Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell announced on social media the evening of July 15 that he will resign from office in November, one year before the end of his final term.

The overview

Mitchell said his decision followed “deep reflection” and was driven by three main factors:

• Confidence in the city’s current position
• A desire to return to the private sector
• A belief in the importance of making room for new leadership

Mitchell said serving as mayor has been a meaningful experience, but it requires him to set aside personal goals and career opportunities.

“This next chapter will allow me to focus on those areas again and apply what I’ve learned in public life to new challenges and ventures,” he said.

Digging deeper

Mitchell, who joined as District 1 council member in June 2016 and became mayor in November 2017, will have served the longest mayoral tenure in Kyle’s history.

In his announcement, he highlighted milestones throughout his tenure, including investments in public safety, infrastructure, parks, and economic development. He also noted the launch of initiatives such as Kyle 3-1-1 and mobility programs aimed at improving quality of life.

“Looking back, there’s so much I’m proud of,” he said. “I’m proud of the town we’ve built together. I’m proud of how far we’ve come. And I’ll be proud to leave this office believing—without hesitation—that Kyle’s best days are still ahead.”

What else?

Mitchell said he had planned to announce his resignation during the July 15 council meeting, but made the news public online after a credible bomb threat disrupted the session. He noted that releasing the announcement on July 15 gave the council more time to call a special election for his successor.

According to sections 3.04 and 5.03 of Kyle's city charter, special elections to fill a mayoral vacancy are preferably held on a uniform election date, provided there is enough time to meet the required 120-day notice. The next uniform election date is the Nov. 4 general election. The mayoral race is expected to coincide with elections for the at-large council seats in Districts 1 and 3.

Both the City of Kyle and Kyle Police Department issued a statement saying the meeting was postponed to July 16 at 7 p.m. "out of an abundance of caution."

Notable quote

“Thank you for the trust, the grace, and the chance to lead the city I love,” he said. “Until my final meeting, I’ll keep doing everything I can to move Kyle forward.”