Cox, who has lived in McKinney his entire life and has served in multiple public service capacities, is stepping into the role as several major projects are underway in McKinney. Cox has previously served on McKinney’s Planning and Zoning Commission, City Council and the Collin College Foundation’s Board of Directors.
In an interview with Community Impact, Cox spoke about what he was looking forward to most during his first term on council. He also spoke about what qualities he brings to the council and challenges facing the city.
Answers have been edited for style and clarity or to adhere to guidelines.
How has it been so far to work with other members of the McKinney City Council?
Things are going really well. We’re having multiple meetings, and learning to work with each other and having everybody come together. We’re still in the early stages of a new council, so we’re still working through everyone’s schedules, but thus far, things are working really well.
What qualities and strengths would you say you bring to council?
The qualities that I bring to this council is a unique ability to listen to others’ concerns and listen to what is important to other people. Also, a strength of mine is bringing people together and having people work together, learning others’ tendencies. In a position such as the mayor, it’s really important that everyone communicates and keeps those lines of communication open, and that’s some of the qualities that I bring to this office.
What are you looking forward to most during your term on council?
What we're looking forward to most is working with the other elected officials in McKinney and the region, and continuing the momentum that we have regarding quality of life, quality developments, and the overall momentum that McKinney has. It’s really important that we hit the ground running. It’s really a place where experience is required. Fortunately, we’ve got people on the city council that have experience in making decisions and making business decisions and also a keen awareness of what the homeowners want as well.
What do you think are the biggest challenges currently facing the city?
The biggest challenges in McKinney will be future development of the extraterritorial jurisdiction, and then also current zoning. There have been changes in state law in this most recent session that allow development that may very well be outside the scope of what the current zoning classification allows. So one of the challenges we’ll have as a city is working with these developers to make sure that the fabric of McKinney is kept intact and we continue to develop in a way that benefits the people of McKinney. Future development is a big challenge that we face.
What project or development that’s currently underway in McKinney is the most exciting to you?
McKinney has a lot of exciting projects. One of the major developments is the JW Marriott Resort Hotel out in the Craig Ranch area. This will greatly benefit McKinney and the region, and also strengthen our position as the host city of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson golf tournament. Then also we’ve got the water park coming online, and development of that as another venue of entertainment for our citizens. And then also the Venu Sunset Amphitheater, which has already broken ground, is another exciting development. Certainly, the McKinney National Airport expansion; the development and potential that has to truly be a special amenity of McKinney is another exciting development that we have.
What are your goals for your first term on council?
You want people to feel safe. You want them to feel secure. We want them to have options for entertainment, options for living, and also maintaining, most importantly, that quality of life that people in McKinney have come to appreciate and expect from their city leaders.
