A look at Auburn mayoral candidate Nancy Backus

Work experience: I have worked in Finance for The Boeing Company for 24 years – Benefits Accounting for 14 years, Financial Statements for seven years and Financial Planning/Operations for two years.

Education: Auburn High School graduate, 1979; Green River Community College with an A.A. in Business in 1981; City University with a B.S. in Accounting in 1996; Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound 2007; Dale Carnegie Leadership Advantage 2007.

Political experience: I have been a member of the Auburn City Council for 10 years, and was elected unanimously by my fellow councilmembers to be the Deputy Mayor in 2012, and am serving or have served as chair of: Planning & Community Development Committee (2011-present); Finance Committee (2004-2011); Council Operations Committee (2011-present); Committee of the Whole (2011-present); Auburn Tourism Board (2011-present). I am a member of the Valley Regional Fire Authority Board of Governance (2009 – present); King County Economic Development Council (2012 – present); National League of Cities Finance, Administration & Intergovernmental Relations Committee (2004- present)’ I have also served on the Puget Sound Regional Council Growth Management Board/Council.

Volunteering, e.g., clubs and organizations: I have been a volunteer in the Auburn community since I was in elementary school. I worked with the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program for 33 years – most of those as president and executive director —  and have also volunteered with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk, as well as other local causes. I was president of Washington Elementary School PTA for two years and volunteered in my daughter’s classroom for five years.

Q & A

Q. Why are you running for this office?

A. To serve the citizens of Auburn. My passion for service has increased and been fine-tuned over the 40+ years that I have been volunteering, and for the past ten years as an elected. I love Auburn and have seen so much progress in the 43 years I have been a resident. I was taught the importance of giving back by my parents and also by some great teachers during my time in the Auburn School District.

I have a barometer to gauge integrity. I always ask myself what would my 86 year-old mother or my 14 year-old daughter think of my decisions or actions. If I can be proud of what I’ve done by that standard, then I am confident I can defend my actions. That doesn’t mean everyone will agree with my position, or that I can’t be convinced of another option, but my integrity will always remain intact.

I have always had an interest in local politics, and knew that I would run for office “some day.” Working as a member of the Auburn City Council has allowed me to learn the workings of local government and our regional role. I have had some great role models and mentors on the council – including Jeanne Barber, former councilmember and deputy mayor, and I have enjoyed being both mentee and mentor. As the Deputy Mayor, one of my responsibilities is to familiarize new council members to their roles and responsibilities, and also be a liaison between council and mayor. It is sometimes a difficult role, but I love to build consensus, so love the challenge!

As the Chair of the Planning & Community Development Committee (PCDC), I have worked hard and had the good fortune of bringing forward ordinances and resolutions that can truly benefit Auburn and our Economic Development. I believe government plays an integral role in Economic Development, and we have created a toolkit – supported by the entire council – to assist developers. PCDC has identified incentives that work – including a 75% reduction to permits and impact fees for a 6 block catalyst area in our downtown core. For one recent project, that resulted in a $700k – $1M savings that made it feasible for it to move forward. The 75% reduction is in place only until December 31, 2013, so we’re telling the developers that NOW is the time! I am excited by this type of work, and want to develop our vision for our City!

Q. What are the top three problems facing the City of Auburn?

A. 1. Jobs – the creation of jobs through economic development is critical.

PCDC has sponsored numerous “tools” that have been approved by full council that potential developers see as an advantage to doing business in Auburn.

Our recent focus has been on the downtown core as a catalyst area for economic development. We are now seeing progress, and I believe we should begin some focus on another strategy area to increase our City’s vitality! I would personally like to see either the Airport area or Auburn Way South be our next focus.

I also believe that the partnership extends to topic of transportation. Developing strategies that are beneficial to Auburn and citizens is a priority. We must also focus on current business and support their existence and growth. With the growth comes an expanded tax base.

