Mayor Wilmot Collins - Democratic Mayors

Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins delivered his fifth State of the City address, discussing each of the city department’s accomplishments over the past year and his goals for the future.

Reflecting on 2021, Mayor Wilmot praised his city for its many accomplishments, including launching the “Be Heard Helena” platform, establishing the Housing Trust, hosting a Citizen Academy to increase engagement with the Police Department, and maintaining city services with minimal disruptions throughout the pandemic.

“We must boldly tackle tough issues, such as affordable housing for our vulnerable populations, and public safety, while still reflecting the principles and charitable character of our citizens,” said Mayor Collins. “Together, with our partners, we will accomplish these goals and more while still tending to our fiscal responsibilities and in-service to those who entrusted these decisions to us.”

In his address, Mayor Wilmot said his goals for the coming year include launching housing rehabilitation programs, administering more than $8 million American Rescue Plan dollars, and creating a more stable workforce.

Read Mayor Collins’s address 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.