Safer Neighborhoods Through Real Accountability

Billings families are frustrated—and rightly so. Crime is rising, and the response hasn’t matched the urgency. But that is changing.

Jennifer led efforts to bring the City and County together to open a first-of-its-kind 72-hour pre-arraignment holding facility to address repeat misdemeanor offenders and reduce failure-to-appear rates. Ensuring there are immediate consequences at the misdemeanor level will reduce the volume of crime and  the likelihood perpetrators will go on to commit bigger crimes.

Jennifer is also spearheading the launch of a formal Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to drive inter-agency collaboration, communication, transparency, and long-overdue reform across the system.  We need more efficient courts, better coordination across jurisdictions, and shared goals with clear outcomes.

Transparent, Collaborative Local Government

When residents feel unheard, overburdened, and under-informed, distrust follows. Rebuilding trust starts with proving that local government is working on behalf of the people of Billings—not above them.

As your Mayor, Jennifer commits to rebuilding community trust by:

• • •  Leading with transparency—always
  • •  Communicating early and clearly about new policies or systems
  • •  Using plain language in all communications
  • •  Creating more opportunities for two-way communication
  • •  Showing results, not just promises
  • •  Acknowledging mistakes and correcting them publicly

No silos. No excuses. Just government that works—and listens.

Catalyzing Private Investment Through Strong Leadership

Whether improving traffic safety, repairing our crumbling stormwater system, or ensuring that water and sewer extensions can keep pace with development, the value of infrastructure to Billings’ prosperity is evident.  We need to focus local government on the basics – safe community, solid infrastructure – so that the private sector can do what it does best: invest in the future.

Billings deserves the best when it comes to quality-of-life amenities such as recreation, entertainment, restaurants, and retail.  We don’t need sky-high property taxes to build a community – we need people with vision and a government that knows how to stay in its lane.  Genuine collaboration with the private sector means that business leads and government builds the foundation.  Let’s make a safer Billings, invest in our shared infrastructure and create together a vision of growth that reflects our values and aspirations for the next generation.

When the public and private sectors truly work together in the interest of our community, we can find workable, affordable solutions to some of the city’s most vexing development issues. We need clear, consistent rules that don’t overreach, a commitment to keeping all neighborhoods safe, and engaged elected officials who are unapologetic champions for Billings.  Jennifer is committed to those principles and  focus on collaborative solutions that turn great ideas into reality.

Capitalize on Our Natural Assets

For too long, the Yellowstone River has flowed quietly past our city, admired but underused. That needs to change. We are just beginning to capture the extraordinary opportunities provided by the iconic Rimrocks. Hundreds of acres of parkland serve as community gathering points with untapped potential for activation.

The time is now to transform our natural assets into true centerpieces of community life—beautiful places where people gather to recreate, celebrate, and connect. Let’s develop a vision for an unparalleled riverfront district that honors the natural beauty of the Yellowstone River, enhances recreational opportunities, and promotes economic growth while improving the quality of life for residents. Let’s program our parks and cultural spaces with new and unique events that reach all parts of our city.  Let’s build on our own strengths and inherent value, rather than trying to become something we’re not.

Imagine a vibrant Yellowstone Riverfront Corridor:

• •  A bustling boardwalk with outdoor cafes and local restaurants with patios that spill out toward the water
• •  Scenic trails, picnic areas and bike paths that hug the riverbank and connect neighborhoods
• •  Designated river access points for paddling, floating, and fishing
• •  A riverside venue where music plays into golden summer evenings
• •  Commercial zones with retail and work areas, event lawns for festivals, and family-friendly entertainment options
• •  Repurposed industrial land, such as the former Corette Power Plant, reclaimed and reimagined as an active public space

This isn’t a pipe dream, it’s a playbook – just one example of how we can elevate our quality of life in a way that is uniquely Billings. Other cities have successfully claimed their parks, rivers, and public spaces to create unforgettable experiences and beloved local traditions – without massive tax increases.

All the pieces are in place for a transformation – we just need to act with purpose.

Billings: The New West

Billings has the economic foundation, talent, and momentum of a great and growing city—but it lacks a cultural identity.

Let’s change that.

The West isn’t just a place – it’s an idea. A belief in freedom, possibility, and hard work. And that’s where Billings leads. We’re the economic engine of Montana, the crossroads of the Northern Plains, the city where Montana’s future is taking shape.

From cutting edge healthcare and education to energy, tech, manufacturing and finance, Billings is redefining what a Western city can be. We’re gritty, grounded and ready to lead with vision.

While the world is watching a movie set version of Montana—it’s Billings that’s building a real future. With in new investments, unmatched access to skilled labor, and a culture that knows how to work and win, this is where opportunity lives.