photo by: Contributed

Amber Sellers

Story updated at 5:46 p.m. Feb. 17:

Commissioner Amber Sellers has filed for reelection to the Lawrence City Commission.

Sellers, who works in state policy with the Bureau of Family Health with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, was elected to her first term on the commission in November 2021. She said in her first year on the commission she developed a better understanding of the high-level aspects of city staff, departments and functions, and her motivation to address policy issues remains strong.

“I’m in a space where I can now connect that with policy,” Sellers said. “I feel like I’m just getting my feet up under me, and I’m just more energized and excited about continuing to move this work.”

When asked about what she saw as three key issues in the upcoming term, Sellers said the biggest overarching one is the multifaceted issue of housing. She said that includes providing permanent options for those experiencing homelessness and developing policies, incentives and public-private collaborations to build diverse housing stock at various price points.

“We definitely need to have a better strategy and implementation plan around addressing all aspects of housing — permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness as well as just our market and moderate-income housing stock,” Sellers said.

In addition, Sellers said addressing city infrastructure projects, while continuing to leverage state and federal support for those projects, and expanding economic development at multiple levels would be key.

“So that we can start to drive people to Lawrence and create that entrepreneurship hub that will only continue to benefit us economically,” she said.

Sellers’ term on the commission is one of three expiring this year. The others are those of commissioners Brad Finkeldei and Courtney Shipley.

The filing deadline for the City Commission race is noon on June 1. Candidates will have an Aug. 1 primary, if needed, and the general election will be on Nov. 7. Primaries will be scheduled only if the number of candidates who file is more than two times the number of open seats.