Candidate Guide - Lebanon City Council - Michael Cope

As you prepare to vote in this year's municipal elections, the Western Star compiled answers from candidates. Here are the responses as provided. All typos and grammar mistakes, if any, are in the original responses.

Headshot provided by candidate

Education: Master of Science, Construction Managment

Current employment: Life Enriching Communities

Office Sought: Lebanon City Council

Why are you the best suited for this position? (150 words)

I will continue to bring my fiscally conservative approach to the governing decisions that move our city into the future in sound financial state. For example, in the last four years, we have retired bond debt 10 years early, saving our taxpayers nearly $380,000 in interest. This helps us to maintain a high cash reserve for future projects along with an excellent bond rating if we need to borrow in the future.

What are your top three areas of focus for your position?

1) Manage the pressure of growth and maintain our small-town feel.

2) Revitalize the Fair Ground property

3) Build a new police station.

What specifically are you going to do for each of your top three topics? (200 words)

1) Make sure development projects align with our community values and quality building standards along with providing a needed service or amenity. Basically, not letting growth for growth sake occur.

2) I am on the Fair Ground Master Planning committee to make sure we revitalize the Fair Grounds into the premier Fair and Event hosting site and Horse Training facility in Southern Ohio.

3) I support the staff in our effort to build a new police station. The existing facility has been outgrown for years and we need a new facility.

If you are an incumbent, what is your best accomplishment?

If you are a challenger, what do you think needs to change from the current situation?

As an incumbent,

1) Reducing property tax by $170 to $250 per year.

2)Investing $30 million (securing $9 million in grants) in improving our roads without issuing any debt. Per a 3rd party engineered study, the number of roads that are now in “good” condition has increased by 20% and the number of roads considered “poor” has decreased by 25%.

3) Building a Solar Array complex that provides 3% of the City's electric needs and has been key in keeping our "peak" electric usage transmission fees lower than any of our surrounding communities. This has helped keep Lebanon's electric bills 30% less than the statewide average bill and is estimated to save residents approximately $27 million over its useful life. Due to their generation performance, we are currently exceeding those estimates and the ROI will be less than 9 years. We have also creatively reduced our mowing by allow sheep to graze on the land.

4) I am also proud of the recent agreements in our business park in partnering with CyrusOne to expand their global reaching data center facility. This includes added 20Mw of generation to our electrical system.

5) Bringing a 250 high quality apartment rental project to the city to help ease the lack of rental units.

What are your qualifications for this position? (150 words)

First, I have been doing this for over five years now. Secondly, my work skills benefit the city since I am responsible for property development, management of new construction projects, and facility maintenance of campuses that have roads, health care facilities, retail spaces such as restaurants, fitness & pool amenities, event centers, apartments, patio homes, etc. I deal with municipalities all over the state for my work, which helps me to be a better decision maker for the City of Lebanon.

Property tax is one of the top issues for local residents. What are your thoughts on the current property tax issues? (150 words)

I am fighting the current legislation by the State because it is not a good plan. The State has mismanaged property taxes and is especially hurting people on fixed incomes. The recent 25% and 30% increases are literally pushing retired people, who own their homes, out of their house. This is insane. They cannot afford the taxes. The State then plans to take a municipality's inside millage away to help pay for their messed up plan and try an offset the recent increases, which is a direct reduction to city revenue which pays for fire and police.

State laws often impact our county and the funding of local project depends on the state budget. What is your relationship with the local state representatives and senator? (100 words)

I have an excellent working relationship and friendship with both our local state representative, Adam Mathews, and senator, Steve Wilson, and know them personally. This includes serving with Adam Mathews on City Council for several years.

How have you been involved in the community outside of politics?

Yes. I am active in Pro-Life organizations, community ministries, and teach at our local church.

Are you running as a slate or as a team with any of the other candidates?

Yes.

Is there anything else you want the voters to know about you?

I have lived in Lebanon for 20 years and raised our four children here. I love living here and Lebanon is a special place. My desire is to serve the community and help make sure it stays special through the growth and changes that are before us.