Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middleton resident urges 'smart growth' and criticizes mayor's endorsements during public comment
Summary
At the Nov. 19 meeting, resident Tyson Sparrow urged changes to how council seats are assigned to reduce campaign costs, said sewer and insurance rates have risen in recent years, and criticized the mayor for publicly endorsing candidates instead of seeking ways to work with council.
During the public comment period at the Nov. 19 Middleton City Council meeting, resident Tyson Sparrow (211 North Capitol Avenue) urged the council to assign seat numbers for council seats to make running for office more affordable and transparent. "I think our current system is antiquated," Sparrow said, arguing that assigned seats would make it less costly to run and reduce reliance on donations.
Sparrow also criticized the divisiveness of the recent election and said he had seen his sewer rate increase over the last two years "because of the wastewater treatment program" and his insurance increase "because of response times to our fire department." He addressed the mayor directly, saying he was disappointed by the mayor's public endorsements of candidates that opposed the current council.
The mayor declined comment during the public comment response period. Staff later provided project updates and budget context during the meeting's staff reports.
Sparrow closed by urging "smart growth" to expand the tax base and relieve burdens on property taxpayers who pay city taxes but live inside city limits.
