Coulter, Seeking Mayor's Seat in November, Discusses Challenges, Goals

After six months at the helm of Ferndale's policymaking body, Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter is ready for more.

he'll take a run at the mayor's seat come Nov. 8.

"I wanted to wait 'til after the budget was done before I made a decision," Coulter said. "It was a lot to deal with in the first six months of the year.

"I'm ready to make that commitment to the two-year term."

, filling a seat left vacant by Ferndale's former mayor Craig Covey.

Covey ran for the . Coulter held the same seat previously, but last year decided to take a run at the 14th District in the state Senate. Coulter lost in the August primary to .

The first six months as mayor, Coulter was working through a nearly . Council approved a millage, . The committee met for 14 weeks and came up with a Headlee Override, a temporary tax increase that would raise the general operating fund 3 mills the first year and 2.4 mills the next year, expiring Dec. 31, 2015.

The millage, put on a .

During Coulter's time as mayor, the council has ; finalized a contract with the ; contracted with ; moved forward on a ; and hired Ferndale's .

"We've had a successful six months and I really want that to continue," Coulter said.

He said the two-year budgeting process he introduced to the council is one move he's particularly pleased with. "Not sure if people fully appreciate this," he said. "But next year the budget will be clear and balanced and it will allow us to be successful moving forward."

Coulter said the city is still facing future financial challenges. However, going forward he hopes to help the city create cost effective ways to deliver a high level of services to the city's residents.

He also said the city will need to address the limited parking downtown, "especially on the weekends."

"We need a parking structure," he said. "But we don't have enough money for a parking structure."

Additionally, Coulter said he wants to look for ways to maintain a low vacancy rate downtown in a challenging economy.

He doesn't anticipate any slow days moving forward. "What I've discovered in a short time s that there are a lot of things on the plate," he said. "If you get one done, there is always another one."