Connor's Record of Leadership
As a local Mayor, City Councilmember, and School Board President, Connor Traut has delivered results. Connor’s accomplishments include:
PUBLIC SAFETY
• Supported significant police department personnel expansion
• Implemented new drone and camera technologies to fight crime
• Installed new license plate scanners to recover stolen vehicles
• Enhanced enforcement against illegal street racing
• Improved ambulance response by adding units
• Championed a program preventing cancer for firefighters
• Protected wildland communities with new helicopter hydrants
• Supported an extensive program to save lives from fentanyl
• Shut down an unsafe residential rehab facility
• Improved neighborhood road safety by allowing speed humps
• Brought new school crosswalks and more crossing guards
• Restricted flavored tobacco and nitrous oxide
• Revitalized a pedestrian bridge to improve safety and beautification
HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, & SOCIAL SERVICES
• Built a regional homeless shelter
• Developed an oversight commission for the homeless shelter
• Created a homeless outreach team
• Converted motels into housing
• Partnered with a church to build senior affordable housing
• Approved a housing plan that helps first-time homebuyers
• Built a food pantry for families
• Created utility and rental assistance
• Began a rental inspection program to protect tenants
• Approved a just cause evictions ordinance
• Deployed social workers for mental health crisis resources
• Created an immigration legal defense fund
LOCAL ECONOMY
• Balanced our city budget every year
• Saved taxpayers millions through pension obligation bond refinancing
• Brought business grants to hundreds of small businesses
• Developed an ethical investment policy
• Built new billboards to increase revenue for community benefit
• Adopted a tourism marketing district to support our local economy
• Started a small business storefront façade improvement program
• Expanded the Chamber of Commerce partnership with the city
• Launched a workforce development partnership and job fairs
• Approved a local hire agreement for public works projects
• Became the first OC city to limit fees food delivery apps can charge
• Authored an ordinance that protects workers from wage theft
• Began a business visitation and outreach program
• Improved construction plan review to be the fastest in OC
• Supported bringing fiber internet to every address in the city
SUSTAINABILITY
• Expanded urban forestry by planting 1,000 new trees per year
• Became the first OC city powered by 100% renewable energy
• Approved a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan
• Created a sustainability manager position
• Lowered energy bills through the OC Power Authority
• Built a new water well to lower water rates
• Solved a yellow water issue impacting thousands of families
• Increased electric vehicle charging
• Introduced urban homesteading to allow for chickens and bees
• Brought residential recycle bins before required by the state
• Built more bike lanes and walking trails
PARKS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• Built three new parks, including one joint-use site at a school
• Remodeled four parks
• Expanded and enhanced community gardens
• Created multiple child-care expansion partnerships
• Approved after-school programs for multiple school districts
• Increased affordable swim lesson opportunities for all children
• Opened a new community resource center
• Became a more autism-friendly city with programs and resources
• Started an annual culture festival for food, education, and music
• Introduced an arts and culture master plan for public art
• Expanded multi-language access for documents and resources
ADDITIONAL IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES
• Created a code of conduct that holds elected officials accountable
• Lowered home improvement loan interest rates to 1%
• Invested record dollars in road and median improvements
• Expanded free senior mobility programs
• Began a rebate program saving residents money on car purchases
• Led Buena Park as Mayor during pandemic recovery
• Provided hazard pay for frontline workers during the pandemic
• Backed the creation of an OC Veterans Cemetery
• Supported multiple new programs that honor veterans
• Protected public land to spur economic growth on Beach Blvd
• Banned short-term rentals
• Restored historic homes
SCHOOL BOARD LEADERSHIP
• Increased year-round food service for disadvantaged children
• Expanded preschool enrollment and free childcare for families
• Led a $49 million school district bond that upgraded all campus facilities
• Brought medical services onto school sites for students and families
• Started free English-language classes for parents and caregivers