What are Russ' positions on issues facing our city?
Russell Betts Advocates for Budget Planning to Safeguard City finances.
Our city's finances are in jeopardy, with savings plummeting from $13.5 million to under $6 million despite stable revenues. The issue? Unplanned spending and a lack of proper budget planning. Unlike other cities that dedicate months to budget discussions, our budget is hastily approved in a single meeting with minimal public input. As a council member, I've pushed for a more transparent process. As your mayor, I'll ensure budget sessions are prioritized and open to the public, safeguarding our city's financial future.
$724,350 Is Way Too Much for a Park restroom. Agenda needed fix.
State and federal grants, along with developer fees, offer valuable opportunities to enhance our community without overburdening residents with taxes. However, we must be prudent in how we allocate these funds. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case with the $724,350 spent on the Tedesco Park restroom. Despite my call for more cost-effective alternatives, the project was approved at a high cost. Discover how these funds were allocated and why we must strive for better decision-making in the future.
Five Strong, One Goal: Moving Desert Hot Springs Forward Together
As your next Mayor, I’m committed to fostering unity on our five-member council, ensuring that every voice—both on the council and in our community—is heard and valued. In my time on Council, I’ve witnessed how a "team of three" mentality has created division and hindered our city’s progress. Together, we can move Desert Hot Springs forward with collaboration, not division.
A Little Help from the CHP. Let’s Stop The Dangerous Driving
Dangerous driving in our town is a serious issue, but there is a practical solution. By partnering with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) through the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), our city can enhance traffic enforcement and significantly reduce reckless driving. This program, which has been successful in other small cities, allows us to economically deploy CHP officers on a rotational basis, making our streets safer. As Mayor, I am committed to initiatives like this to resolve problem areas in our city. We can fix things.
