Sheri Almond
Experience:
Serving in Keller City Council Place 3; served three-years on the Keller Economic Development Board; served three years on the Keller Development Corp. board; Greater Keller Chamber of Commerce board member; Keller Rotary Club program director; Keller Farmers Market executive director
Occupation:
Executive director
Candidate Website:
www.facebook.com/almondforkeller
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for office?
I am truly keen on Keller! Having been a resident of Keller for the past 24 years, raised three kids through [Keller ISD] and serving the residents on council since 2019, I have been fortunate enough to be a part of all things Keller. My participation with our schools, various boards, community service and involvement, establishing great relationships with small businesses and residents, has given me a unique, pragmatic perspective on Keller. If I am re-elected I want to continue bringing ideas to the forefront in making the u201cfamily friendlyu201d vision come to life for all 46,000 residents.
What are the biggest challenges facing the residents of Keller?
1. Property taxes: We need to bring in high-quality developments that will increase our sales tax revenue thus helping reduce property taxes. Keller is an attractive place to want to live. We need to ensure that commercial and residential development is such that it keeps Keller a great place to live, work and play. 2. Infrastructure: Streets/sidewalks/medians/water/drainage issues. Revisiting our master plans to ensure they provide the basic information and guidance necessary for the sound stewardship of the cityu2019s core services. [The] Master Drainage Plan, adopted in 1991, is in progress of being updated as of 2020.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
A top priority is always tax relief for our residents. As a councilwoman, I am proud to have been a part of the 20% homestead exemption and no new tax rate. Other priorities include infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, water, drainage), maintaining our parks, trails and medians, and high quality economic development. When I was first elected our sidewalk budget was $35,000! One of my main priorities was increasing that budget to ensure the much needed sidewalk repairs/additions could be accomplishedu2014the new budget contains a $3.5 million investment into sidewalk maintenanceu2014a huge difference.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Keller City Council to explore?
I would love to see our city develop an arts and entertainment district to include a community theater. The goal of the A&E district would be to develop, promote and support a diverse artistic and cultural center that preserves a sense of place, provides unique local experiences, attracts tourism, and spurs economic revitalization and city pride. I would also like to see us incorporate a splash pad at one of our various parks.
Jessica Juarez
Experience:
Keller Crime Control and Prevention District board member; active parent of children in KISD; working for the office of the attorney general of Texas helping parents establish and enforce child support; previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Tarrant County prosecuting Child Protective Services cases involving hundreds of children in foster care; also served as legal counsel for Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates, training and supervised community volunteers who assist attorneys, judges and CPS in making permanency decisions for foster children
Occupation:
Assistant attorney general, child support division
Candidate Website:
www.jessicaforkeller.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
Why are you running for office?
Taking care of our next generation is at the heart of my life. We need to do more to create a place where the next generation will thrive. As a city, we need to lower property taxes, keep crime low, enhance the quality of our parks and streets, and recruit quality businesses. As an assistant attorney general and mother of eight of our younger Keller citizens, I care strongly about the people, the neighborhoods, our city, our state, and I promise to bring my experience and conservative values to serve Keller with the utmost fiscal responsibility and integrity.
What are the biggest challenges facing the residents of Keller?
One of the biggest challenges for the residents of Keller is to ensure that property taxes are affordable. As a homeowner, I am personally vested in keeping our property taxes down so that they are not a burden on our families. As property values continue to rise, we need to balance tax affordability with the quality of public services and make sure to not over tax our citizens! I believe that [by] working closely with residents and other stakeholders in our community, we can achieve this. If elected, I will work with my colleagues on council to find further cost savings.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
If elected to the Keller City Council, my top priorities will be the affordability of property taxes, attracting and retaining business in Keller, supporting public safety, and continued transparency between City Council and our residents. I believe in listening to our citizens to help determine the best outcomes for the issues that matter the most to them. I will take every opportunity to listen to our residents, even when difficult discussions arise.
What are some new ideas or programs you would like the Keller City Council to explore?
As I drive through Keller, I see many empty commercial shells where businesses should exist. There is a combination of older and newer buildings with empty spots for quite some time. We need to attract and retain new business in Keller! I am committed to carefully studying new project ideas, reviewing rental costs, and negotiating with new business owners to find further ways to make bringing business to Keller more efficient. I would also network with leaders of other cities to see what methods they used to attract and retain businesses.
