Disclosure: WFSU reporter Tristan Wood moderated the Capitol City Tiger Bay Club debate discussed in this story.
The Capitol City Tiger Bay Club hosted a debate Tuesday between Tallahassee City Commission candidates Tom Derzypolski and PJ Perez.
One of the topics discussed heavily was the two candidates’ thoughts on growth and development in the city.
Derzypolski, a local business owner, says he wants to prioritize more investment in the urban core and encourage denser construction.
“Within the first six months of my leadership, we're going to pull those bodies together with the community and with private money to try and accelerate this urban infill,” he said.
Perez, a local teacher, agrees with urban infill goals. He also thinks the city should reevaluate how its executive team is structured.
“Everyone knows that we can trim fat within government, but the executive salaries are a great place to start. We also have these unnecessarily travel and food expenses. We have car allowances. These things add up in the end, and they don't speak to proper financial stewardship within the city,” he said.
The candidates also talked about their thoughts on a part of incoming city manager Karen Jumonville’s contract. It requires a supermajority to fire her, but some have questioned whether it’s legally binding.
Derzypolski was critical of the process to hire Jumonville, but he thinks the commission should follow the contract.
“I would also seek counsel from you know staff to see you know is there room here? I think you know, it's hard to go back and unpack the decisions of this commission, and I know there's a body of leaders and people running for office that want to undo a lot of the things that were done. I think that's spending quite a bit of time dwelling on the past when our citizens need us to look forward and talk about affordability and solving issues,” he said.
Perez disagrees that the contract is binding.
“We have a charter that specifically illustrates that the commission serves at the or the city manager serves at the pleasure of the commission. Right there, it's plain. We're a constitutional government. We have rules, and the rules are in place," he said.
Tallahassee International Airport costs was also one of the topics discussed.
Derzypolski says he opposes tax credits to attract more airliners, saying he doesn’t that plan will get the results of reduced Tallahassee airport rates that residents want.
“Until our population grows and our economy grows and the demand on those services shows up, we're not going to see improved airfares. It's not happening,” he said.
Perez thinks the city needs to promote itself as a year-round travel destination instead of a place to visit for football games or the legislative session.
“Tallahassee is a place where you can come and spend your money. You can come to good restaurants. We have great trails. We have good water bodies. We are unique,” he said.
The two candidates will be on the ballot during the November general election.
