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Citizen criticizes council on deficits; local candidate Philip Surface outlines priorities
Summary
At public comment, Buddy Jones pressed the council on alleged multi‑year budget deficits and brought records; later Philip Surface, a new candidate, outlined priorities including bottom‑up economic development, workforce training, health care access and support for small businesses.
During public forum at the March 24 meeting, resident Buddy Jones criticized the city's financial record, saying the city ran deficits across several recent years and disputing the mayor's prior statement that the city "always ran a surplus." Jones cited figures he said showed a $1.2 million deficit last fiscal year and earlier deficits in 2023 and 2024 and said he had brought supporting records.
Later in public comment, Philip Surface introduced himself as a new candidate (describing himself as an orthopedic surgeon who lives in Winfield) and said he is running because he wants more grassroots, "bottom‑up" economic development rather than top‑down projects. Surface urged diversifying beyond data centers, investing in workforce development for "AI‑resistant" trades (welders, plumbers, electricians), and focusing on health care access and education. He said he has worked with first responders and praised the city's junior firefighter program.
Council acknowledged the comments; the mayor did not provide a detailed numerical rebuttal on the record during this meeting and said staff would confirm reimbursement timing for highway safety funds.
