Jeremy Neely
Age: 50
Occupation: Safety Coordinator
Email:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil Questionnaire
1. Why do you want to serve in this office?
The numbers over the last 12 years indicate that Council Bluffs is not advancing economically or in education (math and reading comprehension test scores are lower) in comparison to other cities in Iowa. While one of the highest in the nation per capita when it comes to crime. I look to provide leadership that addresses these concerns immediately.
2. What should voters expect if you’re elected?
A city that is beneficial to all of Council Bluffs’ citizens and not just the special interest groups or investors which have been exploiting Co. Bluffs for their own gain over the last 12 years while taxpayers’ concerns and voices have been ignored or undervalued.
3. What’s the most important issue facing voters?
Education and Economics are running a close race. We can’t send our children out into the real world without what it takes to compete for the best jobs and if we want them to stay in Council Bluffs, we have to bring in quality jobs that provide a higher standard of living. We may need to address how we are educating our youth and re-educate ourselves on what the curriculum currently calls for in a fast changing world.
4. What's something else you plan to focus on?
Real Estate Development . The city currently owns enough property that it can provide our hardworking taxpayers whose dollars are used to purchase land and homes with the opportunity to buy directly from the City. We can invest our time and energy into the redevelopment of areas on the West, North, and South end of towns without having to build in a flood zone to bring in tax dollars.
5. Is the city going in the right direction?
Not in my opinion. I don’t feel Mr. Walsh can run on what he’s done over the last 12 years and is like the rest of the candidates in the fact that he’s trying to run on what he can do for the next 4. I feel this is highlighted by the 2 City Council Members seeking his position as they and many other Co. Bluffs residents feel a change is not only necessary but required.
6. What is your position on the streetcar? Is that position firm or flexible?
I feel we should wait and study of how it has been beneficial to our Omaha neighbors. We shouldn’t be in a rush to duplicate something that could be a failure to a much larger economic area with all of the advantages it has over Co. Bluffs. This gives us time to analyze all of the pros and cons before you present a plan to the Co. Bluffs taxpayers for a vote.
7. What’s a realistic timeframe to make housing no longer the city’s top priority?
We are all facing economic challenges currently brought on by the cost of food and other necessities. Being able to prioritize the housing crisis with the many new federal budget cuts and with people in a position to buy homes and charge rent that doesn’t matchup economically with citizens in our per capita median income is at least 2 years or more from being stabilized.
8. If you could have the state adopt or change one policy, what would you want?
I would want the State to evaluate the schools and develop a new curriculum that best suits our students as we approach the future. We have used the same educational standards that are now outdated and many students aren’t interested in learning. We have to find what appeals to our youth in this area.
9. What else should voters know about you?
I’m a “nuts and bolts” guy who will keep leadership practical and transparent. I bring the critical thinking skills to get the job done!
10. In a sentence, why are you the right choice?
If Co. Bluffs isn’t working for you and your family, I’m worth your vote.