Brown Deer Village Trustee Questionnaire

1. What are the biggest challenges facing the Village and what changes would you attempt to address them?
   
   Darryl Johnson - The biggest challenges facing the Brown Deer Village are:
   
   

   1. Economic Development:
      • Strengthen our retail base. There are too many vacant retail spaces along our major commercial corridors.
      • There has been an increase in the number of underutilized office spaces.
      • There is the lack of housing development projects that is directed towards homeownership.
      
      There are some corrective measures we can take in the short-term and long-term to improve the physical conditions and make Brown Deer Village attractive place do to business.
      • There have been a number of good projects under the existing leadership of the Village President that we can build on to create that economic spill-off affect.
      • Work on improving the image of the Village.
      • Reexamine the Village current TIF District and what is the possibility of creating another TIF District in the Village to spur economic development.
   2. Financial Management:
      • The financial condition of the Village is not clear to the average person; therefore, we need to simplify it so village residents can weigh in on the fiscal policy decisions being made by Board.
      • Financial reports must be complete and accurate when distributed to the Village Board and/or to the public.
      
      The new Village Manager has to be more hands-on with his oversight of the Village financial management and make sure that we have the experienced and skilled staff in place.
      • Produce timely and accurate monthly financial statements for the Village Board.
      • The financial condition of the Village is not clear to the average person; therefore, we need to simplify it so village residents can weigh in on the fiscal policy decisions being made by Board.

   
   Jeff Baker - Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   Priscilla H Thompson – Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   
2. How would you specifically try to improve transparency on issues important to the village?
   
   Darryl Johnson - Transparency is very important to me and as a Village trustee I want to engage residents, local business owners, entrepreneurs and village stakeholders in the decision making process by having the meetings streamed live or recorded. Create systems to maximize input, feedback, diversity and inclusion.
   
   Jeff Baker - Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   Priscilla H Thompson – Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   
3. How would you rate the Village’s efforts in sustainability? What can we do better?
   
   Darryl Johnson - On a scale from one to ten with ten being the highest; I would give the Village a five. The Village needs to be prepared to pursue opportunities to partnerships that can help us align with the County and State renewable energy projects.
   
   I’d like to see residents and businesses come together to develop goals and objectives which will enhance our quality of life and prepare us for the future. With the overarching goal of meeting our own sustainable needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own sustainable needs by, protecting the environment, waste and water management, and carbon emissions.
   
   Jeff Baker - Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   Priscilla H Thompson – Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   
4. What experience do you have that makes you a good fit for this office?
   
   Darryl Johnson - I’m invested in this community and want to see it thrive. My family lives here, and my children go to school here. I have over 25 years of leadership experience in community and economic development—business, housing, safety, jobs, real estate development—and I’d like to use my skills to move the Village forward. I am especially interested in economic development, fiscal management, and safety. I want to cultivate that sense of community, harmony, pride and work toward brining jobs and businesses to the community.
   
   Jeff Baker - Did not respond to requests to share their views.
   
   Priscilla H Thompson – Did not respond to requests to share their views.