Smith announces plan for 1st 100 days as mayor

New Maricopa mayor Nancy Smith unveiled a 100-day plan that she says is a blueprint for her first quarter in office.

She plans to prioritize local jobs, election integrity, transportation, a city webpage FAQ, City Council outreach, individual meetings with all Council members, giving a State of the City address this year and updating the Citizen Leadership Academy in 2023.

Smith, who was selected mayor by her City Council colleagues and immediately sworn in as Maricopa’s first female mayor on Aug. 16, has big shoes to fill. She replaces Christian Price, who was mayor for 10½ years.

Smith said she plans to tap into the city’s mission statement: “Unlock the full potential of the City of Maricopa to create a thriving and durable community.” One way she will do that is through inspiring city employees to reach their full potential, and to recognize their value.

Smith and City Manager Rick Horst will host a monthly luncheon of select employee groups throughout the year as a way for the Council to learn and grow with the city’s employees.

“The city employees are our most important resources,” Smith said. “It’s critical to ensure that they are enjoying their jobs, and they feel challenged and have the ability to succeed. During monthly lunch with groups of employees, the city manager and I will take the opportunity to hear about what’s on their minds and share gratitude for their hard work.”

Smith said the 100-day plan will give the community greater insight into her priorities.

“(The plan) creates a (way) to ensure everyone is on the same path to allow Maricopa to reach its full potential,” she said. “It includes items such as regular one-on-one meetings with Council members, ensuring all state, federal, county and city boards and committees have a Council member on board as a liaison or a board member and connecting with employees during small-group lunches. Election integrity also is critical to ensure it’s on the right path for success in Maricopa, so I placed focus there. The rest of the items are equally important.”

While the 100-day agenda is ambitious, Smith has already laid out some areas of focus within the plan.

“The city has several key priorities that we focus on at the same time,” Smith said. “They’re the items we always talk about: transportation, (bringing in) high-paying jobs, economic development and public safety are at the top.”

And just so citizens don’t think she’s forgotten what is most important to them, Smith laid it out.

“A critical short-term priority is the passing of Proposition 469 in November, which will provide essential funding for widening (State Route) 347,” she said. “This will ensure we have safer roads.”