think continued investment in higher education and fiber optic capabilities are key. Availability of skilled labor draws in businesses valley wide while faster data transmission infrastructure helps everyone.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

I think creating more housing within city limits is a better option. That way no new tax-payer funded infrastructure needs to be built and we can increase the tax base by attracting more people. More people paying into the system rather that taxing existing residents more.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

I wanted a more aggressive expansion of public transit but understand there were other priorities. I also think we may need to revisit the areas marked as preserve. The preserve designation may hamper the city’s ability to adapt to changes.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

I would focus on the city’s energy storage capabilities. Currently there is a mismatch between when renewable energy is produced and peak demand. I also think we should further expand our water reclamation abilities.

U.S. Air Force Veteran and Mesa Council Candidate Ron Williams

(Ron Williams for Mesa)

Ron Williams

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

As a highly decorated Desert-Storm era veteran, I have demonstrated unwavering dedication to our country and the Mesa community, by my documented, unparalleled community service, which includes; Chairperson of the Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board; chairperson of the Mesa For All Foundation; chairperson of the 2050 General Plan Advisory Committee, and more. I can confidently say that my track record as a CEO of business development support organizations, and documented support of public safety and safe neighborhoods, sets me apart, and is “unmatched” amongst the City Council candidates in the Mesa City Council District 1 race.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

Mesa is moving in the right direction with the most recent opening of the Mesa Business Builder at The Studios, but there is more we still need to accomplish, utilizing the experience of seasoned business development executives like myself. As the top executive of three different statewide business development agencies for Arizona, I am the only candidate in the City Council District 1 race that has actually helped entrepreneurs, and businesses with growth; and that has resulted in Arizona businesses winning over $100 billion in contracts.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

I am on record speaking at a Mesa City Council meeting on this subject, and I feel that if Mesa decided to supplement its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues, we would be breaking our promise to Mesa residents who currently live in Mesa and those that we have encouraged to move to Mesa. I strongly feel that we can creatively find other options to supplement and increase our general fund.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

As chairperson of the city of Mesa’s 2050 General Plan Advisory Committee, I was trusted by the mayor asking me to serve, by the City Council for voting me in, and by the GPAC Committee members for voting me in as their chairperson; so I have a strong personal stand on my feeling about the general plan. I spoke in support of the general plan as submitted at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting when it was approved unanimously, and I shared that all of the hours of planning meetings, community outreach meetings and hearing from Mesa residents; working directly with city staff to actively plan the city of Mesa through the year 2050; with updates to the mayor and City Council, was all worth it.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

I intimately know that it was a priority initiative for the mayor and city to create the Mesa Climate Action Plan, and I will actively uphold Mesa’s commitment to the plan by staying true to one of my campaign priorities of ensuring Mesa’s financial stability and quality of life. I will commit to working with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure that we do what’s required of us to conserve and protect our needed resources of energy and water.

Vice Mayor Francisco Heredia.

(City of Mesa)

Francisco Heredia

What sets you apart from your fellow candidates?

I have had the honor to serve West Mesa for 6.5 years now, currently I am serving as the vice mayor for the City. I believe my experience on the council, being a small business owner in West Mesa, having a career in government and the nonprofit sector has provided me with the perspective and patience that you need to have when working on the array of issues you are confronted with as a councilmember.

How can Mesa expand and grow its business hubs?

I believe we have done a great job in growing our business hubs, in West Mesa particular we have seen the growth of the Asian District which we at the city have invested into relationships and resources to promote its prominence as a destination. In addition, our support of small businesses with our business builder, our coalition work, and other initiatives around workforce has been a strong indicator for the business community that Mesa is working toward building a business friendly environment that benefits all who live in Mesa.

How would you feel about Mesa supplementing its general funds with a primary property tax instead of utility revenues?

Based on previous attempts and current political environment, a primary property tax in Mesa is not going to happen. Our use of utility revenues, sales tax, and other sources are what we have to work on and I will continue to ensure that we limit the impact on residents as best as we can as we continue to balance our budget each and every year to support our quality of life in Mesa.

How do you feel about the 2050 general plan that was recently approved by the council to be put on the November 2024 ballot?

As a council member, I believe this general plan that will go to the voters this year has been one of the most inclusive and informative processes that I have seen any city undertake for this process. With everything we can always improve, but my feedback since the start was always that we need this plan to serve as an action plan that serves staff and residents with what we want to see and work toward to for the future.

How would you uphold Mesa’s commitment to renewable energy and water preservation?

I have been a strong supporter of improving our renewable energy and water preservation initiatives in the city since my appointment on council. Our work on our Fare to Fuel program, converting our fleet that we can convert to electric, working with the Gila River Indian Tribe on our Val Vista Water Pipeline project, and many other initiatives within our Climate Action Plan has made Mesa a leader in not only the region but the whole state.