Dustin T. Oliver will face Shelia Thorne on May 3. Position 2 is currently occupied by Darren Broadus, who will not appear on the ballot.
What you need to know
Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire from Community Impact. They were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
The last day to register to vote is April 3 and early voting will begin April 22, with election day on May 3, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Dustin Oliver
Experience:
board member - Kemah Community Development Corporation, board member - Emergency Services Board, Kemah Fire Department, board member - The Alliance
Occupation:
Property assistant general manager - Kemah Boardwalk
Contact Information:
210-632-5838
What will your biggest priority be if elected?
My biggest priority will be the city budget. We need to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely and we provide the best possible services to the property owners.
What changes, if any, would you like to see to the city's budget?
I would like to see the city's budget include a nine to twelve-month operations contingency fund. We are one major storm away from financial crisis. This fund would allow services to continue through recovery efforts.
How should Kemah go about focusing on drainage issues in town?
We need to focus on providing [the] Public Works [Department] the tools to maintain our drainage and detention. This is a perfect area to explore other funding mechanisms before placing the financial burden solely on property owners.
How can Kemah bring in more economic development?
We need to remove any unnecessary red tape for developers. We are fortunate to have a hard working CDC [Community Development Corporation] that is actively building those relationships. We need a council that can efficiently close deals with developers.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
I would like to see city staff compile a prioritized list of road improvements with a potential funding schedule. There are too many public roadways around town that are in disrepair. We must address the issues now as we do not have the funds to completely replace every road.
What is the biggest challenge you see for Kemah in the coming years?
We need to prepare ourselves for the transition from business recruitment to business retention. We do not have many lots left for development. Once built out we need to become experts in increasing consumer spending at our businesses.
Shelia Thorne
Experience:
BA accounting MBA-finance, Leadership Institute For Nonprofit Executives (LINE) certification [from] Rice University, Kemah community volunteer
Occupation:
Marine Corps Veteran, community volunteer
Candidate Website:
https://www.hireamarine.com
Contact Information:
[email protected]
What will your biggest priority be if elected?
Transparent government—limit executive session to run city operations. Be proactive, not reactive, implement phased, high-priority infrastructure upgrades with a timeline and follow-up. Engage department heads to reduce costs while maintaining services. Retain employees to avoid turnover expenses. Assign council department champions to advocate for efficient tax dollar spending.
What changes, if any, would you like to see to the city's budget?
The city budget is not a blank check for pet projects. Implement spending that follows the adopted city budget. Minimize the multiple budget changes for “new” projects that disregard older projects that are already budgeted and not completed. Determine the return on investment (ROI) before undertaking new projects.
How should Kemah go about focusing on drainage issues in town?
Practice active measures to educate and encourage use of rain gardens, rainwater harvesting bioswales, and permeable pavements to manage stormwater naturally. Renew attention to the city's floodplain management. As part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Kemah is required to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances.
How can Kemah bring in more economic development?
Start with a clear economic incentive plan, offering tiered ROI-based incentives for businesses moving to Kemah. Develop an equally strong strategy to retain existing businesses. For both plans, ensure consistent follow-through to meet established metrics and foster ongoing economic growth.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
Purchase long overdue heavy equipment and fleet maintenance vehicles for Public Works [Department]. Work on city streets [and] ditches must be prioritized. Remodel the [Jimmie Walker] Community Center to make it a net positive cash flow generator. Use current fees for residents, for others change after a market analysis for similar area facilities.
What is the biggest challenge you see for Kemah in the coming years?
The city's rising infrastructure costs—think roads, drainage and public safety—exceed the growth rate in sales tax revenue, our primary income source. Uncertain sales tax income creates budget shortfalls, pressuring residents to cover gaps through increased taxes. Manage the city's spending priorities to align with revenues.
