FROM UNCERTAINTY TO STABILITY: A PLAN FOR HELENA’S FINANCIAL FUTURE

There have been seasons in my own life when finances were tight, times that required difficult decisions and a renewed focus on what truly matters. When the budget is healthy, adding a streaming service or dining out is no big deal. But when resources are stretched, priorities shift. Eating at home becomes the wiser choice, not because it’s convenient, but because it’s necessary. I believe our city is in one of those seasons.

This isn’t cause for panic, but it is a time for honest reflection and responsible leadership. We must understand how we arrived at this point, not to cast blame, but to take accountability and ensure we never find ourselves in this position again.

Helena is a remarkable city, rich in history, full of potential, and sustained by a community that deeply cares. You deserve a city government that reflects those same values. If I am entrusted with the opportunity to serve as your Mayor, I will bring honesty, integrity, and transparency to every decision we make. Those aren’t just admirable traits, they are essential to restoring trust and setting Helena on a sustainable path forward.

Financial Responsibility Starts with the Truth

Upon taking office, I will work closely with our City Council to immediately evaluate our financial standing. That includes requesting funding to pursue a full, independent review of our city’s finances, accounting processes, controls, and systems. We owe it to ourselves to know, with clarity and confidence, where we stand. The people of Helena deserve to know this for certain.

This review is not about politics, it’s about stewardship. Only when we fully understand our financial foundation can we make informed, future-focused decisions.

Prioritizing What Matters Most

Together with your council members, finance staff, and department heads, I will lead a process to classify all city spending into three clear categories in order to help lead our city to stable financial footing:

1.  Essential services – things we must fund to keep Helena safe, functional, and moving forward.

2.  Responsible additions – programs and initiatives we pursue when finances allow.

3.  Seasonal luxuries – good things we may need to pause while we get our financial house in order.

In parallel, we must also fully evaluate our revenue streams, present and projected. I’ll request council approval to engage with respected consultants who can provide us with a thorough, unbiased outlook on our financial future. This will guide our planning and help us avoid future shortfalls.

And above all, this process will be transparent. No more decisions behind closed doors. No more “trust us” responses. Our administration will earn that trust through action, accountability, and openness.

A City That Communicates Clearly

One of the most pressing needs we face is telling the full story of what’s happening in our city government. Our city’s staff is already lean, and that could limit the ability to keep residents informed. I will propose reallocating existing funds to hire a Communications Director, a professional who can serve all departments and help ensure you’re never left in the dark. Parks & Recreation, Youth Sports, Public Safety, City Hall, and beyond.

You will hear from your city regularly. You’ll know what we’re doing on your behalf, why we’re doing it, and when we fall short, we’ll own it, evaluate it, and work to not make the shortfall again. No more darkness.

A Future Worth Building Together

This next chapter will require courage, humility, hard work, and a shared commitment to our values. We must be willing to prune, to reassess, and to rebuild. But I believe in this city. I believe in you.

Helena is worth the effort. You are worth the effort.

Together, we can build a brighter future for Helena!