DECEMBER 202519GOV BUSINESS REVIEWProgram and the Executive Leadership Development Program. Each provides leaders, regardless of department, the guidance and tools to navigate their leadership journey successfully.Emerging Leaders is an eight-week program for early-career professionals stepping into one of their first leadership roles. City management, executive directors and the chiefs of police and fire share lessons from successes and failures, while community members contribute their leadership experiences. The program demonstrates that mistakes are part of growth, and resilience allows leaders to recover and strengthen their skills. I am proud of the confidence, perspective and practical leadership it instills.The growth and learning fostered in Emerging Leaders naturally extend into our Mentorship Program, where graduates are paired with senior leaders across the organization. Weekly meetings allow participants to reflect on successes, analyze challenges and exchange insights. I hear consistently from mentors that the learning is reciprocal, with insights flowing both ways. This structure keeps leaders engaged, motivated and committed to the work of serving the community.The Executive Leadership Development Program prepares the next generation, sponsoring rising leaders to attend the University of Texas at Arlington Master of Public Administration program, grounding them in our culture and preparing them for future challenges.Managing Rapid Growth: Infrastructure, Housing, Quality ImprovedEvery two years, our citizen satisfaction survey highlights traffic and congestion as the top concern. Our elected officials have acted decisively, and over the past three years, resources for roadway construction and maintenance have nearly doubled, supported by additional crews in the street department. Mansfield's ambitious Capital Improvement Plan, backed by a healthy economy, ensures infrastructure keeps pace with growth.Housing is another pressing issue, reflecting nationwide challenges of limited availability, high costs and stagnation in existing neighborhoods near elementary schools. We are intentionally addressing all three. Moving from Euclidean zoning to form-based codes allows neighborhoods to develop organically. Smaller homes, accessory dwelling units permitted by right, and integrated gathering spaces are already making an impact. A broader range of public financing tools is accelerating progress, with early results proving effective.Quality of life remains central to our work. Citizens want spaces for families, teens and adults, and we have delivered on that expectation. The Staybolt Entertainment District, a Multi-Sport professional stadium and the unique Geyer Commons development are tangible results of listening to our community. The North Texas Soccer Club now calls Mansfield home and was the national champion last year. We are advancing a new hotel and conference concept, alongside the High Five concert venue. Geyer Commons will serve as a historical village, relocating or reconstructing homes from across the city, while a cottage village onsite provides young entrepreneurs a platform to test the market. Technology-Enabled Governance: Shaping Communities through AnalyticsOne initiative we are exploring is the creation of a digital city. This platform would forecast how events and growth may impact Mansfield, supporting smarter planning and informed decision-making. Our economic development team uses tools such as Placer AI, while predictive software is being integrated into the finance department. Technology offers great opportunities, but it must rest on a solid operational foundation.I firmly believe city managers who take a proactive role in identifying, testing and implementing new technologies position themselves far ahead. City management as a profession is well-suited to lead this charge.Equally important is building sustainable communities. We have the tools to evaluate the revenue potential of every type of land use, and as Mansfield nears full buildout, careful planning is essential. The value generated supports the remarkable services residents expect and ensures ongoing maintenance of roads, water systems, sewer infrastructure and other essential services.Advice for Future Leaders: Embrace True NORTH with CuriosityTrue NORTH is a guiding principle for both individuals and the community. It should remain central to every action. The next generation of leaders must be trained, possess strong interpersonal skills and demonstrate resilience. They must face challenges without losing sight of what matters. Leadership requires lifelong learning, continuous refinement of skills and a commitment to sharing knowledge widely. It's the curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to uplifting others that define the most effective leaders. Joe Smolinski
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