AZ League Connection

The League's Monthly Online Newsletter

Issue 194: June 2019

Executive Committee Spotlight: Mayor Kevin Hartke, City of Chandler

Name, title & city/town Kevin Hartke, Mayor of Chandler, AZ
Year elected to office 2019
Years served as Mayor 0.5 yrs
Hometown St. Louis, MO

  1. Why did you decide to serve in local government?
  2. I saw an opportunity to deepen my commitment to the future of Chandler and its residents after serving as a pastor for 33 years, a non-profit director for nine years and a councilmember for nine years.

  3. What are the biggest challenges facing your town today?
  4. One challenge facing Chandler is addressing aging and new technology infrastructure. We are not just taking care of pot holes but addressing what is under and over our streets - water sewer, power, gas, fiber, small cell towers, etc.

    Another challenge common to us and many cities is work force development. Chandler is known for high tech manufacturing and advanced financial companies. The demand for engineers and others in these fields is great. Like every other city though, we have a high demand for those in construction and related trades.

  5. What opportunities do you see for your community?
  6. Chandler continues to be a hot spot for growth and development, even though we are approaching buildout. Our downtown is turning into a hip and historic locale for people to truly live, work and play. New restaurants and retail are being joined by office complexes and living spaces.

    We have developed the reputation and moniker as the autonomous vehicle technology capital of the world. Not only are a plethora of autonomous vehicles driving our streets but companies like Intel, NXP, GM Innovations, Rogers, Microchip and others are producing AV components that are fueling this technology.

  7. What are you most proud of during your time in office?
  8. I have been serving in local government in Chandler for almost 10 years. I am proud of Chandler’s AAA bond rating, structurally balanced budget and now the lowest cost of services (including sales tax, property tax, and utilities) of all cities and towns in the valley.

  9. Why is the League important to cities and towns in Arizona?
  10. The League provides a powerful voice representing all cities and towns in Arizona. It is not uncommon to see unintended consequences accompany legislation that affects Arizonans living in cities and towns across our state. The League is better able to represent our shared interest and allow cities and towns to provide infrastructure, safety and services to residents.

    The League also is a hub for networking and a catalyst for innovation as leaders are able to gather at conferences and events to learn from one another.

 

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