Incumbent Mayor Christine DeLisle will be running for re-election, while challengers Damon Burger, Fred Summers, John David Cowman and Andy Hogue will also be vying for the seat.
Members of Leander City Council are elected at-large, meaning each member represents the entire city and all qualified voters in the city can cast a ballot in the race.
Early voting in the May 4 election runs from April 22-30.
Community Impact asked candidates to answer the questions provided in 75 words or less and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
*indicates incumbent
Damon Burger
Experience:
Leadership; finance/budgeting; operations; project management; people development; physical security; safety
Occupation:
Security and safety executive
Candidate Website:
https://www.damonburger4leander.com
Why are you running for this position?
I made the decision to run for mayor because Leander is a great city, full of wonderful people, local businesses and activities, and I believe that I can have an impact on making it even better. I believe it is a pivotal time in Leander's history with issues such as water accessibility and restrictions, growth and development of both commercial and residential housing, and public safety.
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Leander?
If elected, I would immediately work to align the City Council on priorities of the people of Leander and ensure that the tasks of the council will make an immediate and positive impact of those who live and visit Leander. Water accessibility and restrictions as well as a well-defined growth strategy for both commercial and residential developments and public safety would be my top priorities.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Leander, and how would you work to address them?
Water accessibility and growth are certainly the biggest challenges facing Leander. I would work with the council to scrutinize current agreements and contracts involving water to ensure the people of Leander are a top priority as well as have an “all options are on the table” approach towards securing water. I would also work with the council to ensure future developments of both commercial and residential properties are adequate for the expected growth.
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
By aligning the council around the future of Leander and ensuring Leander’s best interests are being met, I would look at current contracts involving water rights and accessibility and make changes when, where and if needed. I would also create a multiyear plan for growth of the city to ensure proper plans are in place for roads and accessibility inline with the anticipated growth.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding development?
I believe the city plays an enormous role in guiding and managing the future development by ensuring proper zoning is in place and in line with the vision of the council and the citizens. I believe it is also the role of the city to also make future development in Leander as enticing as possible for developers to come into Leander and develop based on the needs of the city.
Christine DeLisle*
Experience:
Mayor 2021-present; council member 2018-2021; chair, City Charter Review-2017; CAMPO 2021-present
Occupation:
Marketer
Candidate Website:
https://www.mayorchristine.com
Why are you running for this position?
I’m running because we’ve made great progress the last three years, and I intend to see that we finish the projects we started. We’ve invested $200 million into finally fixing our water delivery issues; brought in more retail, restaurants and employers; improved public safety; created plans to map out our city’s future; implemented the first homestead exemption; and enacted the largest property tax rate cut in the city’s history.
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Leander?
I’m looking forward to being able to focus more on quality-of-life issues. I’d like to see our city’s communications become more robust to ensure we’re able to engage our citizens wherever they are. I’m also looking forward [to] implementing advanced metering infrastructure which will allow residents to know their usage in real time. We also have a critical shortage of city facilities, and we’ll need to put a focus on getting that resolved.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Leander, and how would you work to address them?
Obviously water is a major challenge, but we’re on track for that. Another challenge is ensuring our roads stay safe—we recently completed a study on Reagan Blvd. and the challenge now is implementing all the recommendations. We also have a shortage of parks and facilities, which will be helped somewhat with a new parkland dedication ordinance this year. Ultimately, we want to be a sustainable city where people enjoy spending their time.
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
We do modeling now for water and wastewater and check in on that modeling frequently. We’re keeping an eye on growth, usage, supply and projections. Roads can be a little harder, but we did recently implement a system that requires developers to pay into a fund for roadway improvements by district, so if someone is redeveloping in your area of town, they’re also paying in to widen a road in that same area.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding development?
This can be tricky because Texas law favors the land owner who wants to develop. What we do is create the framework for what kind of development can go where and we put in regulations about how fast someone can develop and what they have to pay to improve conditions for all residents. It is up to the council to stand firm when someone wants to build something contrary to those plans.
Fred Summers
Experience:
People, places and things 45 years in business seven years in community service pace car provider
Occupation:
Generator technician
Candidate Website:
https://fixyourgenerator.com
Why are you running for this position?
Seems it is a more favorable place to serve my fellow residents/neighbors, rather than from the residents side of the room. in “ The City Hall.” If I can get the vote to get in as a working ambassador for the residents, I am confident we’ll have more resident involvement. Nothing like jumping in, right?
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Leander?
My Leander goals lean towards residential over commercial/commerce. a. End property tax, (never allowed to be explored, discussed, or considered ) Why? (The idea was a proposal on the recent primary ballot for the state) b. Explore possibilities for endowment resources for “world class” anything other than football ha ha. Trades, inventors/innovators., etc. c. In development that has already broken ground, finish it and find out what “promises” we’re made and why.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Leander, and how would you work to address them?
