Leading with Integrity: Regina Goff's Vision for the City of Pratt

Regina Goff has served the City of Pratt for over eight years, beginning as city attorney and rising to become the city manager—the first woman to ever hold that position. Her prior role as the city attorney gave her a unique understanding as she got an in-depth insight into each department. “During those seven years, when I was the city attorney, I negotiated and reviewed all the contracts for each of the different departments. And so I got to know, kind of those underpinnings and needs through the words in the contract of each of the departments in the city. And so that was helpful in providing a foundation.”

A Life of Service and Family 

Before her move to Pratt, Regina was a military spouse for 23 years, raising her six children across five different locations, including California, Italy, Connecticut, and Virginia. While the children where young Regina put her career aside to focus on her children,” my favorite title in the world, besides Christian is mother.”  When her family was stationed in Virginia Beach she had her sixth and final child, giving her the ability to take classes and finish her bachelor’s degree at Regent University School of Law, a prestigious Christian university. 

What was supposed to be a summer intern position turned into a two-year gig as she, worked with Secretary Kobach on the election and litigation with the federal government. After that she worked as a lawyer in Hutchinson doing child support enforcement which brought her to Pratt, and she got to see what a great community it was. When the then public defender was elected to another position she saw her opportunity and applied. However, there were other plans for Regina as she was approached and asked to apply for the city attorney position. “I was very thankful to take that job and begin my relationship with Pratt.”

What a City Manager Does

As city manager, Regina oversees the cities multiple departments, acts as the liaison between city staff and commissioners, and makes critical decisions on operations and budgeting. Her goal is to guide without micromanaging, leaning on department heads' expertise and prioritizing communication. “My job is not to micromanage departments, it's to have relationships with department heads.” Her diverse life experiences now inform her thoughtful, community-centered leadership.

Addressing Pratt's Greatest Needs

While some small towns in central and western Kansas are getting smaller, Pratt has been remaining steady. Regina identified three urgent priorities for the city:

1. Water Treatment  – Pratt's high nitrate levels require a $65 million treatment plant. While representing Pratt at a water conference in Lawrence, Regina discovered a new biofiltration method that could reduce costs by around a third, demonstrating her dedication to innovation and savings.
   
   
2. Street Repairs  – A full repair of Pratt's streets could cost upwards of $20 million. Regina is advocating for a phased, strategic plan to tackle this issue while staying mindful of taxpayers.
   
   
3. Electric Generation  – The city's steam generator is past its life expectancy. Regina supports responsible planning for its replacement while maintaining the city's diversified energy grid.

 Championing Financial Efficiency
To manage city resources wisely, Regina has led multiple cost-saving efforts:

• Cut $50,000 in insurance premiums through smarter property valuations.
• Shifted away from costly uniform services to local vendors and self-laundering systems.
• Streamlined telecommunications and medical kits, saving thousands annually.
• Contracted professional financial consultants to stabilize and modernize city budgeting.

Regina said “What we also have is a population that is overtaxed and weary of taxes. I'm very committed to the highest integrity and cost efficiencies and treating every tax dollar with the same stewardship that I would use my own dollars at home.”

Investing in Growth, Not Just Survival
Regina sees tourism as a key economic opportunity. Pratt's sports facilities, pool, parks, and downtown are already attracting visitors. With help from tourism ambassador Tiffany Riley, the city has hosted multiple concerts and is seeking to build an indoor sports facility at Green Sports Complex. Generous local donors and potential federal grants are driving this plan—not new taxes.

Focus on Housing and Infrastructure

Recognizing a housing shortage, Regina is developing a land bank to revitalize underused or tax-sale properties and exploring more affordable townhome developments. The goal is to ease the property tax burden by expanding the housing base and making Pratt more livable for families and workers.

Advocating for Law Enforcement Upgrades

Regina supports relocating the city's police department into an underused portion of the community center, saving $400,000 annually in rental costs. The proposal has drawn emotional reactions from a variety of factions, but Regina emphasizes transparency and welcomes dialogue.

Calls for Constructive Engagement

Regina urges citizens to attend city commission meetings (1st & 3rd Mondays) and reach out with concerns directly—not through social media. "I promise to act with integrity, to listen, and to make decisions based on what's best for the community," she says.

A Vision Rooted in Faith and Responsibility

A Christian and devoted mother, Regina believes strongly in leading with grace, stewardship, and long-term vision. She is committed to preserving the city's financial health, ensuring access to essential services, and helping Pratt thrive for generations to come. 

I believe that if the community can extend grace and appreciate the complexity of the issues we’re facing, it will make a big difference. I’m grateful to everyone who attended our budget hearings, because it allowed us to correct widespread misconceptions—many people thought our entire fleet consisted of brand-new trucks, when in fact 80% of our vehicles are over twenty years old. Accurate information and clear communication are essential. Social media platforms like Facebook often fuel misinformation and divisiveness; if you have questions or concerns, please email me directly so we can address them.