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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDavenport Andrew - Supplemental Questionnaire Thank you for your interest in the open Common Council seat. Below is a list of questions the Common Council would like you to answer and send back to KZuercher@oshkoshwi.gov by 4:30pm Thursday, November 20th, 2025. Council Candidate Name: Andrew Davenport 1. How do you view the role of a City Council Member– what is your job as a council member? I view the position of a council member as a point of contact between the public and the city government as a whole. The council and its members overlook what each department is suggesting and makes their own tweaks as needed, viewing not each department but the city as a whole. This ranges from taxes, city planning, infrastructure, services, ect, and shaping it into a direction for the city. In short, they take into account the citizens concerns while balancing it against the needs of a functioning city. 2. Will you be running for a seat on the Oshkosh Common Council in the next election – whether you are selected for this appointment or not? Possibly. I would use this shortened term to see if I am a good fit for the role or if someone else would be better suited for the city. I believe I would enjoy and be of service, but without actual experience I would not make that call now. 3. Do you understand the time commitment required for a Council Member (meetings, constituent interactions, general community involvement, etc.) and do you have the time and flexibility to accommodate this schedule? Yes, I have a very flexible day job with only a few times of year where hard dates are set for events that I must attend, one in January, and usually 3 in spring that I do not have control over. Otherwise I can amend my schedule how I see fit most of the time. 4. Where do you see this community in five years? I hope to see this community grow and improve. If we are able to keep housing affordable, taxes lower than average, and our city attractive to outsiders and the current college population, we can reverse this flat/downward population trend. 5. A group of residents demands action on something we legally cannot do or have no control over. How do you respond, publicly and privately? Publicly, we state that these actions are out of our control or are something that we legally can not take a stance on. I would direct them to those that have the ability to make said action occur, or explain why something would be illegal or unethical. In private, agree or disagree with the group, explaining your own personal stance, but reiterating that this is something that is out of our hands. Be honest but firm. 6. What is your definition of sustainability and how do you relate it to city operations? Sustainability is the ability to continue to support the current situation, preferably allowing it to grow in a positive fashion. For city operations, sustainability would be the city being able to function in the status quo, without needing to increase taxes, cut civic services, or put excess strain on the existing services and staff. 7. What is your opinion of the City budget and taxes; do you have any ideas to share? The budget and tax plan for 2026 are moving in a positive direction. Decreasing taxes is excellent, simplifying and modernizing services is the right move, and although some tough decisions had to be made, overall the city is moving forward in the best way it can. Continuing to keep taxes flat or down and civil programs and services up would be my primary concern. 8. As a Common Council Member how would you support the Strategic Plan Goals, Mission and Vision of the community? I would start by meeting and speaking with the more experienced council members, the mayor, and department heads gaining their insight and opinions on what they hope to accomplish. I would shape my ideas around what our community members wish, what is realistic, and what can be improve our city the most. I would listen, I would learn, and I would act in ways that would help the community as a whole. My personal ideas are to increase the attraction of our city, make it more than just a stop between Milwaukee and Green Bay. If we can come together to make our city a better place to live than it already is, we can attract more people, continuing growth and allowing us to fund a better living situation for all.