Justin Smith, candidate for Bel Aire City Council
Name: Justin Smith
Age: 32
Occupation: IT Leader - Solution Architecture and Disruptive Technology
Previous government service: 1 Term (2017-Present) Bel Aire City Council, Chisolm Creek Utility Authority (CCUA) Board Member
Have you run for office before? (Please list any previous offices sought)
Yes, 2017 for my current Council term
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it?
Streets and infrastructure are the biggest challenges facing Bel Aire. I have advocated for overall budget reductions and reallocations (to streets), including the ones that led to the 2022 mill levy tax decrease. Bel Aire is currently operating in a very efficient model with staff regularly optimizing to operate effectively while limiting cost increases. Going forward, I believe it’s important to not lose this value-focused approach, even as the City’s financial position improves, so that the City can continue to allocate a higher percentage of the budget to streets and infrastructure.
What would your top 3 policy priorities be?
1) Building on our prior success, I want to ensure that the focus remains on government efficiency and directing available funds toward the street and infrastructure improvements that are needed in Bel Aire.
2) Water and Sewer Costs- The Chisolm Creek Utility Authority (CCUA) is looking at a $13 Million dollar expansion of the sewer plant. That cost will be passed on to residents. Currently Bel Aire is paying for 50% of the existing water plant and using about 37% of the capacity. Sewer is likely the same, although no metering exists to confirm. This is unfair to Bel Aire customers. As a Council member, I support Bel Aire’s participation in the CCUA; however, I intend to continue striving for a better and more fair deal for Bel Aire before authorizing any further expansion.
3) I will remain focused on Bel Aire owned land sales and work towards finishing the City’s exit from the real estate business.
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