Georgetown City Council has two other positions up for election in May. Incumbent Council Members Shawn Hood and Jake French are uncontested for District 2 and District 6, respectively.
Early voting runs from April 24-May 2, with polls in Williamson County closed April 30. Registered voters in Williamson County can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting and on election day.
Below are Dade and Schroeder's responses to Community Impact's candidate Q&A.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents.
Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
* indicates incumbent
Jonathan Dade
Experience:
Americans with Disabilities Act advocate, American Legion, Brothers At Breakfast (African American men's group), casual bicycling group, dual masters (MBA/MTS), chamber of commerce member, Navy veteran
Occupation:
rabbi, author
Candidate Website:
https://rlbechad.org/jonathan-dade-campaign
Contact Information:
512-525-0736
Why are you running for Georgetown mayor?
The concerned and diverse constituency of Georgetown deserve a chance to: (a) challenge the rational complacency that is negatively affecting our community, and (b) lobby for the change that is needed to redirect our trajectory. Essentially, #DadeForMayor believes our current approach to water availability, traffic, homelessness and citizen engagement is not aligned with your long-term goals, and we want to offer another choice, so that an unopposed election does bring “more of the same.”
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Georgetown?
While our unchanged platform of managing the growth, improving public safety and bringing accountability reflected roughly 30% of the voters in 2020, we have learned that another 20% or more of your neighbors want drastic shifts to things like water usage or response to civil unrest. A weak mayor system or mentality is not positioned to address these matters. My No. 1 goal is to amplify your voice and not recuse myself from critical decisions.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Georgetown, and how would you work to address them?
Water availability, traffic, homelessness and citizen engagement are a few of the challenges facing the fastest growing city, where the population is increasing 10.5% each year and projected to double in seven years. Imagine being a family of four in a three-bedroom home, but expecting two sets of twins before your oldest leaves the nest … something needs to change! #DadeForMayor will work feverishly to increase our infrastructure or redirect growth towards more suitable communities.
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
The saying “honesty is the best policy” holds true because it is better to admit to shortcomings and brace for impact than it is to go on inauthentically or afraid that reality will eventually hit. Well, this is where we have the choice to encourage annexation and development, which could fund the infrastructure projects needed, or we can stifle the growth by imposing restrictions while we “catch our breath.” Personally, I vote for a breather.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding growth?
One of the mayor’s most influential roles used to be electing members to our many boards and commissions (such as Planning and Zoning), which ultimately shapes the future of our culture and growth. Thankfully, the members a mayor now considers are sent through council for vetting and approval, so, #DadeForMayor anxiously awaits the opportunity to empower the broad and diverse pool of applicants who represent all of Georgetown … people aiming for planned, managed growth.
Josh Schroeder*
Experience:
Current mayor; prior P&Z, HARC, and ZBA chair; Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and Williams Drive Corridor Study Group
Occupation:
Attorney
Candidate Website:
https://joshforgeorgetown.com
Contact Information:
512-930-3651
Why are you running for Georgetown mayor?
Georgetown is the fastest growing city in the United States, and I want to continue dealing with the impacts of growth by working with our council and staff to address our traffic, water, electric and public safety needs.
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Georgetown?
I want Georgetown to be a complete community that allows people to live, work and play all in the same community. This means we have to have good neighborhoods with attainable, high-quality housing; a great economy with high-paying jobs; and excellent dining and retail experiences.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Georgetown, and how would you work to address them?
The amount of growth means that we have to work harder and smarter to keep up. We are in the process of updating our development code to address some of our housing issues. We are also building new water treatment facilities and seeking long-term water sources to address our water needs. We need to complete the work approved in our prior road bond and look toward the next round of road projects. Finally, we ...
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
We are expanding the North Lake water treatment facility right now and constructing the new South Lake water treatment plant (the largest project in the history of the city), which will double our treated water capacity. We are seeking additional raw water sources to meet our needs for decades to come. In terms of roads, we recently contracted with a third-party program manager to speed up the delivery of our road projects.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding growth?
In Texas, the city cannot dictate if and when growth occurs. There are things cities can do to encourage or discourage growth, but it’s really a function of the regional economy that determines the speed of growth. Thus, cities should do everything in their power to manage the impacts of growth such a public safety, roads and utilities. We are blessed to live in an area where people want to bring their families and businesses.
