Campaign Phone
4065913216
I have lived in Billings most of my adult life. I am retired and have plenty of time to listen, research and make good decisions that will make a difference for the future of our community. I have always been in the community to serve.
I think that the biggest issue is going to be a budget. I think that holding our city administrator to be responsible and accountable with the funds that are available. From there it’s his responsibility is to also make other city managers accountable as well. My point of view is that if he can’t , then he should be replaced with someone who can.
Infrastructure issues are needing to be addressed. With only 8 hours of water as a reserve finishing the new water plant is essential. Roads and waste water management improvements to be included,
Since the watering of parks are included in the rate base I don’t worry about the grass dying like the lawns of my neighbors. I believe that we need to keep our parks mowed and looking nice. I have enjoyed or neighborhood parks with my children and currently enjoy them with my grandchildren. I believe that the city needs to maintain our community assets.
Refer back to the previous question. Money spent on things like the last snow fall when Billings received less than an inch of snow and the question was asked how come this was done and the response was “we had the money so we did it.” To me that is not being good stewards of tax payer dollars. Another example,I as well as other MDU employees have seen a lot of expensive equipment misuse at the landfill. It’s all about accountability.
Campaign Phone
406-670-7430
I have served in the past on the council, and also served as a Yellowstone County Commissioner. I have also served on many committees and boards during the past several decades. All of this experience has made me a better public servant.
Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council
Past Chairman of the Billings Parks and Recreation Board
Past President of the Midland Empire Pachyderm Club
Past President of the Heights Development Task Force, current member
Past President of the Heights Optimist Club, current member
Past President of the Heights Kiwanis, current member
Past Chairman of the Montana Mental Health Center Advisory Board
Montana Association of Counties, Executive Committee and Past Chair for Urban Counties
Past Board Member
The charter for the city of Billings lays out the responsibilities and relationship between the council and the administration of the city. The charter makes the council the legislative branch, however they have the ability to hold the administrator accountable, and expect the administrator to enact and uphold the policies that are directed by the council. A level of accountability, and civility need to be part of this, and a respect and trust also need to be given from all sides.
Councilmembers become the "face" of the city. Our actions, our conduct, our professionalism, bring us to the table to invite growth, and to facilitate our communities identity. We have to be at the table with all of these discussions and find ways to promote growth in our community.
We have to look at the budget, and then do two parts of priority based budgeting and zero based budgeting. We need to listen to the needs of the people, and also be aware of the budget limitations that we face. Many of the parks have PMD, and it is the larger community parks that will continue to be an issue of funding in the future.
The bill passed has made it a mess for the city to manage the budget. The city was not at the table during the legislative session, and therefore became part of the menu. The effects will definitely effect the budget, and we must be prepared for the session in two years to attempt to fix what was done, and to make sure that it facilitates the charter caps on mills, and allows us to manage our budget and needs.
Campaign Phone
4068607240
As a mom, small business owner, and economic development professional, I would bring a unique blend of skills to the City Council. My experience as a small business owner has taught me the importance of being both analytical and creative in tackling challenges. As an economic developer, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to foster growth and opportunity in our community. I am a natural team player who believes in collaborating with diverse groups to find common ground and build consensus. These skills, combined with the practical perspective of being a mom, make me confident in my ability to be a thoughtful and effective voice for the residents of Billings.
I see my role on the City Council as a mix of leadership, collaboration, and representation. The council hires and oversees the City Administrator, and similar to how a business is run with a board managing a CEO, we are to provide the necessary support to manage city operations while allowing him to manage the rest of the city staff. With my fellow council members, my role is to be a teammate. We are elected to work together towards a shared goal. Most importantly, as an elected representative of the public, my job is to be their voice. This means actively listening to the ideas, thoughts, and concerns of residents and making decisions that are in the best interest of the community, not just based on my personal beliefs.
This is an extremely important issue, and I believe it will be the biggest challenge for Billings' elected officials in the near future. Ultimately, I believe the best way we can positively impact growth while maintaining our community's identity is to listen to our constituents and vote accordingly. I will prioritize creating spaces for community input, ensuring that residents feel heard and have a voice in shaping our future. My goal is to make sure that Billings grows in a way that creates a safe, enjoyable place to live while also preserving the things that we love so much about our city and community now.
The shortage of funding for city parks is a major problem, especially when our entire city budget is already strained. But, the solution isn't about reinventing the wheel. It's about looking at how other communities facing similar challenges have successfully addressed this issue. I suggest that the city council research and explore a variety of funding models that have worked elsewhere. By learning from the successes and failures of others, we can implement thoughtful, long-term strategies that secure the necessary resources to not only maintain but also improve our parks for the benefit of all Billings residents.
Our budget shortfalls are an extreme problem, but not one that is unique to Billings. I don't believe we should have to choose between being an affordable or an amazing place to live, but building and maintaining a vibrant community costs money. We need to be better at communicating that reality to our residents, instead of letting fear of taxes dominate the conversation. As I mentioned in my views on park funding, the solution lies in researching how other communities have successfully navigated these challenges. I would propose that the city council actively seek out and adopt creative, data-driven solutions from elsewhere, and I look forward to doing this work if elected.
