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Guy Higgins's avatar

"Through risk-taking and imagining, Lafayette has a reputation as a regional leader that is forward-thinking, proactive, and adaptive. Strategic and innovating leadership guides decision making and promotes equitable and inclusive policies and services." It's really easy to take risks when the taxpayers of Lafayette are the ones footing the bill. I prefer that the city be a close follower and let someone else break the trail. Being the leader is good for nothing except making ourselves feel good -- try selling that door-to-door.

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stanik22's avatar

A nice report, Karen and your writing is very good.

The report, however, does not cover the economics of our "village." It is mostly about spending, but very little about generating the revenue with which we spend.

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Karen Norback's avatar

Thank you! I do extensive reporting on money. I have a category for money-related topics. https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/t/money

Last year, I wrote about the 2025 budget

Following the Money - Part Five A: What's coming in for 2025

https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/following-the-money-part-five-a-whats and

Following the Money - Part Five B: What's going out in 2025

https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/following-the-money-part-five-b-whats

Following the Money Part Five C - Fee increases and some tidbits

2025 budget wrap up

https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/following-the-money-part-5c-fee-increases

Also

Following The Money - Part Two: The Money Tree

https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/following-the-money-part-two-the

Following The Money - Part One: The Breakdown

https://apoliticalhobbyistinlafayetteco.substack.com/p/following-the-money-part-one-the

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stanik22's avatar

Thanks for the citations. I've read through some, and will continue when I can. But, preliminarily speaking, I would conjecture that Lafayette needs to concentrate more on promoting business opportunities in the city. So, is there a plan for that, and what is the plan?

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Karen Norback's avatar

Yes, it's in the list of plans I provided in the report. "Lafayette

Economic Development & Housing Strategic Plan" And we have an economic development department and an economic development director who I mention often in my reports, Brigid Keating.

https://www.lafayetteco.gov/109/Economic-Development

The Downtown Development Authority was just created to replace LURA. I have also written extensively about it, which is another tool used to promote and enhance our downtown with an eye to increase revenue in that part of town.

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Donna Charlevoix's avatar

Thank you! I LOVE strategic planning and happy to see the City is on top of that. Looks like I have some light reading!

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Karen Norback's avatar

Plans became a big thing after Fritz arrived! There is plenty to read in that list. 🤣

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Ron Spalding's avatar

Karen, excellent reporting 👏 I know you told me once before, do you prefer milk chocolate (I think you do) or dark chocolate?😜

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Karen Norback's avatar

Thank you Ron! It's milk for me. ;-)

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Jennifer Lake's avatar

I’d like to know the same…

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Karen Norback's avatar

🤣

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