Kennewick City Council Ward 1

Austin Miller

✉️Email
🌐Website
💰Finance

Elected Experience

None

Other Professional Experience

I’m a professional researcher, and my jobs include being an economist, a teacher at college, and someone who studies and works with data. I’ve advised federal agencies, state and local governments, and both large and small businesses. I started and co-owned a small photography business from 2014-2019. I also tutor math and statistics.

Education

Kamiakin High School, 2004. Master of Public Policy, Brigham Young University, 2012. PhD Economics, Washington State University, 2018.

Community Service

Policy Intern, Benton County Commissioners Office, 2011. Eagle scout project maintaining trees at Horse Heaven Hills Park. Volunteer soccer coach.

Statement

I’m concerned by many harmful ideas spreading in our communities recently, often unopposed. I want my neighbors in Kennewick to know they are not alone.

I share the same values as many of you. We want to protect our most vulnerable—trans kids, immigrants, people with neurodivergence or mental health conditions, and those experiencing homelessness. We want access to healthcare. We want to find new and exciting ways to build a strong community.

People want to feel safe. I want to encourage a culture of civility and support. I want to incentivize people and businesses to create community spaces and events. We’re all worried about the economy. Let’s work together. I want to promote organizations that encourage small businesses to buy from each other, share strategies, and grow.

We also need a plan for responsible growth. That means being efficient with our budget and how we prioritize projects. I want to reuse and update spaces where possible, and encourage more mixed-use development. Kennewick is a great place to try new things. As our town grows, we’ll continue to face new challenges. We need solutions that are smart, flexible, and—above all—kind.

https://www.youtube.com/@AustinMillerKennewick

Jason McShane

✉️Email
💰Finance

Elected Experience
Kennewick City Council appointed in December 2023

Other Professional Experience
Currently serving on Benton Clean Air Authority Board, TRIDEC Executive Board, Joint Coliseum Advisory Committee, Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership Board, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kennewick Schools FOCUS Committee, Lower Yakima River Subgroup Chair. 20 Yrs. Public Service at Kennewick Irrigation District.

Education

Richland High School, Class of 2000; Bachelors of Science, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brigham Young University, 2005

Community Service
Two years service in Norway, providing a variety of support for individuals. Volunteer with ARC of Tri-Cities. Active in church congregation serving in multiple capacities, currently serving with youth. Eagle Scout, Youth Sports Coach.

Statement
I am honored to be considered for election to the Kennewick City Council, Ward 1. With a proven record of integrity, problem-solving, and success, I bring a practical approach focused on cutting red tape and helping citizens achieve their goals.

As a married father of five, I understand the everyday challenges families in Kennewick face. It’s essential to keep the city budget lean while creating opportunities for new businesses, supporting job growth, and maintaining the vital public services we rely on. I also believe in expanding access to wholesome, family-oriented activities— entertainment and sporting events—that strengthen our community identity and enrich daily life.

I have extensive experience navigating local, state, and federal regulations, which enables me to advocate effectively for practical, community-first and local solutions.

Top priorities for Kennewick include maintaining and improving fire and police coverage; enhancing the waterfront, including Columbia Park; enhancing parks and recreational opportunities; revitalizing Downtown; supporting continued development of Vista Field and the Convention Center; and fostering economic growth through thoughtful planning and strong community partnerships.

I recognize projects like these require time, persistence, and collaboration. I am excited to continue working alongside citizens and businesses to create lasting success for the City of Kennewick.

Austin Miller

Community Engagement

Jason McShane

Community Engagement

Austin Miller

Endorsements and Opposition

FairVote WA

Jason McShane

Endorsements and Opposition

Benton County Republicans

Austin Miller

Donors

💰 $1,975 from 8+ donors ($1,749 cash / $226 in-kind): including Small Contributions ($705)Miller Corbin ($521)Austin Miller ($226)Oakes Katelyn ($104)Girard Caroline ($104)Bolt Casey ($104)White Dusty ($104)Dabler Stacey ($104)

Jason McShane

Donors

Mini-filer: detailed reports N/A.

2025 City Council Questionnaire

Rank the city's top 3 most pressing challenges. How would you address them?

