Tino Smith

Battle Creek needs housing that working families, seniors, young adults, and people entering the workforce can afford. As Mayor, I will support partnerships with developers, lenders, nonprofits, employers, and neighborhood organizations to expand housing opportunities, rehabilitate vacant properties, and encourage responsible development. Affordable housing should not mean lowering neighborhood standards-it should mean creating quality housing options at different price points so people who work, raise families, and retire in Battle Creek can afford to call our city home.

In their own words·As of August 2026

Artificial intelligence and emerging technology are changing how we work, learn, operate businesses, and deliver public services. Battle Creek should not be left behind. As Mayor, I will encourage responsible use of AI and technology to improve city services, increase efficiency, strengthen transparency, support local businesses, and help prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future. Innovation must also be responsible-protecting residents’ privacy, maintaining human accountability, and ensuring technology serves people rather than replacing good judgment. I want Battle Creek to be a city that understands the AI revolution, prepares for it, and uses it to create opportunity for our residents.

In their own words·As of August 2026

Every Battle Creek resident deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. As Mayor, I will work to ensure that city government serves every neighborhood and every resident fairly, regardless of race, background, income, age, disability, religion, or political affiliation. Equal opportunity must also include access to city services, employment, contracting opportunities, economic development, and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect our community. We may not always agree, but City Hall must belong to everyone.

In their own words·As of August 2026

Battle Creek should be a city where working families, seniors, and young people can afford to live and build a future. As Mayor, I will focus on expanding housing opportunities, attracting good-paying jobs, supporting local businesses, strengthening transportation options, and carefully examining city costs and policies that affect residents. City government cannot control every price families pay, but it can make decisions that encourage investment, increase opportunity, and avoid unnecessarily adding to residents' financial burden. Growth must make Battle Creek more affordable and livable-not push people out.

In their own words·As of August 2026

Battle Creek must become a city where businesses want to invest, existing companies want to expand, and families want to build their futures. As Mayor, I will bring business leaders, Kellogg Community College, our schools, workforce development organizations, community leaders, and city government to the same table so we are prepared when opportunities come. I will focus on attracting new investment, supporting local entrepreneurs, retaining existing employers, creating good-paying jobs, redeveloping underused properties, and growing our population and tax base. Economic development must ultimately create opportunity for the people who call Battle Creek home.

In their own words·As of August 2026

City government belongs to the people, and residents deserve to know how decisions are made and how their tax dollars are being used. As Mayor, I will promote open communication, accessible information, responsible financial management, and accountability throughout city government. I believe residents should be able to ask difficult questions, receive clear answers, and have meaningful opportunities to participate. I will also hold myself to that same standard. We may not always agree, but Battle Creek residents should never have to wonder whether their voices matter at City Hall.

In their own words·As of August 2026