Mayor Shelley Berkley - Democratic Mayors

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.

Mayor Berkley noted that housing remains a priority for all residents, with the city adding inventory at all income levels through major developments across the community. Projects include ShareWESTSIDE, new artist housing in the Arts District, the redevelopment of Desert Pines into a large mixed-use community, and major workforce housing plans with Lennar, alongside thousands of new homes from Olympia Companies. She pointed to continued growth in areas such as Symphony Park, the Arts District, and the Las Vegas Medical District, where new residential, cultural, and health care developments are underway, along with infrastructure investments.

The Mayor outlined continued investments in quality of life, public safety, and sustainability, including new recreational amenities such as the Nevada State Veterans Memorial, a regional pickleball complex, and an Olympic-sized pool, as well as a new police substation and a joint 911 center to improve emergency response. Mayor Berkley also underscored progress in education and workforce development through the Historic Westside Education and Training Center, new community assets such as the Westside Library, and additional federal investments to support underserved communities.

Watch the Mayor’s full remarks here.

More State of the City Addresses

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.

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

Mayor Kelly Girtz

In his last State of the Community Address, Mayor Kelly Girtz reflected on Athens as a place of generosity, creativity, knowledge, and collaboration, where no one should be left behind and where the needs of future generations guide today’s work. Drawing on nearly twenty years of public service, he described a growing community shaped by strong institutions, including the University of Georgia, expanding medical and bioscience sectors, and steady population growth.