A New Chapter for Elgin: Principles and Progress
Elgin stands at a crossroads. With a Texas Rangers investigation into our finances, no long-term Finance Director, and a skeleton crew struggling to maintain our crumbling infrastructure, we are growing faster than we can keep up. We don’t need more excuses; we need a wake-up call. Our community deserves a leader who refuses to hide from the hard truths and shows up ready to fight for our future.
Stephanie Lippke has spent the last decade preparing for this moment. After 2022, she never stopped showing up for Elgin and never stopped asking the hard questions. While the changes promised four years ago have failed to materialize, Stephanie hasn't been sitting on the sidelines. She has spent this time on the ground — consulting with regional leaders, state officials, and municipal experts to master the mechanics of effective government. Elginites are tired of waiting for promises that never come; they are ready for a leader who has done the work, knows the players, and is ready to deliver.
Financial Transparency and Accountability
Building a government that works for Elgin starts with a budget you can trust. After years of financial uncertainty and a lack of clear oversight, it is time to open the books and ensure every taxpayer dollar is spent with integrity and purpose for the benefit of our local community.
Independent Forensic Audit
Elgin is making incredible strides in our finances, but to guarentee the mistakes of the past are not repeated, city leaders must approve an independent forensic audit. This will provide the clarity and insight necessary for us all to finally move forward together.
Clear Public Reporting
Stephanie’s plan includes mandatory town halls specifically focused on the city’s fiscal health. These reports won't just be filed away; they will be presented openly, in plain English, ensuring that progress on audit recommendations and budget milestones are front-and-center for the public.
Citizen-Led Oversight Committee
Stephanie will move to enact the WATCHDOG ordinance, creating a resident-led committee to evaluate the City’s fiscal health. They will help track progress on audit recommendations, propose transparency tools like online dashboards, and ensure city leadership remains accountable to taxpayers.
Prioritize Hiring Financial Director
The city cannot be expected to improve if we continue to operate without a steady hand at the helm of our budget. Stephanie will prioritize hiring a highly qualified, long-term Finance Director to restore fiscal discipline, ensure every tax dollar is accounted for, and provide the professional oversight Elgin’s future demands.
Transparency is more than a policy; it’s a commitment to the people of Elgin. By building a culture of accountability today, we protect the taxpayers of tomorrow and secure the future of our home.
Sustainable Growth and Strategic Planning
Elgin’s future depends on how we manage our expansion today. Sustainable grow is about building smarter, protecting our natural resources, and ensuring our infrastructure can support the families and businesses that call our community home.
Smart Land Use & Zoning
Stephanie will use our zoning ordinances to ensure new development respects the charm of our historic districts while meeting the needs of a growing city. Her focus is on high-quality, intentional projects that prevent generic suburban sprawl and keep Elgin looking and feeling like the hometown we love.
Infrastructure & Transportation Planning
Prioritize long-term infrastructure planning that addresses current traffic bottlenecks while preparing for future expansion. She will work to modernize our transportation network, ensuring that new developments pay their fair share toward the infrastructure they require, protecting current taxpayers from the costs of unmanaged growth.
Regional Collaboration
Ensure Elgin never operates as an island by strengthening our partnerships with state and regional entities like TxDOT, CAPCOG, CAMPO, and our sister cities. Stephanie will secure Elgin’s seat at the table for critical funding and infrastructure decisions through active collaboration with these regional organizations, aligning our growth with the surrounding landscape.
Supporting Small Businesses
Foster a business-friendly environment that prioritizes local entrepreneurs. By supporting residents in the planning and expansion of our homegrown ventures, we ensure that Elgin’s economic growth remains rooted in our community. Additionally, working to proactively identify and secure small business grants and revitalization funds will help our neighbors renovate, grow, and thrive.
Strategic planning is the key to maintaining Elgin’s high quality of life. By growing with purpose and foresight, we ensure long-term stability and a thriving community for every neighbor today and tomorrow.
Preserving History and Preparing for the Future
Elgin is uniquely positioned between a rich, expansive history and a vast, opportunity-filled future. As we grow, preserving our unique identity is key to ensuring Elgin remains a place we are all proud to call home.
Celebrating City History
Even as Elgin grows, it is crucial to remember the character of our town. That means zoning and ordinances must align to protect our historic downtown district, as well as ensuring continued funding of community events and celebrations — all the Elgin favorites we know and love.
Championing Main Street
Many of our best-loved local businesses are housed in the downtown district and on Main Street. It is vital to continue offering grants and programs to help these community pillars preserve their storefronts, keeping Elgin’s heritage a living part of our local economy.
Advocating for Neighboring Communities
Standing firmly with the historic Littig community in their fight for representation and environmental justice regarding the proposed wastewater treatment plant. Growth should never be forced upon our neighbors without their voice being heard, and Stephanie will advocate for a collaborative approach that protects Littig’s heritage, land, and future from being sidelined by city expansion.
To preserve our history, we can't be stuck living in the past. We honor and celebrate where we've been as we build a resilient, future-ready home for every Elginite.
Showing Up for Our Neighbors
Being Mayor of Elgin is more than a title — it is being a constant, reliable presence in the lives of every Elginite. Stephanie believes that true leadership is built on the ground, block by block, ensuring that no neighborhood is overlooked and no voice goes unheard.
Listening in Every Neighborhood
Good government begins with listening. We will establish regular town halls and community dialogues in every ward, ensuring that residents can share their concerns directly with city leadership in ways that are accessible to everyone. Consistency and accesibility are key to the city's success.
Being Present in Times of Crisis
The City Charter should be amended to open the Recreation Center in times of crisis, such as the freeze we experienced this past year. While the community pulled together in wonderful ways, the city should be proactive and prepared to support citizens during these times.
Being Reachable to the Community
Stephanie has continued to be accessible to the community . From giving out her personal phone number and email to posting consistently on social media platforms, it is her goal, and promise as mayor, to continue doing so. By being someone citizens can reach both easily and directly, it ensures trust is built amongst the community.
Collaborating with Leadership
Every Member of City Council is there with the express duty of representing their constituents, and it is the responsibility of the Mayor to listen intently and work collaboratively with them. We are a united team in finding the best solutions and way forward for our community. Even when ideas differ, we are one town, one team, and one family.
Trust is earned through everyday presence and responsiveness. By showing up, even when no one is looking, we build the foundation of a local government that is ready and capable when things get tough.