AURORA | Residents on some city boards and commissions want city officials to focus next year on attracting a NASCAR race track, build or expand recreational centers, and develop a website to match potential business owners and entrepreneurs with available commercial space in the city.
Members of three boards and commissions outlined those and other goals at an Aurora City Council special study session meeting on Sept. 5, but did not give any suggestions on how to fund those ideas.
Council members at the beginning of October will start discussing the 2013 budget in earnest, and addressing how to fund initiatives but city documents released Sept. 1 show that the city expects a $3.1 million shortfall in 2013, and the proposed budget next year is $250.8 million, up about 7 percent from 2012.
Councilwoman Molly Markert said she appreciated the residents’ ideas but she would have preferred concrete ways to fund them.
Residents on the boards and commissions also gave an update on some of the newly created projects launched by the city, including the “All 4 Business” initiative. Under the initiative, the city launched a website that allowed business owners to submit plans directly through the website, making the planning process easier.
“It’s really beginning to work very well,” said George Peck, a member of the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee and the vice president of public affairs and operations for the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
Also at the meeting, Mayor Steve Hogan said the city would start taking applications on Sept. 6 to fill the Ward 1 seat recently vacated by Councilwoman Melissa Miller.
Applications can be obtained online at auroragov.org or through the city clerk and recorder’s office. Council members plan to interview the candidates at a public meeting on Oct. 1 and appoint the new council member on Oct. 4. Candidates must live in Ward I, be registered to vote, and be over the age of 21 to apply.
Former Councilwoman Deborah Wallace said she will apply for the vacancy, and she said Kim Harrell, small business owner and previous candidate for city council, was interested in the position also.
Reach reporter Sara Castellanos at 720-449-9036 or sara@aurorasentinel.com.
Voters turned down ballot issue for recreation centers last year. And, a NASCAR track has been talked about for years. . how about something new. . something that will give voters a reason to feel positive about the city and city council.