A hard-fought re-election campaign was not on Mayor Linda Kavanagh’s “to-do” list this summer as she was not challenged in her bid for a second term.

The mayor does have a list she keeps a close eye on, however. It is a list of what has been accomplished and her continuing goals for her next two years as mayor.

“As mayor my primary concerns have to be public safety first, maintaining good infrastructure, providing good services and providing amenities to make this a great town to live in,” Kavanagh said.

“I look at Fountain Hills as a hometown, and to truly be a hometown, that means neighbor helping neighbor. I believe that starts at the top with me.”

Kavanagh said she takes her job as a public servant very seriously.

A highlight of her first term found Kavanagh at odds with Governor Jan Brewer and the state Legislature over an attempt to change state law regarding the Transaction Privilege Tax, or more commonly known as sales tax.

The Town of Fountain Hills relies heavily on local sales taxes for revenue, and the proposed change could have proven devastating for the community.

“If it had passed the Legislature, any builder in Fountain Hills would no longer pay construction sales tax in our town on homes built here,” Kavanagh said.

“The tax would be paid at the point of sale, most likely one of the larger cities like Phoenix.

“The fight started in Fountain Hills and we were successful to stop it.”

Kavanagh’s husband, State Representative John Kavanagh, was also recognized by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns for his help stopping the TPT change.

Kavanagh also believes that fight may have given her an advantage as the League of Arizona Cities and Town considered a new appointment for its Executive Committee.

“I’m really excited to be selected for the League’s Executive Committee,” Kavanagh said.

“This is a position that will give the town more say in bills passed to the Legislature, and make sure they benefit, or at least don’t harm, the town.”

Kavanagh also said she has been re-elected to the Economic Development Committee, representing the East Valley on the Maricopa Association of Governments.

“I feel I have made some valuable contributions and am pleased to be elected again,” she said.

Kavanagh is a believer in the free market approach to economic activity. She said she is opposed to saddling citizens with any additional taxes or fees.

“If we try to keep more in the pocket of the residents and they have more disposal income, it is better than increasing fees or taxes,” Kavanagh said. “Increasing fees and taxes is the lazy way to increase revenue.”

Over the next year to 18 months residents will be dealing with significant construction on major streets in Fountain Hills. Kavanagh said she would encourage residents to be patient and continue to shop and dine in town.

“Town staff will be watching very closely to make sure good access is maintained to all businesses along Saguaro during construction,” Kavanagh said.

“People want to have the improvements to Saguaro. It will be much better when it is finished.”

Going forward into a second term Kavanagh said it is important that the town figure out a way to set aside funding for infrastructure and facilities maintenance.

“Our buildings are getting older and we need to take care of them,” Kavanagh said. “I wish we had set up an infrastructure fund a long time ago. We have to make sure we are ready for the unexpected costs as well as those planned.”

Kavanagh said the council will also look to accomplish the relocation of Fire Station No. 2 to a site that improves response.

“We want to be sure the neighbors are comfortable with what we do here,” she said.

With the switch to a fall election for the town, Kavanagh will have actually served two and a half years after her first term, as she looks forward to two more in the job she seems to thoroughly enjoy.