Community Impact Newspaper sent Jaworski a set of questions about his candidacy. His answers have been edited for publication style.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I grew up in Highland Village, so the community has always had a special place in my heart. Serving the people of Highland Village is a tremendous honor and privilege. Highland Village has always been a fantastic place to live and raise a family. It’s why I came home several years ago and it’s why so many others that I knew and grew up with have come back to raise their families here. As a member of the Highland Village City Council, I work every day to ensure that our community remains safe, that our city government remains responsive to the people and that we govern responsibly.
What do you think is one of the biggest issues facing Highland Village today, and how do you plan to address it on council?
We have a few issues facing our community. First, as we near the period commonly referred to as “build out” (where we have no more lots on which to build), the ability to generate new property and sales tax revenue will become more challenging while the costs associated with providing safe streets, clean water and other essential services will continue to rise. Preparing for that eventuality is something we are constantly looking at on City Council. Second, we are in a unique time with respect to our relationship with state government. For many years, our leaders in Austin ran on the idea of “local control” where the government closest to its people knows them best; however, today, those same leaders seem to distrust local government and want to weaken our ability to govern locally all the while passing on unfunded mandates, forcing local taxpayers to pay for requirements that they never asked for. As local, elected representatives, we owe our neighbors for their trust in us and one way to show faith in that trust is to work to preserve the idea of local control.
If elected, what would be your top priorities?
My priorities all go hand-in-hand, so I don’t really rank them in any numerical order. I also can’t claim exclusive ownership of them as all of us on City Council work together, and we all share the same priorities. First and foremost though is and always will be public safety. I am committed to keeping Highland Village one of the safest cities in America, and that’s why I worked really hard with my fellow council members to add a second school resource officer to our schools. We also have to maintain the level of service and responsiveness to the people of Highland Village that they have come to expect from their city government. Finally, all seven of us on the City Council are committed to the conservative and responsible budgeting process that has ensured a lean budget and a healthy fund balance. As an example of that fiscal responsibility, we’ve been able to purchase a new fire truck and ambulance a year ahead of schedule without incurring ANY debt on either vehicle. Additionally, we’ve lowered the tax rate the last two years and raised the exemption for those over 65 and/or living with a disability. We have also committed to lowering the tax rate again over the next two years.
What experience—professionally or politically—do you have that would prepare you for this position?
I have served on City Council for two years now and prior to that, I served nearly three years on the Planning and Zoning Commission and one year on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. I have a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in management with an emphasis in strategic leadership, and I served eight years in the United States Navy within the intelligence community. Currently, I manage the cyber security vulnerability analysis and reporting group for DXC Technology, the largest technology company in the world.
