Agenda

Economic Growth

Major Retailers
- Since joining City Council, Brookings has added Kwik Star, ALDI, and Target. I do (and will continue) to work to attract the major retailers Brookings citizens want that create jobs and expand our tax base by using various incentives like sales tax rebates and tax increment financing.
Small Business
- Supporting small, local businesses is equally important as attracting major retailers. While on City Council, for example, I have contributed to making it easier for citizens to operate at-home businesses and supported downtown revitalization grants that assist business owners with making security upgrades and enhancing their curb appeal.
Affordable Housing
- Economic growth requires affordable housing for our workforce. Incentives for developers and other creative solutions are key to addressing this need in Brookings. During my time on City Council, I have supported the use of tax increment financing and strategic rezoning to encourage the construction of affordable homes and higher density options like twinhomes and townhomes in the Branch Creek Development. If reelected, I want to continue working on incentivizing neighborhood revitalization and pre-annexation agreements as other avenues for affordable housing.

My campaign can best be summarized as "People Over Politics." As a member of City Council, I do (and will) focus on economic growth, community vitality, and public safety. You can learn more about my work and vision in each of these three areas below.

City Council and City staff celebrate the grand opening of Target in July 2026.

Community Vitality

Infrastructure & City Services
- Constantly maintaining and improving the City's infrastructure and services are a must to ensure Brookings is a thriving community now and well into the future. I do (and will continue) to support pilot projects and initiatives to improve City services and infrastructure. Some highlights from my time on City Council include starting the composting pilot project, allowing for e-waste recycling at the landfill, and revising development standards to improve neighborhood connectivity and the durability of roads.
Parks, Trails, & Recreation
- A large part of why Brookings is a vibrant community is because of our miles of trails, over 600 acres of park land, and numerous opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation. While on City Council, I've worked to maintain, protect, and expand our parks and trail system. For example, I supported expanding shared-use paths along 20th Street S and revising procedures for responding to invasive species, like emerald ash borer, Dutch elm, and pine wilt.
Quality of Life & Nonprofit Partnerships
- Being a City Council member requires taking advantage of opportunities to improve quality of life and partnering with nonprofits to address community needs. Some highlights from my time on City Council include approving the addition of public restrooms downtown, continuing the downtown sidewalk café and parklet program, and assisting the Brookings Regional Humane Society build a new animal shelter by providing the land.

Lisa Hager on a trash compactor at the landfill in July 2025.

In July 2025, I got to drive one of the trash compactors out at the landfill!

Public Safety

Facility & Equipment Upgrades
- Keeping our community safe starts by making sure Brookings has the facilities and equipment our officers and firefighters need. As a member of City Council, I do (and will) keep this in mind during the budgeting process. For example, while on City Council, I have supported saving $18M for a new police department and main fire station. Additionally, we have set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars for new fire trucks, police cars, and equipment.
Professional Standards
- Maintaining public trust and serving the community requires pursuing excellence in policing and firefighting. While on City Council, I have supported efforts by both departments to ensure our first responders can pursue opportunities to enhance their work. For example, the police department received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and the fire department added full-time fire marshal and fire inspector positions.
Accountability
- Effective policing and firefighting requires being responsive to community needs and continually evaluating existing policies and procedures. As a member of City Council, I encourage and support this work, such as reviewing the animal control ordinance and substantially revising the section on vicious and biting dogs.

City Council at the groundbreaking for ALDI and Target in May 2025.