Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. - Democratic Mayors

In his State of the City Address, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. outlined his vision for Little Rock, focusing on “getting back to the basics.” His key priorities include neighborhood revitalization, economic growth, public safety, infrastructure improvements, housing, financial empowerment, and streamlining city services.

Mayor Scott reaffirmed the city’s commitment to safety through a multi-pronged approach to crime prevention, including expanding community violence intervention programs and restructuring intervention street teams to focus on high-crime areas. He also addressed police staffing, highlighting the city’s efforts to fill all vacancies within the Little Rock Police Department. To further improve safety, the city will continue to use technology such as the Real-Time Crime Center, which leverages public and private security cameras to aid in crime investigations.

The Mayor declared housing a public health crisis in Little Rock. He emphasized that stable and affordable housing is essential for overall community well-being and announced several initiatives to address this issue. The city aims to add 200 affordable housing units within the next two years. In Ward 6, a new subdivision called Zion Square will feature 14 single-family homes. Additionally, a micro-home village for the homeless, is set for completion this year, along with a 75-bed transitional housing facility for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Scott highlighted the role of technology in modernizing city services. He introduced Roxie, an AI-powered chatbot set to launch this month, which will help residents navigate the city’s website and find answers to common questions. The Mayor also announced the pilot program SmartWaste, which will use GPS tracking to improve trash collection efficiency and prevent service delays.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

Las Vegas, Nevada

Mayor Shelley Berkley

Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered her State of the City Address, looking to the future and outlining how Las Vegas will continue to be a leading city that assists those in need, creates new opportunities, and provides safe and beautiful neighborhoods and amenities. She emphasized the city’s continued focus on helping vulnerable residents through expanded services, including the MORE Team pilot program, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health professionals, health workers, and street medicine, as well as the new Community Court that prioritizes structure, monitoring, and resources over punitive approaches.

Nashville, Tennessee

Mayor Freddie O’Connell

In his State of the Metro Address, Mayor Freddie O’Connell described his vision for a Nashville that is affordable, safe, healthy, welcoming, and prosperous, a city for everyone, and emphasized that progress will be purposeful, even when it is not always loud or linear. He outlined steps his administration will take to make Nashville more affordable, including proposals to cut the grocery tax, expand access to childcare, support small businesses, create jobs, build more housing, and invest in children from birth.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Mayor Indya Kincannon

In her seventh State of the City Address, Mayor Indya Kincannon proposed a lean budget that continues to prioritize public safety, affordable housing, parks, and high-quality people-focused services. She also emphasized the importance of being good stewards of taxpayer dollars, noting that her budget proposal covers essential services without raising taxes, even as the city navigates inflation, rising costs, and broader economic uncertainty.