FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Why are you interested in continuing to serve as a Richland City Council member?
As someone who graduated from Richland High School and has lived and worked in the Tri-Cities for over 40 years, I have a deep appreciation for the unique strengths and potential of our community. My professional background in organizational leadership and project management, has given me firsthand experience in infrastructure, sustainability, and collaborative problem-solving—skills I believe are essential for effective governance. I'm passionate about ensuring that Richland continues to thrive as a safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking city. Serving on the City Council allows me to contribute meaningfully to decisions that shape our future, advocate for responsible development, and ensure that we preserve the quality of life for all residents. I’m committed to listening, learning, and leading with integrity and transparency.
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2. What Strengths do you bring to the Council?
With my technical background in building systems, energy policy, and energy economics, I have an understanding of the issues surrounding energy efficiency, sustainable design, and infrastructure planning. This experience helps enable me to support smart city planning and long term resilience. As a group leader for over 20 years, I have led multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex projects, and I understand how to balance diverse perspectives to reach consensus and drive results. Experienced in setting strategic goals, and fostering collaboration, this assists me in successfully navigating the complexities of city governance. I approach challenges with a systems-thinking mindset, which allows me evaluate issues from all sides and develop practical solutions. I am deeply invested in the well being of Richland and have a strong desire as a servant leader to give back and help shape our future. I have worked across public and private sectors to advance shared goals, and I understand how to build partnerships that benefit the entire community.
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3. What are the three highest priorities and/or issues you believe the City needs to address?
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A. Infrastructure Improvement and Sustainable Development – to be positioned for success in the future, we need to focus on planning, developing, and improving the our infrastructure that includes roads, utilities, and other infrastructure such as parks and public safety facilities that are necessary to attract and retain focused economic development.
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B. Financial Sustainability and High-Performance Government – continuing to be excellent stewards of the tax payer’s funds and maintain balanced budgets while making investments in essential services. Continue to actively pursue strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency, enhance transparency, and increase public trust.
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C. Quality of Life and Community Representation – ensuring that we are proactively addressing issues that impact the “living in Richland experience” and that our citizens feel that their concerns are being heard and addressed, and their city council actively listens and cares about their concerns.
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4. Briefly describe your current/past community involvement on clubs, associations, non-profits, boards, commissions, etc. and how this experience would benefit Richland.
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Throughout my career and personal life, I’ve been actively involved in organizations that reflect my commitment to community service and civic engagement. I am a graduate of Leadership Tri-Cities Class XII, previously served on the City of Richland Planning Commission and Code Enforcement Boards. I am currently serving on the Boards of the Benton Franklin Workforce Development Council (Chairman), and the Mid-Columbia Symphony Society (Vice President). I have also served on the Columbia Basin Badger Club Board and the Children’s Developmental Center Board. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the needs and aspirations of our residents and taught me the importance of collaboration, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. Serving on the Richland City Council allows me to continue to build on this foundation, bringing a community-centered perspective and a strong network of local relationships to help drive positive change.
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5. What do you consider the primary roles of a member of the city
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A. Policy Making and Legislation - Set policies that guide the city's operations and development. Adopt ordinances and resolutions that establish local laws and regulations. Approve the annual city budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with community priorities.
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B. Oversight and Governance - Hire and oversee the City Manager, who acts as the chief executive officer responsible for daily operations. Approve contracts and agreements that impact city services and infrastructure. Appoint members to city boards and commissions, helping shape advisory and decision-making bodies.
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C. Community Representation and Engagement - Represent the entire community. Engage with residents through meetings, public hearings, etc. Advocate for community needs and ensure public input is considered in decision making.
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D. Strategic Planning – Participate in long-term planning for city growth, sustainability, and economic development. Support initiatives with the city’s strategic goals, such as infrastructure improvements, public safety, and community services.
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6. ​As a council member, your only legal authority is the ability to cast one of seven votes. What is your philosophy of how to build consensus or majority support for a program, service or policy?
I believe that effective governance begins with listening. Building consensus means engaging with fellow council members, city staff, and most importantly our citizens. I would prioritize open dialogue, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected, especially those from underrepresented communities. While perspectives may differ, I would seek to identify shared values and long-term goals that unite us, such as public safety or economic vitality. These common threads can serve as the foundation for building majority support.
