Ron Hardin

1. Chandler is a safe community where most everyone supports law enforcement. Given that perspective, Can you tell us how you would balance Public Safety vs Individual Rights? AND how do you see this impacting Chandler residents? What is the #1 Public Safety threat to the residents of Chandler?

Chandler is fortunate to be one of the safest communities in Arizona as a result of strong community support for law enforcement paired with a commitment to respecting individual rights. I believe those two priorities are not in conflict; they reinforce each other when done correctly. Balancing public safety and individual rights starts with trust. Our police department must have the resources, training, and support they need to do their jobs effectively, but also clear accountability and transparency so residents feel confident their rights are protected. As for the number one public safety threat facing Chandler, I believe it is property crime and drug-related activity tied to broader issues in the Phoenix metro area.

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2. We are taxed by the federal government, the state, county and city... Sales Taxes, Income Taxes, Licenses, Permits and even Property taxes. Most people feel that our taxes are oppressive. Currently, the Chandler budget is nearing $2 Billion dollars. Do you think this is necessary or more than necessary? And would you support regularly scheduled efficiency type audits in Chandler?

Chandler is a high-performing city, but a $1.88 billion budget demands governance and a consistent methodology to ensure we are prioritizing core services, spending responsibly, and delivering real value to taxpayers. I would absolutely support regularly scheduled efficiency audits to identify waste, improve operations, and make sure every dollar is being used as effectively as possible.

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3. Do you support ICE and their mission to deport individuals unlawfully present in our community? What is your position on sanctuary cities? Do you believe in a pathway to citizenship for all?

I support law enforcement at all levels working within the law to keep our community safe, including cooperation with federal agencies, while also ensuring that local policing remains focused on public safety, not federal immigration enforcement. I do not support sanctuary policies that limit cooperation on serious crimes, and I believe any pathway to citizenship should be legal, orderly, and determined at the federal level not by local municipalities

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4. Data Centers have been causing issues around the country. In those areas, electricity costs have risen drastically. Water supply, pressure and quality have also become an issue... and we live in a desert region where water is a huge concern. How would you balance having a new Data Center in Chandler with a potential negative impact to residents? Do you feel there is an advantage in having one of these facilities in our city?

As a technology executive, I know data centers can bring economic benefits, but in a desert community like Chandler, we must be very careful to ensure they do not strain our water supply or drive-up utility costs for residents. I would support strict standards and impact assessments so that any such development is sustainable, uses responsible water and energy practices, and does not shift costs onto our community.

The key is ensuring that any data center approved in Chandler clearly benefits residents without placing added strain on our water supply, energy grid, or utility costs, which means enforceable upfront requirements on sustainability, infrastructure investment, and long-term impact. Yes, while there can be advantages such as increased tax revenue, high-quality jobs, and strengthening our technology base, a project such as this should only move forward if we can achieve benefit without shifting risk or cost onto our community (a negative effect on community quality of life).

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5. Ethics violations have recently become an issue for some Chandler employees, and even some elected officials. How do you think ethics should be addressed within Chandler, and what should happen when anyone violates those rules?

Ethics in city government must be clear, consistently enforced, and taken seriously, with strong policies, regular training, and transparent processes that build public trust. When violations occur, there should be prompt, impartial investigations and appropriate consequences.

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6. Do you think Chandler should continue to add High Density Housing? Our traffic, public amenities and resources are reaching limits! How are you going to preserve the family style community feel of Chandler or do you see us continuing to grow unchecked until our city loses it's suburban feel? Is there any solution to stop the over-urbanization and remedy excessive traffic?

Chandler should grow thoughtfully by focusing on balanced development that aligns housing with infrastructure capacity, traffic planning, and preservation of established neighborhoods. I support smart growth strategies like targeted density, improved traffic flow, and investment in roads and amenities that maintain our suburban character while responsibly accommodating future residents.

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7. What is your position on government assisted housing programs, and expanding them in Chandler? Are there areas of the city where this type housing should not be allowed?

I support targeted, well-managed housing programs that help residents in need while ensuring developments are integrated responsibly and do not overwhelm local infrastructure or schools. Our focus should be on thoughtful placement, strong standards, and maintaining the character and balance of our existing neighborhoods.

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8. What is your position on outsourcing city billing to third parties outside Arizona? Do you believe all city bills should be consolidated on one monthly statement?

In my professional career, I’ve had to make these decisions in the past. As with those decisions, I believe core city services like billing should prioritize reliability, security, and accountability, and outsourcing outside Arizona should only be considered if it clearly improves the service without sacrificing oversight or data protection. I also believe in continuous process improvement and therefor do support consolidating city bills into a single, easy-to-understand monthly statement to improve transparency, convenience, and efficiency for residents.

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9. Our local Chandler airport is a value added service to area residents. Are there any projects that you think would improve our airport usability and services? Do you think it could be a profit center? How?

Chandler Municipal Airport is an important asset, and we should look at targeted improvements like upgraded facilities, better traffic flow, and partnerships that enhance business aviation and pilot services without disrupting nearby neighborhoods. I don’t have any initial ideas, but there could be an opportunity to leverage a public-private partnership to increase revenue through leases, aviation services, and business development that help offset costs while preserving its value to the community.

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10. Some of our cities infrastructure is in need of repair and updating, one example being our water lines. There is a plan to try and update up to 2 miles of lines each year. However, Chandler maintains over 1,200 miles of water pipe (along with more than 36,000 valves), plus over 90 miles of reclaimed water system (purple distribution pipes) and about 1000 miles of wastewater/sanitary sewer lines. Given the costs, is there any way you see to get the systems replaced quicker?

Given the scale of Chandler’s infrastructure, simply increasing the pace dramatically isn’t realistic without significantly raising costs on residents, but we can be smarter about how we prioritize and fund replacements. I would support using data-driven asset management, public-private partnerships where appropriate, and dedicating stable long-term funding so we can accelerate critical upgrades while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

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11. Chandler Ordinance No. 5164 proposes rules for e-bike use in Chandler. If passed, it is set to take effect this summer. Do you think the proposed rules go far enough, or too far? Would you change the proposed ordinance? Would you just use fines against violators of the ordinance, or something else?

Public safety rules around e-bikes should strike a balance ensuring pedestrians and drivers are protected without being overly restrictive for responsible riders, and I believe the ordinance is a good starting point but should be evaluated and adjusted as we see real-world results (data-driven). Enforcement shouldn’t rely solely on fines; I would also support education, warnings for first-time violations, and targeted enforcement to promote safe behavior rather than just punishment.

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