The Journal-World sent a 16-question survey to each candidate running for three at-large seats on the City Commission. Fourteen people filed for those seats. The March 3 primary election will whittle the field of candidates down to six for the April 7 general election. These answers are presented as they were received from the candidates.

Candidate profile: Stuart Boley

• 60 years old, a retired tax auditor and revenue agent for the Internal Revenue Service, and a part-time administrator for the not-for-profit Douglas County Community Foundation

Do you believe a new police headquarters facility is needed, and if so, are you open to considering a property tax or sales tax increase to fund the facility?

Yes, I’m convinced we can achieve many efficiencies with a single police facility. Although I believe we can accomplish the goal without increasing taxes, I would consider an increase in sales tax, IF the monies are dedicated and the tax sunsets after the debt for the facility is retired. I believe we can pay for the new facility with the proceeds of the sale of unused city-owned property and reserve funds.

The city in 2014 approved a new registration and licensing program for apartments and other rental units in the city. It is set to begin inspections in July. Do you support the program as approved?

The jury is still out on whether the present program will achieve the desired results of improving housing standards. I do believe the Community Health Plan suggests many ways we can improve standards. And while there are some landlords who take advantage of people, most landlords I know treat their properties with pride and their tenants with honesty. I look forward to seeing the reports of the functionality of the program.

As part of the Rock Chalk Park sports complex, the city entered into a public-private partnership with Kansas University Endowment and a private development group. As part of that agreement, the city is paying for about $12 million worth of infrastructure that was exempted from the city’s standard bidding process. Do you support public-private partnerships that involve the city paying for work that was not bid?

No. I cannot conceive any situation where the city’s present standard bidding process should be waived.

In 2014 the city approved tax rebates for projects in East Lawrence, downtown and near the KU campus that were either wholly or largely for apartment development. Do you support providing tax incentives for apartment development?

No. Incentives should be used to create jobs, not apartments.

The city last year opened Lawrence VenturePark, the new business park that was built on the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant site in eastern Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing tax abatements and other financial incentives to attract businesses to that park?

I would address each proposal on the merits of the plan. If the proposal provides good-paying jobs and benefits for our citizens and pays for itself in benefit for the community, I would look at the project approvingly.

In 2015, the city is budgeted to provide about $220,000 to the Lawrence chamber of commerce to lead the community’s economic development efforts. Do you support that arrangement with the chamber?

Yes. Furthermore, the Chamber has been successful in acquiring private funds to supplement the program. They are to be applauded.

In 2008 voters approved a three-tenths of a percent sales tax to fund city-street maintenance and other infrastructure projects. How would you rate the condition of city streets today?

Most streets are in good condition, but several still need attention. We must make certain to keep the streets in good condition. If we were to defer maintenance, we would pay multiples of the original amount of maintenance. As the old ad used to say, “You can pay me now, or pay me later.”

In 2014 the city built a new dual-lane roundabout on Wakarusa Drive, and is considering building more in the future. Do you support the use of roundabouts in the city?

Statistics indicated roundabouts reduce accidents and congestion. But I believe roundabouts should be installed during the construction or reconstruction of a street, not after a street has been resurfaced. Retrofitting roundabouts in existing neighborhoods presents significant obstacles in achieving enough space and less inconvenience to the neighborhood.

Based on current city capital improvement plans, the city is scheduled to spend about $3 million in 2015 and 2016 on a project to rebuild a portion of Ninth Street as part of an effort to make the area into an “arts corridor.” As currently proposed, do you support the project?

Yes, provided the neighbors are partners in the project.

The city has been asked to approve financial incentives designed to spur the installation of additional gigabit, super-fast broadband service in Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing a financial incentive to private companies interested in providing enhanced broadband services to the community?

As a general rule, I believe private enterprise is best suited to meeting the needs of the purchasing public. If there is substantial public need and not a general public need, I believe business can best assess the need and the ability to service that need.

What is the biggest issue facing Lawrence neighborhoods?

I do not know of any one issue facing all of our neighborhoods. I think each neighborhood is unique, endowed with its own assets and challenges. Perhaps, the most general issue facing our neighborhoods is assuring our tax dollars are efficiently and effectively spent. My 32 years as an IRS agent can bring my analysis skills to the Commission.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support additional funding for trails, bike lanes and other pedestrian-oriented projects in the community?

We need to give consideration to establishing walking and bicycling as a means of transportation, not just recreation. The Community Health Plan addresses this and we should begin implementing the recommendations.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support the idea of city assistance for a new conference center in the community? (Full disclosure: Members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World and LJWorld.com have put forward a proposal for a downtown project that includes a conference center.)

A comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan needs to be organized and updated regularly with input from the public. The Conference Center could be a significant asset for our community, but it must be weighed against all needs and the ability to fund those needs. Assistance from the City can be weighed in many other ways, other than financial.

In 2014 there were six homicides in Lawrence, the highest number in at least a decade. Is there anything the Lawrence City Commission can do to improve public safety in the community?

We need to provide our police department with the tools essential to protecting our neighborhoods. The recent approval of police dogs is one efficient use of resources. We must also provide the police with the ability to track and predict crime using existing or, if necessary, improved data collection methods.

A proposal has been made by a development group to create a major new retail area just south of the South Lawrence Trafficway and Iowa Street interchange? Are you supportive of rezoning property for major new retail developments in the community?

Each proposal must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering many factors, including impact on surrounding areas, investment required by the city, and several other issues. I am prepared to assess each project on its own merits.

What’s your vision for the type of community Lawrence will become in the next decade?

We must concentrate on meeting the many needs of our citizens, not the least of which is jobs. We must find new jobs to provide income and benefits for our families. We cannot afford another decade with virtually zero job growth. Technology and needs can change rapidly, and I do not have the crystal ball to determine what those needs will be, but we must be poised to address those as a community.

More election coverage

• Catch up on City Commission candidate profiles, chats, questionnaire responses and more before the April 7 election.