Councilman David Wilson is one of two incumbents on Kyle City Council that faces opposition in the upcoming May election. Should his opponent—Laurie Luttrell—win, she would become the third new face on the seven-member body this election term, with the District 6 seat and mayorship already set to change hands. Early voting for this race and others in the city of Kyle and San Marcos CISD takes place April 28–May 6. Election day is May 10. For more information about voting times and locations, look for the election guide in the next issue of Community Impact Newspaper, out on April 17.
How would bringing a Lone Star Rail station to Kyle help or hurt the city?
Wilson: Lone Star Rail service will help those who live in the city to have alternative transportation to Austin and San Antonio. I have personally experienced rail in Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Boston, New York and Austin. I found it a pleasure to ride the rail service and loved the fact that I did not have to worry with a car, traffic and parking. The negative is you pay for the privilege of having a rail station. I would like for the city of Kyle to plan this development in such a way that it pays for itself and is an economic plus for our city economy and budget.
Luttrell: Commuter rail would benefit our citizens, but the city needs to consider the cost. Within a half-mile of the station, Lone Star Rail will receive 50 percent of growth in sales tax, 50 percent growth in property tax, and Kyle must pay 100 percent of the cost of operation and management of the station. Operation and management could reach $2.6 million per year for Kyle. The city needs estimates on what it will cost in sales and property taxes. As of October 2013, Kyle's debt was $99.3 million with interest. Lone Star Rail is not free, and citizens need to be informed.
Why should voters choose you?
Wilson: I am experienced, knowledgeable, hardworking, educated and committed to helping Kyle plan for and address the challenges facing us in the future. The city of Kyle has been successful over the last three years in improving our financial position, encouraging businesses to move to our community, launching a transportation program to improve our roads, working to secure our future water needs and improving safety in our community with effective policing. I additionally want the city to increase the commitment to maintaining existing roads, water/sewer infrastructure and parks in the future. I believe that I am uniquely qualified to assist our city in addressing the challenges that face us in the future.
Luttrell: We need a change at City Hall. My opponent has been in office for six years, during which our taxes have risen to become the highest of any city in Hays County (0.5483). Our infrastructure has been neglected, and I intend to change that. The wastewater plant needs expansion to accommodate growth. We need to stop delays to build and maintain roads. We need to streamline our development and building permit process. Voters should choose me because I will be diligent in following through with council's decisions while working constructively with my fellow council members. I am not a professional politician but come from small business ownership that has a vested interest in our community.
What is the most pressing issue facing your district?
Wilson: The most pressing issue is transportation. I would like for us to move forward with the Burleson Road and Marketplace Road bond projects as quickly as we can. We additionally need to work effectively with the county on road improvements funded by Hays County and the Texas Department of Transportation. We need to be committed to fixing our existing roads in the future so that they do not fall into disrepair. For the first time in about five years, City Council has committed to budgeting for road repair on an annual basis, and the planning for the priorities of that repair is critical.
Luttrell: District 4 is diverse and includes new subdivisions like Hometown Kyle and Silverado, more established ones like Plum Creek and Spring Branch and the very heart of our city, Old Town Kyle. A common concern for everyone is the rising debt of the city and increasing tax rates. Citizens have also expressed a concern over the steep increases in water and wastewater rates over the past three years. In addition, the maintenance of our roads must be addressed. Old Town Kyle needs an upgrade of its failing infrastructure immediately. It has been neglected too long. Downtown revitalization between Burleson Road and I-35 would benefit everyone.
