2026 will see action on a strategic planning process to set civic priorities; the mayor’s State of the City address is set for Jan. 21
By Sabrina Cotta
As we welcome 2026, I want to begin by simply saying thank you. It is a pleasure to serve the city of Ashland and the residents who make this community such a special place. Local government is the level of government that truly touches people’s day-to-day lives and, here in Ashland, that means delivering essential services across a city that is far more complex than our size suggests.
City-owned utilities
Ashland is a rare gem — a small city with the complexity of a much larger one. The work we do every day reflects that reality. We own and operate all our utilities: water, wastewater, electric and even our own fiber network. Very few cities our size do that, and it gives us enormous local control over reliability, sustainability and long-term planning. These kinds of services aren’t flashy or always visible, but they are the backbone of our city and essential to the quality of life our residents experience every day.
None of this work happens without the dedication of our city staff. I am continually impressed by their professionalism, creativity and commitment to service. Together, they provide a full range of municipal services that support a safe, sustainable and thriving community — from police, fire and rescue, and public works to parks, planning, utilities and communications. We are truly better together.
Looking ahead, 2026 will be a year of important progress and community engagement. We are embarking on a citywide strategic planning process to help establish a shared direction, set priorities and align our efforts over the next several bienniums. This work will include meaningful opportunities for community input, because modernization and transparency aren’t buzzwords, they’re how we build trust by making it easier for people to understand, access and engage with their city government.
We will continue advancing critical infrastructure investments, including upgrades to our water and wastewater treatment plants and roadway improvements such as the North Mountain Overlay Project. At the same time, we are taking action on housing and affordability, including a new manufactured home park zone ordinance designed to preserve manufactured home parks as a stable, long-term source of affordable housing. We will work to resolve long-standing deed restrictions on City Hall dating back to 1884 and seek City Council guidance on a facilities plan to help us plan responsibly for the future of our city buildings.
State of the City address
I invite you to join us for the annual town hall gathering set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Ashland High School Theatre. This evening will feature Mayor Tonya Graham’s State of the City address, recognition of outstanding community members and time to connect with City Council, staff and neighbors. It’s a chance to reflect on our shared accomplishments and look ahead to what’s next.
Ashland shows what we can accomplish when staff, partners and residents work together. As we move into the New Year, I am grateful for this thoughtful, engaged and resilient community and honored to continue serving you.
Here’s to being better together.
Sabrina Cotta is the city manager of Ashland. She can be contacted at [email protected].
