Banks Mayor Stephanie Jones has launched her bid for a third term, hoping to continue guiding the city through impending growth.
Jones, who has held the mayoral position for four years, faces City Councilor Marsha Kirk in the upcoming general election , as of Aug. 19. A former city councilor, Jones first won the mayoral seat in 2020 by defeating Jonathon Boyer and secured reelection in 2022 without opposition.
Under Jones’s leadership, the rural Washington County town has moved forward with significant development plans. The city’s Westside Development is set to bring around 140 new homes to Banks, while 950 homes are slated on its eastside. If both projects proceed as planned, the town’s population could nearly triple by 2040.
While some residents have expressed concerns about the loss of small-town charm, Jones emphasized the opportunity to welcome new people and create opportunities while preserving the town’s quaint culture.
“We have just shy of 2,000 people; tripling that would put us at maybe 6,000 people, and that still is a small town,” Jones said. “We're going to be seeing growth, and that growth is going to lead to a lot of changes in our city — I want to be there to help make sure that that's a smooth transition and that new people are welcomed in.”
Addressing concerns about limited resources, Jones highlighted the city’s efforts while she has been in office, including resolving a longtime water leakage from the Banks’ 60-year-old transmission line that resulted in the loss of millions of gallons per month.
“We have fixed the transmission line, and with that, we are receiving a lot more water from our springs,” Jones said. “For the westside, we’re working on a water right transfer to the city; for the eastside, there’s one well that will be built. If that one doesn’t produce enough, there will be a second well drilled. All of that will be linked into the city system. So we will have plenty of water for everybody.”
The elected official has also recently had to navigate community rifts, including the demolition of the Historic Wilkes House in July.
Many, including Kirk, have pointed toward local leadership for the fallout of the 150-year-old home, which was razed by the property owners to make way for a water treatment plant.
Jones, who held a moment of silence after the destruction , noted large costs and flaws in planning from community groups as to why a solution to save the site never emerged. She also clarified how the city did not own the property at the time and did not have involvement in the destruction of the home.
In the immediate future, she plans to work toward bringing people closer together, aiming to build a community center on the property the city is trying to purchase.
Jones has long been involved in the community, leading efforts with the Banks Public Library to raise money for the facility’s community room . She also volunteers for baseball games and other events around town.
The mayoral race is one of four positions up for grabs in Banks this November, along with three city council seats.
Election Day is Nov. 5.
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