Sat on council for one year when Richard Skorman stepped down
Read more: Local, State, Politics, Community, Consumer, Election, Bernie Herpin, City Council, District 4, Colorado Springs, Budget, 1A, Morning Show, Colorado Springs
Responsible, receptive, accessible: three words that sum up Bernie Herpin's platform for city council.
He said his first priority is public safety.
"We are still understaffed as far as fire and police compared to cities of our size, so my number one issue is to get more police on the streets and firefighters on the apparatus," Herpin said.
Second on his list: the economy.
"I am supporting 1A for instance. I think that it is a good way to get a small amount of money to market our city," Herpin said. "I think that it will help get our business base back and once we get our business base back, things will start to improve."
Herpin said as far as the city's budget is concerned, council needs to rework its revenue streams.
"Looking at the recommendations the funding sustainability committee is bringing forward, and looking at a shift towards more sustainable funding through a property tax increase, coupled with a sales tax decrease," Herpin said.
He knows water is vital to the city and added he would focus on finishing the Southern Delivery System.
Finally, Herpin said his experience is what sets him apart.
"I have been in the military for 20 years as an officer. I have worked in the defense industry since 1985, a year as a contract administrator where I managed over $100 million in contracts. I have a degree in engineering and a masters in management," Herpin said.
In 2006 Herprin was appointed to the Colorado Springs City Council as an at-large member to complete the term of resigned council member Richard Skorman.
To learn more about Bernie Herpin click here.
Click on the movie camera/video icon to view the story as it aired on FOX 21 News.
