Councilmember Linda Budge delivers a speech at the Celebrating a Million Dreams event during Civics Day. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova.

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After years of dedicated service, Councilmember Linda Budge remains a central figure in Rancho Cordova’s city government.

With a career spanning several decades, Budge reflects on her achievements and future goals for the city she has helped shape.

Budge’s involvement in local government began in 1978, marking the start of a long career in public service where she has held elected or appointed positions ever since.

“I have been involved in public office for a very long time,” said Budge. “I grew up in an Air Force family and moved here in 1967 after getting married to my first husband.”

Since those early days, Rancho Cordova has dramatically evolved. Budge witnessed its transition from a small, tight-knit agricultural town to a bustling city with significant growth. She recalls that most Rancho Cordova residents were engaged in three primary activities: being stationed at Mather Air Force Base, working at Aerojet or providing services to the city.

Linda Budge, former mayor of Rancho Cordova, participates in the 2023 Fourth of July parade. Photo courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova

“Rancho Cordova is not the same place that it was in 1978,” said Budge. “There were only four incorporated cities in the county because the city of Sacramento had not grown out to what it is today. The community was governed by a limited number of local organizations.”

Budge’s initial priorities centered on improving the city’s appearance and infrastructure.

“Our mission was to clean up and beautify the city. Our priority was to make Rancho look better so people could have more pride in where they lived,” she explained. “When we incorporated, a lot of people came to work here but they didn’t live in Rancho Cordova. It’s been our goal the entire time, other than the physical, social and commercial health of the city, to build housing so people will live here closer to where they work, as opposed to having to drive miles in a traffic jam.”

Among her proudest accomplishments is the development of distinct neighborhoods in Rancho Cordova, such as the villages of Stone Creek and Capital Village.

“We brought in urban planners to help us create neighborhoods that foster community,” Budge said.

Looking ahead, Budge envisions continued growth and development for Rancho Cordova, including aspects such as continued housing projects and focus on economic development encouraging for new employers, new restaurants and new retail.

“We’re working on a library and a museum that reflects both our military history and the history of Rancho Cordova,” she stated. “We want to ensure housing for homeless veterans and address homelessness comprehensively.”

For Budge, one of the biggest challenges facing the city is repurposing the extensive office district that Rancho Cordova sits on.

“The council is always looking for opportunities to create a lifestyle where people can walk to work and home, and kids can walk or ride their bicycles to work,” Budge said.

Buildings schools and making sure the schools in Racho Cordova has meet modern educational standards is also something Budge considers a challenge in the city.

“We don’t want kids to have to ride the bus for so many hours a day,” said Budge. “The current architecture and land plan doesn’t provide the experience that kids, especially junior and senior high, want for their own educational opportunities.”

Staying connected with residents is a cornerstone of her approach. Budge emphasizes the importance of public meetings where community members can voice their opinions, as well as utilizing social media to keep the public informed.

Councilmember Linda Budge was awarded a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sacramento Telangana Association. Photo courtesy of Rick Sloan

Her tenure has been marked by various rewarding experiences, particularly in celebrating community events such as the Fourth of July parade, the California Capital Airshow, the International Festival and the Christmas tree lighting.  

“Rancho Cordova is so diverse,” said Budge “At these events, you see all those faces and that I find incredibly heartwarming.”

As she reflects on her legacy, Budge aims for Rancho Cordova to be a place of fiscal health and community trust.

“We brought power and local voice to the community, creating a city that is trusted by the majority of our residents,” said Budge.

Outside of her public service, Budge enjoys teaching the history of Rancho Cordova and finding joy in the continuous learning and community engagement it fosters. With five children and 14 grandchildren, family remains an integral part of her life as she continues to contribute to her community.