The Naples Daily News has sent questions to the eight candidates running for the Naples City Council in the Feb. 3 elections. The questions and answers will run individually for each of the candidates in the coming days. Check back to naplesnews.com for more.
Here are Dan Barone’s responses:
Candidate biography
Since 1991 Naples has been my home. I met my wife, Cassie, while we were students at Naples High and now, we are raising our daughters here. I have a finance degree from UF and MBA from FGCU. I am a partner in my CPA firm, known as a “numbers guy” for my ability to transform complex, intricate numbers into actionable financial strategies. I am committed to community engagement with service on the City Planning Advisory Board and CCPS Audit Committee. I co-founded my neighborhood association, served on Parent Teacher Organizations, and volunteered with numerous youth sports teams. Barone is 42
Why are you running?
I am running for City Council to introduce fresh representation rooted in the modern realities of our community. As a local who grew up here, a business owner, and father raising a family here, I offer a perspective that has been absent from our leadership for far too long. Our city thrives on the varied thoughts and backgrounds of our residents. Council should reflect this variety rather than relying on a narrow range of voices. I am committed to ensuring our local government evolves to represent the lived experiences of all the families and entrepreneurs who call this city home.
What are the top three issues facing the city?
Three main priorities for the city are to address the stormwater infrastructure, to build a positive culture for our city staff and to rebuild our relationship with the county. Prior councils were complacent regarding stormwater, and the cost of inaction is too high at this point to ignore the issue. We also need to make sure city staff in all departments are respected, trusted to do their jobs, and paid well so we can ensure a low turnover. Our relationship with the county has eroded and needs to be fixed because the growth of the county affects us directly.
How do you propose to address each of your top issues?
To address our critical stormwater infrastructure, we must leverage a diversified funding toolkit and act on expert recommendations immediately to avoid the escalating costs of delay. Given the project’s scale, a phased implementation is essential. We can enhance organizational culture by streamlining council operations and prioritizing staff retention through incentives. While staff-level collaboration between the city and county is strong, the leadership relationship requires intentional cultivation. Let’s stop the current isolation model of city leadership and rather foster open, informal communication on an individual basis with commissioners and try establishing formal joint workshops to ensure long-term intergovernmental alignment.
Does the council need to change its regulatory process for how it operates?
The current process functions for the most part, but I wouldn’t be opposed to suggested improvements for the benefit of residents. Managed by the Planning and Building departments with oversight from boards and council, the process’s purpose is to guarantee that all development and business activities remain consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. There are circumstances that require more involvement from council than others, and we need to make sure that council prioritizes residents when these decisions are made. Proposing burdensome restrictions needs to be avoided and the process should have consistent alignment with residents’ needs.
What is your position about a proposal to change how the Naples Airport Authority board members are selected?
I would prefer to keep the method of selecting the Naples Airport Authority board members within the city’s control. The reason, however, that this issue exists in the first place is because of how the city has handled recent appointments which led to some damaging decisions, like the rejection of $8 million in federal grant funds. This led to our state representative’s legislative response. The new legislation will pass unless our representatives pull it from consideration. We need to repair their trust in council’s selection process and ensure responsible governance from council with respect to airport relations and NAA appointments.
Anything else you would like to add?
My wife and I have lived here for nearly 35 years. The people supporting me aren’t just voters or donors I just met—a majority are friends, neighbors, and community leaders I’ve known for over half my life. I am the definition of a Naples Local, and I believe that’s a strength, not a conflict. I want to run this city responsibly, with a resident-first approach rooted in common sense and accountability. I’m a local who decided to step up because I care about where we’re going and that’s why I believe I am the best candidate for Naples City Council…