PRIORITIES

Barbara is focused on our priorities. 

Public Safety

Barbara believes a stronger partnership between the City and the County is a first step to reducing crime. APD and BCSO can improve communications through a combined dispatch to reduce emergency response time. Barbara supports fully funding BCSO and the Metropolitan Detention Center and improving working conditions so we better retain deputies and employees.

Homelessness and Behavioral Health
Barbara supports expanding the County’s mental and behavioral health programs and facilities to reduce addiction, homelessness, and crime. The city and county can coordinate better and invest in a common Community Safety Department which includes trained professionals with backgrounds in behavioral and mental health to respond to non-violent calls. 

Supporting local businesses and workers
The County must prioritize its economic incentive programs for qualifying, homegrown companies so they have a fair shot at competing for contracts against large, out-of-state corporations. Barbara supports expanding apprenticeships and worker training programs.

Protecting our natural resources and investing in needed infrastructure

Barbara will strongly advocate to protect our open space, water, and other natural resources,  while investing in our existing neighborhoods, and needed infrastructure like roads.