CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Jeff White shares with Cap City News how he envisions governing Cheyenne if elected as a city councilmember. White was one of six people running for Ward I in the primary election. He and three others will be on November’s ballot. Two seats are open for the ward.
The following are responses that White shared with Cap City News. To view Q&As of other candidates in the general election, click here.
What are the top three issues you believe the City Council needs to address immediately, and how do you plan to tackle them?
1. Continued progress for Downtown, West Edge and Reed Avenue Corridor. Over the past 8 years, there have been millions of dollars of capital investment in these areas. We now have a clear path of accomplishment beginning with the new MHP Headquarters at 1509 Bent, then Railspur, Blacktooth Brewing, Westby Edge Brewing, Warehouse 21, and Civic Center Commons Park. We’ve also seen a significant accomplishments with the completion of the 17th Street Lighting Project, Paris West, the Downtowner Studios, and the addition of the Splash Pad on the Depot Plaza, to name a few. I strongly believe that business won’t invest in a community unless a community invests in itself. Yes, we’ve accomplished much, but much remains to be accomplished. Because of city council’s steadfast commitment to these important initiatives, we’re realizing the benefits and making a real difference — and we’re just getting started!!
2. Water. Cheyenne has great water reserves but what most people might not know is that 70% of our water comes from the upper Colorado River basin. With the ongoing drought in the areas that feed that waterway, our water may very well get restricted at some point — if that happens, we may not have enough water to continue our normal commercial and residential uses. The governing body has been proactive in efforts to mitigate this potential crisis. We’ve amended our landscape rules to reduce water usage, we water our parks and greenspaces with recycled water, and we’ve told industry that they need to utilize new technologies to reduce their water usage. We have also asked BOPU to look for new water resources that would support our community if the Colorado River is curtailed.
3. Affordable housing which I will address in question #3.
How do you propose to manage the city’s budget effectively while ensuring essential services are maintained and improved?
I am committed to fiscal responsibility as it relates to all aspects of our city budget. We have a tremendous staff within our City Treasurer’s office and I know they are committed to that philosophy as much as I am. Four years ago, the City had financial reserves of 67 days. Despite Covid, we have been able increase our current financial reserves to over 250 days. We have also been able to hire back most of the positions that were reduced to pre-Covid levels. Additionally, we have been able to add badly needed staff to Police, Fire, Engineering, Planning Parks, and Street and Alley. We continue to work closely with Cheyenne LEADS and other economic development partners to recruit new businesses, especially those that do not need extensive city services so that we can grow our revenue stream through sales and property tax. These efforts along with continued support for fifth-penny infrastructure projects allow the city to provide, maintain, and hopefully improve essential services.
What are your plans for promoting affordable housing and addressing homelessness in Cheyenne?
The lack of affordability in housing is one of my top goals. I have co-sponsored changes in our UDC code to give builders more flexibility and freedom to build what we need. In the past 2 years, the council has passed 13 amendments to the code that have changed such things as zoning, lot density, façade material requirements and parking requirements to hopefully encourage more development. We have added staff in the Planning, Building and Compliance departments to reduce the amount of time it takes to process and inspect potential developments. We should continue working with Wyoming Association of Municipalities to try to get our legislature to add options that fund affordable housing. We have to address this crisis. Housing is too expensive and we don’t have enough units. The lack of housing is hurting development of our workforce as well as our ability to expand existing businesses and recruit new ones.
How will you ensure that the voices of all community members, including underrepresented groups, are heard and considered in City Council decisions?
One of my main priorities has been to lead with civility because progress is more important than personality. Over the past 9 years, I’ve tried to make sure that respect, inclusion, and access are always part of any conversation I have. The City makes great effort to obtain input from our ALL of our community members. Our Parks and Belvoir held public meetings about their new master plans. Our DDA has undertaken a variety efforts in seeking public input for its new master plan. Mayor Collins is constantly looking for individuals to serve on various boards that supply information and make recommendations to the governing body. The City posts all committee and governing body meetings on its website and social media outlets and the Mayor has a radio show before each council meeting to discuss the agenda and take calls/texts from community members. On a personal note, I make it a priority to meet regularly with the Wyoming Independent Citizen’s Coalition, whose purpose is to focus on underserved populations and assisting through advocacy, education and civic engagement.
What initiatives would you support to enhance environmental sustainability and green spaces within the city?
We must always be looking for opportunities to enhance environmental sustainability and add to our green space inventory in a thoughtful manner. The City recently submitted grant for solar power on our closed landfill, which will turn brownfields into greenfields. Our Greenway system now totals 45 miles. This allows for recreational opportunities and also provides safe travel opportunities to work and school. Community support of our recycling program allows us to extend the lifespan and environment of our landfill. We have installed filters in our downtown street drains to capture waste before it enters Crow Creek. We have installed LED lights in city buildings and in our street lights in an effort to be energy efficient. We have added Rotary Park which will be 12 acres of wetland/riparian land and will continue to contribute to the Dry Creek drainage system. We have added Kiwanis Park in east Cheyenne and will be building 17 miles of bike trails at Belvoir Ranch this fall. All of these efforts work in collaboration with one another. We must continue efforts to be good stewards because doing so makes our community better.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I’ve lived in Cheyenne since 1981 and graduated from Central High School in 1987. I graduated with a Business and Public Administration degree from the University of Wyoming and completed my MPA in 1996. I interned for both Gov. Mike Sullivan and Sen. Mike Enzi. I am currently the Program Manager at the Office of Civil Rights for WYDOT. Before that, I worked at the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, where I founded Dads Making a Difference program in 2007.
Additionally, I’ve volunteered with the Cheyenne Frontier Days Public Relations Committee for 30 years and am a member of the CFD Heels. I’ve also volunteered with the Cheyenne Boys & Girls Club, United Way of Laramie County, Laramie County Library, Friday Food Bag Foundation and Rooted in Cheyenne. My wife Christy and I are also proud supporters of the Warren AFB Adopt an Airman program.
My campaign is built on a foundation of progress and a forward-thinking approach to our challenges and opportunities. My fellow residents of Ward 1 can continue to count on me to listen, be thoughtful, caring, and open about my positions on the issues and my decision-making process. It has been a tremendous honor to represent Ward 1 and it is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.
