Candidates outline budgets, recreation center plans and approaches to affordability

Finance, parks and housing were recurring themes in the forum as candidates described past budget choices and proposals for the coming years.

Adam Miller emphasized the village’s fiscal strength and steady millage: “We have a $31,400,000 operating budget for this year,” he said, and noted strong reserves. He identified a new recreation center as the top capital project — an estimated $20 million facility with roughly 9,800 additional square feet of gymnasium space, four classrooms and upgraded kitchen and parking — and said he expects construction to begin in the spring.

Selena Samuels also stressed fiscal responsibility while highlighting programs she supports: coordinating free transportation for seniors, advocating in Tallahassee for insurance and home‑repair programs that she says would lower ownership costs, and working with chambers and developers to create local business and workforce supports. She noted county-level tools including a referenced $200 million housing bond intended to support workforce housing, and said that developers must be negotiated with to secure affordability commitments when feasible.

On parks funding, candidates listed recent budget figures and projects: Miller said he voted to approve $1.7 million and $3.5 million allocations in support of parks and recreation programming; Samuels described ongoing renovation of recreation facilities, shade improvements and recent park additions such as Crestwood North Park. Both argued maintaining a low millage and prioritizing services will be important if state property‑tax reforms reduce municipal revenues.

Neither candidate promised specific new taxes; both framed affordability responses as a mix of village-level programs, regional collaboration and legislative advocacy.