Michelle has lived in Buckeye for almost 20 years and has lived in Arizona for 40. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in theology and also holds a master's in ministry from Johnson University. Michelle and her husband McKenzie have 3 children. They are active in serving at their local church and participate in community events and mission opportunities.

Michelle is the executive director for Leadership West, a non-profit organization focused on leadership development and regional issues in Arizona.

Michelle R. Hess is currently a Buckeye City Council member. She was elected in 2012 and is serving her third term.

As of June 20, 2024, Michelle R. Hess’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Candidate website

Believes Buckeye's water resources can sustain current and future developments with a 100-year assured water supply. Supports development regulations requiring a 100-year assured water supply for new projects, except build-to-rent communities.

Believes Buckeye's water resources can sustain current and future developments with a 100-year assured water supply, and supports development regulations requiring a 100-year assured water supply for new projects, except build-to-rent communities.

Believes in ensuring a secure water supply for sustainable housing and urban development. Plans to support Buckeye's growth with adequate resources for the next 15-20 years.

Believes in ensuring a secure water supply for sustainable housing and urban development, and plans to support Buckeye's growth with adequate resources for the next 15-20 years.

- Believes Buckeye's water resources can sustain current and future developments with a 100-year assured water supply, and supports development regulations requiring a 100-year assured water supply for new projects, except build-to-rent communities.
- Believes in ensuring a secure water supply for sustainable housing and urban development, and plans to support Buckeye's growth with adequate resources for the next 15-20 years.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in transportation and infrastructure policies. Plans to guide growth by focusing on infrastructure and job creation.

Supports prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in transportation and infrastructure policies by focusing on infrastructure and job creation.

Supports purchasing or leasing Colorado River water entitlements and transporting it through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.

Supports leasing Colorado River water from Native American communities and transporting it through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.

Supports increasing water infrastructure by participating in projects like potentially raising Bartlett Dam and transporting water to Buckeye through local canal systems.

Supports multiple road projects to improve roadways.

- Supports prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in transportation and infrastructure policies by focusing on infrastructure and job creation.
- Supports leasing Colorado River water from Native American communities and transporting it through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.
- Supports increasing water infrastructure by participating in projects like potentially raising Bartlett Dam and transporting water to Buckeye through local canal systems.
- Supports multiple road projects to improve roadways.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports investing in public safety infrastructure to ensure first responders have the necessary resources and training to protect the community.

Supports accreditation for Police and Fire Departments to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to best practices. Believes this process enhances community engagement and emergency response capabilities.

Supports accreditation for Police and Fire Departments to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to best practices, believing this process enhances community engagement and emergency response capabilities.

Believes in innovative public safety solutions, exemplified by her advocacy for the Buckeye Paramedicine program, which significantly reduced hospital readmission rates.

Believes in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in public safety. Supports recognition by leading accrediting bodies to boost resident confidence and attract top-tier professionals.

Believes in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in public safety, and supports recognition by leading accrediting bodies to boost resident confidence and attract top-tier professionals.

Believes in prioritizing community safety and well-being through active involvement and support for local firefighters. As a city council member, has a decade-long commitment to volunteering and leading community initiatives like United Buckeye Fire Charities and Turkeyfest.

Believes in prioritizing community safety and well-being through active involvement and support for local firefighters.

Believes in "championing innovative programs" to enhance community health and safety. Supports comprehensive public safety measures, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and effective drug policies.

Believes in "championing innovative programs" to enhance community health and safety such as comprehensive public safety measures, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and effective drug policies.

Supports strengthening Buckeye's public safety infrastructure, including police, criminal justice, and crime prevention. Plans to address issues related to drugs and guns to enhance community safety.

Supports strengthening Buckeye's public safety infrastructure, including police, criminal justice, and crime prevention, and plans to address issues related to drugs and guns to enhance community safety.

Believes in strong public safety measures and is "proud to be endorsed by Police & Fire." Supports law enforcement and emergency services.

Supports law enforcement and emergency services.

Supports enhancing public safety through improved communication infrastructure. As a public official, broke ground on a new public safety communications center, set to open in early 2025.

Supports enhancing public safety through improved communication infrastructure and broke ground on a new public safety communications center set to open in early 2025 as a city council member.

Believes in enhancing public safety by expanding firefighting capacity and improving police training and communication facilities. As a city leader, added a new firehouse and fire truck, and is constructing a Police Training Facility and Police Communication Center.

