Joe Wilson LV City Commissioner

08/26/2026

Last night’s City Commission meeting included two decisions that I think deserve some explanation.

First, the Commission voted to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate. That means the City will collect more property tax revenue next year, and for many property owners that will mean an increase.

I understand the frustration and anger many of you have expressed. It doesn’t feel good to me either.

The difficult reality is that the cost of providing city services continues to rise. Health insurance, road maintenance, public safety, equipment, infrastructure and other basic expenses all cost more than they did a few years ago. That makes staying revenue neutral increasingly difficult.

But I do not believe the answer can simply be raising taxes year after year.

We have to grow our tax base, and that means Leavenworth needs to be open for business.

We have vacant storefronts downtown, a former mall property that has sat largely unused for years, and other areas throughout our community that should be generating jobs, investment and tax revenue. We need to be aggressively pursuing new businesses, manufacturing, retail, housing and redevelopment opportunities.

I am not saying we should approve every project that comes through the door. I am saying we should listen, ask hard questions, understand the costs and benefits, and evaluate each opportunity on its merits. If we want to ease the financial burden on residents, Leavenworth has to be a community where responsible investment and development are welcome.

Economic development is not just about ribbon cuttings. It is about broadening the tax base so the financial burden does not continue falling on the same homeowners and businesses.

The other major decision last night was moving forward with the STAR Bond district involving the former mall area and Abeles Field.

I supported it because I believe redevelopment of those properties could be a tremendous opportunity for our community. These are highly visible areas that have been underused for far too long, and we have an opportunity to create something that attracts people from outside Leavenworth and generates new economic activity.

Where I remain disappointed is downtown.

I have asked multiple times why we are not considering opportunities to include portions of downtown in this effort, and I still do not feel like I have received a satisfactory answer. Downtown is one of our greatest assets, and when we are making long-term economic development decisions, we need to be thinking two steps ahead.

I supported moving the STAR Bond project forward because our community needs this kind of investment. Supporting it does not mean I believe we should stop asking questions or looking for additional opportunities.

If we want to control future tax increases, we need growth. We need investment. We need redevelopment. Most importantly, we need Leavenworth to be a community where businesses know we want them here and where responsible development is welcomed.

08/23/2026

Something exciting is coming! This September, United Way of Leavenworth County will officially kick off our annual campaign with a simple message:

UNITED IS THE WAY.

Because lasting change doesn't happen through one organization, one business, one donor or one volunteer. It happens when an entire community decides to show up together.

This year, we're inviting every business, organization and individual in Leavenworth County to find a way to be part of it. Give. Volunteer. Start a workplace campaign. Become a partner. Share our story. Invite us to speak to your team. There is a place for everyone.

Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing more about what a United Way campaign is, where your support goes and all the different ways you can get involved.

Our campaign officially kicks off September 18.

Until then, follow along, share our page and start thinking about how YOU might join us.

08/22/2026

I want to take a minute to explain the utility rate increases that are included in the proposed 2027 City budget, because residents deserve to know both what is increasing and why.

There are two significant changes:

• Sewer rates are proposed to increase 11.5%.
This increase is primarily about preparing for the replacement of our aging wastewater treatment facility. This is a major infrastructure project, and the City has to begin building reserves and preparing for future debt payments now. Waiting would likely mean much larger increases later.

• Stormwater fees are proposed to increase 24%.
For a single-family home, that takes the current $84 annual fee to about $104, an increase of roughly $20 per year. These funds are used for drainage, stormwater infrastructure, and improvements needed throughout the city.

So what does that mean to the average family?

For a household with a sewer bill of around $30 per month, the sewer increase would be approximately $3.45 per month. Add the stormwater increase, which works out to about $1.68 per month, and the total impact is roughly:

$5 more per month, or about $60 to $65 per year for a typical household.

The exact amount will vary depending on sewer usage.

I said during our July budget discussions that this didn’t feel good, and it still doesn’t. We worked to avoid increasing the mill levy, but I also recognize that telling residents the mill levy didn’t increase doesn’t make a higher utility bill any easier to pay.

These infrastructure needs are real, particularly the wastewater treatment facility, and putting them off doesn’t make them cheaper. At the same time, we have to recognize that even another $5 a month matters, especially to seniors, families on fixed incomes, and lower-income residents.

