Lancaster City is a vibrant, growing community, but with growth comes the responsibility of maintaining a strong financial foundation. One of the most pressing issues we face is our municipal debt, which hinders our ability to invest in essential services, infrastructure, homlesness and future growth. When I become Mayor, I am committed to making debt reduction and fiscal responsibility a top priority.
We need a comprehensive and transparent debt reduction strategy. This means prioritizing efficient budgeting practices, cutting unnecessary expenditures, and leveraging financial tools to renegotiate and pay down debt in a responsible manner.
Moving forward, every dollar we spend must be scrutinized to ensure it provides value to the taxpayers. I will push for a thorough review of the city’s financial practices to eliminate waste and inefficiency, ensuring that public funds are spent wisely and contribute to the long-term financial health of Lancaster City.
While addressing debt is critical, we must also create opportunities for revenue generation through strategic investment in local businesses and economic development. By fostering a thriving local economy, we can increase the city’s tax base without raising taxes on our hard working citizens.
I believe in clear and open communication with the public. I will work to provide accessible financial reports so that every resident can understand where our city stands and how we’re moving forward to fix our fiscal issues. By making financial stability our number one priority, we can ensure that Lancaster City not only recovers from its current financial challenges but also thrives for generations to come. Together, we will build a future where Lancaster is known not for its debt but for its prosperity, opportunity, and responsible governance.
Promote environmentally friendly city planning by expanding green spaces and supporting sustainable building practices. Develop incentives for businesses and homes to adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, and enhance public transportation to reduce carbon emissions (start changing city fleet out for electric)
Address affordable housing shortages by collaborating with developers to create mixed-income housing projects, not at market price for low income residents. Possibly implement rent control measures to prevent dramatic cost increases. Increase no-income housing solutions to serve the homeless center them in my close proximity too much-needed mental health service
Support local businesses and entrepreneurs through grants, mentorship programs, and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. Encourage innovation hubs and tech startups to set roots in Lancaster to diversify the economy and create high-quality jobs.
Strengthen community policing efforts by increasing transparency and communication between law enforcement and residents. Invest in social services to address root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of educational opportunities.
Collaborate with local schools, colleges, and vocational programs to ensure students gain relevant skills for the workforce. Expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities in partnership with local businesses to keep young talent in Lancaster and support lifelong learning initiatives for adults seeking career changes.
Upgrade and maintain city infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit systems, to ensure they are safe and efficient. Implement smart city technologies, such as adaptive traffic signals, to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Work towards expanding access to quality healthcare by partnering with local providers, particularly in underserved areas. Promote mental health awareness and resources, ensuring comprehensive support is available for all residents, including the implementation of mental health services. Pilot a mobile mental health unit to serve the homeless population, and launch a pilot program providing mental health service dogs to individuals with mental illness, recognizing their therapeutic benefits and the critical role they play in emotional support and recovery in our community.
