So, What Happens Now?

When we won the election in July, one of the first things people started asking me was:

“So, what happens now?”

It's actually a great question.

I don't officially take office until January, which creates this interesting stretch of time between being elected and actually sitting on the dais as a member of the Chandler City Council.

And I've learned pretty quickly that this time is anything but downtime.

There's a Lot to Learn

Chandler is a large, complex organization. There are thousands of employees, multiple departments, major infrastructure systems, public safety operations, utilities, development projects, budgets, policies and long-term plans that most of us never have a reason to think about in our everyday lives.

Now I do.

The City has created an extensive orientation process for incoming councilmembers, and I've been diving in.

I've started meeting with city leadership, including our City Manager, and I'm working through meetings, briefings and tours with the people who actually run the different pieces of Chandler every day.

Over the coming months, I'll spend time with Economic Development, Development Services, Public Works & Utilities, Budget & Policy, the City Clerk's Office, Strategic Initiatives and other departments. I'll tour the Chandler Municipal Airport, learn more about our economic corridors and get a much closer look at how decisions move through City Hall.

I've also been attending Council meetings and work sessions when possible.

And yes, I'm taking notes.

Lots of notes.

I'm Trying to Ask Better Questions

One thing I've already realized is that onboarding isn't just about learning what each department does.

I want to understand why things work the way they do.

What's working really well?

Where are employees running into challenges?

What are residents calling about?

What takes too long?

What is Chandler doing differently than other cities?

Where are we ahead?

Where could we be better?

And what should I understand now that will help me make better decisions when I'm sitting on the dais in January?

I'm not walking into these meetings assuming I know the answers. That's actually the point of doing this now.

I want to learn.

City Hall Is Only Part of the Education

I've also made a conscious decision that my education can't happen exclusively inside City Hall.

I've continued getting out into Chandler.

I've attended community events and ribbon cuttings, met with business and community leaders, participated in conversations with the Chandler Chamber and started learning more about some of the industries that play such an important role in our local economy.

I've had conversations with residents who have ideas, concerns and questions of their own.

Those conversations are just as valuable to me as the formal briefings.

During the campaign, I spent a tremendous amount of time knocking on doors and listening to people. I don't want that habit to disappear simply because the election is over.

In some ways, I think listening becomes even more important now.

I'm Also Learning How Much I Don't Know

This may be my favorite part of the process so far.

Every meeting seems to lead to three more questions.

I'll hear something about infrastructure that makes me want to understand the budget behind it. A conversation about economic development leads me to questions about workforce. Something about development leads to questions about permitting, transportation or long-term planning.

You start realizing how connected everything is.

That's exactly why I'm grateful there are several months between the election and taking office.

I want to use them.

Between Now and January

My calendar is filling up with department meetings, tours, briefings, Council meetings, community events and conversations with people throughout Chandler.

I'm going to keep sharing pieces of that experience because I think residents should get to see some of this too.

Most people will never sit through a new councilmember orientation or tour a City facility with a department director. They shouldn't have to in order to understand how their city works.

So I'll bring you along.

I'll share some of the things that surprise me, things Chandler does exceptionally well, questions I'm asking and things I think residents would find interesting.

And if there's something you've always wondered about the City of Chandler, send me the question.

There's a pretty good chance I'm about to sit across the table from the person who knows the answer.

For now, I'm learning, listening and showing up.

January will be here soon enough.

I plan to be ready.

With all that I have to offer,