Candidate responses may have been edited for length, style and clarity.
Shawn Nelson
Occupation: consulting senior manager
Residence: lived in Highland Village 16 years
Contact: [email protected]
Ray David
Occupation: bank president
Residence: lived in Highland Village six years
Contact: [email protected]
Kevin Cox
Occupation: project manager
Residence: lived in Highland Village three years
Contact: [email protected]
Why are you running for office?
Nelson: My roots are grounded in Highland Village. I am running for City Council to keep Highland Village the Highland Village we all know and love. My agenda is our resident’s agenda. As we near build-out we will face many challenges. These challenges are not for one person to resolve, rather to be addressed by the collective of our great city as a whole. My goal is to ensure that all residents have a voice while ensuring Highland Village remains a place we call home for generations to come.
David: I am running to use my past experience on various boards and committees to serve the citizens of Highland Village. I have a long list of serving in various civic, charitable and corporate governance positions. This experience, specifically being a CPA, bank president and past school board member, has blessed me with a unique skill set to assist in dealing with challenges facing Highland Village. Having been a member of 14 different Chambers of Commerce and Business Associations provides me with a valuable insight into the approaches and plans of our neighboring cities.
Cox: We live in an amazing city that offers so much for its residents. When I interviewed for my position on Highland Village Parks and Recreation Board, I told the current council and mayor what an excellent job they had done providing a solid foundation of what our city looks like currently. Their dedication and passion along with a great city staff has sent a ripple effect through multiple generations in this city. Having a 3-year-old and 10-month-old make me want to be apart of that ripple effect to continue to set the standard for what Highland Village is for their future. I am running to represent not just the young families who live here, but also the families who were original residents of this great city. I want to continue to keep Highland Village the way that it is and stay a desirable place to live and call home.
What are the biggest challenges facing the city?
Nelson: Challenges breed opportunities. Highland Village is a very unique city. Our biggest challenge is build-out. We have very little land left, but the opportunities are there. Over the next several years, we have the opportunity to help define and deliver the future of our build-out and revitalization of current developments. We have the opportunity to help define and deliver the future of our parks and open spaces and keep Highland Village beautiful.
David: As a 45-year resident of Denton County and six-year resident of Highland Village, I have watched the progression of our community. Unlike any other city in the county, we are virtually built out. This means inflation in cost of services must be met by current resources. There are minimal areas to grow revenue sources for the city. Therefore, we must listen to the citizens and make sure that each decision moving forward feasibly protects their desires and maximizes revenue opportunities.
Cox: Our largest challenge is the approaching build-out of our city. We must prioritize plans that will help our community while not raising taxes on our residents. We need to stick to single-family homes and small businesses that complement our city. There were discussions about apartments coming to Highland Village. Thankfully those have only been discussions, and that’s where it needs to stay. There are a lot of other challenges that face our city in the near future as well. I cannot say that I have all the answers for those yet, but I look forward to the chance of working as a team with the mayor, council and residents to meet those challenges head on.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
Nelson: If elected, my top priority will be to become the best city representative I can be. I will work with our other City Council members, helping to keep the delicate balance of our continued growth while providing the best city services and preserving our city’s beautiful parks and trails.
David: The key to providing the great parks, police and fire protection we have in Highland Village is to protect and build on revenue. Any development or redevelopment should meet a revenue litmus test. We should also protect current and recruit future businesses with the creation of an Economic and Development Committee.
Cox: My top priorities are always going to be the safety and security of our community. One of the biggest things I bragged about to other people when I moved to Highland Village was our ranking in the top 10 safest cities in Texas. We need to make sure our police and fire departments have the best equipment and personnel to serve our community at the highest level. Investing back into our city employees is also key to keeping the city at such a high quality. Our parks and recreation department does a fantastic job at keeping our city beautiful. Giving them the resources they need to do that is key to our future. We also need to continue to find new ways to repurpose and develop areas that align with our resident’s and city’s needs, like small businesses who share the same values as Highland Village.
What are some new ideas/programs you would like the city to explore?
Nelson: As we get closer to build-out, we need to be creative and innovative regarding our future developments, from retail revitalization of existing businesses, to attracting new businesses that align with our city’s values. We need to ensure our parks, trails and outdoor facilities align to our resident’s needs, from trail and park access, to park and lake facilities and activities.
David: I would like to implement an Economic and Development Division: through utilizing the city’s marketing staff and the support of a committee of citizens and consultants, more sales tax revenue could be attracted and supported, to further meet the needs of our community.
Cox: I would like to see the whole city connected, whether that is through walking paths, parks, or sidewalks. Having the ability to walk down streets you normally would not because of limited access gives you a chance to appreciate other parts of our city and the neighbors who live there. Getting more acclaim for our city departments and our small businesses on the local and state level is another idea. When we look for a new place to visit, we always type in “best near me.” Having a city that has been recognized for its many accomplishments will bring more high-quality businesses here. High-quality businesses will bring more revenue to the city and keeps our residents from having to pay higher taxes. Keeping Highland Village the best place to live is the ultimate goal.
This story has been updated to include responses from candidate Ray David.
