Priorities for Credit River
Thoughtful Growth. Responsible Spending. A Strong Community
Credit River is a unique community, and its future should be shaped thoughtfully. My priorities focus on managing growth responsibly, protecting taxpayers, maintaining essential services, and making decisions that strengthen the community for the long term.
About Chris Kostik
I have called Credit River home since 1997 and have served the community since 2013—first as a Township Supervisor, then Board Chair, and since incorporation as the City’s first Mayor. Nearly three decades of living here, combined with more than a decade of public service, have given me a deep understanding of our history, our challenges, and the decisions that will shape Credit River’s future.
Respect Taxpayers and Deliver Value
Credit River should continue providing dependable services while keeping the local property tax rate among the lowest in the state and showing residents clear value for every dollar. That means conservative budgeting, strong reserves, preserving our AA+ bond rating, long-term capital planning, and moving deliberately on major expenditures. Before committing taxpayer dollars, the City should clearly establish the need, the full cost, the available alternatives, and the benefit to the community. Grants and outside funding should be pursued whenever possible.
Guide Thoughtful Growth - Do Not Accelerate It
Credit River will continue to face development pressure.The choice is not between change and no change; it is whether change happens deliberately and at a pace the community and its infrastructure can absorb. Density should fit the location, available services, surrounding neighborhoods, and adopted plans - not be applied uniformly across the City. New development should protect natural resources, include appropriate transitions, pay its fair share of infrastructure costs, and strengthen Credit River rather than diminish what makes it a special place to live.
Invest Carefully in Roads and Essential Infrastructure
Aging roads, stormwater needs, and future utility planning cannot be ignored. We must plan ahead rather than rely indefinitely on short-term repairs, and projects should be carefully timed and coordinated so roads are not rebuilt twice. Properties receiving a direct benefit from sewer and water should pay those utility costs through assessments, connection charges, and utility rates—not through a citywide property-tax shift. State and federal assistance should be pursued to reduce the burden on local property owners.
Public Safety and Essential Services
Reliable fire protection, professional law enforcement, emergency response, road maintenance, and snowplowing are core responsibilities of City government. These services must remain dependable and keep pace with the needs of the community.
Plan Responsibly for City Facilities
Credit River's current City Hall was built more than sixty years ago for a much smaller township and has real limitations. Studying long-term needs is not the same as approving a building. Any future land purchase, or construction proposal should be evaluated publicly, phased appropriately, supported by credible cost information, and approved only when the need and value to taxpayers are clear.
Keep Government Open, Accessible, and Fact-Based
Residents deserve timely access to meetings, agendas, records, financial information, and the reasoning behind decisions. During the COVID emergency, I established Credit River’s livestreaming capability. I also helped build the City’s initial website content and public-record resources and proposed our neighborhood town hall meetings. I will continue improving communication while encouraging respectful discussion and making public information easier to understand and access.
Listen to the Entire Community
Every neighborhood and every resident deserves to be heard. Public input is important, but the Council must also consider adopted plans, professional studies, legal obligations, financial impacts, and the interests of the community as a whole. I will continue meeting residents where they are, responding to concerns, and making decisions based on the full record rather than the loudest voice.
Lead with Respect, Experience, and Independent Judgement
Healthy disagreement is part of local government. Leadership means working constructively with residents, staff, and fellow Councilmembers even when views differ. I will not promise predetermined outcomes before the facts are known. I will bring experience, ask difficult questions, remain willing to adjust when conditions change, and make the decision I believe best serves Credit River.
The Standard I Will Apply
Does this decision protect what residents value, provide a clear public benefit, meet legal requirements, and prepare Credit River responsibly for the future?
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to read about my priorities and record of service. It has been an honor to serve Credit River. I appreciate the thoughtful questions, conversations, encouragement, and support I receive from residents throughout the community.
I respectfully ask for your vote so we can continue building a financially responsible, carefully planned, and successful future for Credit River.