Walker mayor
Walker Mayor Bobby Font, who is running for re-election, said he and his staff manage with a “Walker first” strategy.
Font, seeking a second term as mayor, will face challenger Rick Ramsey at the polls Nov. 6.
“No tax dollar is spent, no decision made and no action taken until we’ve answered this question: What’s best for the people of Walker?” Font said.
That’s why so much emphasis has been put on financial integrity and transparency, he said.
“It’s why we’ve devoted more resources to public safety,” Font said. “It’s why we’ve upgraded our parks, recreation and family-friendly offerings. And it’s why we’ve started planning in earnest for our future.”
Font said one of his biggest achievements under that strategy was to reduce general government spending by 12 percent in each of the last two years.
Clean consecutive independent audits indicate his team has restored financial integrity to the city, he added.
He refinanced the city’s bonds, saving residents $345,000 annually and making it possible to establish the community’s first rainy-day fund for emergencies, Font said.
Nearly $500,000 is now set aside for unforeseen expenses, the 54-year-old Democrat said.
Font said his team secured $1.5 million in grants last year.
Parks and recreation have also been a top priority for his administration, Font said.
The city completed its comprehensive master plan to guide growth in the community for the next 20 years, he said.
The Animal Shelter has seen construction of an outdoor exercise area and addition of Saturday hours and pet adoption days, Font said, adding that since he took office, the adoption rate has risen 24 percent and rescues have increased 181 percent.
Font took office in January 2009 after retiring from a 32-year career in law enforcement. He is married to Penny Font and has four daughters and five grandchildren. For more information, go to http://.bfontformayor.com on the Internet.