Biggest challenge—Going too big too quick Finish what we have to. Stop the rest for now. Learn from mistakes. Look to conservative examples of success (South Dakota) Cross train our workers. Investigate the possible benefit of our workers working four 10 hour days.
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
I honestly can not fathom the beauty of our current water and wastewater system, and so glad we have engineers and operators running it. Common sense tells me that it must be predictable to some degree by square footage in residential, and by type of commerce in commercial. Sooo why and how do we push it to the limit? A couple of phases come to mind—“ betting on the come” & “robbing peter to pay paul”
What role does the city play in managing and guiding development?
Right now, all of it, as I see it. (in flawed ways) in pressure and policy a pressure cooker of “corporate city ways” depending most on “development “ under ever changing ordinances, rules, and regulations, adopted in ways that coincide with “too big too quick”, one size does not fit all.
John David Cowman
Experience:
Mayor, city of Leander 2003-2012
Occupation:
Real estate broker/developer
Candidate Website:
https://www.johncowman.com
Why are you running for this position?
To plan for Leander’s next 25 years. Our initial plan (Leander 2000-2025) has concluded with our goals and big objectives met (Big Medical (St. David’s, Scott and White), Big Education (ACC and LISD) and Big Transportation (Cap Metro and 183A) and private sector has followed. Our momentum has slowed. The next 25 years will be our most important. I will be going after Hi Tech (3D, Nano, AI etc.) Expect a positive momentum shift.
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Leander?
As mentioned above, Leander 2050 will include a hi-tech landing zone. Also, more medical as it is recession proof. We must attract business, sometimes through incentives. Making Leander more “business friendly” is a major goal. Fire and police expansion is and will be essential. Quality of life is most important to our city. More parkland, shopping, and enjoyment in Leander using and through our old motto “Live, Work, Play, Learn, Shop, Stay."
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Leander, and how would you work to address them?
Balance. Every site needs to be balanced and in doing so, our city will be. We seem to have veered from our “Best Planned City “status to more of a sprawl city. Too many apartments, not enough retail; balance is the key. “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.” We may slow down development to create a sustainable model which will then set the proper direction for the city. Water and Roadways; please see below.
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
When I left office in 2012, we estimated we were three years ahead with our water/wastewater infrastructure. We now seem to be two years behind. Lack of maintenance and unanticipated weather events have put us where we are today; in a bad place. It is critical that we get in front of the next wave of growth, and it’s going to happen. Roadways; we will look at creative ways to get said built.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding development?
The city of Leander is a quality of life city. In my day, council managed growth by showing developers how they can develop in our city. We set ordinance raising the bar and setting the standard on how a city should be run/developed. Our “Composit Zoning Ordinance” was way ahead of its time and is still used today. Pace and balance is our key to success.
Andy Hogue
Experience:
Strong background in political analysis, journalism, constituent relations for city of Austin, civic/church leadership
Occupation:
Political communications
Candidate Website:
https://TinyURL.com/Andy4Leander
Why are you running for this position?
If we don't do something now to improve the way we communicate and manage our growth, we stand to lose so much concerning the safety, affordability and charm of our beloved town. I seek to apply my decades of varied experience serving the public to better guide the runaway growth of our city and keep life in Leander affordable and business and family friendly. The time has come for action, not just words.
If elected, what are your goals for the city of Leander?
I want to hear what your goals are! While going door-to-door and hearing more about what issues are important, what needs to be fixed, and what's worth preserving about Leander, I've learned more about my city than I ever would have otherwise. Therefore, it will be my top priority to make sure we're not simply listening to concerns from constituents, business owners, and developers, but following up with them and responding in a proactive manner.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing Leander, and how would you work to address them?
WATER—We’re on track to end Stage 4 restrictions, but let’s not repeat history. MOBILITY—Identify cost-effective, creative ways to cut traffic. AFFORDABILITY—Keep taxes/bills low through modern planning and fiscally conservative spending. LOCAL BUSINESS—We have an impressive small business community, but it’s also important to bring in industry and companies of all sizes to expand our tax base and bring good things to Leander. Let’s recruit! (Trader Joe's, anyone?)
How would you ensure infrastructure, such as water and roads, keeps up with population growth?
By picking up the phone. Improved communication between the city, developers and other government entities is an absolute must. Developers want infrastructure that works for their future residents and tenants, and so do we; it's up to elected representatives to advocate for what the taxpayers expect from everyone involved. Though I believe we're on a sustainable path as we grow in population, improved planning/coordination can avoid any future Stage 4-like scenarios.
What role does the city play in managing and guiding development?
In ways too numerous to list here, but most importantly keeping our residents safe. Let's maintain support for our police, fire, and EMS, and make absolutely certain we're competitive with cities in our region to attract the best talent. We must work closely with our neighborhood associations to identify problems before they begin and solicit their on-the-ground input. It's also mission-critical to expand our tax base to pursue future plans and keep taxes low.
