David Martin (mayor)

For fiscal year 2020–2021, the city government approved a $589.5 million budget, which did not increase property taxes for the first time in 40 years, due to economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

The city boards approved a $525 million budget for fiscal year 2015–2016, representing a 2.59% tax increase.[5]

The city boards approved a $507.9 million budget for fiscal year 2014–2015, representing a 2.87% tax increase over the prior year.[6] In his four years in office the average tax increase has been 2.79%, somewhat lower than the prior administration which had a 2.86% average tax increase.

In his 2015-2016 budget proposal, Martin asked for a $3.5 million increase in funds to fully fund pensions and benefits for retired city employees.[7] Martin claimed that Stamford has never fully funded its pensions and benefits, and intended "to be the first mayor ever who fully funds the required pension contributions and retiree medical contributions".[7] However, the city's pensions went only 83% funded in 2016, and the city accumulated $380 million in unfunded retiree benefits by 2017.[8]

In September 2014, the city launched The Stamford Street Smart Initiative, a citywide effort to improve road safety by cracking down on speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and jaywalking.[9] The initiative is led by Martin, in collaboration with the Police Department, Operations Department, Stamford Public Schools, and community organizations. New crosswalk signs, road stanchions, and "no turn on red" backlit signs were installed throughout the City in November 2014.[10] Following the rollout of the campaign, the Stamford Police Department was awarded a $50,000 grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to improve the enforcement of traffic laws.[11]

With support from Martin, the Stamford Board of Representatives unanimously passed a Complete Streets Ordinance, making it the third city in Connecticut to do so.[12]

In his 2015-16 budget request, Martin sought funds to synchronize the city's traffic lights.[13]

In May 2015, Martin installed 20 bike hitches in downtown Stamford, as part of the city's Bike Parking Program.[14]

In February 2015, Martin announced plans to construct a new police headquarters to replace the existing building, which was built in 1955 and was found to contain asbestos.[15] In his 2015, he proposed allocating $45 million to rebuild the building.[13]

Martin announced his support for body-worn cameras in May 2015, and pledged to apply for federal grant funding from the Department of Justice.[16]

Martin serves as a non-voting member of the city's Board of Education. Martin is the first mayor to regularly attend Board of Education meetings.

In September 2014, Martin approved the purchased a 10.8 acre property for $9.75 million.[17] The property is the former site of Sacred Heart Academy, and the Stamford campus for the Stanwich School.[17] At the time of the purchase, Martin and education officials announced their hope to use the property to address overcrowding in the district's elementary schools.[17] In 2016, the Strawberry Hill School, an extension of a larger magnet school, moved into the site, and has since expanded it.[18]

Martin urged the Connecticut State Senate in 2014 to help improve Metro-North's New Haven Line, citing it as an important factor influencing the future success of the city and region.[19]

In April 2020, Stamford became the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut, and experienced around 1,000 cases by the start of the month.[20] By late October 2020, the city had experienced what Martin called "the beginning of a second wave".[21] In compliance with state guidelines, on October 29, 2020, Martin ordered new limitations in the number of people allowed in public spaces, businesses, and at various gatherings.[21]

Martin was elected in November 2013 with 48% of the vote, defeating the Republican candidate, Former Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele, and petitioning candidates Kathleen Murphy and John Zito.[2]

Before competing in the general election, Martin won in the Democratic primary against State Representative William Tong in September 2013 with 52% of the vote.[22] The primary race was among the most closely contested in the State. Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy, a former Mayor of Stamford, endorsed Representative Tong in the Democratic primary race,[23] drawing criticism from local Democratic Party and their Chairman, who endorsed Martin.[24] Martin campaigned vigorously for the nomination and focused on his experience in City Hall and his commitment to the city.

Martin was heavily outspent in both races and contributed nearly $100,000 to his campaign.[25]

In November 2017, Martin was re-elected as mayor with 58.61% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Barry Michelson, and petitioning candidate John Zito, who earned 34.66% and 6.73% of the vote, respectively.[26][27]

Unlike the 2013 election, when Martin raised around $400,000, Martin only raised about $117,000 this election.[28] Martin's main opponent, Michelson, raised about $43,000, and campaigned against what he perceived to be the rampant development of the city.[28]