Cristy Simons has combined business ownership with local government and community-event work in Salem. Her candidate profile says she owned and operated Simco Electric, Inc., and previously served on the Salem City Council from 2016 to 2020. She describes participating in planning for the Salem Activity Center, the city’s sewer plant and Cole Park. The profile also credits her with helping organize the senior-citizen program and Halloween Goosebump Gala, creating outdoor summer concerts, and assisting relief efforts during the 2018 Pole Creek Fire evacuation.
Salem's fiscal 2027 budget moves $1,117,000 from six city-owned utilities to the general fund, which the city says helps avoid property tax increases or service cuts. The fiber utility contributes nothing, and the utilities also pay separate administrative charges.
