POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — For Mary Phillips, a run for the Pompano Beach City Commission is centered on getting more resources into the hands of residents, nonprofits and small businesses — and making sure developers deliver on promises made to the community.
Phillips, a candidate for the District 4 seat, said one of her priorities would be creating a Community Benefit Program that could provide grants of up to $5,000 to community-based nonprofits and businesses.
“Getting resources to my community has always been front and center since I started my nonprofit, Small Biz CEDC, in 2008,” Phillips said.
She said she wants residents to have easier access to information about programs and resources through the city’s website and would encourage nonprofits and churches to work together on programs benefiting residents.
Phillips also wants training and internship programs for unemployed residents and young people, along with a City Commission workshop focused on additional affordable housing options.
Holding Developers Accountable
Phillips said development itself is not the problem. Her concern is whether the city adequately tracks commitments developers make when projects are approved or receive public support.
“I’m not opposed to development. We need to create tax revenue. We just need more oversight,” Phillips said.
She said the city should track commitments involving local hiring, contractors and subcontractors, affordable housing and commercial space for small businesses.
“When a developer cannot meet their initial obligations, they should be asked to come back and give what their plan is moving forward so the community is aware and informed,” Phillips said.
She specifically pointed to projects involving HUD funding, where certain federal requirements may apply, as an area where she wants information tracked and reported.
Helping Homeowners Find Existing Assistance
Phillips said homeowners are privately talking about the increasing cost of property insurance and taxes, but many residents do not know assistance programs already exist.
“The city should be more proactive in getting the word out,” she said.
Phillips pointed to her own aunt, a widow who she said did not know how to apply for an available property-tax exemption. Phillips helped her submit the paperwork, which she said resulted in lower taxes.
She also cited her service on the Pompano Beach Resident Board with Broward County, where she advocated for $10 million to be used for improvements such as roofs, air-conditioning systems and electrical panels.
“Today, people are getting the needed repairs,” Phillips said.
Where Her Budget Priorities Would Show
If elected, Phillips said residents should be able to look at city spending and see clear investments in nonprofits, small businesses, Northwest Pompano infrastructure and affordable options for residents.
“We still have areas of flooding and housing costs continue to rise,” Phillips said.
She said those issues should be reflected in how the city prioritizes its resources.
Expanding Who Has a Voice at City Hall
Phillips also said City Hall needs stronger connections with Black and Hispanic residents and younger generations.
She pointed to Pompano Beach’s racial and ethnic diversity and argued that the city needs to find more effective ways to involve residents who may not traditionally participate in city government.
“We need to find ways to engage African Americans and Hispanics,” Phillips said. “We need to also reach out to the millennials as they are our future and have their concerns heard.”
Discover more from Villij News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.