TownVines Candidate Public-Service and Accountability Questionnaire
This is not a test, and you will not receive a grade. Its purpose is to help residents understand why you're seeking office, what you intend to accomplish, and how you'll handle public budgets and contracts. TownVines does not endorse or oppose candidates — every candidate seeking the same office receives the same questions, deadlines, and presentation.This is Phase 1 of the questionnaire, covering your background, your goals for the office, the public budget, and public contracting. You can save your progress and finish later — there's no need to complete it in one sitting.
Part 1: Candidate Background
A clear, professional headshot for your public profile. JPG, PNG, or WEBP, up to 8MB.
List any offices you've held. If none, you may leave this blank.
Describe the professional experience relevant to this position.
Only check this if it's true. If you have organizations to list, leave this unchecked and use the section below.
Part 2: Intentions and Understanding of the Position
What is your true reason for seeking this office, and what community problem motivated you to run? Aim for about 150 words — this is guidance, not a hard limit.
In your own words, explain: the three most important legal responsibilities of this office; one action this office can take independently; one action requiring approval or cooperation from another governing body; and one promise a candidate for this office should not make because it is outside the office's authority. Aim for about 250 words.
Describe the problem and the information, public record, or community feedback showing it needs attention. Aim for about 150 words.
What specific action will you begin during your first 100 days, and what measurable result should residents expect by the end of your first year? Aim for about 150 words.
Identify the largest financial, legal, political, staffing, or operational obstacle, and what alternative plan you'd use if your original plan couldn't be completed. Aim for about 150 words.
Part 3: Budget and Public Money
To the best of your knowledge, state: the approximate annual budget connected to this office or governing body; which portion this office directly controls; which portion it can only recommend, review, or vote upon; the three largest spending priorities; and where residents can review the official budget. If you don't know an amount, say so clearly rather than estimating without a source.
Identify one area where additional funding may be justified, one area that should be reviewed for possible savings, the estimated amount involved, and the evidence you'd review before deciding. Aim for about 200 words.
Part 4: Public Bidding, Contracts, and Vendors
Would you support publicly advertising government contracting opportunities whenever competitive solicitation is legally required or reasonably practical? Explain how you'd make opportunities accessible to qualified local, regional, minority-owned, veteran-owned, women-owned, and other eligible businesses without giving an unfair advantage to any company. Aim for about 200 words.
Describe the circumstances in which a government contract may appropriately use written quotations, requests for proposals, cooperative or state purchasing agreements, emergency procurement, single-source procurement, or another legally authorized process — and what documentation should be made public when open competitive bidding isn't used. Aim for about 200 words.
12. How will you prevent favoritism?
What rules should apply when a candidate or public official has a personal, family, campaign, employment, or business relationship with a bidder, contractor, consultant, or vendor?
Part 8: Public Accountability Commitment
How should residents evaluate your performance if a major commitment isn't completed? What explanation, documentation, and progress report should you provide? Aim for about 150 words.
Complete the statement: “If elected, by ____, I will work to accomplish ____. The estimated public cost is ____. Residents will be able to measure my progress by reviewing ____.”
Candidate Confirmation
By checking the box below and submitting this form, you confirm that: you prepared or approved these responses; your responses accurately represent your intentions and record; you understand TownVines may compare your claims with public records; you have identified estimates as estimates; you have disclosed relevant business and contractor relationships to the best of your knowledge; you understand candidate-submitted information is not automatically TownVines-verified; you may request a correction, but the correction history may be retained; and you authorize TownVines to publish these responses on the Election Board.
