A word from CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BRYCE KLUG

A Word from CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BRYCE KLUG

I am honored to serve on the Nassau Bay City Council. All seven members have done a great job this year on the budget, refinancing debt, providing funding for critical infrastructure, cutting interest expense which decreases legacy costs, and supporting our first responders. While accomplishing this, independent, third-party credit rating agencies have taken notice. This year, Nassau Bay’s credit rating is AA++, which is an incredible vote of confidence in the fiscal management of our city.

The 2021-2022 budget, unanimously approved on September 13, is another step forward in our body’s core principles, summed up as: “Water In, Sewage Out, Safety.” Nassau Bay enjoys cheaper water than the surrounding areas - we have not joined our neighbors in the recent water rationing, and we have dedicated critical funding to maintaining our aging infrastructure. We have our own Volunteer Fire Department, EMS, and PD, and as such, our response times are the envy of the area. Please join me in thanking all those who serve to keep us safe. Please also thank the efforts of city staff, volunteers, and all of Council for their support of this year’s budget.

On October 25, we utilized budgeted funds to expand our play space at David Braun Park. In addition to replacing the existing footprint, we are nearly doubling our play space footprint with the installation of a “Ninja” course. Children of all ages will be able take advantage of fun, outdoor play equipment. Older children will be able to play adjacent, but separately, from our younger children. When the final product is on the ground, the city will be able to provide much needed additional play space for our young Nassau Bay residents. To make the additional play equipment possible, it is important to thank all of the Parks Committee members, the citizen committee members, and city staff. Getting consensus on the infinite number of possibilities was a seven-month process. Once we identified the piece we wanted, location was another issue that required discussion and compromise. As of this writing, locations are still being evaluated. After all the great effort, I want to thank Councilmembers Johnson, Matter, and Mossman for joining me in approving the purchase of the “Ninja" course. I consider this my proudest achievement on Council. A process that started with a letter campaign initiated by a seven-year-old citizen, finalizing the installation of this equipment has been a two-year process filled with hours of continued debate and discussion. I am convinced Nassau Bay will be proud of this addition to its parks.

As my time on Council is drawing to an end, I am most humbled to have been given the opportunity to serve. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude to those who have supported me, taught me, and put their trust in me.