Believes in enhancing public safety by expanding firefighting capacity and improving police training and communication facilities and added a new firehouse and fire truck as a city leader while constructing a Police Training Facility and Police Communication Center.

- Supports investing in public safety infrastructure to ensure first responders have the necessary resources and training to protect the community.
- Supports accreditation for Police and Fire Departments to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to best practices, believing this process enhances community engagement and emergency response capabilities.
- Believes in innovative public safety solutions, exemplified by her advocacy for the Buckeye Paramedicine program, which significantly reduced hospital readmission rates.
- Believes in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in public safety, and supports recognition by leading accrediting bodies to boost resident confidence and attract top-tier professionals.
- Believes in prioritizing community safety and well-being through active involvement and support for local firefighters.
- Believes in "championing innovative programs" to enhance community health and safety such as comprehensive public safety measures, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and effective drug policies.
- Supports strengthening Buckeye's public safety infrastructure, including police, criminal justice, and crime prevention, and plans to address issues related to drugs and guns to enhance community safety.
- Supports law enforcement and emergency services.
- Supports enhancing public safety through improved communication infrastructure and broke ground on a new public safety communications center set to open in early 2025 as a city council member.
- Believes in enhancing public safety by expanding firefighting capacity and improving police training and communication facilities and added a new firehouse and fire truck as a city leader while constructing a Police Training Facility and Police Communication Center.

Public Safety

Education

Believes in strategic and prudent financial management, emphasizing long-term sustainability and maintaining a Rainy Day Fund. Supports reserving 20% of the budget for unforeseen financial challenges to ensure the city’s financial stability.

Believes in strategic and prudent financial management, emphasizing long-term sustainability and maintaining a Rainy Day Fund, and supports reserving 20% of the budget for unforeseen financial challenges to ensure the city’s financial stability.

Believes in maintaining "the highest financial integrity and openness standards" to build trust and support economic growth. Plans to embed a culture of transparency to secure Buckeye's future through infrastructure, jobs, and growth policies.

The candidate's website says, "For five years in a row, Buckeye has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting. The city was also awarded an AA+ Municipal Bond Rating. The factors considered in assessing a bond rating include the city’s tax base, overall economic health, financial adaptability, and the city’s management practices and policies."

Believes in championing economic development and smart growth. Supports policies that address labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.

Believes in championing economic development and smart growth through policies that address labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.

Believes in "Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility & Transparency" by addressing labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation. Supports policies that promote economic stability and accountability.

- Believes in strategic and prudent financial management, emphasizing long-term sustainability and maintaining a Rainy Day Fund, and supports reserving 20% of the budget for unforeseen financial challenges to ensure the city’s financial stability.
- Believes in maintaining "the highest financial integrity and openness standards" to build trust and support economic growth. Plans to embed a culture of transparency to secure Buckeye's future through infrastructure, jobs, and growth policies.
- Believes in championing economic development and smart growth through policies that address labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.

Economy

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Michelle R. Hess

Michelle R. Hess has been a resident of Buckeye, Arizona for almost 20 years and has lived in Arizona for 40 years. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in theology and also holds a master's in ministry from Johnson University. Michelle and her husband McKenzie, a firefighter, are about to celebrate their 25th year of marriage and have three children. They are active in serving at their local church and participate in community events and mission opportunities.

Michelle R. Hess serves as the Executive Director for Leadership West, a non-profit organization focused on leadership development and regional issues in Arizona. She has also been a Council representative for District 3 in Buckey since 2012. Hess is a summa cum laude graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in theology and has a master’s in ministry from Johnson University. Additionally, she has completed programs at the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy and Harvard University for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.

Michelle R. Hess has been serving as the Council representative of District 3 in Buckeye since 2012. She has also been selected to participate in the Harvard University Senior Executives in State and Local Government program. Details about any specific committees she serves on or appointments within the council are not provided, nor is there information about past election campaigns.

The candidate's website says, "Sundance Park Phase II opened in the fall of 2023"

- The candidate's website says, "Sundance Park Phase II opened in the fall of 2023"

- Believes Buckeye's water resources can sustain current and future developments with a 100-year assured water supply. Supports development regulations requiring a 100-year assured water supply for new projects, except build-to-rent communities.
- Believes in ensuring a secure water supply for sustainable housing and urban development. Plans to support Buckeye's growth with adequate resources for the next 15-20 years.

