Lansford seeks another term as mayor

David Lansford

David Lansford announced Thursday he plans to run for another term as mayor of Clovis. And if elected, he said, he will push for a tax increase.

Lansford, the city’s mayor 12 years before stepping down in 2008, was re-elected in 2012 in a landslide over incumbent Mayor Gayla Brumfield.

This time, he said Thursday night, his primary purpose will be to continue working to improve the city’s infrastructure — especially water issues — in what he termed a “serious” financial environment.

“It doesn’t matter who’s in there, we’re going to have to raise taxes,” he said.

Lansford has said the city will lose about $23 million in revenue over the next 15 years. That’s because state lawmakers have voted to eliminate “hold harmless” tax dollars that previously put the loss from removing taxes on food and medical items on the state.

The city has the option of raising gross receipts taxes as much as 3/8 of 1 percent beginning July 1, Lansford said.

Lansford said the city has to determine the most effective way to implement a tax increase and address “declining revenue with failing infrastructure.”

“I think some obvious needs are not fully met yet,” he said. “It feels like the work done the last few years needs to be continued. Hopefully, I can bring a higher quality of leadership … I feel like I’ve devoted adequate time (the last four years), but I think I can do better.”

No other candidates have announced plans to run for mayor.

Incumbent commissioners Robert Sandoval, Sandra Taylor-Sawyer and Chris Bryant have all announced plans to seek re-election in the non-partisan races. Clovis school board President Kyle Snider has said publicly he plans to seek the District 1 commission seat being vacated by Randal Crowder, the state lawmaker who said he will not seek re-election to the city commission.

Filing day is Tuesday.