He will continue to work collaboratively to address the challenges Hattiesburg faces. Using best practices and data-driven solutions, he will continue to proactively lead from the front.

Education

Education must always be a community value. It has taken a collaborative effort and commitment of the City of Hattiesburg, the Hattiesburg Public School District, our faith-based community, our non-profits and our private sector to maximize student success. Toby Barker will continue to:

• Work that leverages every state and local resource to maximize access to early learning opportunities
• Promote mentoring involvement among local business leaders and retirees
• Design collaborative after-school programs that steer students toward the arts and career development
• Continue to expand the city’s summer jobs program to provide work opportunities and skill development among high school students
• Foster more shared-use agreements to use 1-cent parks and recreation funds that can enhance school athletic facilities and increase public access
• Appoint qualified and passionate school board members that are invested in the success of students in the Hattiesburg Public School District

Infrastructure

Whether roads, water quality or wastewater capacity, Hattiesburg must make bold moves if it intends to support investment and revitalization across Hattiesburg. There must also be equity in these investments so that no neighborhood is neglected or left behind. Toby Barker will continue to:

• Set bold and achievable goals for infrastructure replacement
• Work with the City Council to prioritize streets and water/wastewater replacement in annual budgets
• Develop and stick to an overall infrastructure plan that addresses immediate and long-term needs
• Ensure compliance with federal Consent Decree regarding city’s sanitary sewer overflows through aggressive sewer replacement plan and modernization of operations and maintenance practices
• Expand sidewalks and multi-use paths for safe pedestrian and bicycle access through 1-cent parks and recreation funds, FTA grant proceeds, MPO opportunities and city general funds

Customer Service

Our city institutions and employees must be equipped to consistently provide the highest customer service to city residents. Every interaction between city government and an individual is an opportunity to remind residents why they chose to live in Hattiesburg. Toby Barker will continue to:

• Train all incoming employees on organizational values and customer service expectations and practices
• Foster better citizen engagement through overall use of web, social media, neighborhood meetings and door-to-door canvassing. We will meet, listen and respond to people in whichever means most appropriate to the individual. Public service will be personal.
• Push the city to be smarter and more tech-savvy through innovative payment technology options
• Continue updating equipment and increasing manpower in Public Works sanitation division to increase capacity for more efficient and timely heavy trash and debris pickup