2024 Clayton City Council candidate questions: Holly Tillman
CLAYTON, CA (Sept. 9, 2024) — The Pioneer newspaper presented a list of questions to the candidates running for Clayton City Council in the 2024 election. To read other candidate answers, click here.
Holly Tillman—Candidate Response
The city has lost significant staff over the last five years. What is the council member’s role in stabilizing staff turnover and what steps will you take to support the new city manager?
We as a council must work together to find ways to retain city staff. We must get to the bottom of why we’ve had high turnover and how we can stop it. We should work on team building within and between city hall and the city council. I’ve supported our previous city managers by listening to them and working with them, leading with mutual respect. I look forward to supporting our new city manager, Kris Lofthus when he joins our city this month. Together, we’ll work to build a positive work environment and introduce policies and procedures that encourage professional development, longevity and stability in our workforce.
The community is split over the issue of high-density housing development in Clayton. Given land use mandates are handed down by the state, how should the council balance the wishes and needs of the community with the state’s enforcement measures such as withholding revenues and the threat of civil rights lawsuits?
The state of California has housing mandates that, like it or not, we as a city must comply with. We should work together—City Hall and residents—to figure out how best to do that within our small community. We should protect our city’s unique character while incorporating required housing in a way that minimizes neighborhood impact. In my mind, high-density housing doesn’t mean high rises. It means low-rise townhomes, condos and apartments for our local teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers and other working people. We can find the right balance.
Last year, there was a revenue shortfall, and the city used reserves to close the gap. There is considerable disagreement even among council members as to how serious and how immediate the looming deficit is. This year reserves were used to close the gap, but it’s clear the city either needs to raise more revenue or substantially cut services. What is your plan?
I don’t agree with using reserve funds, which only kicks the can down the road and perpetuates our financial problems. When it comes to our city’s coffers, I’m more fiscally conservative and believe in a balanced city budget. I want to work with the council and community to find sustainable solutions for our budget shortfalls. I will be looking into state and federal funds for our infrastructure needs, to help offset city costs, and will look to partner with our neighbors to develop a long-term plan that ensures quality city services while not breaking the bank.
The Landscape Maintenance District sunsets in 2027 and along with it, the restricted funds for maintaining landscaping. Should the council ask the voters to renew the district or allow it to expire and pay for maintenance from the general fund?
Clayton is a beautiful town to live in and I want to keep it that way. I strongly believe in listening to the citizens. The council should absolutely ask the community to weigh-in on whether or not to renew. Budget decisions should be made by listening to the priorities of the community.
Is Clayton doing enough to support diversity and inclusion in the city?? Should the city take a closer look at its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies with respect to supporting Pride and ensuring a more just society?
Our city has demonstrated our support for diversity and inclusion. The city council created a proclamation honoring Pride Month and has raised the Pride Flag since 2020. We have also honored numerous groups with annual proclamations and recently raised the Autism Awareness Flag in addition to adding the “Inclusion” character trait to our Do the Right Thing initiative. I’m proud of our community. There is always more we can do and it makes sense for the city to continue to examine ways to foster these principles in City Hall and the community.
Economic Growth and Development. What do you see Clayton can do to enhance and grow/develop the economy within the city?
The city council has economic growth as one of our top priorities. We have wonderful events that bring families to Clayton, like Art and Wine, Oktoberfest, Music in the Park, car shows, and the BBQ Cookoff, 4th of July and Pride. With more restaurants and shops, people will think of Clayton as a family-friendly shopping and dining destination. We also need to support our existing family-owned small business while working proactively to attract new small businesses that fit the character of our community.
Public Safety. What do you see as the responsibility of a council member in ensuring a safe community, and how do you see that being accomplished?
I spearheaded the formation of the first two “Firewise” communities in Clayton. These neighborhoods have learned how to create defensible space around structures, trim trees and clear debris, and host wood chipping events.
Public safety is the most important responsibility of our council. We need to support and fund our police and fire services. Clayton’s community-based policing model is essential to our safety and quality of life. That’s why, as your councilmember, I have worked closely with the police department to ensure adequate staffing levels, maintain high standards and provided the raises necessary to recruit and retain the best officers in our competitive region.
We will continue to work together with the community to improve pedestrian safety, fortify wildfire prevention measures, and maintain critical infrastructure.
The past few years have seen considerable discord among council members, city staff and residents with tempers running high. What specific initiatives do you propose to address the concerns raised by the community and ensure that all voices are heard and represented in decision-making? What role should social media like Nextdoor and Facebook play in your plans?
The role of the city council is to serve and represent the community. At times, the council may passionately disagree on how best to do that but we should always try to find common ground and remember that our purpose is to function as a council for the good of our community. As elected officials, we owe it to our constituents to be honest and to be held accountable when we are not. I support more community engagement activities, such as town hall meetings, and other opportunities to listen to our communities. I vow to continue to do the right thing. Nextdoor and Facebook are great outlets to get information to the community and hear feedback, as long as we all stay positive and build trust with one another.
What have you contributed toward “the greater good” in Clayton?
As a Clayton resident for over 21 years, I have volunteered countless hours at the elementary school, coaching young athletes in CYO track and field, volunteering for CBCA events, including serving as board Secretary, helping reopen our beloved preschool and daycare, fundraising for a new playfield at MDE, chairing Clayton Pride and serving our beautiful city as a councilmember for the past four years.
As your councilmember, I have been a strong voice for professionalism, good governance, fiscal stability and our quality of life, and have served in numerous roles including as Vice Mayor, Budget and Audit Committee Member, City Manager Search Committee Member, City Council Liaison to MDUSD, and Chair of our Geological Hazard Abatement District. I’ve also represented our city statewide as Chair of the League of California Cities’ Community Services Policy Committee.
During my term, I have:
- Spearheaded Firewise communities to fight wildfires
- Approved funding for recreational infrastructure and a new playground
- Increased Police Officer salaries to recruit and retain high quality officers, including approving funding for an additional Sergeant
- Advocated for responsible budgeting
- Sought new funding to fund critical infrastructure and city services
- Worked towards a more inclusive community by co-organizing the Clayton Pride parades, Clayton’s Day of Service, and Clayton Speaks.
- Advocated for modern technology at City Hall to make it easier to apply for permits and improve customer service
It would be an honor and a privilege to serve another term for Clayton.
What is the most important issue facing Clayton in the next four years?
Public safety is always the most important issue facing our community. We need to balance our budget to support city services like our police department. We must retain staff and stop the constant turnover, stop deficit spending to balance the budget, maintain our trails and landscaping and make Clayton more accessible for our seniors and persons with disabilities.
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To read other Clayton City Council candidate answers, click here.