Mayor Mitchell Defends Her Record

Mitchell Defends Record, Transparency, and Growth in Reelection Interview

As West Monroe’s mayoral race continues, sitting Mayor Staci Mitchell says her case for reelection comes down to results.

In a recent interview, Mitchell pointed to infrastructure improvements, financial growth, transparency efforts, and long-term planning as some of the biggest strengths of her administration. The conversation came after I previously interviewed her opponent, Don Nance, and wanted to give both candidates the same opportunity to speak directly to the public.

Mitchell said one of the accomplishments she is most proud of is the city’s financial position.

“When I came in office, we had a $5.9 million fund balance. Today we have $12 million,” she said.

Mitchell explained that building that fund balance was not about holding taxpayer money without purpose, but about making sure the city can provide matching funds for major grants and infrastructure projects. According to her, that strategy has allowed West Monroe to pursue larger projects that would otherwise be out of reach through normal revenue alone.

A major focus of the interview was infrastructure.

Mitchell highlighted sewer improvements already underway, including the Drago Street sewer lift station project, which she said is about 85 percent complete, and the Austin Street sewer lift station, which she described as the city’s largest. She said those kinds of projects are critical not only for current residents, but for the long-term sustainability of the city.

She also addressed water concerns, which she acknowledged are among the more common complaints residents raise. Mitchell described those concerns as longstanding and tied to the city’s location in the Sparta Aquifer, rather than a new issue created under her administration. She said the city has continued investing in upgrades and filtration, and referenced roughly $5.2 million in water system improvements between 2019 and 2025.

On the topic of transparency and accountability, Mitchell directly pushed back on the idea that City Hall is inaccessible or closed off to the public.

She said that before she took office, West Monroe held pre-council meetings prior to council sessions. According to Mitchell, those meetings no longer happen under her administration.

“All business is transacted in a city council meeting,” she said.

Mitchell also said her administration increased council meetings from once a month to twice a month, moved those meetings to 6 p.m. to make attendance easier, expanded the city’s use of social media, posts agendas online, livestreams meetings, and created public outreach efforts such as Coffee and Conversations and Walk and Talks.

She described local government as the level of government most directly accountable to the people because elected officials are seen regularly in everyday life and are accessible to the same community they serve.

The interview also touched on economic development and who benefits from it.

Mitchell said economic development can mean different things to different people. While some organizations focus on industry and job recruitment, she said local government’s role is to make sure the basic infrastructure is there for growth to happen. In her view, streets, drainage, water, sewer, and quality-of-life amenities all play a role in that.

She pointed to the West Monroe Sports and Events Center as one of the clearest examples of an economic development project that is already having an impact. Mitchell said the facility was created through a dedicated funding structure and is not paid for out of the city’s general operating funds. She argued that the complex is helping drive tourism, support local business growth, and create opportunities for local families and youth sports organizations at the same time.

“The sports complex is paying for itself,” she said.

Mitchell said the facility has remained heavily booked and is already contributing to new business activity and expanded recreation options in the area.

When asked what criticism of her administration she believes is fair, Mitchell did not offer a major concession, but acknowledged that water concerns remain a recurring issue. Much of her response focused on the need for the public to ask questions, seek facts, and better understand how city projects are funded and managed before drawing conclusions.

Looking ahead, Mitchell said her biggest goal for another term would be to continue what is already in motion and see major projects through to completion.

“My biggest frustration in government is how long it takes to get things done,” she said.

She explained that large projects often take years due to funding cycles, design, state and federal approvals, and construction timelines. Because of that, she said city leadership has to constantly keep projects in the pipeline. She also said she would like to see more housing developed inside the city and believes West Monroe offers strong public safety, reasonable utility costs, and a quality of life that makes it an attractive place to live.

From my own perspective, Mitchell came across as prepared, knowledgeable, and confident in her record. Whether voters agree with every decision her administration has made, she was willing to sit down, answer direct questions, and give detailed explanations rather than broad talking points. That matters.

In a time when public trust in government feels increasingly fragile, access and accountability still count. On that front, my experience with Mitchell’s office was professional, open, and responsive.

She committed to a working relationship of transparency and accountability with the Community Accountability Network.

As always, voters will decide for themselves what vision they want for West Monroe. But after hearing from both candidates, one thing is clear: this race gives the public a real opportunity to compare leadership styles, priorities, and records side by sided.