Later this month, the Folsom community will hear first-hand what was accomplished and of concern in 2023, as well as what lies ahead for 2024. It will all be presented in the 2024 State of City Address by Folsom’s newest Mayor Mike Kozlowski, who isn’t necessarily new to the role.
Kozlowski was voted to his second term as Folsom’s Mayor in December and will lead his first council meeting of 2024 on Tuesday, Jan. 9. He first served the position in 2021. Kozlowski was first elected to Folsom City Council, two years earlier in 2018.
When he takes to the podium for what will be his second career State of the City address on Jan. 25, Kozlowski will be speaking about a city that has many differences than it did when he last made the address in 2021. It was back then that the community was still very much in the midst of the pandemic. Then, Kozlowski’s state of the city speech was performed only online, virtually, as gatherings were still not permitted. Now, his second career address will be filmed once again, but will also have an actual audience unlike his first.
As he enters his second term as Mayor, Kozlowski leads a council that is facing many tough decisions ahead. At the top of those concerns are budget woes as the city is forecasting a shortfall in its future. A sales tax measure is making headlines as of late, along with short staffing in public safety and increased costs making it difficult for Folsom area schools to expand as previously planned with funds that are no longer able to foot the bill.
“I am grateful to serve as the city of Folsom’s mayor, and I appreciate the council’s trust in me. I’m honored to serve such a great community. I look forward to working with our council and community members to make Folsom an even better place,” said Kozlowski, as he accepted the mayoral position during the council’s last meeting of 2023.
As he headed into his second term, Kozlowski is well aware that budget woes are at the top of mind for city leaders and residents alike.
“The year ahead promises both opportunities and challenges, especially when it comes to addressing a projected budget deficit with more costs and service demands than we have revenue. I’m committed to leading alongside my fellow councilmembers as we work with our community to address the funding gap.”
Aside from his role in city politics, Kozlowski is active in many statewide local government and energy conservation groups. He is a longtime coach of track and field for Vista del Lago High School, and is a certified youth coach with USA Track & Field.
By trade, Kozlowski is an executive for Johnson Controls, a company that provides technology, planning, design, and project management services for energy conservation projects. Kozlowski is an architect and designer and a pragmatic project manager.
The new Folsom Mayor has designed projects for small business owners, national retailers, cities, counties, school districts, and individual homeowners. Mike has served as a City of Folsom utility commissioner, a board member of the Vista Athletic Boosters, the Heritage Preservation League of Folsom, and as chairman of the campaign for Measure G (passed by voters in 2014) that is has brought an abundance of facility improvements to Folsom schools.
Mike and his family have called Folsom home since 2005. A native of Chicago, Illinois, and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in architecture from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan. Mike and his wife Kim have been married for 26 years and have three children.
Kozlowski will present his 2024 State of the City address on Jan. 25, taking to the podium at 12:00 p.m. at Folsom’s Lakeside Church in the event presented annually by Choose Folsom.