City Council 2025: Andrew Lindley

I’m running for City Council because I care deeply about Billings and believe in its potential. Billings has always been a great place to live, work, and raise a family-and I want to help it grow in a way that reflects our values of hard work, self-reliance, and looking out for each other.

As a longtime resident of Ward 4, I’ve raised my family here and built a career in technology and executive leadership, most recently serving as Chief Information Officer for Vensure Employer Solutions.

In that role, I’ve led teams, managed large budgets, and worked through complex challenges with a focus on transparency, collaboration, and accountability. I’ll bring that same approach to the Council. I believe good policy is built on listening, facts, and long-term thinking. I’m committed to working with residents, businesses, and city staff to make practical decisions that serve the people of Billings.

City government is about people, not partisanship. The job is to listen, solve problems, and make decisions that improve the daily lives of our residents. I’ll base my decisions on conversations with constituents, data, and real community impact, regardless of political affiliation.

My goal is to represent everyone in Ward 4 by staying accessible and focused on what matters: public safety, fiscal responsibility, and a strong local economy. I believe in listening first, collaborating often, and always putting the people of Billings above politics.

1. Public Safety: Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and neighborhood. I’ll support our police and fire departments while also investing in prevention strategies like youth programs, mental health services, and addiction recovery to reduce pressure on emergency services.
2. Fiscal Responsibility: With a budget shortfall and rising costs, we need to spend smarter. I’ll support transparent budgeting, prioritize core services, and work to make every tax dollar count.
3. Parks and Community Spaces: Our parks, trails, and public spaces strengthen neighborhoods, attract visitors, and improve quality of life. I’ll advocate for maintaining and improving these spaces in a cost-effective, community-driven way.

We’ve made real progress on violent crime, and I believe we need to continue investing in what’s working while expanding long-term, community-based solutions. I support maintaining strong funding for our police department and ensuring our officers have the tools, staffing, and training they need to respond effectively and safely.

At the same time, we need to reduce the overall demand on emergency response by addressing root causes of crime. That includes support for addiction recovery, expanded access to mental health services, and programs that keep youth engaged and supported. I also believe in strong partnerships between the city, community organizations, and neighborhoods because safety is a shared responsibility.

By taking a balanced approach that focuses on both response and prevention, we can continue to reduce violent crime while building trust and resilience in our community.

In my opinion I think the following items from the new law would be very favorable to Billings:

1. (e) Allow, as a permitted use, for at least one internal or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a lot with a single-unit dwelling occupied as a primary residence.

ADUs increase housing supply with minimal impact on neighborhood character. They’re a low-resistence option for adding affordable housing, supporting seniors, or providing rental income. This helps us meet our housing demand while minimizing outward expansion which places a large strain on city services.

2. (b) Zone for higher density housing near transit stations, places of employment, higher education facilities, and other appropriate population centers.

This supports smart, target growth where infrastructure and services already exist. It balanced density with planning and encourages walkability, shorter commutes, and a reduced infrastructure strain.

I support the City’s decision to explore zero-based budgeting and believe it’s a smart step toward greater fiscal responsibility. With rising costs and a projected budget shortfall, we need to examine every dollar we spend-not just assume past spending should continue.

Zero-based budgeting encourages city departments to justify their expenses from the ground up, helping uncover inefficiencies and redirect funds to high-impact priorities. It also builds public trust by showing that we’re serious about accountability and transparency.

While it requires time and effort to implement effectively, I believe the long-term value—better prioritization, smarter spending, and clearer decision-making—makes it worth the investment.

TIF districts can be a valuable tool for economic development when used strategically and transparently. In Billings, they’ve helped revitalize downtown and support infrastructure improvements that would have been difficult to fund otherwise.

To encourage infill development, TIF funds should be focused on projects that align with community goals-like affordable housing, economic development, and adaptive reuse of underutilized properties. I also support regular reporting, strong public engagement, and clear criteria for how TIF dollars are spent to ensure long-term public benefit.

Used wisely, TIF can help us grow inward instead of always outward. This strengthens our urban core and reducing infrastructure strain on taxpayers.

These cultural assets are vital to Billings, not just for entertainment and tourism, but for economic activity, placemaking, and quality of life. They help bring people downtown, support local businesses, and build pride in our city.

I believe we need a balanced approach that includes city support, private partnerships, and creative funding solutions. Maintenance and investment should be prioritized based on use, economic impact, and long-term sustainability. It’s also essential that we engage the public in these decisions so that community support and expectations are aligned.

With the right mix of stewardship and innovation, we can preserve these spaces without compromising other essential services. 

I support the creation of an airport authority as a way to provide more flexibility, faster decision-making, and specialized focus for an asset as critical as the Billings airport. Given the airport’s role in driving business growth, tourism, and regional connectivity, it makes sense to consider a model that can act more efficiently while remaining accountable.

That said, it’s essential that our community’s priorities continue to be reflected in airport planning and operations. I believe any new airport authority should include at least one representative from the Billings City Council and one from the Yellowstone County Commission to ensure strong coordination, fiscal alignment, and local oversight.

With the right structure in place, an airport authority can help us stay competitive, attract more flights, and better support our economic future while still staying grounded in community input.

Yes, I support the current TBID assessment and how it’s being used. Tourism is a major part of our local economy, and the TBID provides a consistent, dedicated funding stream to promote Billings as a destination for events, conventions, and leisure travel.

The fact that it’s industry-led and focused on reinvesting into our hospitality and visitor economy makes it a smart, self-sustaining tool. It brings in outside dollars that support our businesses, restaurants, and cultural space without relying on general tax funds. I support continued collaboration with Visit Billings and the business community to make sure the TBID remains effective and accountable.