Meet Lilly

Lillian “Lilly” Hritz is a longtime Tombstone resident, an educator, a small business owner, and a passionate advocate for her community.

With a career that spans classroom teaching, federal grant leadership, small business success, and civic involvement, Lilly brings a wealth of experience to her service on the Tombstone City Council. Whether in education, entrepreneurship, or local government, she has consistently championed transparency, collaboration, and results.

Why I Serve

“I ran for office because I saw a need for greater transparency, accountability, and follow-through in local leadership. Rather than sit on the sidelines, I chose to step up and serve—offering a voice for those who felt unheard, and proving that hands-on, honest service still matters.”

I believe that small towns thrive when residents feel heard, empowered, and informed. I’m committed to serving Tombstone’s past and promising tomorrow by ensuring that community voices are included in the decision-making process—and by keeping the public updated on what their local government is doing and why.

Serving with Action

Serving the community means more than listening. It means following through. During my time as Ward 4 Councilmember, I worked to ensure that concerns brought forward by residents were addressed with attention, accountability, and persistence.

Constituent Follow-Through

• Assisted two residents seeking resolution on police-related incidents that occurred prior to my time in office, ensuring both matters received appropriate attention and did not go unresolved.

Neighborhood Safety Improvements

• What began as a request for a single dead-end sign led to a broader review of the surrounding area, resulting in multiple streets being identified and addressed to improve safety and clarity.

Allen Street Concerns

• Responded to concerns regarding non-motorized vehicle activity on Allen Street by identifying applicable city code violations and working to ensure those issues were addressed through proper code enforcement.

Parking Line Updates

• Worked with a resident’s request regarding faded parking lines, resulting in multiple spaces being reviewed and updated to improve usability and organization.

Property Concern Support

• Assisted multiple residents in navigating the formal complaint process for property related issues, ensuring their concerns were properly submitted and followed through.

Representing Constituent Voice

• Cast a vote reflecting strong constituent concerns regarding the rehiring of the City Marshal, demonstrating a commitment to representing the voices of the community—even in difficult decisions.

Statewide Collaboration & Tourism Efforts

• Volunteered time serving on two subcommittees of the Arizona America250 Commission: the Travel & Tourism Subcommittee and the History, Heritage, and Historic Preservation Subcommittee. Secured the “Road to 250” Arizona Traveling Museum for Tombstone during Wild West Days (March 13–14, 2026), bringing a state-level initiative into the community and supporting local visitation and engagement.

These actions reflect my approach to public service: listen carefully, look deeper, and follow through.

What I Bring

• Collaboration: I lead with listening. From neighbors to local business owners, I make time for real conversations and believe that government must act with integrity and mutual respect.
• Grant Expertise: When I was a Technology Coordinator at a Chicago Public School, I secured over $1.8 million in funding through local and federal grants. I use that expertise to help identify grant opportunities for Tombstone in education, tourism, infrastructure, and economic development.
• Accountability: I keep residents informed through regular updates and advocate for clearer budgeting, better reporting, and transparent timelines on city projects.

Professional Background

I’ve worked in leadership roles across Arizona—from Tucson to Cochise County—as a grant writer, program director, instructional technology coordinator, and more. I’ve taught students, trained teachers, led statewide initiatives, and brought in over $1.8 million in grant funding to schools and nonprofits.

I’ve also been a small business owner right here in Tombstone for more than a decade. That means I understand what it’s like to balance budgets, build partnerships, and create jobs in a small-town economy.

Education & Service

• MS in Computer Science – Illinois Institute of Technology
• BA in Education – University of Illinois
• Master Trainer – Intel Teach to the Future
• Fellow – University of Chicago
• Arizona E-Learning Task Force – Appointed Member
• AZ Technology in Education Association – Co-Chair, Grants & Awards Committee

Awards & Recognition

• Silver & Gold Cactus – Arizona School Board Association
• Making It Happen Award – International Society for Technology in Education

These honors reflect my long-standing commitment to innovation, education, and building systems that work for communities like ours. I welcome your ideas, questions, or concerns. Please feel free to reach out any time—I am here to serve, and always ready to listen.