City Council 2025: TJ Rogers

I stepped up to fill an open seat on City Council in January because I care deeply about Billings — where we are now and where we’re going. I’ve learned a lot these past seven months, and I want to keep serving because I believe we need steady, practical leadership that keeps people safe, spends taxpayer dollars wisely, and makes room for everyone’s voice at the table.

I bring real-world experience working in the nonprofit, private, and government sectors. That’s taught me how to balance tight budgets, solve problems with limited resources, and find solutions that actually get done — not just talked about.

Since joining Council, I’ve made it a priority to get fully trained, build strong working relationships, and show up ready to ask the tough questions. I listen carefully, look at all sides, and don’t come in with a fixed agenda — my job is to weigh what’s best for our whole city, not just one group or point of view.

I believe good policy happens when you stay connected to the people you serve, understand the details, and have the courage to speak up when something doesn’t make sense. That’s how I’ve worked so far, and that’s what I’ll keep doing if given the chance to serve the next four years.

City Council and Mayor roles are officially nonpartisan, and that makes sense — local government should stay rooted in practical solutions and community values, not just party politics. In my view, serving locally is about listening to people, asking good questions, and making fair, balanced decisions that help our whole community thrive.

I believe the best local leaders stay connected to the people they represent. Our city includes many different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences — and every one of them deserves a seat at the table. I talk with neighbors, business owners, law enforcement, nonprofits, and families to truly understand what’s working, what’s broken, and where we can do better.

When it’s time to vote, I make decisions based on what keeps Billings safe, strong, and a great place to raise a family and run a business. I look for common ground that reflects our community’s priorities and values — fiscal responsibility, personal accountability, and safe neighborhoods where people look out for each other.

At the end of the day, I’m here to represent my constituents and keep our city moving in the right direction. That means solving real problems, protecting what wevalue, and staying focused on results that matter for everyday Billings residents — not political gamesmanship.

My first priority is public safety, because without safe neighborhoods, nothing else works. Families, seniors, and businesses all need to feel safe living and working here. That means strong, well-supported police and fire departments. But safety isn’t just about adding more officers – it’s about making sure they have the right tools, clear backup from the courts and jails, and the community behind them. We need to hold repeat offenders accountable and keep dangerous people off our streets.

Second, I care a lot about transparency. Billings does many things well, but people can lose trust fast if they feel left in the dark. We can’t rely on the media to get every detail right — that’s our job. I answer calls and emails because folks deserve to hear straight from us, not just a headline. I also believe when we make mistakes, we need to admit it and fix it instead of spinning it. Trust is earned by being upfront, not perfect.

Third, I’m serious about tight budgets and responsible spending. I’ve worked in nonprofits, private business, and government, and I know how easy it is for “mission creep” and bloated budgets to sneak in. As a single mom, I know what it’s like to cut costs and live within my means. Taxpayers deserve the same discipline. We need to protect what’s essential – police, fire, roads – and make sure every dollar is spent wisely.

Safe neighborhoods, open government, and careful spending are what keep Billings strong and a place we’re proud to call home.

Billings has made good progress on violent crime, but we still have serious challenges — from domestic violence to drug trafficking, gang activity, and human trafficking moving through our region.

First, we have to back our law enforcement officers. The Billings Police Department works hard every day with high call volumes, and our officers do an incredible job under pressure. I also fully respect the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office — they’re working on real solutions like expanding jail capacity with the new 72-hour hold facility, and increasing state and federal prisoner per diem reimbursements to help cover expenses and put money back into the budget. We have also approved hiring another judge to speed up the system. These steps matter and deserve our full support.

We also need to keep working closely with our partners at every level — local, state, and federal. Our joint task forces with the DEA and other agencies have made a real difference in tackling major drug operations, cartels, and trafficking networks. That collaboration is a big reason we’re seeing progress, and I’ll keep pushing for strong partnerships that hold criminals accountable, no matter where they come from.

Domestic violence is still half of our violent crime, and we can’t ignore it. I’ll keep supporting the Northern Lights Family Justice Center and push for policies that stop repeat abusers from walking free just because the jail is full. If an offender is a proven risk – like strangulation, weapons use, or past protective orders — they should not get early release.

At the end of the day, it’s simple: safe neighborhoods and safe families come first. That means strong law enforcement, clear consequences for criminals, and the resources our police and deputies need to protect our community and do their jobs well.

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

I support carefully planned higher-density housing near transit stops, major employers, and our colleges because it makes sense for Billings’ long-term growth and housing needs. This approach allows more people — especially students, young workers, and families — to live closer to where they work or go to school, instead of driving long distances every day. It also helps local businesses by providing more customers nearby and can ease traffic pressure over time.

However, this strategy has to be done right. We need to make sure our roads, schools, and utilities can handle added growth. Parking is also a major concern in many neighborhoods – any higher-density development must include realistic parking solutions. We must protect the character of our existing neighborhoods by setting clear design standards and buffers where needed.

Higher density in the right areas can also help revitalize underused lots or aging corridors, creating more walkable, vibrant districts instead of empty or blighted properties. I believe our city should grow inward where we already have infrastructure, instead of pushing costly sprawl ever farther out.

In short, done properly, targeted higher-density housing is a responsible, market-friendly way to help meet our housing demand while supporting local jobs, businesses, and public safety.

b. Allow multi-unit dwellings or mixed-use development as a permitted use on all lots where office, retail, or commercial are primary permitted uses.

