Tested.
Trusted.
Veterinarian. Attorney. Two-time Mayor of Citrus Heights. Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa has spent three decades doing her homework, asking hard questions, and showing up for this community.
Citrus
Heights
Two careers. One community.
I am Dr. Jayna Karpinski-Costa, and I have lived in Citrus Heights since 1991. I am married to Ted Costa — taxfighter and founder of People’s Advocate — and together we share our acre with cats, dogs, ducks, geese, peacocks, pheasants, and chickens.
I am both a practicing veterinarian (Colorado State University, School of Veterinary Medicine) and a licensed attorney (Santa Clara University, School of Law). I run a small animal house-call practice, Acupuncture + Plus, offering both Eastern and Western modalities.
I served on the Citrus Heights Planning Commission (2002–2004) and was first elected to the City Council in 2004. I was re-elected in 2008 and served as Mayor in 2011. After ten years, inspired by the new city manager’s “do-list,” I ran again and was re-elected in 2022 — and my fellow council members elected me to serve a second term as Mayor in 2024–2025.
A record you can check.
Two terms as Mayor. Two decades on the City Council and regional boards covering everything from air quality to homelessness. Here’s the paper trail.
What I’m fighting for.
We’ve accomplished a lot as a city — but there’s more to do, and I believe I’m uniquely qualified to help set the policies that get us there.
Sunrise Tomorrow — Sunrise Sports Center
Sunrise Tomorrow is a community-adopted vision for the future development of the Sunrise Mall. It includes a mixture of retail, office, recreational and educational uses, community gathering areas, and housing in what looks like an “urban village.” I was proud to vote no on a proposal to change that vision at the south end of the property (Sears), when that owner wanted to develop with big box stores, several drive-throughs, and automotive uses.
The Sunrise Sports Center is a 13-acre proposal on the Greenback end. It will include two professional-size ice rinks and two turf fields (one covered) with seating for 4,000. This project will be the catalyst for development of the rest of the property. Tallen Capital Partners is currently negotiating the purchase of the mall from Namdar, the current owner who let the property deteriorate.
The city has entered into a partnership agreement with the Mettle Shop, the proponents of the Sunrise Sports Center. We have developed ongoing relationships with the principals and are ready to move forward as soon as we can.
I am ready and anxious to finish what we started!
Our homeless numbers are steadily decreasing as we look for regional solutions. Our city policy is compassion combined with accountability. We help those who want our help, but we enforce our rules that keep the quality of our neighborhoods safe and clean.
Our police department is the finest in the region — not just for their talents, but for their dedication to our community. We’re committed to keeping public safety at current levels through policies that promote recruitment and retention in a highly competitive market, and our budget reflects that commitment. This year we re-positioned our motor unit officers to patrol, where the need is greater, and crime statistics have steadily decreased across all categories. My priority is to keep our neighborhoods safe.
We just finished year one of a three-year plan to resurface 300+ roads — covering 52 center-line miles this year, compared to 2 the year before — backed by a $4 million/year pledge from our general fund. I’m working hard to add more streets in District 4 to the current three-year list.
We have an extensive menu of incentives for small business development, and we should maintain them. But we need to stimulate investment to attract new businesses, renovate rundown strip malls, and help recruit new tenants.
We have a history of fiscal prudence: a balanced budget, no debt, and a healthy reserve. But costs are rising faster than revenues. My analysis has always been, “Do we need it? Can we afford it?” While we may not avoid some rising costs, I believe we can stay on track without burdening residents with higher taxes.
Citrus Heights is unique. Our neighborhood associations offer every resident an opportunity to be heard — to share ideas, concerns, and volunteer. Social media can’t replace the value of personal interaction. I’m committed to promoting neighborhood visibility, and to strengthening the relationship between neighborhoods and the city, and between neighborhoods and the organizations that serve our community.
I listen to the concerns of citizens, and I show up prepared to act on them.
Built by neighbors, for neighbors.
Shortly after cityhood, neighborhood associations emerged as a way for residents to connect with the city and each other. I formed SOAR — the Sylvan Old Auburn Road Neighborhood Association — in 1998, served as its president until 2022, and still serve today as treasurer.
What SOAR has built
- Senior Health Fair, 2008–2017 — won Neighborhood of the Year from NUSA (Neighborhoods USA), a national competition
- A beautiful bench outside the Sylvan Community Center
- $8,000 donated to Sunrise Recreation & Park District to build Arcade Creek Park
- A braille trail installed in the park for low-vision and blind visitors
- Cash donations to many local non-profits
- A cooling jacket and treadmill for our K–9 officers
- Partnering with Meals on Wheels since 2014 — and fresh food and spring joy delivered at Easter
Where she volunteers time & money
Over $65,000 given personally to support local efforts to improve residents’ quality of life, including:
Chip, Chip, Hooray! is a CHPD campaign Dr. Jayna supports offering free microchips for Citrus Heights pets, to help reunite lost animals with their families.
Out in the community.
Three decades of neighbors, patients, and family — the people this campaign is for.
Yes, Dr. Jayna — I support you.
Campaigns like this run on neighbors, not consultants. Tell us how you’d like to help, and we’ll follow up.
- Put a sign in your yard
- Walk a neighborhood with our team
- Host a meet-and-greet with your neighbors
- Use your name as a public endorsement