Candidate Comparison

Public Safety - Police, Fire, Ambulance
Economic Growth/Community Development
Affordable living in Coralville

While serving as mayor, I would prioritize addressing food and housing insecurity, expanding public transit options within our community, and protecting the members of our community from increasingly intrusive actions from the state and federal government.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Coralville for over 11 years on the City Council. During that time, I’ve been part of many meaningful initiatives that have helped our community grow and thrive.
Looking ahead, I believe some of our greatest challenges will come from decisions made at the federal and state levels. Because every city is unique, one-size-fits-all laws can create difficulties for us at the local level. Issues like property taxes, implementation of tax increment financing, workforce housing, tax credits, and even regulations on sidewalks and fireworks all have a direct impact on Coralville’s future.
To address these challenges, I communicate regularly with our city administrators and lobbyists, serve on the Legislative Policy Committee, and work as one of the executive directors of the Iowa League of Cities. As mayor, I will apply that knowledge and experience to lead our City Council in making thoughtful, effective decisions that matter most to Coralville residents.
I am deeply passionate about keeping Coralville a place where everyone can feel safe, supported, and proud to call home.

Coralville's debt is a very large issue that we are facing. I believe that the mayor and city council should look towards smaller, more incremental projects and maintenance of our current services as we tackle this debt. Large projects that are a big risk is part of why we have such a large amount of debt per capita.

I would urge the council to identify smaller projects that can be completed across our city, ensuring that our current structures and services are maintained. Large projects can also be important, but need to be very carefully considered.

Budget cuts are never easy, and I would not want to see any services, staff, or funding reduced. As mayor, I will work to protect the essential services our residents depend on and value every day. At the same time, I will champion new business development and support the growth of existing businesses, creating good-paying jobs that keep Coralville's tax base strong and thriving.

Coralville is growing, and with that growth comes the opportunity to provide housing options that meet the needs of everyone in our community. From young families to seniors, and from first-time buyers to long-time residents, we need a healthy mix of housing styles that work for all stages of life.
It’s just as important to care for our established neighborhoods by maintaining infrastructure and supporting programs that help families update and improve their homes. Affordable and accessible housing benefits everyone—when seniors find the right place to downsize, it opens homes for younger families, and when new developments include a range of options, more people can put down roots here in Coralville.
While funding can be uncertain, I will continue to work hard to make sure Coralville secures the right resources and partnerships to keep housing affordable and our neighborhoods strong. Coral North apartments and Habitat homes are some examples.

The city council can look to changes in zoning that may allow for more medium density, mixed-use development. Addressing the "missing middle" in housing can fix many of our problems while expanding access to housing and walkable neighborhoods.

If the local option sales tax ballot item passes in November, the council should look for project opportunities for additional affordable housing and revitalization.

Yes! Almost every city in Iowa has a local option sales tax, and in Coralville, it makes sense. With Coral Ridge Mall and Iowa River Landing attracting shoppers, much of this 1-cent tax will be paid by non-residents. The revenue will help fund a much-needed new Recreation Center for all ages, support affordable housing, and provide a steady stream for future capital projects. It’s a smart investment in Coralville’s future.

While I am generally opposed to regressive taxes, such as a sales tax, the needs of a city are complex. I support LOST because it gives us some local control and funding in a way not currently utilized. With a portion aimed at tackling issues of affordable housing, we can also use this source of funding for some of our public spaces: the first big project being the new recreation center. My hope is that going forward we can focus on maintaining what we have rather than building anew, and these funds can help ensure we aren't as reliant on funding options from the state or federal levels.

I will continue to promote opportunities for collaboration with Johnson County and our neighboring cities, because many of our greatest successes come from working together. Emergency management, public safety, and public works are strong examples of how collaboration benefits residents every day. Projects like the GuidLink Center, which provides mental health services, vigorous food pantry support, the Forevergreen Road extension, shared gym spaces with local schools, and initiatives led by Greater IC are all ways we can achieve through partnership.
We are also seeing exciting results in economic and educational collaboration. The Oakdale Research Park is thriving with new businesses, while Kirkwood, the University of Iowa, local school districts, and industry partners are bringing STEM education to the area—helping prepare students for careers that strengthen the entire region.
I am proud to support the many nonprofits that play such vital roles in our community, and to work alongside state partners like the Department of Transportation, which is improving safety and access with projects like the new diverging diamond interchange on 1st Avenue. Together, these partnerships make Coralville resilient.

