Keeping property taxes in check
At the November 9 Village Board meeting, I made the motion to reduce the proposed 2027 levy increase from 5.7% to 3.7%, in line with inflation, and it passed unanimously.
My approach is simple: keep increases within inflation, and don't use one-time money to cover ongoing costs and push a bigger bill onto next year.
Public safety you can count on
Union Grove deserves police coverage around the clock. Through our law enforcement contract with Racine County, I helped secure an officer in the Village 24 hours a day, closing the gap we used to have between 3 and 6 a.m.
Building the fire station the way voters were promised
Union Grove voters decided the fire station question at referendum. Whether you voted yes or no, you deserve the same thing now: a station that's built right, built on budget, and built the way it was presented to you.
As a member of the Joint Union Grove–Yorkville Fire Commission, I review every monthly invoice and pay application, and I ask for backup before anything gets paid. I believe:
- No change order should be signed until the Commission approves it.
- Residents should get regular, plain-language updates on project costs, change orders and contingency, so you can follow along.
A fire department budget that's honest and sustainable
Our firefighters and EMS crews deserve our support, and our taxpayers deserve a budget that reflects reality.
- Fair pay. I've pushed for our firefighters and EMS crews to get the same wage increases as Village of Union Grove staff, so the people who answer our 911 calls are treated the same as the rest of the people who serve our village.
- Honest numbers. I push for realistic revenue estimates, budgets that match actual costs, and decisions backed by data like the pending wage study.
Smart, accountable spending
As Finance & Administration Committee chair, I led updates to the Village's purchasing, procurement card, payment and capitalization policies. I ask for multiple quotes on major purchases and question spending that isn't a clear priority.
Budgets residents can understand
You shouldn't need an accounting degree to know where your tax dollars go. I've pushed for a clear staffing summary in the Village budget book, and I've run a property tax education series to explain how your bill is calculated.
Responsible use of TIF
About 30% of Union Grove's equalized value sits in Tax Increment Districts, far above the 12% level where state law stops new districts from being created. I'll work to bring that number down by closing districts on schedule and being cautious about creating new ones, so more of our growth benefits the whole community.
A stronger downtown
Through the Community Development Authority, I'm helping lead downtown redevelopment planning with direct input from residents. I want a downtown that brings in local businesses, foot traffic and pride in our Village.
I also attend the Racine County Economic Development Corporation's monthly meetings, so I know what's happening across the county and can make sure Union Grove is part of the conversation when new businesses are looking for a home.
Safe parks and youth programs
I've been working to close a background check gap in our youth baseball field agreement, because families should be able to trust everyone working with their kids.
Common-sense rules
- Sidewalks are for walkers first. E-bikes and e-scooters were showing up on our sidewalks with no local rules. I helped draft and proposed rules that put people on foot first: riders must yield to walkers and warn before passing, stay under 10 mph, use lights at night and put the phone away, and the fastest e-bikes are limited to riders 16 and older.
- Less red tape. I helped simplify the backyard chicken rules, replacing the yearly fee with a one-time permit and updating the requirements so they're easier to follow.