Daniel Rolfson

Ward 1 Alderman Candidate

Daniel Rolfson
Danrolfson1@charter.net
(615) 268-3117

Meet the candidates on video at the following link:
http://www.tennessean.com/section/special0469
Thank you to the Tennessean for taking this initiative for our community.

Spring Hill Alternate Questionnaire

1. What specific event(s) sparked your interest to run for this position, at this time?

Prayer and many discussions with my wife on the best way we believe our family could help our city.

2. What are the 3 greatest achievements in our city during the past 4 years? Why?

(1) Economic development (the crossing center). The additional tax base and jobs from this project will last for many years. (2) Building of new schools. With the rapid growth of our city it is crucial to keep up school construction. (3) Lowering the property tax for home owners. This could be great for marketing our city to new home owners and it's always helpful to keep taxes as low as possible for families.

3. What are the 3 greatest failures of our city during the past 4 years? Why?

(1) Raising the property taxes for home owners. I believe raising taxes should always be a last resort. (2) The budget issues of last year. Government should set the standard for fiscal efficiency and responsibility. (3) Getting behind on infrastructure. Roads, middle school for the Maury County side, should be further ahead as they are and can slow down many aspects of a growing city if not corrected.

4. Do you support the current HCA hospital coming to our city? Why or why not?
Answer: YES! Any city of this size should have a local hospital (even if small) for safety of our citizens. Also, the added tax base and jobs would be a huge help and boost to our city.

5. Do you believe that the Mayor and Aldermen are adequately compensated? If not, what should the compensation package be?

Yes they are adequately compensated. I consider this opportunity as a chance to give back and serve...not to earn a wage.

6. What are your feelings regarding the eligibility of elected officials to be included in the City of Spring Hill’s medical insurance plan free of charge?

I have to pay for insurance for my family where I work. I believe it could be the same for any elected officials.

7. In this economic downturn, where do you see additional income streams being generated to keep city services at our current level?

Focus on continuing economic development. Marketing our city as the place for businesses to call home I believe is the key. This should be done without infringing in our green spaces or our home owners/developments. Also, we must look at every city expense to ensure it is necessary for our cities infrastructure and safety. After that, we may have to "tighten the belt". Our family recently had a 40% reduction in my pay due to our companies downsizing. We had to trim many aspects of our budget and look for extra short term incoming streams to keep our budget going.

8. If we need to begin cutting city expenses, where would you plan to trim the budget?

As an operations manager for decades I have managed and had to make these tough and crucial evaluations in good fiscal times and down turns. First, we must look at any/all opportunities to increase efficiency or reduce expenses in each and every department. This can be done by a top to bottom evaluation and training for all city departments. Second, we must look at payroll to look for opportunities to reduce expenses. This should be done annually regardless of any budget shortfall. We are talking about our citizens money not ours...we are stewards of it and should never be careless with any expenditures in the budget. I have done this consistently over the past decade and believe I have the experience and fresh ideas to help the city in this area.

9. Were you in favor of re-instating our city property tax?

NO!

10. Do you see an immediate need for a tax increase? If so, to what rate?

NO. We must look at bringing in new revenue through economic development first and decreasing expenses or increasing efficiency next. The last resort should be tax increases.

11. What executive experience do you have that allows you to be qualified to lead our city?

I have been the vice president of operations for the last two companies I have worked for in the past 6 years. I have made decisions and managed expansions of new branches, managed and led the operations department staff, managed and created the budgets, implemented policies and procedures, and coordinated and led the training of the operational staff of the companies.

12. How many Board of Mayor and Alderman meetings have you attended in the past 2 years?

Not as many as I had hoped to attend. Until recently, I had a working schedule that made it very difficult to attend many on Monday evenings. Fortunately, my new schedule has allowed me and will allow me to be fully committed to these meetings. I have always read the minutes and kept up through the city website.

13. How many Planning Commission meetings have you attended in the past 2 years?

Unfortunately none.

14. What specific qualities and ideas do you bring to the table that make you most qualified for this position (feel free to elaborate in at least a paragraph or two)?

Over the last 6 years I have worked for a company that owned many franchised ice cream stores and for a company that is in the rental business in commercial construction. In both of these industries I have had the opportunity to coordinate the expansion, planning, and implementation of new stores or branches. This requires critical thinking, forecasting, research, and evaluating trends that would affect the future expansion or growth. I have many ideas and qualities in this area and look forward to listening and working with other leaders in this crucial an necessary commission.

15. If you were going to ask 3 questions that all of your opponent(s) would have to answer, what would those questions be, and how would you answer them?

What is you definition of integrity? What or who do you look to when making tough or unpopular decisions? What are the 3 main purposes or priorities of our city government?

16. What are your feelings regarding our current city commissions?
-Planning Commission

- Having a more comprehensive vision (short term and projecting out 10+ years) of creating a city center. Planning for the future heart/downtown of Spring Hill.

* Are you interested in drastically changing any aspects of the commission?

I don't have enough knowledge or interaction with the commission at this time to answer this question either way.

* Who would you recommend and support as the representative from Board of Mayor and Alderman to the Planning Commission? Currently that appointment is held by Jonathan Duda.

At this point, I couldn't say due to the pending election. I would recommend someone that has a heart for vision and looking for continued growth of our city.

* Do you feel that our current Adequate Facilities tax is in fact adequate considering the tough economic times ahead?

I would need to research this further before answering.

* Do you believe that incoming developments should be responsible for road and infrastructure improvements associated with their development?

For a decision as important as this, I don't think it would be wise to pre-judge all situations for developments and infrastructure improvements. I would address each situation as they arise. Generally, I believe that if a development is created for the purpose and benefit of only certain individuals (such as a residential development) I believe it may be wise for the developer to pay for infrastructure improvements. If the developing is created for the benefit of the public (like a commercial or retail development) it may wise for the city to be responsible for the infrastructure improvements. Again, I would need to address each situation as there are many issues and circumstances that affect decisions on where the responsibility lies for improvements.

* Do you believe that there is a need for apartment buildings in our city? If so, where would you suggest that they be located?

As this time, I don't believe it is a need. In the future, it may be a need and if so, possibly near the future home of the hospital as the new jobs and citizens working at the hospital may need that adequate and affordable housing.

-Economic Development Commission * What do you believe is the city’s role in economic development?

Marketing and attracting them to our city. Ensuring the new businesses would enhance our city with there services and/or attracting great jobs.

* How would you recommend that we attract and recruit businesses and institutions that provide additional services (such as a community college)?

Creatively marketing to business developers and educational institutions. This can be done by Internet marketing, inexpensive gorilla marketing (in conjunction with our leaders and the Chamber of Commerce), and our city could host our own economic development fair (similar to a recruiting or job fair). Once these businesses see what our city has to offer, I am confident they would want to set up shop in Spring Hill. These are just a few ideas to get off the ground.

-Historic Commission * The establishment of a Historic Commission was hotly debated in our city. Do you agree with the creation of the Historic Commission?

Yes.

* What do you feel is the role of a Historic Commission in our city?

To keep the historical integrity and landmarks for future generations.

* In your opinion, what are the 3 most significant historical sites in our city?

Spring Hill Battlefield, Rippavilla Plantation, Grace Episcopal Church

-Budget and Finance Committee * Have you been pleased with the progress made during the past year to bring transparency to our city’s financial problems?

No.

* What do you feel is the most important challenge our city will face in the next year from a financial point of view?

Lower tax revenue from the Williamson County side and lowered tax revenue from slower residential home growth.