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I believe in making decisions based on sound data, community input, and transparent processes. When stakeholders understand the rationale behind a proposal and see that it’s based on sound data and comprehensive analysis, they are more likely to support it. Consensus does not mean unanimous agreement, it means finding solutions that most can support. I would work to foster respectful debate, seek common ground, and be open to compromise when it serves the greater good.
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As a council member, I strive to lead with integrity, always keeping the community’s best interests at heart. Building consensus is not just about passing policies, it’s about ensuring those policies reflect the values and needs of Richland’s residents.​​
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7. What background or experience has prepared
Todd to understand and respond to the needs of
Richland businesses?
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Todd was appointed to the Richland City Council in January 2026. He has served on the Richland Planning Commission, Code Enforcement Board, and numerous non-profit boards. He brings more than three decades of leadership and public service experience to the Council
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Todd has over 30 years of organizational management experience leading complex scientific, engineering, and technology-driven projects. He currently serves as a Group Manager at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where he leads a group of over 60 staff focused on building energy efficiency, performance testing, and applied research. Throughout his career, Todd has built and managed large, multidisciplinary teams, overseen multiple research laboratories, and led projects valued at more than $30 million.
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Todd has an MBA in Business Management and been teaching Business classes at the graduate level for over 25 years.
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8. What will Todd do to make future energy projects
provide long-term local benefits?
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Access to abundant, reliable, and affordable energy is essential to the continued health and success of existing and new businesses. Whether the business plans to provide energy or be a significant user of energy, we must also ensure protections of our environment are included.
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To achieve this healthy balance between energy production, utilization, and environmental protection, we should focus on:
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Developing a Community Energy Strategic Plan that describes our:
- Prioritization for siting for energy intensive projects
- Describes our environmental standards
- Economic development goals
- Community engagement expectations
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Developing Community Benefit Agreements that formally describe:
- How we tie project approvals to measurable outcomes
- Emphasize local hiring & apprenticeships
- Prioritize workforce partnerships (CBC, WSI-Tri-Cities, Unions)
- Identify infrastructure and/or road improvements
- Formalize revenue sharing and/or phased development
- Establish environmental impact mitigation funds
- Establish decommissioning funds
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9. What changes would Todd support to make
housing development more predictable and cost
effective?
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The City of Richland faces increasing affordable housing demand from a growing workforce and population. Todd would support the following approaches that the City could take to help address the situation:
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Revising and Simplifying City Zoning Policies to support more uniform, higher density development that gives developers more certainty about what can be built and at what intensity. Provide clearer residential design standards and expand allowance of accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and small multifamily projects in more locations.
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Enhancing Permitting Approvals - revise permitting review times to no more than 30 days for single-family, 45-days for multi-family (less than 12 units), and 90 days for all other projects. The City should forfeit it’s application fee to the developer if the permit is not reviewed in a timely manner.
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10. How would Todd balance the need for public
services with the need to keep costs manageable
for employers?
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The City of Richland can maintain essential services without unreasonably raising employer costs by pairing fiscal discipline with targeted modernization. It is essential the Richland be fiscally responsible, reinvest surpluses into infrastructure, and build strong community relationships so that when revenue measures are needed, businesses understand the value proposition.
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Todd proposes that the City of Richland provide clear guidance on:
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- Prioritizing essential services that support businesses
- Maintaining predictable utility and tax rates
- Require strong long-term financial planning to avoid sudden and
unexpected spikes in fees and taxes
- Expand the tax base through economic development instead of
raising rates
- Actively pursue operational efficiencies and technology
applications to reduce costs
- Operate within our budget and avoid taking on debt that does not
directly support economic development
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11. What transportation investments does Todd
believe to be the most important to Richland?
Richland City Council should pursue transportation investments that already appear as high-priority in the City’s adopted Transportation Improvement Plan, have secured or partially secured state/federal funding, and unlock the greatest safety, mobility, and economic benefits. Those investments include:
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Downtown Connectivity Improvements (the Loop) - this project is already funded and hold tremendous potential for transforming the economic vitality of downtown and unlocking significant redevelopment efforts.
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State Route 240 & Aaron Drive Interchange Reconstruction - while not fully funded yet, this project addresses one of the most critical regional choke points and holds the promise of dramatically improving traffic congestion.
