Public Safety: Fully Funded

Public safety is not a budget line to negotiate. As mayor, I will create a dedicated, protected funding stream for Police, Fire, and Public Works that cannot be redirected to other priorities. There will be annual public reporting on staffing levels, response times, and equipment status.

GOAL: Published public safety scorecard within the first 90 days.

Development Done Right

Shelbyville is a desirable place to live — and that means growth is coming whether we plan for it or not. The question is whether we manage it on our terms or let it manage us. My position is simple: we should not have to compromise our current standard of living to accommodate those who wish to reside here. Instead, we should strive to raise it.

That means requiring new development to demonstrate it will improve — not just add demand to — our roads, schools, utilities, and emergency services before a single permit is approved. Developers who want to build in Shelbyville are welcome, but they will be held to the same high standard our current residents expect and deserve.

It also means being intentional about the kind of growth we pursue. Shelbyville should be actively recruiting corporate headquarters and professional employers — the kind of businesses that bring careers, not just jobs. We have the location, the character, and the workforce to attract them. Continuing to expand warehouses and gas stations at the expense of that vision is a choice, and it is the wrong one.

GOAL: Development review process updated to include infrastructure capacity assessment within the first 90 days.

Street Paving: Transparent and Accountable

An independent engineering assessment of every city street, followed by a prioritized paving schedule published on the city website. You will know when your street is scheduled and why. No more guessing, no more politics in the paving order.

GOAL: Schedule online within 90 days. First phase of paving begins in year one.

Better-Paying Jobs

Economic development should work for workers, not just employers. We will offer targeted tax incentives for businesses that create jobs paying $45,000 or more annually with at least three full-time positions. Priority goes to employers who hire locally.

GOAL: Ordinance drafted and voted on within the first 100 days in office.

More Dining in Downtown Shelbyville

Shelbyville has the character and the foot traffic to support great dining. Working with the planning commission, I will streamline restaurant permitting, identify vacant downtown properties suitable for sit-down dining, and build a recruitment package for prospective restaurant owners.

GOAL: Permitting review complete and recruitment package ready within 60 days.

Shelbyville to Simpsonville Multi-Use Path

A connected community is a stronger community. A multi-use trail between Shelbyville and Simpsonville would serve cyclists, walkers, and families while boosting tourism and property values along the corridor. I will pursue KYTC and federal recreational trail funding to make it happen without raising local taxes.

GOAL: Grant application submitted in year one of term.

Film and Creative Economy

Kentucky has one of the strongest film tax credit programs in the South, and Shelbyville's historic architecture and proximity to Louisville make it a compelling filming location. I will designate a film liaison in the economic development office to actively market Shelbyville to production companies and capitalize on the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive.

GOAL: Film liaison designated and first outreach completed in year one.