About Anthony - the Candidate
Anthony graduated from Banks High School as valedictorian.
He then attended University of Oregon and received his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. During that time he was the president of his residence hall and a member of the Climate Justice League. He worked on the Take Back the Tap campaign to reduce the consumption of bottled water and prioritize tap water.
After graduating, Anthony traveled to Texas to earn his Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. During his time in Texas, Anthony worked for the Texas Department of Transportation analyzing road funding sources (using Oregon's vehicle weight mile tax as a model). He worked for the City of Austin Auditor's Office conducting performance audits on government programs and helping investigate fraud throughout the city.
After moving back to Oregon, Anthony spent almost five years as a financial and economic consultant for cities and utilities across the Pacific Northwest. He conducted economic studies, utility formations, utility rate studies, and financing strategies. During his time, he helped ensure that cities put themselves in a fiscally responsible position to provide infrastructure while still allowing growth.
Anthony then worked for the City of Portland most recently as the Financial Planning Manager for the sewer and stormwater utility. During that time, Anthony worked on large financial projects that increased fairness among ratepayers and long-term financial sustainability. He strives to make government more efficient and transparent.
Anthony currently works at the City of Hillsboro as Budget and Finance Manager for Public Works. He knows the importance of well-maintained infrastructure and how to get it.
Anthony believes that good governance comes when people come together and share ideas. At the local level, he meets with any resident or group who requests a meeting. He also attends state and national conferences to learn how other cities are tackling their biggest challenges so he can bring that knowledge to Hillsboro. He is a member of Emerging Local Government Leaders and the League of Oregon Cities.
About Anthony - Past Political Experience
Anthony was elected to the Hillsboro City Council in 2016 and served for eight years, with two as Council President. He is passionate about public service, as he sees it the best way to help his community.
He served as chair of the Hillsboro Transportation Committee, a member of the Hillsboro Sustainability Task Force, a member of the Hillsboro Budget Committee, and alternate for the regional Metro Policy Advisory Committee.
Anthony advocates for Hillsboro at the state and federal levels as well. He has been on policy committees for the League of Oregon Cities and gone to DC to lobby our federal representatives and learn from cities across the country.
Anthony’s goal is for Hillsboro’s government to work for its people, make positive change, and be financially sustainable for the long term. He has passed numerous policies that benefit the residents of Hillsboro, like composting and broadband internet. He is also a strong advocate for community involvement, as the best policies are made when everybody has a seat at the table.
Notable Policy Accomplishments
Support environmental and sustainability priorities including: adopted a sustainable shopping initiative banning plastic bags, which became a model for statewide legislation; passed citywide residential composting; transitioned city streetlights to LED lighting reducing light pollution and saving approximately $800,000 per year in energy costs; and helped form and chair the city’s first environmental stewardship committee.
Supported economic development priorities including: created the Prosperidad Economic Empowerment center to provide job training and educational services to economically vulnerable residents; passed multiple economic development tools (enterprise zone, urban renewal districts, reimbursement districts) to support business activity in prioritized areas; and focused economic development efforts in Calle Diez, a latine-dominated economic center.
Supported infrastructure priorities including: create a gigabit fiber municipal broadband utility, HiLight, for residential and commercial customers with a low-income program providing the same service for $10 per month; funded the construction of the Willamette Water Supply Project, a $1.3 billion project that provides a redundant and resilient water supply for the city; passed a comprehensive plan and strategic plan which placed a commitment on long term asset management and sustainability; raised sewer, stormwater, and transportation utility rates to ensure adequate long-term funding; adopted low income garbage and recycling rate program.
Supported housing priorities including: provided financing for 337 regulated affordable housing units (Willow Creek Crossing, Nueva Esperanza, and the Dolores); adopted a residential and commercial eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 crisis; adopted a property tax exemption for nonprofit affordable housing in the city; adopted the city’s first Housing Production Strategy.
Supported community building priorities including: approved funding $18 million for a new Hillsboro Hops Minor League Baseball team stadium, resulting an estimated $100 in private investment and the continuance of the franchise in the city; created a cultural arts district to promote downtown revitalization through the arts; and supported after-school care in partnership with the School District.
Supported diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities including: established the City’s first annual Pride Party; added new recognition for heritage months (Black History month, Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage month); funded the city’s equity in contracting program with a focus on BIPOC-owned business contracting opportunities; passed ordinance declaring Hillsboro a sanctuary city; and created the City’s first equity in contracting program.
Supported public safety reform priorities including: added a Community Policing Advisory Group; partnered with the County to provide resources for a Mental Health Response Team composed of a uniformed police officer and crisis clinicians; updated our agreement with the school district for School Resource Officers to better provide services to the school district.
About Anthony - the Person
Anthony is an Oregonian through and through. Born in Portland to a single mom, they lived paycheck to paycheck. At twelve, he and his mother moved out to Banks and started a goat farm. During the summers as a teen, he worked as a commercial fisherman in Southeast Alaska to pay his way through college. Both farming and fishing showed Anthony the true value of hard work and the unique balance people must find with environmental preservation.
In high school, Anthony saw the need to make change and help those around him. He went to college and studied how government works in a way that is sustainable, transparent, and effective.
Anthony believes that government, especially local government, is a great way to make a positive impact in the community. As an elected official, consultant, or city employee, Anthony works to improve government and make it work better for the people. His vision of government is one that is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable (financially, economically, and environmentally).
Anthony lives in a house in the Turner Creek area with his amazing wife, Amanda, and daughter, Juniper. They have one cat and two dogs, Ted, Jo Button, and Melly (short for Watermelon). In his free time, he likes volunteering, playing music (the ukulele and banjo are his favorites), and going into nature with his family.
Get Involved!
Want to volunteer with the campaign? Need a lawn sign? Want to host a house party? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly.