A VISION FOR HAMBURG

The graphics below outline some of the priorities, ideas and changes I would work to pursue if elected
 Mayor of Hamburg. Each one addresses a specific area where I believe greater accountability,
 transparency, efficiency, fiscal responsibility or resident involvement deserves consideration.

These are not simply campaign slogans — they are specific ideas for improving the way our City operates and serves its residents.
CLOSING STATEMENT

These graphics outline the direction I would pursue for Hamburg if elected Mayor. Some ideas
 may require City Council approval, legal review, competitive bidding, funding availability
 or additional study — but every proposal begins with the same goal:

To protect taxpayer dollars, improve transparency, strengthen accountability, modernize City
 operations  and give Hamburg residents a stronger voice in their City government.

Giving the City Back to the Residents — Where It Belongs

​Questions, comments, suggestions and disagreements are always welcome.

Prepared & Paid for by Richard Odoms,
 Candidate for Mayor of Hamburg, Minnesota.
 150 Jacob Street, Hamburg, Minnesota 55339
Telephone: (612) 460-8212
E-mail Address: [email protected]

Prepared & Paid for by Richard Odoms
Candidate for Mayor of Hamburg, Minnesota
150 Jacob Street, Hamburg, Minnesota 55339


PAYROLL RECONCILIATION:
Employee pay records, time-clock records, overtime, and other compensation should be reconciled so residents can be confident that payroll expenditures are accurate and properly authorized.


INDEPENDENT AUDIT:
An independent outside audit would verify the City’s financial records, identify irregularities if they exist, and give residents a clearer accounting of how taxpayer dollars have been spent.


CITIZENS REVIEW COMMITTEE:
A small Citizens Review Committee could give interested Hamburg residents a regular opportunity to examine monthly claims, question unclear expenditures and strengthen public oversight of City spending.

REVIEW PROPOSED CITY PROJECTS:
Before committing taxpayer dollars, proposed City projects should be reviewed for necessity, cost, timing, competitive bidding requirements and opportunities to delay, revise or eliminate unnecessary spending.

WATER-TOWER LEASE REVENUE:
Available space on Hamburg’s water tower should be explored for additional communications leases that could generate non-tax revenue without interfering with existing services.


COUNCIL MINUTES & MEETING TRANSPARENCY:
Council minutes and meeting records should be prepared, approved and made publicly available promptly, with reliable audio recordings so residents have an accurate record
 of City business.

CITY HALL SECURITY & RECORDKEEPING: Install appropriate CCTV security coverage in designated City Hall areas and add telephone-recording capability, subject to applicable legal requirements, so important City business and communications can be accurately documented and preserved.

PROTECT CITY PROPERTY / RESTITUTION:
When City property is intentionally damaged, Hamburg should pursue every lawful means of recovering repair costs from those responsible rather than automatically leaving taxpayers with the expense.

OTHER ISSUES WORTH REVIEWING:
City government should continuously examine public-records access, grants, capital purchases, emergency preparedness and monthly spending practices for opportunities to improve service while protecting taxpayer dollars.


OPPOSITION TO ANY TYPE OF AUDIT:
ANY PUBLIC OFFICIAL who resists, or is opposed to ANY type of 'Outside' Audit of the City's  financial records, payments, transactions, employee pay records, time-clock records, overtime, and other compensation, or attempts to deflect attention to audits or accountability, can be a good indication that they are involved, or at least implicated, in some type of untoward scheme, to their benefit; and is a detriment to the City.


AUTOMATE WATER & SEWER READINGS:
Modern electronic monitoring should be evaluated as a way to replace unnecessary manual daily meter readings, improve recordkeeping and reduce recurring labor costs.