At its meeting April 1, council heard from a consultant and gave its blessing for town leaders to begin looking at ways to provide feedback to lawmakers on issues affecting town governance. Town Manager James Childers said town staff followed the thousands of bills that were being considered in the last session, and he said there were some bills passed by the Legislature that were not “favorable” to the town along with some bills that were “near misses.”
Childers said he understands council wants to be in a better position going into the next legislative process.
“And that is in the form of getting partnerships with advocacy groups that can help us down in Austin,” Childers said.
Later, he said money was in the next budget for the consultation costs, and said Flower Mound is in a place now where it needs advocacy in Austin.
The background
Brandi Bird, president of Bird Advocacy & Consulting, gave council an overview of her company’s services, which specializes in policy advocacy, regulatory issues and legislative advocacy, according to its website. Bird lives in Lantana and said she has “great relationships” with the local delegation of Texas lawmakers.
“Because I’m local, I do understand the issues that Flower Mound is facing,” she said, adding that she also represents Lewisville and has done so since 2018.
The details
Two bills that she expects to return in 2025 revolve around minimum lot sizes and accessory dwelling units—both of which drew town leader concern last year. Bird said if she works with Flower Mound, then she said “talking points” need to be developed on what the bills’ impacts could mean for the town, and that she would meet with legislators’ authors and meet with local delegation members. She said she would also help with strategies to mitigate the effects of impact of legislation if it has a high chance of passing.
What they’re saying
Council members supported conducting the consultation before the next session.
“I want to start as soon as possible—yesterday,” council member Ann Martin said, laughing, adding that the legislative issues are important to the town and could be devastating if approved.
