Brian Smith for City Council

MY PRIORITIES (S.M.A.R.T.)

Sustainable
Modern
Accountable
Reliable
Transparent

Parks, walking paths, and green spaces enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages. My plan for Novi includes maintaining and expanding the outdoor amenities that make our neighborhoods enjoyable and improve our collective well-being.

Modern

As more of our residents work, shop, and learn from home, fast and reliable access to the internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity in our connected society. I believe that distributing fast, high-quality internet as a municipal provider promotes both equitable access and cost savings for our community. It’s an investment we need to make for our future that will have tangible benefits across Novi.

We have to prepare our infrastructure for the future – our electrical grid and storm sewers need to be able to withstand the increasing frequent 100 year storms without leaving us in the dark and with flooded streets and basements.

We must prepare for the increasing number of electric vehicles by requiring more EV charging stations in commercial areas, building wiring for EV chargers into new residential construction, and making sure the electrical grid can meet the increasing demand.

Accountable

Novi residents deserves a City Council that accepts responsibility and works toward solutions for problems that affect our community. This includes expanding communication outreach to all Homeowner Associations, as well as sharing best practices between our various neighborhoods. The buck will stop with us, and we will work hard to make the right choices for all citizens.

Reliable

Whether it’s public safety, fire protection, waste management or community recreation, Novi residents rely on the city to efficiently deliver on the needs of the city. We have seen what happens when a city experiences unnecessary flooding and destruction of wetlands due to mismanagement. We will make sure these issues are addressed.

Transparent

Transparent government that residents can trust starts with communication.

Currently, talking to city council is in a 2 minute speech at a council meeting – questions and answers are not only discouraged, they aren’t even allowed! Poor communication creates an attitude of distrust, an ‘us vs them’ approach, and prevents the best ideas from coming forward.

I propose regular town hall meetings, where council and the residents can ask questions and get answers, and where ideas can be exchanged. Open communication generates better ideas, and when people are involved from the start of the process they are more invested in the results.

Residents have to trust that their elected officials are representing them, not special interests. I propose a strong Ethics Ordinance requiring City Council members to disclose contributions from interested parties prior to voting on any city matters.