That’s why I believe economic development has to be part of the long-term solution. We cannot continue asking the same residents to absorb increasing costs indefinitely. We need to grow our commercial and industrial tax base, bring more businesses and investment into Leavenworth, and spread the cost of maintaining our city across a stronger and broader economy.

There are legitimate reasons for these increases, but that doesn’t mean we should be comfortable with them. We have an obligation to explain them, question them, and continue looking for ways to reduce the burden on our residents.

Sewer fees charged by the city of Leavenworth will increase by 11% in 2027. And stormwater fees charged by the city will increase by 24%.

08/17/2026

I’ve heard the concerns being raised about the use of Flock cameras in Leavenworth, and I decided to spend some time looking into the issue so I could better understand how the system is being used, what safeguards are in place, and where the appropriate balance lies between public safety and individual privacy.

The City of Leavenworth began using the Flock system in 2023 under a five-year agreement. There are currently 19 cameras located at five intersections within the city.

I also want to clear up some confusion I’ve heard. To my knowledge, the Flock cameras being discussed are not cameras located at private businesses. I spoke with County Commissioner Jeff Culbertson, who confirmed that he is not aware of Leavenworth County operating any Flock cameras. I cannot speak for every other municipality within Leavenworth County.

As part of trying to better understand the system, I have also spoken with the City Manager and the Chief of Police about how the cameras are used and what safeguards are in place.

I recognize that technology like this raises legitimate questions about privacy. At the same time, law enforcement has a responsibility to protect the public and use the tools available to identify dangerous individuals and solve serious crimes. I believe we have to be mindful of both responsibilities.

Here is where things currently stand:

The Leavenworth Police Department has policies governing how the Flock system may be used.
Those policies include internal controls designed to prevent misuse or abuse, including misuse by potential bad actors who might otherwise have access to the system.
LVPD conducts routine audits to ensure those policies and controls are being followed.
The system has been in use since 2023, and I have not been made aware of any instances of misuse by LVPD.
There are examples where information from the system has assisted law enforcement in identifying and apprehending individuals suspected of serious and violent crimes.
The City Commission has asked the Police Chief to provide an update on the Flock system in September, including how it is being used and the safeguards surrounding it.
We have also asked the City Attorney to conduct a legal review of the City’s use of the cameras to make sure our practices comply with applicable law.
I am considering spending some time at the Police Department myself to see firsthand how the system works, what officers can access, and what controls are in place.

I don’t think concerns about privacy should simply be dismissed, and I also don’t think we should disregard a public-safety tool solely because the technology makes some people uncomfortable. The important questions are how it is being used, who has access to the information, how long information is retained, what safeguards exist, and whether those safeguards are actually being followed.

Those are the questions I want answered.

Once we receive the Chief’s update and the City Attorney’s legal review, we should have an even clearer picture. If changes to policy or additional safeguards are warranted, we should be willing to consider them.

My goal is straightforward: keep Leavenworth safe while making sure we are protecting the rights and privacy of the people who live here.

08/15/2026

I was reading today and came across this quote:

“The most dangerous form of blindness is believing that your perspective is the only reality.”

I think this gets at one of the biggest problems in our world today.

People have become so locked into their own perspective, so convinced that they are right, that they are often unwilling to even consider another point of view.

We don’t have to agree on everything. In fact, disagreement can be healthy. But if we stop listening, stop questioning our own assumptions, and immediately dismiss anyone who sees things differently, we aren’t really having a conversation anymore.

I have strong opinions, just like everyone else, but I also believe there is value in hearing another perspective. Sometimes it reinforces what you already believe. Sometimes it gives you something new to think about. And sometimes it may even change your mind.

Being willing to listen doesn’t make you weak. It means you are willing to see beyond your own perspective.

08/14/2026

If you have time you should check our local hospital, they are working on doing big things…

08/09/2026

Last night I had the opportunity to participate in the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division Lip Sync Battle.

As Chair of the United Way of Leavenworth County board, I was encouraged to take part, so Trustyn and I stepped on stage and performed “Carry On Wayward Son.” We had a great time and were fortunate to win the competition.

CASA also gave a fantastic performance and does important work in our community. The winning prize was $1,000, and we chose to split it with CASA.

A big thank you to the Chamber’s Women’s Division for putting on the event, and to all of the acts who were willing to get on stage and help make the evening such a success.

Most importantly, the money raised will support scholarships for women in our community. It was a fun night for a worthwhile cause, and I appreciate everyone who attended, participated, volunteered, donated, and helped make it possible.

