Missoula County School Board
Missoula City County
A good city council member is a generalist. You need to be a quick study in the many areas that city government is responsible for, while recognizing you don't have time to get too hyper-focused on something because the other areas don't stop. When constituents reach out, you need to be able to point them in the right direction to help get their questions or concerns answered. Often, they aren't specifically a city council issue, but you are the person they can find to reach out to, which is what is special about local government. Just as important is not giving the impression city council has control over something they don't, because state law limits local authority in many areas.
When I talk to people, the all-encompassing concern for many is the cost of living. Much of this is out of the control of city council, but it puts an emphasis on the need to be good stewards of public money. There are times when the city tries to be too many things to too many people, often driven by failures to act at the state and federal levels. This can put pressure on property taxes and will be the major flash point of local government for the foreseeable future. We can't afford to do everything, and any candidate who makes it sound simple doesn't understand local taxes or budgets. Finding the balance of doing what's possible is what I work on every day.
City council doesn't control minimum wage, nor can we enact targeted taxes on tourists or "the rich" so in many ways it can feel limiting but unless the legislature makes changes, we need to do what is within our power. As a city we need to make sure we are maximizing the impact of our property tax dollars, and just as importantly, make sure that we are not negatively impacting the economy. Many of the things the city does to help the local economy are misunderstood, but it is important for a city council member to do the homework and understand the bigger impact. Doing things to promote affordable housing, both subsidized and housing for people who may never qualify for assistance but can't afford to live here make a difference.
The City’s share of property taxes in Missoula is mostly dedicated to public safety, street maintenance, parks, and general administration, with nearly half currently funding police and fire services. While this ensures core government functions, best practices would rebalance some revenue toward infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and tech upgrades for efficiency and transparency. Shifting a greater share to capital projects and direct community benefit, while controlling growth in personnel costs, could better address Missoula’s long-term needs without over-relying on property owners. The reality of this means we must cut some areas to prioritize others.
Campaign Phone
406-282-4089
A City Council member should serve as a true representative of the people, not a conduit for corporate or elite interests. Their role is to democratize decision-making, ensuring that policies are shaped by the needs of the community, not the profits of developers. An excellent City Council member listens to the marginalized, prioritizes social goods, like affordable housing, public healthcare, and quality education, and rejects luxury developments that displace residents. They should aim to transform city governance into a participatory process, where decisions flow from the people, not from a small group of elites. Leadership here is about accountability, justice, and a collective vision for social improvement.
In Ward 4, residents are grappling with affordability: seniors on fixed incomes fear losing their homes as property taxes rise, homeowners are "house-rich" but underwater on mortgages, and renters face rising costs with limited options. To address this, I would focus on expanding property tax relief programs for low-income and senior homeowners, helping them stay in their homes. I’d also advocate for increasing funding for affordable housing initiatives and use our taxes to enhance public services like healthcare and education. By ensuring our resources are directed towards meeting basic needs, we can foster a more equitable community where everyone has access to a decent quality of life.
I've heard at the doors of my neighbors that people are dealing with increasing property taxes at the state and city level, some have lost or are in danger of losing their healthcare, and many worry about their children having a secure future here in Missoula. We can have participatory budgeting and development with civilian oversight, guaranteeing that when Missoulians are taxed, they know exactly where their money is going and why. Nobody ever mentions corporate welfare or beautification projects for multinational companies, they want their public goods taken care of and a place to call home. We can prioritize that.
Filtering property taxes through the Missoula Redevelopment Agency has proven once again that trickle-down economics don't actually work. We need to make sure our taxes go directly back into our community. Schools, fire departments and public infrastructure should not have to compete with corporate development for companies with enough money and privilege already. We need everyday Missoulians' voices in the conversation from beginning to end.
