God, Family & Country (Community) are important to me in that order. Everything begins with where our rights come from. They don't come from the government, they don't come the legislature, and they don't come from the courts. Our rights come from God alone!
So, if the government didn't give us those rights, government does not have the authority to take them away! Government exists to secure those rights, administer justice, to protect innocent lives. It exists to protect liberty and property, and to perform the "limited" functions delegated to it by the Constitution.
Consequently, there are things the government should NOT be doing. When the government proposes another program, another agency, another regulation or another government solution. Our first question should be "should government be doing this in the first place"? Therefore, I am not only for "less" government, but efficient government! These are not one and the same.
One’s first question should be, should be should government be doing this all and what is the cost to the taxpayers? Can we return this responsibility to the people? In essence, is the idea or project an absolute function of government? If the answer is NO, then the solution is to return the authority to the individuals, families, communities, churches or local businesses! Any government body should look at reducing spending as a priority, which would ultimately lead to reduction in taxes, bonds and indebtedness! If the government shouldn't be doing it, why are taxpayers paying for it? Government's role and responsibility to the people is to looks at ways to reduce spending, while at the same time fulfilling its core responsibilities to the people it represents. The real question each should ask is not how much government should tax the citizens, but how much are the citizens willing to pay? More money is not always, and most rarely the solution!
I am also for transparency and accountability in government, whether that be with the council and/or city employees. All should be held accountable whether it be their oath, or their roles and responsibilities within that government. Property rights and individual liberties should still matter to all elected officials!