With that expanded tax base we can begin to fund:

2. Roads – we know that the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for a majority of our arterials and many of our residential roads is 70 (that equates to a “C”) and below . Each year that we defer maintenance or replacement only increases costs when repairs are finally made. The SOS measure that was passed by voters several years ago benefits the residential streets, but does nothing for our arterials. Auburn has a significant warehouse area, and the trucks that travel our roads do cause damage. The trucking companies pay taxes to the State, but that money does not flow down to cities to help fund road maintenance. The latest transportation package that failed at the state level did include some funding for cities, but not enough to sufficiently improve the PCI. We are back to square one – with still no funding! We need to work at all levels – federal, state, regional and local to find the money.

We had a bond measure on the ballot last year for local road improvements, and it failed. I’m not certain that it was the right answer for us, but not only did the measure fail, we failed in our efforts to provide reasons to support it. The City can use the example provided by the Auburn School District during their quest for a new Auburn High School. That measure didn’t pass until the true need and buy in from the community existed. We rushed through the roads bond in about 2-3 months time – not taking time to truly explain the need or the impact. After the measure failed, we reduced the speed limit on some of the worst arterials to try and maintain the current condition as long as possible. I believe that the arterials that now have reduced speed limits should be reassessed and the speed limits set back to where they were. I appreciate the desire to maintain the surfaces, but we are impeding commerce and generally upsetting anyone that travels those roads!

3. (Public) Safety – Auburn currently has approved budget for approx. 100 police officers. At any given time, there are between 10 and 20 officers that are not “boots on the ground.” The reasons include leave of absence (military, family, medical, etc.), academy attendance and other training. In a town of 72,000+ residents, our ratio falls below the suggested 1.8 officers per 1,000 citizens (International Association of Chiefs of Police). I believe we can achieve some efficiencies in our police department – first by listening to the officers themselves! We could definitely be more effective and efficient with at least five additional officers. I am working to support the hiring of those five officers. That may not seem like much, but the financial impact can be in excess of $600,000 annually for wages, benefits, training, etc. Grants aren’t readily available, but we take advantage of all that we can. As mayor, I will work closely with our police department and community to identify the real needs and act upon them.

Q. And how are your abilities a good match for those problems?

A. I have a proven track record for working collaboratively – finding the important issues and concerns, bringing folks together and asking the difficult questions. I am a professional business person with a compassionate heart – willing to take responsibility and share in the success! It may be my name that appears on the ballot, but I am working for Auburn!

Q. What sets you apart from your opponents?

A. Experience and passion As the Chair of the Planning & Community Development Committee (PCDC) and former Chair of Finance, I have worked hard and had the good fortune of bringing forward ordinances and resolutions that can truly benefit Auburn and our Economic Development. I believe government plays an integral role in Economic Development (if we don’t believe in our City, why should anyone else). I am excited by this type of work, and want to develop our vision for our City!

Another obvious difference – I am female. I am not running on that platform, but it is a fact, and Auburn is ready for a female mayor – bringing a new perspective to leadership! During my ten years on council, I have had the opportunity to see what works and what needs work, and I have worked for change. I believe my years of experience on the council, my dedication to the people of Auburn – not just special interest groups – and my work-related experience at Boeing make me uniquely qualified to be Auburn’s next Mayor!

Personal statement

I am proud and humbled to be endorsed by: The Affordable Housing Council; the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce – Highly Qualified; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers – IAM Local 751; The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe; Pierce County Republicans; Pierce County Young Democrats; Seattle King County Realtors; Service Employees International Union 1199NW; Teamsters Local 174; Washington Conservation Voters; Congressman Dave Reichert; State Representative Chris Hurst; King County Councilmember Julia Patterson; Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis, former Mayor Chuck Booth; Auburn Councilmembers Rich Wagner, Bill Peloza, Largo Wales, Wayne Osborne and John Holmal; former Councilmembers Fred Poe, Lynn Norman, Roger Thordarson and Trish Borden; and hundreds of other citizens and businesses both large and small.

The diversity of our campaign’s endorsements is an indicator of my ability to work with a wide variety of people to accomplish the best for Auburn! I believe my ten years of experience on the council, my dedication to the people of Auburn and my work-related experience at Boeing make me uniquely qualified to be Auburn’s next Mayor!

I am asking you for your vote, and I would be proud to have your support and endorsement.