“We’ve accomplished a lot in my first term, and there’s a lot left to be done,” Morgan told Community Impact Newspaper. “It’s an exciting time in Round Rock. Sometimes, our greatest strength is our growth, but it’s also our greatest challenge.”
Morgan has served as a Round Rock City Council member and as mayor for a total of nine years. Prior to this, he served on the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Morgan said he is proud of the range of City Council accomplishments during his first term as mayor. He mentioned financial investments in transportation improvements, a focus on governmental transparency and committing city budget resources to ensure every Round Rock employee makes $15 an hour or more.
“It has been my honor and privilege serving the citizens of Round Rock for the last three years as mayor,” Morgan said in a news release. “We, as a city, have accomplished much during my first term and I will continue our good work by focusing on bringing jobs to the area, keeping our citizens safe through support of our public safety officials, and improving transportation and quality of life for the citizens of Round Rock.”
Should he be re-elected in May, Morgan said quality of life and downtown improvement efforts would be among his priorities.
“I think this is where some of our legacy will be left as a council: how to make downtown even more vibrant and at the same time compatible with our surrounding neighborhoods,” he said.
One of the motivating factors behind his desire to seek re-election, Morgan said, is his ongoing recovery from a recent health complication. Doctors discovered a mass in his spine in early October, and Morgan underwent surgery to remove the mass Oct. 11. The mass was found to be benign, and Morgan said he continues to regain mobility.
“I’m feeling better and getting stronger,” he said. “I’m using a cane now more than the walker. I’m making strides, and I will continue to make strides. But it will not do anything to impact my campaign.”
In the months following his surgery, Morgan described an “outpouring of support” from the community.
“Coming off my heath issue and having the citizens reach out to me just meant a lot and made me want to serve another term,” Morgan said. “It’s up to the citizens, and I’ll accept what they decide in May. I’m ready to go and fired up to get the campaign season underway.”
Morgan will hold a re-election kick-off event Jan. 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the Intel Club at Dell Diamond. The event is free and open to the public, Morgan said.
