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Brian Alsip
Candidate for Franklin City Council at-large
Family: Wife Erica and sons, Conner, 7, and Zeke, 2.
Education: Franklin College, and law school at the University of Dayton
Employment: Local attorney
Memberships: Elks Lodge, Franklin Little League Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, Johnson County Bar Association
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What are the top issues facing the city of Franklin? How would you address them?
Making sure that projects underway get finished timely and at cost. Money has been raised, earmarked and granted and the city needs to get the work done in a timely manner and at or under budget. Other priorities include redevelopment of some areas that are a little more depressed, such as the east side. Biggest reason for wanting to run is to keep things going in Franklin. “Things are so great right now, they can only get better.” Would continue to focus on infrastructure projects that would prevent property damage, such as what happened during the flood.
What makes you the most qualified candidate for city council?
Is qualified from experience over the years, such as the board of zoning appeals. “I’m a guy that believes that people come to government for answers.” When people come to government, they need a vote, decision and answer so they know what is going on. Would provide leadership and make motions, just to get debate started. “That’s leadership for a board and for a community.” Is a trained mediator and can use skills, experience on the board, experience as an attorney and the art of negotiation. Has skills as mediator to be a collaborator, reach out, work well with the mayor and with others. “If we can’t agree, I’ll take the lead.”
The city currently is planning or working on millions of dollars of infrastructure projects. How informed are you of the details of those projects? How will you as a council member manage them?
Knows about projects before the board of zoning appeals and is an informed citizen on the infrastructure projects. “What I would hope to do is get up to speed and work with the mayor and members of the council.” Would be very happy to take any kind of role on any job.
How should the city continue attracting new businesses? What tools would you use to bring new jobs to Franklin?
Said the city has to keep going with projects that are ongoing or planned and will make the city great. Wants to keep improving the streets and infrastructure and create a vibrant downtown. If city attracts people, that attracts businesses. If city can keep getting good, educated people living here, and a good mix of people who have a great place to live, businesses will follow. Shell building is a great example. “We have so much to offer a business to come down here.”
How can the city be sure to attract quality, high-paying jobs? What is a quality job? What new developments should receive a tax abatement, and which, if any, shouldn’t? What metrics would you use to make the decision?
A quality job is one that is going to have a good competitive rate of pay above the average, will also have benefits and will give people paid time off. If a business is going to bring a high number of jobs, that is at least near the county average, then city should consider a tax break and hear what is proposed and ask what the commitments are back to the city, such as growth of company or pay raises. Would not consider a tax break for only three or four jobs.
What are the city’s greatest challenges?
Delivering what’s been promised in terms of infrastructure and road projects and in a timely manner and within or under budget. “We need to deliver.” Other challenge is to continue to revitalize other areas beyond the immediate downtown and attract those jobs to keep citizens working and living here and keep attracting new people.
What programs, projects and departments need more money? What needs less?
Will look at what department gets, what the requests are, what fat needs trimmed, what departments need pumped up and review what has happened in the past. Would ask why they need the money and work with other council members. Doubts there is fat in the budget based on the recent leadership of the city. Would take a strong look at financial requests and challenge departments.
How will you determine the best appointments to boards, such as the redevelopment commission, the Franklin Development Corp. and the police merit board?
Would look at each board individually. For example, on the police merit board, members need to be willing to challenge, hear facts and make decisions. Does not need a person who would not waver but is a person removed from the department who can listen independently and make a strong decision. Redevelopment commission members should be someone who would challenge people on why they need money, review the requests and ask what their skin in the game is. Wants a member who would ask if an applicant for an incentive is wanting a handout or a true partner and require that the people making the proposal put their own money into the project and ask about the return on the city’s investment. Wants the board to consider whether the city should be putting money into restaurants and ask for their investment up front at the initial request. Said boards should give people an answer, not put them off or hope that they go away. “Don’t leave people in the lurch.” Doesn’t mind being the only person asking questions or challenging.
The appointed redevelopment commission spends millions of dollars each year on business incentives and special projects. Should any TIF districts be ended? Should any property tax money be returned to the schools or libraries for those boards to determine how to spend the money?
Always a good idea to keep looking at them, and their purpose. Schools should definitely be given a say-so in how the money should be spent. They should have a voice on that.
