Conor Duffy is running for a seat on the Timnath Town Council.

Duffy is the managing director at Range Analytics and has previously run for Timnath mayor in 2020 and Colorado’s 49th state house district in 2018. He received his bachelor's degree from Arizona State University and master's degree from Rice University.

Duffy is one of three candidates vying for two open seats on the council in the April 5 election. Ballots started being mailed to registered voters this week.

The other candidates are Luke Wagner and Robert Axmacher.

The Coloradoan sent questions to all Timnath Town Council candidates to learn more about their priorities and why they're running.

Below are Duffy's answers. All answers were lightly edited for grammar, spelling, clarity and AP Style.

For more information about Duffy's campaign, visit conorfortimnath.com. Learn more about this year's municipal election at timnath.org/government/2022-municipal-election.

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Why are you qualified for this position?

I feel I am qualified to represent the residents of Timnath on the town council because of my tireless work on metro district reform, my pushback against raising taxes through Public Improvement Fees, and my efforts to protect our great open spaces. Whether it is going door-to-door for school board initiatives or speaking out against the ills of our rapid development, I have worked hard to stand up for the residents of Timnath.

What do you believe are the pressing issues facing Timnath?

It is imperative that we stop rapidly approving metro districts. Our residents do not need more presentations about how metro districts operate. We don’t need more presentations, we need leadership. Close to 80% of our residents live in metro districts and as their taxes increased their services have declined. We can do better as a town and as a council on this pressing issue.

What would your priorities be as a town council member?

Public infrastructure is one of the most important responsibilities of a council member. Over the next 10 to 15 years, we have major public infrastructure needs including: a further expansion of Harmony Road, multiple pedestrian underpasses and burying electric lines. We must reassess the traffic situation once the Kechter Road bridge is installed and the Interstate 25 expansion is complete.

As the town grows, our children need safer ways to cross Harmony Road, the future Timnath Parkway and Prospect Road. These will be essential once the new middle school and high school fill up. In the next 10 years, better connections to our trail systems, bike lanes and schools will drastically improve safety. Lastly, we need to bury all possible electric lines. This will cost money but is an essential public safety improvement.

In terms of growth, what do you believe the town's priorities should be?

It is a given that Timnath will grow. As it relates to all development, the No. 1 priority of our council should be to ensure that we do not dole out tax breaks and public improvement fees to subsidize rapid development. Timnath is rapidly growing because we continue to give taxpayer-funded handouts to private developers. Development will continue, possibly at a slower pace, but it will continue.

To fund municipal services as the town grows, do you support the repeated efforts to increase sales tax, or are there other funding sources you believe the town should pursue?

I do not support increasing the sales tax. We the residents of Timnath have voted this down twice. Furthermore, we must stop the raising of sales tax through inclusion of public improvement fees in specific developments. These “fees” act exactly like a sales tax, but do not require a ballot referendum. Our residents have spoken on this issue and if elected I intend to listen to them.

What is your position on municipal broadband?

I do not support a town-owned broadband service because of the cost to the residents. Residents would be on the hook for the upfront cost as well as interest payment on any bond issued by the town. Furthermore, by the time a town-owned fiber optic broadband company is functioning, broadband technology will be obsolete. I believe the council’s efforts would be better spent investigating 5G technology.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I am honored to have gained the endorsement of the following community leaders:

• Larimer County District 1 Commissioner John Kefalas

• Poudre School District Board President Rob Petterson

• PSD Board of Education Director D.J. Anderson

• PSD Board of Education Director Jim Brokish

• Windsor Town Board Member Barry Wilson

Sady Swanson covers public safety, criminal justice, Larimer County government and more throughout Northern Colorado. You can send your story ideas to her at sswanson@coloradoan.com or on Twitter at @sadyswan. Support her work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Timnath election 2022: Q&A with town council candidate Conor Duffy