Cities Are Businesses, and the Residents Are the Owners

When we think about how a city works, it helps to imagine it like a business. In this business, the residents are the owners. Your tax dollars are the investment capital that keeps Tallapoosa running. Every decision made at City Hall should be guided by the principle that leadership works for you — not the other way around.

• The Mayor and Council act as the board of directors. They’re chosen to make decisions that grow the value of the city and deliver returns on your investment. Their job isn’t just to manage day-to-day issues, but to chart a vision and hold themselves accountable for results.

• City staff are the employees. They carry out the daily operations — maintaining roads, running utilities, and keeping services moving. Like any good employees, they need leadership that sets clear expectations and gives them the tools to succeed.

• Our parks, streets, schools, and downtown storefronts are the business’s assets. When maintained and promoted properly, they generate pride, attract visitors, and bring in new revenue. Neglected, they drain resources and reduce the value of the community.

In this model, “profit” doesn’t mean money in anyone’s pocket — it means a stronger community. It shows up as:

• Higher property values for homeowners

• More thriving businesses and jobs

• Lower tax burdens for families (because outside revenue like tourism and economic development takes on more of the load)

• A community that people are proud to call home

  
  

When Leadership Forgets Residents Are Not Customers

One of the biggest mistakes a city can make is treating residents like customers instead of owners. Customers are expected to pay for a service and accept whatever product is delivered. Owners, on the other hand, have a voice, a stake, and a right to demand accountability.

When leadership falls into the customer mindset, a few things start to happen:

• Taxes feel like price increases. Families see their bills go up without seeing improvements in return.

• Transparency is reduced. Decisions get made behind closed doors, budgets are hidden in complex reports, and residents are left asking “where did the money go?”

• Short-term fixes replace long-term planning. Potholes get patched, lights get replaced, but no plan is in place to strengthen downtown, attract new employers, or improve housing options.

• Feedback is brushed aside. Residents are treated like complaints from customers instead of the informed voices of the true owners.

This mindset is dangerous because it creates a disconnect: leadership starts to see themselves as the business, and the people as consumers. In reality, leadership are just temporary stewards of the business. The true owners are every family who lives here, pays taxes here, and invests their lives here.

Why This Matters for Tallapoosa

Tallapoosa has enormous potential, but too often, residents are treated like they should simply “pay their bill” and be quiet. Taxes have risen, but there hasn’t been a matching rise in opportunity. We’ve seen short bursts of attention on things like new signage or cosmetic upgrades downtown, but the big questions remain:

• Where are the new businesses to fill our empty storefronts?

• What is the long-term plan for our parks, neighborhoods, and youth programs?

• How will we attract new revenue so homeowners aren’t carrying most of the burden?

These are questions that owners have every right to ask — and deserve honest answers to.

My Experience

I bring over 26 years of property management experience to the table. Over my career, I’ve gained the combined skill set of a Regional Property Manager and a Regional Service Manager — two roles that mirror exactly what it takes to run a city.

• I currently oversee 17 projects across 3 states and 10 cities, managing multimillion-dollar budgets, capital improvements, and large renovation projects.

• I’ve led operations that ensure properties not only meet financial goals but also maintain strong resident satisfaction.

• I’ve trained and developed managers and staff, building teams that are accountable and results-driven.

• I’ve worked directly with city governments to align private investment with public requirements.

• I’ve supervised large-scale maintenance and service operations, ensuring compliance, safety, and efficient delivery of services.

In short, I know how to manage budgets, operations, maintenance, and people across multiple locations. I know how to fix what’s broken, grow value, and make sure residents are satisfied with the services they’re receiving. That’s exactly what Tallapoosa needs in its next mayor.

Resident-Focused Leadership

Everything I do starts with people. Whether it’s tenants in housing communities or families here in Tallapoosa, I believe the key to success is simple: listen, understand, and deliver.

Residents aren’t customers who should just accept what they’re given. You are the owners of this city. That means you deserve transparency, accountability, and results. My leadership will always put residents at the center of every decision.

The Difference

Mayor Brett Jones has decades of experience in government facilities management. He knows how to keep things maintained, and that’s valuable. But Tallapoosa doesn’t just need maintenance — it needs momentum.

The choice is simple:

• Do we want leadership that focuses on keeping things the way they are?

• Or do we want leadership with over 26 years of proven property management experience — managing operations, driving growth, and putting residents first?

  
  

Returning the City to Its Owners

A healthy city flips the script. Leadership remembers that residents don’t just buy services — they own the company. That means:

• Listening and acting on feedback instead of brushing it aside

• Reporting clearly on the “return” residents are getting for their taxes

• Building strategies that grow the city for the next generation, not just the next election cycle

When residents are treated as owners, trust grows, pride grows, and ultimately, the city itself grows. A city that listens to its owners creates a community that outsiders want to visit, invest in, and be part of.

The Bottom Line

Tallapoosa has the charm, location, and history to thrive. But like any good business, our city needs a clear plan, transparent accounting, and leaders who remember that every dollar spent belongs to the people who live here.

When leadership embraces this truth, Tallapoosa can shift from maintenance mode to growth mode. Instead of just patching holes, we can expand opportunities. Instead of raising taxes, we can bring in new revenue. Instead of asking families to carry the weight alone, we can build a city where everyone shares in the return on investment.

That’s what it means to treat residents as owners — and that’s the kind of leadership I’m committed to delivering.

Joe Glass - "The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth"