VISION
In Sioux Falls, we all belong. We are a vibrant city with safe, affordable neighborhoods, abundant opportunities, and a shared commitment to smart growth and wellbeing.
Cities have the ability to address the toughest issues facing society and improve people’s everyday lives, from affordable housing, food, and childcare, to mobility, safer streets, and economic opportunity. The best version of Sioux Falls is yet ahead, but it's one that requires taking on our greatest challenges and seizing opportunities with innovative thinking.
Sioux Falls is at a crossroads. We have experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, and with it have come growing pains. What if Sioux Falls grew more intentionally, efficiently, sustainably and affordably—becoming financially resilient in the process?
As Sioux Falls expands, so too do the City's expenses—exponentially—to maintain streets, provide emergency services and more. Future property tax revenues are capped and could limit basic municipal services. Meanwhile, many families struggle to afford housing, food, reliable childcare, and transportation. It doesn't have to be this way.
How Sioux Falls grows and the policies enacted play a factor not only in people's quality of life, but also in the financial resilience of our city. We will need to decide. Do we want to continue with the same old approach that created the financial mess we are in? Or, do we want to grow smart, in a way that fosters opportunity and creates healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods where people can thrive?
I see a vibrant future for Sioux Falls that is affordable and abundant with opportunity. I see a future in which safety and wellbeing are built upon a solid foundation of engagement and belonging, evident in every neighborhood. I see a future in which everyone has ample access to opportunity, no matter their age, ability, background, or financial status.
Sioux Falls has so much potential! As your mayor, I will relentlessly pursue that potential, neighborhood by neighborhood, throughout the metro area, and beyond. Sioux Falls deserves a mayor who does not only cast a bold vision, but who also has the perseverance to achieve it. I did it for Downtown Sioux Falls, and I will do it for the entire city.
PILLARS
Affordability+Opportunity
Sioux Falls is becoming less affordable. Housing, food, childcare, and transportation costs are rising. So too is the cost to run this city, which has contributed to higher property taxes. It doesn’t have to be this way, however. There’s a more financially sustainable model.
Markets and regulations have limited the housing supply, contributing to higher prices. Food deserts have limited access to groceries for residents in northern Sioux Falls. Childcare providers are finding it harder to pay employees based on what the market can bear. Our car-centric mobility network has made the cost to participate in society unaffordable for many families.
As mayor, I’ll lead a collaborative and systematic approach to stabilize the cost of living, resulting in more housing per capita, more neighborhood retail, childcare support services, and better transit.
Safe Streets
As Sioux Falls grows, public safety must remain a top priority. Our city’s wide geography makes policing challenging, and staffing shortages only add to the strain. When individuals are released on parole without adequate support, recidivism can further burden local resources and put neighborhoods at risk.
As mayor, I’ll strengthen public safety by investing in cost-effective support roles—such as code enforcement officers, park rangers, and community health workers—so police can focus on core responsibilities. I’ll push for stronger state partnerships to help the formerly incarcerated successfully re-enter society. And I’ll launch a Safe Streets initiative to cut preventable traffic fatalities and enhance the wellbeing of every neighborhood.
Smart Growth
Smart growth isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical approach to building compact, walkable, transit-friendly communities while preserving open space, protecting nature, and supporting economic vitality. It balances the needs of residents, businesses, and nature.
With rising debt obligations and limited revenue for basic services like road repairs, the City must adopt a development model that delivers a stronger return on investment. To operate efficiently, we need to grow efficiently—we need to grow smart.
As mayor, I’ll ensure healthy, financially sustainable growth by engaging residents early in neighborhood planning and incentivizing quality infill development to strengthen our tax base. My administration will also advance comprehensive regional planning with metro communities on public lands, trails, transportation, water resources, and long-range growth guidelines.