The candidate's website says, "We are tasked with responsibly managing our precious water resources, ensuring public safety remains paramount, and guiding our community through its rapid growth. Our focus must also extend to bolstering our infrastructure, fostering job creation, and crafting policies that not only accommodate growth but also benefit our residents."

- Supports prioritizing public safety, fiscal responsibility, and transparency in transportation and infrastructure policies. Plans to guide growth by focusing on infrastructure and job creation.
- The candidate's website says, "We are tasked with responsibly managing our precious water resources, ensuring public safety remains paramount, and guiding our community through its rapid growth. Our focus must also extend to bolstering our infrastructure, fostering job creation, and crafting policies that not only accommodate growth but also benefit our residents."
- Supports leasing Colorado River water from Native American communities and transporting it through the Central Arizona Project canal to Buckeye.
- Supports increasing water infrastructure by participating in projects like potentially raising Bartlett Dam and transporting water to Buckeye through local canal systems.
- Supports multiple road projects to improve roadways.

- Supports investing in public safety infrastructure to ensure first responders have the necessary resources and training to protect the community.
- Believes in enhancing public safety by expanding firefighting capacity and improving police training and communication facilities. As a city leader, added a new firehouse and fire truck, and is constructing a Police Training Facility and Police Communication Center.
- Supports accreditation for Police and Fire Departments to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to best practices. Believes this process enhances community engagement and emergency response capabilities.
- Believes in innovative public safety solutions, exemplified by her advocacy for the Buckeye Paramedicine program, which significantly reduced hospital readmission rates.
- Believes in transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in public safety. Supports recognition by leading accrediting bodies to boost resident confidence and attract top-tier professionals.
- Supports enhancing public safety through improved communication infrastructure. As a public official, broke ground on a new public safety communications center, set to open in early 2025.
- Believes in prioritizing community safety and well-being through active involvement and support for local firefighters. As a city council member, has a decade-long commitment to volunteering and leading community initiatives like United Buckeye Fire Charities and Turkeyfest.
- Believes in "championing innovative programs" to enhance community health and safety. Supports comprehensive public safety measures, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and effective drug policies.
- Supports strengthening Buckeye's public safety infrastructure, including police, criminal justice, and crime prevention. Plans to address issues related to drugs and guns to enhance community safety.
- Believes in strong public safety measures and is "proud to be endorsed by Police & Fire." Supports law enforcement and emergency services.

The candidate's website says, "Buckeye's fiscal responsibility has been further validated by an exceptional AA+ Municipal Bond Rating from S&P Global. This rating reflects our city's robust tax base, overall economic health, financial adaptability, and our management practices and policies. It not only signifies our financial health but also enables us to secure the most favorable interest rates for vital capital projects, facilitating the development of infrastructure that will benefit our community for generations to come."

The candidate's website says, "5,500 jobs were committed to the city"

The candidate's website says, "New retail businesses opened and committed to Buckeye"

- Believes in strategic and prudent financial management, emphasizing long-term sustainability and maintaining a Rainy Day Fund. Supports reserving 20% of the budget for unforeseen financial challenges to ensure the city’s financial stability.
- The candidate's website says, "Buckeye's fiscal responsibility has been further validated by an exceptional AA+ Municipal Bond Rating from S&P Global. This rating reflects our city's robust tax base, overall economic health, financial adaptability, and our management practices and policies. It not only signifies our financial health but also enables us to secure the most favorable interest rates for vital capital projects, facilitating the development of infrastructure that will benefit our community for generations to come."
- Believes in maintaining "the highest financial integrity and openness standards" to build trust and support economic growth. Plans to embed a culture of transparency to secure Buckeye's future through infrastructure, jobs, and growth policies.
- Believes in championing economic development and smart growth. Supports policies that address labor issues, trade, taxes, small business, and regulation.
- The candidate's website says, "5,500 jobs were committed to the city"
- The candidate's website says, "New retail businesses opened and committed to Buckeye"

- Believes in ensuring a secure water supply for sustainable housing and urban development. Plans to support Buckeye's growth with adequate resources for the next 15-20 years.

- City council members work together with the rest of the city officials to set and implement city policies and priorities. 
- The City Council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor and the city manager to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Arizona are elected to four-year terms in staggered years. Elections are nonpartisan.