I have been excited about the possibilities presented to us regarding inter-city travel, particularly by rail. I believe that road expansions, like what we are seeing with Interstate 380, are ultimately a waste of resources. I would love to see more collaboration to bring reliable, regular rail travel between our downtown spaces to reduce road wear-and-tear, congestion, and general car-dependency that we currently see. In a similar vein, a better network of bikable paths can greatly expand our ability to travel without the prohibitive costs of car ownership.

As mayor, I would work to coordinate with the necessary public and private sector groups to explore these options further, proposing adjustments to zoning and planning as necessary to help promote these as viable options.

I am active and visible in our diverse and welcoming community, and I strive to lead by example through volunteerism and caring for others. Coralville is fortunate to have expert city department directors, dedicated city administrators, and strong legal staff who work every day to serve our residents. You can count on open, clear communication from both the city and from me, because keeping people informed and connected is at the heart of good leadership.

I hope to increase our public engagement and help bring more accountability to our elected officials. I want to proactively extend invitations to groups that may be interested in upcoming agenda items in order to bring them into the conversation before big decisions are made or contracts are signed.

I have been honored to serve as an active member of the Coralville City Council, working closely with council and city staff on many important initiatives over the years. If elected mayor, I will bring the experience of three council terms and the lessons I’ve learned from working with Mayors Fausett, Lundell, and Foster to help lead our community forward. I listen with respect, approach every task thoughtfully, and understand that while we may not always agree, we can always work together for the good of Coralville.

We aren't a big city, nor is our council vast: it will require us to work together for a solution. I am not afraid of friction and working with those whose visions differ from mine. I believe open and earnest discussion along with engaging the community more fully will drive our decisions and will help overcome these conflicts, but I will not compromise on human rights.

Coralville is proud to be a diverse community with the warmth of a small town. We place a high value on public safety, responsible financial management, and creating opportunities for growth and development. During my time on council, we established and upheld a debt management policy that has kept our city strong, and I believe our business sector will continue to grow and prosper.
Our infrastructure is built to last—our water and sewer systems have a high capacity and lower rates compared to neighboring towns. The pride of our residents shows in the care of homes, businesses, and public spaces throughout Coralville. We also enjoy a vibrant bus system, the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, and a library with innovative features, English classes, book clubs, and an information and food resource area with chai visiting. The community enjoys Brown Deer Golf Club and recreation areas that include acres of beautiful parks, trails, sports fields, an outdoor aquatic center, and tennis and pickleball courts.
The Iowa River Landing is a perfect example of Coralville’s vision—transforming a former brownfield into a thriving destination with the Hyatt Regency Convention Center, Xtreme Arena, GreenState Family Fieldhouse, restaurants, retail, and medical facilities. Coral Ridge Mall continues to be a regional attraction. New projects such as the recreation center with the Iowa City School District competition pools and the Gather Iowa development on 1st Ave/2nd St will add even more value to our community.
As mayor, I will continue to support upgrades to outdated spaces and reinvest in areas of Coralville that are ready for a new chapter, ensuring our city remains dynamic, welcoming, and full of opportunity for all ages.

I am very glad that Coralville publishes our meeting agendas on our website, as well as a video recording and meeting notes for others. This allows those that may not have been able to attend the meetings to hear the input of their neighbors.

Coralville is a community that continues to elevate our quality of life. Businesses in fields like biotech, education services, information technology, and natural products are thriving here, alongside the small businesses that give our city its unique character. By providing the right framework of support—through strong infrastructure, smart incentives, arts and culture, recreation and entertainment, education, housing options, and an affordable cost of living—we can keep Coralville growing and moving forward.

Things like zoning regulations and tax incentives can greatly affect how businesses choose to invest and how developers build out a space. Our last community plan was set in 2014: I believe that the time has come for a new plan and vision for the future of Coralville.

When discussing tax incentives, I urge the importance of well-tested business plans, community input, and contracts: proof that investments of this type have worked, that they are the right fit for Coralville, and that if certain conditions are not strictly kept, our taxpayers aren't left with nothing to show for the investment.

While I hope to help Coralville attract business that improve our quality of life and help us economically, I don't believe the route for that is competing with our neighbors in a race to the bottom.