Three candidates were previously running for the two seats for the district, which oversees the Cy-Fair Fire Department and manages its budget. Incumbent David Langenberg was running along with newcomers Bevin Gordon and William McDugle. In ESD elections, all three candidates run against each other with the two earning the most votes taking the two seats up for elecetion.
When commissioners Bob Janusaitis and Jessica Rivas stepped down in August, the two open seats were filled by Gordon and McDugle, with Langenberg keeping his now uncontested seat. Janusaitis, who previously declined to run for re-election, would have stepped down in November after the election.
The ESD election, originally set to take place in May, was rescheduled to November because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Tommy Balez, president of the board of commissioners, said both Janusaitis and Rivas left on good terms. He said the was happy to welcome both McDulge and Gordon to the board.
Gordon and McDugle join the ESD No. 9 board as commissioners oversee a transition of the Cy-Fair Fire Department from a primarily volunteer and part-time organizations to one that staffs more full-time fire fighters. Officials are also seeking to build and renovate stations to keep up with populations growth in Cy-Fair. The overall process involves a large financial commitment from the ESD over the coming years.
In a Sept. 18 email, Gordon said she was honored to join the board of commissioners.
"Commissioners Balez, [Scott] DeBoer and Langenberg have done an excellent job establishing short term and long-range planning goals with Fire Chief Amy Ramon and her administrative team," she said. "I intend to support the Cy-Fair Fire Department to execute those goals in the most fiscally responsible manner while continuing to provide the highest-quality service to the Cy-Fair community."
Not having to hold the election will save ESD No. 9 roughly $3.5 million, Balez said.
