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Tim McCulloch, 29, is currently serving his first term on the City Council. He is married to Joann, and they have two daughters. Grace is three years old and Abigail is one.

Tim works for the St. Clair County Health Department as the Accountant/Financial Systems Analyst. He graduated from Baker College with a Master of Business Administration in 2005.

Besides the City Council, Tim serves on the Executive Committee for SEMCOG and he is on the St. Clair County Retirement Board as a trustee. He is also heavily involved with his church, Colonial Woods Missionary Church.

The budget amendment approved in September was a starting point. In order to complete the sewer separation project directed by DEQ, the City of Port Huron needs to continue to borrow. The city's financial advisor explained that a comprehensive five year plan needed to be in place before the market would consider purchasing our bonds.

I agree that the water/sewer rate increases are very high. I believe that in the upcoming budget cycles the city will be able to decrease these rates. The city needs to continue to investigate ways to privatize and streamline services. The city needs to examine McMorran, museum, and marinas to ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are being used effectively.

I also will state that I don't think it is reasonable to say that no rate increases would be in order. At the very minimum, the rates should reflect inflation. Most people will note that all of their services increase on an annual basis. With public safety being over 50% of the budget, a plan without modest rate increases would cause a reduction in these and other mandated services.

As stated in my previous response, I believe that the budget amendment was a starting point. The city needs to continue to review services that could be privatized or streamlined.

The first three areas that need to be investigated further are McMorran, the museum, and marinas. These areas are great assets to the community, but they must not cause unneeded hardship on the residents of Port Huron.

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	Tim McCulloch, 29, is currently serving his first term on the City Council. He is married to Joann, and they have two daughters. Grace is three years old and Abigail is one. Tim works for the St. Clair County Health Department as the Accountant/Financial Systems Analyst. He graduated from Baker College with a Master of Business Administration in 2005. Besides the City Council, Tim serves on the Executive Committee for SEMCOG and he is on the St. Clair County Retirement Board as a trustee. He is also heavily involved with his church, Colonial Woods Missionary Church.
1. The City Manager has proposed water rate increases in each of the next five years, Brian Moeller has stated that he would not support additional water rate increases, what is your position?
The budget amendment approved in September was a starting point. In order to complete the sewer separation project directed by DEQ, the City of Port Huron needs to continue to borrow. The city's financial advisor explained that a comprehensive five year plan needed to be in place before the market would consider purchasing our bonds. I agree that the water/sewer rate increases are very high. I believe that in the upcoming budget cycles the city will be able to decrease these rates. The city needs to continue to investigate ways to privatize and streamline services. The city needs to examine McMorran, museum, and marinas to ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are being used effectively. I also will state that I don't think it is reasonable to say that no rate increases would be in order. At the very minimum, the rates should reflect inflation. Most people will note that all of their services increase on an annual basis. With public safety being over 50% of the budget, a plan without modest rate increases would cause a reduction in these and other mandated services.
2. If you are opposed to the City Manager's Budget, how would you balance the budget?
As stated in my previous response, I believe that the budget amendment was a starting point. The city needs to continue to review services that could be privatized or streamlined. The first three areas that need to be investigated further are McMorran, the museum, and marinas. These areas are great assets to the community, but they must not cause unneeded hardship on the residents of Port Huron.
3. For many years the leaders of Port Huron have extolled the amenities of our city and it's great potential, in your opinion, why hasn't that potential been realized?
Port Huron has been blessed with a number of great assets. The natural wonders we have definitely center around the lake, river, and parks. There is no way any community can match them. Besides the natural beauty, our community also has a downtown with a lot of character and some very interesting historical figures. Thomas Edison is the first person that comes to my mind. The question asks why these amenities have not been fully realized. One issue that has plagued Port Huron over the past few years is our inability to work together. There are many fine organizations in our community. The Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, Mainstreet Port Huron, Kiwanis, and Rotary Club are just a few. Throughout the year, there a different events, but there never seems to be many collaborative efforts. The groups try to work on their own. It is imperative that we all work together. The organizations in our community need to seek partnerships with each other as well as the city. By pooling the limited resources we all have, the return on investment will be much greater. Plus, it unifies the efforts of all of these groups. Another key issue that needs to be addressed is a full time DDA director. This idea has been floated a few times, but nothing has been done yet. Port Huron needs a person who is fully committed to selling our community from the moment they wake up to when they go to sleep. I believe that bringing the many local organizations together and emphasizing the need for a full time DDA director that the amenities that we have all come to know and love will be experienced by many more people.
4. Several of the challengers for council seats have expressed hesitation at being specific about budget issues, stating that the budget published on the city web page is not the real one, and that they are not "privy" to specific information that would shape their opinion. In the interest of having an open and transparent government, shouldn't the budget that is published be the real one?
Many people have the misconception that the city has two separate budgets. A budget seen only by department heads and City Councilmembers, and a budget that is provided to the public. This is not the case. The detailed budget is nice when you get down to the nitty-gritty line item analysis, but the summarized budget is good when discussing restructuring and conceptual ideas. I personally think it is better to look at the budget on a larger scale with the summary budget. I do not think it is productive to micromanage small expense accounts. Both budget documents serve a purpose, and they contain the same figures displayed in a slightly different format. As far as the question is concerned, if a person desires to review the detailed line item budget, then the city should find a way for this to happen. The cost to make this available needs to be contained. That is my only concern.
5. Candidate Al Wright found that the full detailed budget can be available to citizens if they pay approximately $200.00 plus time expenses for printing. Would you favor having the full budget available on the city's web page, or that the city would make it available on a CD disk for $1.00?
As I stated in my answer to question #4, I think that the detail budget should be made available to residents. I just think that the cost must be contained. The question details how it could cost a $1.00. I can see how a CD disk duplication might be that inexpensive, but there would still be considerable staff time involved in scanning and compiling the information.
6. If Pete was your son, would you advise him to purchase in the city of Port Huron? If so, why? If not, what can be done to make Port Huron a more financially attractive place to live?
When I made the choice to live in Port Huron, there were many factors besides taxes that came into play. I reviewed the services that were offered, such as police, fire, and waste pick-up. I looked into the recreational offerings allotted to residents. I wanted to live in a community close to my work. There had to be conveniently located shopping centers. I knew that taxes would be higher within the city, but I also knew that I would be receiving a higher level of service. It is definitely a personal choice. Pete would have to weight all of these factors in his own mind. I would hope that he would join me in the city, but this might not fit the lifestyle that he desires. Taxes are not a pleasant part of life, but they should not be the only determining factor in where you live.
7. The city has given tax incentives to encourage developers, manufacturers and businesses to locate in Port Huron, should they give tax relief to encourage common people to locate in Port Huron?
The city needs to continue to look at weighs to reduce the cost of government. The city government needs to live within its means. I think if the city can demonstrate that is using its financial resources in the most effective manner that talk of financial incentives would not be necessary. It boils down to transparency in government. Once residents realize the cost of each service, they will start to prioritize what they want done in their community. It empowers the community, and helps to give direction to the city leaders.