Another position that I would like to share with you is my approach to the budget challenges, and property taxes. For the last several years Royal Oak has been in a “structural deficit” and is spending $2 million more than it receives annually. This is at a time when unemployment in Oakland County is higher than 15% and many of our residents are living on a fixed income. My loyalty will always be to you, the Royal Oak taxpayers. <strong><u>I am absolutely against a property tax increase to balance the budget.</strong></u>  I will reform the city, and work to bring it more in line with the private sector by more focused and tougher budgeting, eliminating wasteful expenditures, and better utilization of the revenue we currently receive.