Ryan Garrison
Age: 40
Occupation: Captain/Paramedic in CBFD and Director of EMS at IWCC
Email: Ryan.Garrison29@yahoo.com
My name is Ryan Garrison and I am also Fire Captain/Paramedic with CBFD. Also I am the director of EMS at IWCC. I have 3 children Tatum, Daulton and Drake who are 22,16 and 14. My daughter Tatum and her husband, Carson also recently made me a grandfather and my grandsons name is Krew. I was born and raised in Council Bluffs and have always called Council Bluffs home. I graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 2003 and went on to achieve two associates degrees and a bachelors degree in fire administration. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, camping, boating, studying history and coaching our youth at the pee wee, middle school and high school levels.
| Question 1:
Population Growth & Economic Vitality Many residents and business leaders believe that growing the population of Council Bluffs is critical to near- and long-term economic vitality, workforce sustainability, and community vibrancy. Others are more cautious or uncertain about the need for growth, citing a desire to keep the community the way it is.
"Population growth is absolutely vital to the overall health of the city. Working professionals are especially vital as they bring new ideas and prospectives and progress us forward. I believe this is an urgent issue because of the rising costs of city operations and the needed tax base to sustain operations while still trying to make our city more attractive and vibrant to others who may move here. I would like to see at a minimum 5-10% growth annually with 10-20% growth as a top end goal. We need to be vigilant in researching options for growth and be good partners with businesses and developers who help us grow." |
| Question 2:
Attracting and Retaining Workers and Families Building and maintaining a strong workforce, particularly young professionals and families, is important to ensuring a strong future workforce and a vibrant local economy.
"First and foremost I feel we need opportunities for the young professionals to initially attract them. I’d love to hear and work with the chamber of commerce on their ideas for business that would attract this target group. With the recent annexation to the South of Council Bluffs I think we have a great opportunity for growth in whatever needs best suits the city. Other areas that are ready for business professionals are the MAC area and Playland park business building. I’d like to grow these areas by reaching out to business and industry and being considerate of their needs for them to come here. TIF, affordable office/business space and grant options are all tools we can use to attract potential professionals to our area. Having more market rate housing near their place of employment I feel is another factor in attracting young professionals to the area." |
| Question 3:
Role of City Government in Economic Development Economic development is increasingly competitive across the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro, the Midwest, and the nation. Communities are vying for limited business investment, talent, and development opportunities. While these efforts are often driven by private and nonprofit partners, city government plays a vital role in creating the conditions for success through policies, infrastructure, incentives, and collaboration.
"The city should be a partner with the chamber in reaching out to attracting business. While working together the city should also be considerate of business needs. Zoning and rezoning should be considered to fit business needs along with TIF and grant options. The city should also do their part in promoting the advantages of being in Council Bluffs. Promotion includes pamphlets, social media, local newspapers and television advertising. These advantages include the previous items I mentioned but, also proximity to desirable attractions for families like parks, entertainment and sporting events." |
Question 4:
Fiscal Responsibility & City Budgeting Developing and managing the city budget is one of the most important responsibilities of elected officials. A responsible budget must reflect community priorities, comply with legal and financial constraints, and respond to changing economic conditions. Understanding how city revenues are generated, and how those funds can and cannot be used, is critical to making sound decisions.
What experience do you have with budgeting, particularly in government, business, or nonprofit settings? Share your understanding of how a city budget works, including major sources of revenue and how city services are paid for. How would you approach developing and monitoring the city’s budget? What city services or projects would you prioritize?
"My experiencing in budgeting stems from my work at IWCC. As the head head of a program I have to account for costs of instructors, the large expenses of our EMS materials, insurance coverage for our students and breakevens that dictate the money we can make to be able to not only maintain our programming but also to grow it.
Working for the city I have learned quite a bit about budgeting but I also know I have a lot to learn. The city budget is like any other budget when it comes to money in or money it but, it’s the understanding of where money is coming from and where it is going and projecting future income and expenses of the city. Some examples of major sources of revenue are gas tax and TIF payments. Gas tax is income we get from the state that we get paid for fuel sold in the city. This money is a major contributor to money for roads. TIF payments are deferred tax payments that were going to developers that now begin to come to the city. Other major sources of income that are considered for the budget are licensing fees, taxes, investment returns, fines, EMS payments etc.
I think when developing the budget the best process is communication and transparency. The mayor, department heads, union leaders, and the city council should all be involved with developing and maintaining a balanced and effective budget for the city.
The city service I would prioritize the most are streets and infrastructure because ours is so outdated and aging quickly."
| Question 5:
Downtown & Corridor Redevelopment Vibrant, well-designed corridors and a thriving downtown are key to a city’s identity, perception, and long-term economic momentum. In Council Bluffs, areas such as First Avenue, West Broadway, the riverfront, and the historic downtown, among others, serve as gateways to the community and focal points for housing, business, entertainment, and civic life. Redevelopment of these areas is central to attracting new investment, residents, and visitors.
"I think we are off to a great start in these areas and want to continue the push of progress with these developments. My vision for these areas are our residents and visitors enjoying safe comfortable outdoor activities, nightlife entertainment, market rate housing and community events that show the pride and power of Council TIF, grants, zoning consideration, transparency and communication are our greatest tools in these developments along with changing perceptions of Council Bluffs. I am still learning what other options may be available to us to better develop these areas and I will be diligent in finding even more ways to help bring these developments to life and give residents and visitors of Council Bluffs the best possible experience in our city." |
Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Questionnaire
1. Why do you want to serve in this office?
I was born and raised in Council Bluffs and have always worked here also. I see first hand the good and bad issues here in town and want to be a part of progress that pushes Council Bluffs forward in great ways.
2. What should voters expect if you’re elected?
Voters should expect me to be vigilant in the council role in finding solutions and know that I am here for the voter and what they want our city to become.
3. What’s the most important issue facing voters?
While talking with citizens homelessness, housing, and higher paying jobs are the issues they are most concerned about. I couldn’t agree with them more and want to find quick effective solutions to these problem's.
4. What's something else you plan to focus on?
Our infrastructure. We have aging infrastructure that is behind on being updated and I want to help work to find funding and resources to modernize it.
5. Is the city going in the right direction?
I think in some aspects like revitalization of the West Broadway corridor and the river front we are. Also, regarding our housing, there is a lot of conversation about options for housing. New housing is being built now and more is coming so that is a positive also. There is still work to be done but we are doing well.
Our issue with the homeless is not going in the right direction. We have done the same thing for years now and it has only gotten worse. CBHOP is the only new way we have tried to handle the homeless situation and its impact can only go so far.
6. What is your position on the streetcar? Is that position firm or flexible?
Without anything concrete showing items like where funding is coming from, the cost to tax payers, or maintenance costs for the car I cannot support it. Also, if underlying issues are not dealt with where the car would be the investment in the car would quickly deteriorate. I am always willing to listen to facts before making decisions and so far I haven’t seen some important facts on this project.
7. What’s a realistic timeframe to make housing no longer the city’s top priority?
I think it’s a minimum of 10 years but always has to be a priority for the city because tax base makes cities prosperous.
8. If you could have the state adopt or change one policy, what would you want?
The funding for mental health. Mental health needs funded again to benefit citizens.
9. What else should voters know about you?
I am a Council Bluffs guy through and through. I have always told people we have so much potential here we just have to have a focus on reaching it the best we can. This has been and always will be my home and I want every part of our city to be a desirable place for housing, entertainment or relaxation.
10. In a sentence, why are you the right choice?
I am the candidate that knows the heart beat of the city better then anyone else and I am willing to make the decisions to make us better.