Just a few years ago, Mountain View faced real challenges. We had decades of deferred maintenance and no long-term financial plan. Alleys were overrun with weeds and trash. Town Hall staff didn’t function as the integrated team residents deserved. Our police department was dedicated but under-resourced. Residents had little support with home projects, and basic tools like online bill pay or a searchable town code didn’t exist. Our regional reputation reflected all of this.
Today, the story is very different.
We’ve built better processes to support property owners. We’ve begun working on long-term financial sustainability and diversifying revenue streams. We’taken a strategic approach to infrastructure. We’ve launched proactive, community-focused policing and regular code enforcement to improve safety and quality of life. We have a responsive website, digital records, and a Town Hall Annex underway to meet future needs.
This progress wasn’t luck—it was leadership and teamwork. And that takes time, expertise, and full-time focus.
Why a Strong Mayor—and Why It Matters
Mountain View is one of just four cities in Colorado with a strong mayor form of government. We inherited this structure, and there’s been discussion about whether to keep it. The other three—Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo—adopted it by choice.
In both Pueblo and Colorado Springs, voters abandoned the council-manager model due to frustration with inefficiency, lack of accountability, and slow progress on key issues. They opted for a strong mayor system because it offers:
• Clear accountability: One person is responsible for outcomes and directly answerable to voters.
• Efficient leadership: A single executive can move initiatives forward more quickly than a committee structure.
• Focused economic development: A mayor with authority can champion projects and attract investment.
• Stronger representation: A visible, elected mayor can better advocate for the community at the state and regional level.
In Mountain View, the benefits are even more personal. Residents can walk into Town Hall and speak directly with the person responsible for day-to-day operations—someone who lives here, is a neighbor, and ran for office out of genuine love for the community. But even people who love the work need to make a living.
You Get What You Pay For
We don’t expect teachers, nurses, or nonprofit leaders to work for free—even though many are called to the work. We value their time, skill, and expertise, and compensate them accordingly. The same should apply to municipal leadership.
If the mayor’s role isn’t reasonably paid, we limit who can afford to serve. Qualified professionals—those with public administration, planning, budgeting, or development experience—may never run simply because they can’t make it work financially.
Worse, we risk electing someone who must juggle multiple jobs just to stay afloat. That’s not good for them, and it’s not good for Mountain View.
How We Compare
In Colorado’s other strong mayor cities, pay reflects the full-time nature of the job—ranging from around $150,000 in Pueblo to over $200,000 in Denver. Mountain View is smaller, but the core responsibilities—staff management, budget oversight, public safety, long-term planning—are fundamentally the same. The scale is different, but the stakes aren’t.
And unlike council-manager towns (most towns our size), where a full-time administrator handles operations and a part-time mayor handles ceremonial duties, Mountain View’s mayor does both.
Looking Ahead
This isn’t about me. It’s about what’s best for Mountain View, now and long-term. We’ve seen the results of professional, full-time leadership. And we’ve seen what happens without it.
Council will consider mayoral compensation at our meeting on August 18. I strongly encourage residents to weigh in. Let’s have an open, thoughtful conversation about what we expect from this role—regardless of who fills it—and what we’re willing to invest in the future of our town. Even if it’s difficult at times, Mountain View will be better for having the conversation.
