Jones’ pitch for mayor is that government should work for the people. She points to her time in the treasurer’s office, where she just won reelection to her second term.

“This is an office that only used to collect parking (revenue) and handle the city’s investments.” Now it’s an office that finds ways to use the money it brings in to benefit people, she said.

Jones likes to talk about the Office of Financial Empowerment she created along with her staff. The office hosts “lunch and learns,” where people on their lunch breaks learn how to better manage their money.

The office also created the College Kids Children’s Savings Account program, building off of research that says even a small amount of college savings improves a child’s chances of college success.

In its second year, the office estimates 6,400 city kindergartners will be automatically enrolled in a college savings program by next summer. “That went from idea to implementation in one year,” she said. “That’s lightning speed when it comes to government.”