Ward 3 – 1 four-year seat: Tony Wartman

How long have you lived in Worland?

I have lived in Worland for 35 years. I moved to Worland in 1989 to begin work at the Wyoming Boys' School. After 13 years, I transferred to the Department of Corrections for a few years, and then to the Department of Health at the Wyoming Retirement Center as the social services director. I retired after 25 years of service. I now substitute teach K-12 for Washakie County School District No. 1.

Why are you running for Worland City Council?

I am running for city council because I want to give back to this community that has offered me and my family so many opportunities. I want to be a part of something that can and will make a difference not only for this population, but generations to come.

Do you feel you have the time it takes to serve on the Worland City Council?

I am confident I will have and make time for what it takes to serve as a Worland City Councilman. When I commit to something, I will do whatever it requires to fulfill that commitment. Making my own work schedule also makes it easy to give my attention to a pressing commitment.

With rising costs and ever tightening budgets, how would you address increasing revenues or cutting costs for the City? Would rate increases be a part of that?

Regarding rising costs/inflation and tightening budgets, I believe the city government is charged with running this community in the most efficient way and as effectively as possible. I think that everything that can be done, should be done and to do this without raising rates on the community is the goal.

With the state of the economy at the present time, I would suggest that a review of the current budget be done and a strategy be put in place that would be in line with what the community's specific needs are and how to make that happen with the revenue Worland currently has. If rate increases are required because of rising costs and inflation, then city government should be completely transparent presenting this to the community in which we all live in and pay these rates.

Prioritizing the needs of the community is also a key component to this.

Currently the one-cent optional general purpose sales tax is earmarked for street improvements. Is this the best use of these funds or do you feel funding should be directed to another area? If so what area or areas?

When the one-cent optional sales tax money became available, I assume street improvements were at the top of the list of priorities for those funds. There have been numerous street improvement projects completed and I believe this continues to be the best use of the funds. I would hope that if a higher priority project or issue arises that would require funding unavailable elsewhere, that city government could redirect these funds for that purpose. If there is a surplus of these funds over and above the street improvement cost, that surplus could possibly be used to offset rate increases. Again, transparency is key as this tax was voted into place by the community.

Do you feel city mayor and council should focus on social issues, recreational issues, basic services or a combination of those?

I think city government should focus on these issues in combination, however, basic services is a major component of this combination. Providing for or making sure these basic services are available for the community must be a priority. Working in social services my entire career, I am convinced that social issues must be addressed and kept in the forefront: mental health issues and stigma, substance abuse, crime, the effect of social media on our youth, issues facing the aging population, and many other issues we face as a society. We are a society first and taxpayers second. Worland has developed outstanding recreational opportunities to include the Aquatic Center, the walking path, and all our parks and recreational areas. We should continue to grow and modernize these as the need arises and the funding is available. We must also make these things work for all ages and abilities.

What role should the city play in helping fill empty downtown storefronts? What type of incentives might be included in recruiting businesses?

I think a role the community and its government can and should play in helping fill empty store fronts is to continue to take pride in Worland. We need to make this community we call home the most attractive place for new businesses that are looking to plant here and grow. I think possible incentives could include subsidized rent/lease assistance for a period of time to assist that business to grow. Also, possible property tax incentives for the storefront owners, which in turn allows them to rent/lease these spaces more affordably. This would be attractive to potential businesses. I would think that subsidized or slightly lower rent/lease income is more attractive than empty storefront spaces and no income.