08/06/2026

Over the last few days, I’ve read many comments and questions about the CoreCivic facility. I wanted to provide an update and clear up a few misconceptions.

First, CoreCivic has already paid the City of Leavenworth the agreed upon $1.5 million. Approximately $900,000 of that was used to cover the City’s legal expenses. The remaining funds have been reserved as matching dollars for grant opportunities that can help improve our infrastructure and benefit our community. The City Commission has been discussing the best way to use those funds to maximize their impact.

Some individuals and organizations have suggested the City should instead hold those funds in reserve for future legal battles. That is certainly one perspective, but it is only one of several being discussed.

I’ve also had conversations regarding the commitments CoreCivic made to both the City and the County. It is my understanding, and certainly my hope, that those commitments will continue to be honored despite the sale. We should know more in the coming weeks.

I also believe the sale of CoreCivic’s California facility without significant obstacles established a precedent. During our discussions on the Commission, several of us raised the possibility that the Leavenworth facility could ultimately become federally owned if an agreement could not be reached. At the time, many dismissed that concern and suggested it was simply an attempt to justify our vote. Unfortunately, that possibility has now become reality.

From my perspective, CoreCivic made efforts to work with the City. At the same time, the process became increasingly difficult. Some organizations made it clear that their objective was to generate complaints and pursue every available avenue to shut the facility down, whether those complaints ultimately proved valid or not. I believe that climate contributed to the outcome we are seeing today.

That said, we are where we are. Looking back, I’m not sure there was any realistic way to completely avoid this outcome. Had the City continued down the legal path, we likely would have spent even more taxpayer dollars with little or no opportunity to recover those costs.

At the same time, I understand why the previous City Commission fought this issue. The City cannot simply yield to a business that refuses to follow our zoning laws. Doing so would set a dangerous precedent for every future development in our community. Our zoning regulations have to apply fairly and consistently, regardless of who the applicant is.

I recently told a community group that if the pressure continued in that direction, federal ownership was a very real possibility. That is now where we are.

One additional consequence is that the concern many people had about the facility closing in the next couple of years is likely no longer on the table. Because it is now a federal facility rather than a privately operated prison, decisions about its future will largely be made at the federal level.

This has never been a simple issue. There were legitimate legal, financial, and policy concerns on all sides. My vote was based on what I believed would best protect the City’s long term interests by preserving local oversight, avoiding additional litigation, and preventing the very outcome we are now facing.

Now that the sale has occurred, my focus is no longer on debating the past. My priority is making sure the commitments made to our community are honored, protecting the City’s interests, and working with my fellow commissioners to achieve the best possible outcome for Leavenworth moving forward.

The federal government's purchase of the CoreCivic-operated ICE detention center in Leavenworth is raising questions about whether the city will maintain the same level of oversight it established before the facility reopened.

08/05/2026

Today’s announcement that the Department of Homeland Security has purchased the Leavenworth facility is disappointing.

This is exactly the outcome I had hoped to prevent, and it is one of the primary reasons I supported opening the facility under a Special Use Permit with City oversight. My belief was that allowing the facility to operate under an SUP would preserve the City’s ability to exercise local oversight, enforce conditions, and maintain a voice in how the facility operated. With this sale, the facility becomes federally owned, and many of those decisions are now likely to be made outside our community’s control.

At this point, we simply do not know what comes next. There are still many unanswered questions about how the facility will operate under federal ownership and what, if any, role the City will have moving forward.

What I can promise is this: I will continue working with my fellow commissioners, city staff, our legislative delegation, and federal officials to advocate for the interests of the people of Leavenworth. Whatever the future holds, my priority remains protecting our community, ensuring public safety, and seeking as much transparency and accountability as possible.

For-profit prison operator CoreCivic announced Wednesday it has sold its Leavenworth Midwest Regional Reception Center to the Department of Homeland Security.

08/05/2026

Today is Election Day, and I want to wish every candidate the very best.

Running for office is not easy. It takes time away from family, countless conversations with neighbors, and a willingness to put yourself before the public. Regardless of the outcome tonight, everyone who stepped forward to serve deserves respect for their commitment to our community.

Most importantly, thank you to every voter who takes the time to make their voice heard. Our community is strongest when people participate in the process.

Good luck to all the candidates. May tonight’s results reflect the will of the voters, and may we all move forward together, continuing to work for the betterment of Leavenworth County.

https://www.livevoterturnout.com/ENR/leavenworthksenr/2/en/Index_2.html