Austin Miller

1. What can a small city like Kennewick do about the deep constitutional crisis and human rights emergency that is happening in our country right now? The list of constitutional violations and federal misconduct is growing every day. This includes cuts to essential programs and scientific research, suppression of first amendment rights, suppression of due process, and an increase in dangerous rhetoric that tells us to look at each other as enemies. The city of Kennewick and its residents have power to stand up and to guard each other. The city council can file official resolutions urging Congress to investigate and provide needed oversight of federal agencies. We can do local information campaigns to inform residents of their rights or to counteract misinformation about vaccines. We can pass a city ordinance to prohibit the use of city resources or the participation of city employees (including law enforcement) in unlawful federal investigations or arrests. We can join with other cities to take a stand against federal overreach and let our communities know that we will work to protect them. 2. Building a cohesive sense of belonging in our community. People need to feel empowered and know that their experiences and their voices are valuable. People need to know that the community will support and stand up for them as needed. Solving this will help solve a lot of our other challenges. I want to engage the city in more community outreach. I want to amplify voices that may get heard less often. I will promote organizations that provide community events and services. We can do much more when we all work together. 3. Economy More and more people in our community are having to work multiple jobs to afford housing or healthcare. People are often starting businesses out of necessity, rather than passion or inspiration. We should encourage local entrepreneurs to work together and invest in organizations that offer business training, shared workspaces, and tools for people starting out. We can also prioritize more mixed-use development by allowing more small commercial zoning spaces in and near our residential spaces. This should include new developments, but we can also find ways to reuse buildings and land in older neighborhoods. This kind of development offers more opportunities for small businesses, eases traffic on major roads, and supports stronger, more connected communities.

Jason McShane

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Pick one piece of city-owned property and express your vision for it.

Austin Miller

There is a lot of talk lately about potentially moving city hall to a new location. I have yet to hear a convincing case that doing so would be worth the significant cost. Building new facilities in a more central location might bring some benefits, but most of those would go to developers and long-term investors, while the people of Kennewick would be left paying off debt for decades. That debt would limit our ability to fund other priorities, especially if sales tax revenues drop in the future. Alternatively, although renovating city hall where it is may be trickier to design, it would cost much less and keep city funds available for other projects. I believe that responsible growth for Kennewick means focusing on smaller, targeted projects—improving what we already have, strengthening existing neighborhoods like the downtown area around city hall, and making steady, thoughtful change—rather than chasing big developments just because they are shiny and new.

Jason McShane

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If money was no object and you could wave a magic wand, what single thing would you do to improve our city?

Austin Miller

I would love each neighborhood in Kennewick to have its own character, resources, and gathering spaces, and for everyone to have a place where they feel safe and included. In many ways, we have lost our sense of community as our population has continued to grow. But with smart planning, we can make it easier for each part of the city to meet the needs of its residents. As our population becomes more diverse, we also need to encourage civility and compromise by setting expectations for how public conversations happen. Community doesn't mean everyone around us will have the same ideas, but we can find ways to celebrate our differences and to support each other.

Jason McShane

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Statement A	Strong A	Lean A	Lean B	Strong B	Statement B
When making an important decision, I tend to trust in my own lived experiences, judgment, and beliefs.					When making an important decision, I tend to seek out opinions and perspectives different from my own.
In addition to increasing affordable housing options, we should address homelessness by prioritizing the enforcement of camping bans in public spaces.					In addition to increasing affordable housing options, we should address homelessness by prioritizing the development of low-barrier shelters.
We have adequate public transportation options; time and money are better spent elsewhere.					Our region should invest in / improve public transportation options.
We should take a multimodal view of transportation, finding examples from other small cities that have developed safe and thriving bike and pedestrian flow.					Traffic flow should be the top priority of transportation infrastructure investment.
We should address behavioral health needs by focusing on inpatient services for people experiencing addiction and other crises.					We should address behavioral health needs by focusing on education, harm reduction, and reducing stigma.
When it comes to energy initiatives, one effective strategy might be to support advanced nuclear technology (small modular reactors).					When it comes to energy initiatives, one effective strategy might be to support renewable energy options (like solar and hydro).
To better develop small businesses in our city, we should adjust regulations, including zoning, permits, and licensing fees.					To better develop small businesses in our city, we should invest in downtown revitalization and other infrastructure projects that create thriving areas for small business development.
The city is doing a good job of being transparent.					The city should do a much better job of being transparent.
The Columbia River shore should be returned to local control.					The Columbia River shore should remain under control of the Army Corps of Engineers.