5 Mesa mayoral candidates share their stances during public forum

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Plans to control the city's over-reliance on bond financing.

Plans to align city budget with community priorities.

- Plans to control the city's over-reliance on bond financing.
- Plans to align city budget with community priorities.

Economy

Plans to require City Management to streamline government processes.

- Plans to require City Management to streamline government processes.

Public Services

As of June 20, 2024, R. Carey Davis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Housing & Urban Development

Transportation & Infrastructure

Plans to increase the number of patrol officers and patrol vehicles in Mesa.

- Plans to increase the number of patrol officers and patrol vehicles in Mesa.

Public Safety

Education

R. Carey Davis

Facebook

Wants to create more jobs by "implementing pro-growth policies" that support entrepreneurship and local businesses.

Said, "by shopping locally, we're investing in Mesa's bright future."

- Wants to create more jobs by "implementing pro-growth policies" that support entrepreneurship and local businesses.
- Said, "by shopping locally, we're investing in Mesa's bright future."

As of June 20, 2024, Mark A. Freeman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to ensure financially responsible transportation infrastructure that reduces traffic congeston and is supported by residents.

- Plans to ensure financially responsible transportation infrastructure that reduces traffic congeston and is supported by residents.

Supports hiring more police officers to increase law enforcement and security.

Advocates for  increase community policing and neighborhood watch programs.

Wants to invest in modern safety technologies.

- Supports hiring more police officers to increase law enforcement and security.
- Advocates for  increase community policing and neighborhood watch programs.
- Wants to invest in modern safety technologies.

Advocates for increased investments in schools and providing students with the resources necessary for college and careers.

- Advocates for increased investments in schools and providing students with the resources necessary for college and careers.

Twitter

Instagram

Mark A. Freeman

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As of June 20, 2024, Ryan Winkle’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The Mesa Tribune, 4 Mesa mayoral candidates meet in forum

Supports spending on the temporary housing shelter.

Said, "We need a responsive building and zoning department that is timely and makes the process of growing easy."

- Supports spending on the temporary housing shelter.
- Said, "We need a responsive building and zoning department that is timely and makes the process of growing easy."

Believes funding the police department should be the "number one fiscal goal for the city."

- Believes funding the police department should be the "number one fiscal goal for the city."

Said, "We need a great public school system that everyone can feel good sending their kids to."

- Said, "We need a great public school system that everyone can feel good sending their kids to."

Ryan Winkle

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Ballotpedia, Scott Neely

Wants to lower the sales tax to attract businesses and increase the local economy.

Believes utilty rates should be lowered and the transfer of utility funds into the general fund should be eliminated.

Said, "Our sales tax is too high and is driving business away. This has to change."

- Wants to lower the sales tax to attract businesses and increase the local economy.
- Believes utilty rates should be lowered and the transfer of utility funds into the general fund should be eliminated.
- Said, "Our sales tax is too high and is driving business away. This has to change."

As of June 20, 2024, Scott Neely’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ktar News, 5 Mesa mayoral candidates share their stances during public forum

Opposes using tax dollars to open the homeless hotel, stating it should be handled by non-governmental organizations.

- Opposes using tax dollars to open the homeless hotel, stating it should be handled by non-governmental organizations.

Opposes the expansion of light rail, supporting using resources to improve existing infrastructure along "neglected routes" instead.

- Opposes the expansion of light rail, supporting using resources to improve existing infrastructure along "neglected routes" instead.

Plans to create a task force to address violence and drugs in schools.

Advocates for law enforcement staffing and training to address crime public safety.

Said, "I'll prioritize safety, reclaim our streets, and restore security."

- Plans to create a task force to address violence and drugs in schools.
- Advocates for law enforcement staffing and training to address crime public safety.
- Said, "I'll prioritize safety, reclaim our streets, and restore security."

Wants to expand vocational schools and programs to restore "skilled hands-on education."

Plans to make sure tax dollars are efficiently spent on classroom instruction.

- Wants to expand vocational schools and programs to restore "skilled hands-on education."
- Plans to make sure tax dollars are efficiently spent on classroom instruction.

Scott Neely

Global Interdependence Center, Scott Smith

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Institute of Politics at Harvard, Scott Smith 

As Mayor, helped attract an Apple, Inc. manufacturing facility in Mesa.

States his vision "extends beyond the present, focusing on sustainable growth, and dynamic development."

- As Mayor, helped attract an Apple, Inc. manufacturing facility in Mesa.
- States his vision "extends beyond the present, focusing on sustainable growth, and dynamic development."

As of June 20, 2024, Scott Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports sustainable water infrastructure.

- Supports sustainable water infrastructure.

Wants to expand and improve educational opportunites for residents.

- Wants to expand and improve educational opportunites for residents.

Scott Smith

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor serves as the city's ambassador to visitors and during community events. 
- Most Arizona mayors are elected to four-year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 