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Safe Routes to School Package - recently received $3M from the state, these projects offer high safety return on investment and reduce school hour congestion.
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12. Would you support raising Minium Wage in Washington State or cap on wages subject to social security tax, in order to augment the solvency of the Social Security System, or are there other strategies you would support? No, I prefer not to raise the minimum wage, I believe it discourages employers from hiring young people. No, I would prefer to means-test Social Security. Treat it more like insurance. If you financially need it, it is available. If you don’t need it based on your financial situation, it then remains more viable and available for those who do really need it.
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13. Some polls show overwhelming support for background checks on every gun sale, even among NRA members. Would you support legislation that would make it harder for those with felonies, mental illness or a history of domestic violence to purchase guns? Yes, I support background checks on every gun purchase, I support legislation to make it harder for those with felonies, mental illness, or a history of violence to purchase a gun. Steps must be taken to reduce gun related violence in the United States.
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14. What do you think of the Million Dollar Tax? Do you agree? NO, The Constitution of the State of Washington prohibits imposition of an Income Tax. Focus should be on enforcing current tax laws, eliminating loops holes, and making every effort to reduce spending and improve Government efficiency in order to operate the State and provide essential services without further raising taxes on our businesses. How does Washington attract and retain businesses with an unattractive tax structure? It will not be able to compete.
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15. What Health Care Insurance Program do you support and why? Medicare, Medicaid in combination with commercially available insurance provides a safety net for those who can not afford health insurance while maintaining a competitive market alternative for those who can afford more health coverage.
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16. Do you agree that Elected officials have the right to tax residents on streets, roads, highways without asking the residents putting the issue on a ballot for a Vote? NO, Citizens are electing their representatives with the expectation that they study, understand, and be knowledgable on the issues surrounding tax increases and to have the best interests of their constituents in mind. Many times, tax issues are complex and long-term, requiring extensive study and research to understand pros and cons. If a proposed tax level is above a certain point, I do believe the citizens should be given the opportunity to vote to support or oppose projects and/or tax increases above a certain level. (Like Pasco did with their new Aquatics Center and like Richland did with the proposed Performing Arts Center).
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17. Immigration policy has a major impact in our area, especially as it relates to agriculture and a reliable labor supply. What changes would you support in immigration legislation, especially as it affects eastern Washington? Congress should be passing legislation to make it easier and less expensive to legally work in the United States. Congress should increase the number of foreign workers legally authorized to work in the United States. It is Congress’ responsibility to ensure that our businesses have the workers necessary to be successful and competitive .
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18. Do you support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) as written and enacted as executive order. NO, I do NOT believe the President has the authority to issue Executive Orders in this area. This is Congress’ responsibility to write the laws and develop the policies and procedures around how we address illegal immigration and the associated consequences/impacts to children and parents.
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19. Should Washington State Stop charging the Washington State Gas Tax.? NO, the Gas Tax in the State of Washington is used to maintain our critical transportation infrastructure. We can not tolerate any less investment in our aging roads and bridges.
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20. Do you support more taxes to raise funds for projects and events in the community? NO, taxes and the overall cost of living in the State of Washington are already very high. Additional significant taxes should only be approved if the voters approve. We must work to make government more efficient and live within the budget we currently have.
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21. If you had a local Park in your neighborhood with no picnic tables, No Garbage cans, No running hot water to wash hands, No Restroom or doors locked daily and or No BBQ pits would you use the park.? NO, our local parks should be maintained at a level of service that enables them to be community assets. Well maintained parks are VERY important to a healthy community and basic quality of life.
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22. What do you think about Communities use traffic cameras and charge traffic violations? YES, I support the use of traffic cameras in areas prone to accidents and safety incidents. Traffic cameras have a proven track record of enhancing safety while being significantly less expensive than additional police officers. Precautions must be implemented to assure data security. I do NOT support traffic cameras for revenue making for the city.
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23. Should the Supreme Court be expanded to more than 9 Judges. NO, The Supreme Court has had 9 Judges for over 150 years after revising the size several times in the past. I value the relatively stable nature of the Supreme Court and it’s degree of separation from current politics of the day. Congress has the ability to add or subtract justices and impeach and remove judges it believes are not carrying out their duties. I do NOT support term limits because it takes away options from voters.