Allowing multi-unit or mixed-use development in commercial zones can be a practical tool to help Billings grow responsibly. Many aging commercial corridors and strip malls today have empty storefronts and oversized parking lots. By letting property owners add housing above or alongside retail or office uses, we can encourage private reinvestment, bring more people back to these areas, and make better use of existing infrastructure.

This approach keeps people closer to jobs, stores, and services. It supports local businesses, strengthens neighborhood safety with more “eyes on the street,” and helps meet housing demand without sprawling onto farmland or open space.

However, it needs clear guardrails. Not every commercial site is a good fit for apartments — we must protect surrounding businesses and neighborhoods from parking overflow, traffic headaches, or poorly designed projects that don’t fit. Good design standards, realistic parking plans, and local input are essential.

Mixed-use zoning is a way to cut red tape and let property owners adapt aging commercial property to what the market needs today – without costly subsidies or burdensome processes. I believe that’s a practical, free-market solution that can help Billings grow stronger, safer, and more economically resilient in the long run.

Sometimes you have to start at ground zero to see where the money really goes — and zero-based budgeting helps us do exactly that. When budgets just roll over year after year, it’s too easy for old line items, bloat, and outdated programs to stick around simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it.”

I think this is the right time for Billings to take this step. We’re facing a serious budget shortfall for 2027 after the state legislature changed the mill value for property taxes this summer— that decision will have real impacts on what we can fund and how we prioritize. We owe it to taxpayers to make sure every dollar is justified and used wisely.

Zero-based budgeting is not about cutting for the sake of cutting — it’s about being honest and clear about what really matters, what works, and what doesn’t. I believe the best way to do this is to work side by side with our city staff. They know these budgets inside and out, and their experience is critical to finding realistic solutions that still protect core services like public safety, roads, and basic city functions.

This will take extra work and tough choices, but I’d rather make those choices now than kick the can down the road. Billings residents expect us to be good stewards of their money. Zero-based budgeting is one tool — not the only one — to make sure we stay disciplined, focused, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts are an important tool for encouraging development in older or declining parts of Billings, but they must be used carefully to protect taxpayers’ interests. TIF works by capturing the increased property tax revenue from new investment in a defined area, and reinvesting it back into that area to improve infrastructure, public spaces, and services.

This “pay it forward” approach can help revitalize neighborhoods, promote infill development, and grow the city’s overall tax base — which benefits everyone. But we have to ensure TIF investments produce real, measurable returns and don’t just shift existing tax dollars around or fund projects that don’t grow the tax base.

From a fiscal responsibility standpoint, I believe TIF districts should primarily be focused on projects that increase taxable property values and generate sustainable economic growth. While nonprofits provide valuable community services, relying on TIF funding to support them too heavily can reduce the tool’s effectiveness in expanding the tax base, which ultimately affects city services and taxpayer burden.

Billings should use TIF districts with transparency and clear goals to maximize taxpayer value. That means carefully selecting projects that encourage private investment, improve city infrastructure, and lead to lasting economic benefits — not just short-term fixes or subsidizing organizations that don’t contribute to property tax growth.

In summary, TIF districts can be a useful part of our economic development toolkit if managed wisely and with a firm eye on fiscal discipline and protecting the interests of Billings taxpayers.

City-owned assets like the Babcock Theater, Alberta Bair Theater, and Billings Depot are important cultural and economic drivers for our community. They bring people downtown, support local businesses, and preserve our city’s history. However, their ongoing repair and maintenance costs are significant and must be balanced against other urgent city priorities.

I believe these assets work best when they operate as true partnerships between the public and private sectors. When everyone involved shares responsibility and commitment, venues are better positioned to use resources wisely, pursue grants, and explore creative funding solutions. Engaged boards made up of community leaders and stakeholders can help uncover new funding opportunities and guide operations in ways that ease the financial load on the city.

While I fully support preserving these historic and cultural assets, their funding can’t come at the expense of critical services like public safety. Our police, fire, and emergency response teams need adequate funding first and foremost. If we don’t keep our community safe, cultural investments lose impact and public involvement.

In short, I’d prioritize city funding for public safety and essential services, while encouraging these theaters and facilities to take a more proactive role in securing their own funding and operating sustainably. This approach helps protect taxpayer dollars and ensures these community assets continue to serve Billings without creating an undue financial burden on the city. 

I’m highly optimistic and supportive about forming an Airport Authority for Billings. Our airport is already very well managed and operates largely independently from city funding and oversight. Creating an authority would formalize this arrangement, giving the airport more flexibility and focus to grow and improve air service — which is critical for our businesses and tourism.

I’d also like the city to seriously consider a similar approach for public transit, exploring an overall Transit Authority to improve service and accountability.

Given the airport’s recent national recognition – ranked #7 among Travel + Leisure’s Top 10 Domestic Airports of 2025 – it makes sense to build on that success with governance that supports continued growth and responsiveness.

I do support the current Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessment. The fee is minimal for visitors but generates important funding that helps promote Billings as a destination and supports tourism events throughout the year.

This partnership between hoteliers, the Chamber, and Visit Billings works well to boost local tourism. With hundreds of thousands of visitors traveling to Yellowstone, Glacier, and other nearby attractions, providing quality events and marketing in Billings encourages more tourism spending here, which benefits our businesses and keeps our community vibrant.