Q&A: Meet the candidates for Highland Village City Council Place 3

Why did you decide to run for a council spot?

I am concerned about the economic future of our city. With only 3% of undeveloped land, we need to be purposeful with new development. It needs to be consistent with our values and what the residents have asked for. We also need to preserve our current retail, add more retail/restaurants and entertainment venues in order to raise our sales tax revenue. We don't want to raise property taxes or cut city services to sustain our way of life here.

What are some of the biggest issues facing the city?

I feel it’s our economic future and the possibility of a change in zoning to add apartments. I am strictly opposed to apartments and many residents have voiced that opinion as well. I want their voices heard. As for our financial future, we need to raise our sales tax revenue to assist in offsetting our heavy reliance on property taxes due to the rising costs of living.

What do you hope to accomplish on the council if elected, and is there anything specific you'd like to see the council and city accomplish?

If elected, I’d like to create an Economic Development Board made up of local business owners and residents to help raise our sales tax revenue. With an EDB, we can seek out exciting ideas for retail, restaurants and experience-oriented venues so we don’t feel like we have to settle for what’s coming to us. I want our city to be a destination spot and have surrounding communities come to us to spend money!

How do you think the city is doing in regards to its growth? As the city grows, is the council doing enough to meet its demands?

Considering we have only 3% of open land left to develop, I feel our city has grown leaps and bounds. I believe we need to be very conscious of how we develop those spaces and utilize them to our advantage as well as what the citizens have asked for. There is a lot that goes into maintaining a city and keeping a high-level quality of life and Highland Village is ranked No. 3 (Safewise.com) for the safest city in Texas for 2023. So, I believe our council and city services have done a fantastic job of meeting demands.

Why did you decide to run for a council spot?

I want to invest in our city. I want my 2 and 4 year old to grow up in a safe and inviting city that they are happy to call home. I would like the opportunity to serve all families by listening and engaging in order to preserve the history, principles, and values embraced over the years.

What are some of the biggest issues facing the city?

Our budget and revenue is our biggest opportunity area. Our Highland Village Business Association is a group of local business owners who do a great job at supporting our local business and encouraging new businesses to come in. We can always give them more support to encourage business investment in to HV. That can help our sales tax and revenue increase in an attempt to take away the burden of property tax

What do you hope to accomplish on the council if elected, and is there anything specific you’d like to see the council/city accomplish?

I hope to add another young family view to current issues such as speed limits in the city. Our sales taxes increased 11% from 2021-2022. Over 22% of our revenues come from sales taxes. We need to continue to encourage our local business while giving face lifts to areas that need it.

How do you think the city is doing in regards to its growth? As the city grows, is the council doing enough to meet its demands?

The city is about 96% built out. Roughly 210 homesites remain in platted and unplatted parcels. We’ve averaged 45 homes a year for the last five years. We have roughly 5,500 homes. Bottom line is our businesses are doing well. Sales tax revenue is up every year including pandemic years. I believe making the city business friendly like previous councils have in the past is the best economic development policy we can have.