Valparaiso Mayor Candidate Interview: Chris Wasdin

Who Is Chris Wasdin?

Wasdin has experience in public service and financial management:

• 10 years as a Valparaiso city commissioner (first elected in 2016)
• 25 years in the U.S. Air Force in financial management
• Currently works for the Air Force as a civilian financial professional

She argues that this combination—local government experience plus a career in managing complex budgets—uniquely prepares her to guide Valparaiso’s finances and services.

“I know how the city works, and I know where to find more money to bring it into our city, and I think experience matters,” she explained. 

Preparing for Property Tax Changes

One of the biggest issues hanging over Valparaiso’s future is discussion in the Florida Legislature about eliminating property taxes. For a city that is largely a bedroom community with many homesteaded homes, that would be a serious challenge.

An internal estimate suggests Valparaiso could lose about $2 million, roughly a quarter of its total budget. Wasdin doesn’t downplay the impact, but she believes the city should not rely so heavily on property taxes in the first place.

Her plan includes:

• Aggressively pursuing state and federal grants the city has “not pursued strongly enough” in the past
• Carefully reviewing spending, with a focus on operating budgets and long-term commitments

In her view, the city must start shifting now toward more diversified revenue rather than waiting for state decisions to force painful cuts.

Fire Department: Local Control at a Lower Cost

The Valparaiso Fire Department has been a major topic of discussion. Two years ago, Niceville proposed providing fire service to Valparaiso at a cost of about $1.8 million, while Valparaiso’s own operating budget for the department is closer to $900,000–$1.1 million.

In the past, Niceville provided fire services for about $800,000 and absorbed $400,000 of the department’s operating costs for Valparaiso, according to an agreement signed between the two cities in 2024. That agreement has since expired. 

Wasdin is clear: She believes that keeping a city-run fire department is the right path.

• She claims it is cheaper than contracting with Niceville
• She views it as a core responsibility of a city
• She praises the firefighters’ performance, while acknowledging the city must do better at recruiting and hiring a stable fire chief through open, professional job postings

City Hall: Turning a Cost into an Asset

Another contentious issue is the city’s purchase and renovation of the old Synovus bank building for use as City Hall.

Wasdin defends the move as a smart long-term investment:

• The city secured a fixed mortgage of about $10,000 per month for 30 years
• Renovations were managed using in-house expertise from commissioners with construction backgrounds
• The project created more than 5,000 square feet of leasable office space, which generates revenue and puts part of the building back on the city’s tax rolls. 

Her argument is that by leasing out that upper-floor space, the city can cover the mortgage entirely, effectively making City Hall cost-neutral over time—and a potential revenue source once the loan is paid off in 30 years.

Growing the Tax Base with Strategic Zoning

Valparaiso has far fewer businesses than neighboring cities, and many residents remember a time when the city had more amenities, such as a movie theater, bowling alley, and grocery store.

Wasdin believes part of the problem is “pyramidal zoning” in commercial areas. Under current rules, land zoned commercial can still be developed as residential, which is often more profitable for builders in the short term. The result, she says, is missed opportunities for long-term business growth.

As mayor, she says she would:

• Push to tighten and modernize zoning rules
• Protect key corridors for commercial use
• Encourage more businesses that can strengthen the tax base and provide services residents want

She ties this directly to Valparaiso’s financial future, especially if property tax revenues decline:

“We can’t rely on property taxes… So we do need more businesses to pull in some funding for the city,” she explained. 

City Management and Speed Zone Cameras in Valparaiso

Wasdin also supports the idea of moving toward a professional city manager (or similar “super administrator”) to ensure that someone is in City Hall full-time to execute policy and follow up on issues. This would require voter approval and changes to the city’s form of government, but she believes it would strengthen day-to-day operations.

On public safety enforcement tools like proposed speed cameras on John Sims Parkway, Wasdin is firmly against their use. She questions both the fairness and philosophy behind automated ticketing and views it primarily as a profit mechanism for private companies, not a true public safety solution.

Wasdin’s Core Message to Voters

As Election Day approaches, Wasdin is emphasizing:

• Experience: A decade on the commission and a career in financial management
• Stability: Protecting key services like the fire department while rebuilding reserves
• Smart Growth: Using zoning reform and better planning to bring in more businesses and diversify revenue
• Practical Solutions: Turning City Hall into a revenue-generating asset and pursuing grants more aggressively

Valparaiso voters will go to the polls on March 10 at Greater Peace Baptist Church. Wasdin’s pitch is straightforward: in a time of financial uncertainty and structural change, experience and fiscal discipline matter—and she believes she has both.