Jon Kixmiller is running for Highland Village City Council Place 2.

He will run against Jim Archibald, M. David True, Dave Shilling and Jason Edwards in the citywide election on May 5. We will be publishing their candidate Q&As as we receive them.

Community Impact Newspaper sent Kixmiller a series of questions on his candidacy. His written responses, edited for publication style, are below.

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1. What do you think is the biggest issue facing Highland Village?

The city is approaching a build out of residential and commercial properties. Revenue to the city will flatten in the next few years other than through gains in property valuations. The challenge is to get the city in a position to maintain the level of service that has made the city one of the best places to live in Texas while keeping taxes down to make the tax burden acceptable to our citizens. Rising real estate values have been a positive for most residents and for the city. Tax rates have remained flat while the city has been able to increase the budget twice the rate of inflation. This is not sustainable in the long term.

2. What are your plans to fix this issue?

If elected, I will press to reduce nonessential services in order to build a baseline that can be afforded for any future economic picture. Reducing the fixed expenses for the city is a necessary step.

3. If elected, what will be your top priorities?

Highland Village is an exceptional city with a strong mayor, council and professional management team. Maintaining the strong financial position of the city is a top priority. Roads and other critical infrastructure maintenance and a long term financial plan for same is second. Work with P&Z, try and identify the best uses for open space within the city that will benefit our citizens as well as our business community. Look at areas that are prime for development or redevelopment and institute plans that are consistent with the city's long term goals.

4. Where do you see Highland Village in the next five years?

Highland Village is one of the most desirable cities in North Texas to live. The job market within 10 miles is solid and consistently bringing in new residents. In five years, the city will be at or near maximum buildout. At that point, the city will evolve from a growth to a stable position. The city will need to focus on attracting new families as our neighborhoods transition. With four excellent elementary schools, we will be challenged to keep them full while addressing the tax burden from the schools. Attracting new business to keep our business districts full and to offer the goods and services our residents need. Property values will stabilize at some point and we will have to balance our budgets with a slower growth in tax receipts.

At almost 50 years old, the city has evolved with the North Texas economy and has never lost its small community feel. Decisions will be needed to protect and preserve what has been accomplished.

5. How can Highland Village better attract retail and restaurants?

First, I do not see a strong need for additional restaurants in Highland Village. We already have one of the most dense areas of restaurants in North Texas. Granted, many are adjacent to the city and not in the city. In my opinion, our residents are well-served for the most part. Available development sites will remain an issue for new entities while filling vacant sites as retail and restaurants shutter.

I will need to study and come up to speed on the challenges the city has faced in attracting and keeping prosperous businesses. The competition from Lewisville and Flower Mound needs to be met with solid plans from Highland Village. I cannot articulate what those plans might be without detailed study.