Governing Body
Mission Statement
City of Larned, Kansas
1966
AS A GOVERNING BODY, HOW DO WE DESCRIBE OURSELVES?
The governing body for the City of Larned is made up of nine individuals from all walks of life. We are conscientious, open-minded, and responsive to the needs of our City. As policy makers, planners, and leaders we believe we work well together and are willing to tackle the tough issues facing our City. While we do not always agree on every point, each member of the governing body votes according to his or her conviction of what best benefits the citizens of their community.
AS A GOVERNING BODY, WHAT ARE THE BASIC SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS OR NEEDS WE ARE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS?
Generally, we address all positive or negative issues that affect our City or which focus on the common welfare and well being of our citizens. In part, this includes issues such as:
· Health care
· Housing
· Public safety and crime
· Community well being – individual needs, group needs and business needs
· Local taxes and spending and the effect on our city’s economy
· Progress aimed at the future including improvements to the quality of life and ensuring our community is an attractive place to live and work
· Efficiency of city operations and quality of city services
AS A GOVERNING BODY, WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO TO RESPOND TO THESE SOCIAL ANDPOLITICAL PROVLEMS OR NEEDS?
As community leaders, we work hard to encourage citizen participation and foster a desire on a part of our citizens to meet with us and help develop strategies or solutions to address their needs or problems.
We will attempt to initiate policies that are as inexpensive as possible but which provide a fair return on the resources we expend on behalf of our diverse constituencies.
We will provide a fair and consistent assessment of employee performance and spending. In addition, we will act upon any problem in a manner which helps guide the City Manager and his staff, weighing both the positive or negative impact that our decisions may have.
AS A GOVERNING BODY, HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO OUR KEY CONSTITUENTS?
All of our constituents will be treated with equal concern and fairness when addressing their problems. We will try to be good listeners viewing each idea and opinion that may be expressed as having value. We will always be honest and open in our deliberations.
AS A GOVERNING BODY, WHAT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY AND WHAT ARE OUR KEY VALUES?
In part, the philosophy of our governing body is to make our City a better place to live, both socially and economically. To that end, we will always be a positive voice of the people focusing on the future development of our City and examining each issue thoroughly before acting.
We will act with fiscal responsibility and for the good of the majority and maintain the best we can with the funds that are available. We always will represent our citizens fairly and equally.
AS A GOVERNING BODY, WHAT MAKES US DISTINTIVE OR UNIQUE?
We represent a reasonable cross section of the community in most aspects. We are a diverse group that is willing to work towards common goals which benefit our community and to set aside personal interests when we disagree. In addition, we are generally free thinking and analytical as well as cohesive with the ability to reach consensus after examining and discussing numerous options.
Because we are elected by the people, we are the one group that is easiest and closest to reach out and touch. We should always remember that we serve at the will or our citizens and can be replaced if we are not governing to the best of our ability.
