"This is the honor of a lifetime, and I am ready to get to work,” McCutcheon said.
The overview
McCutcheon, an eight-year City Council member and retired reservoir engineer in the exploration and production of oil and gas, won the June 7 runoff election, defeating former Sugar Land City Council member William Ferguson with 53.05% of the vote.
McCutcheon and Ferguson both failed to reach the 50.1% vote threshold in the May 3 election, garnering 28.56% and 35.92% of the vote, respectively.
Policy breakdown
McCutcheon told Community Impact in a candidate questionnaire that her top priority as mayor was keeping Sugar Land residents safe by addressing crime, improving emergency response times and supporting law enforcement with “the resources they need.” McCutcheon said she also aims to strengthen community safety programs.
The new mayor said she is focused on enhancing traffic mobility in Sugar Land, aiming to rebuild major roadways and rehabilitate sidewalks for pedestrian safety.
McCutcheon said she hopes to fund these programs by accelerating 2024 Bond Proposition B, a $118 million proposition which would help reconstruct projects for major roadways including Austin Parkway, Lexington Boulevard, Sweetwater Boulevard, Williams Trace Boulevard and others.
She also said she supports the city’s microtransit pilot program, which offers $2 fares for on-demand rides within its recently expanded 24-square-mile area.
"My priorities are public safety reinvestment in infrastructure responsible growth that aligns with community values and fiscal accountability," McCutcheon said.
Expediting construction of the new animal shelter is also among her top priorities, McCutcheon said. The shelter—initially expected to cost $9 million to build—has ballooned to a $20.36 million projection due to rising construction costs and changes in animal housing industry standards requiring an additional 15 square feet per dog.
Also of note
In nine years as mayor, Zimmerman said he focused on five commitments he made on the campaign trail: public safety, infrastructure, economic development, redevelopment, and financial strength and transparency.
“I think we've done a good job of setting the vision, council was comfortable with the vision, staff executed the vision and here we are now—nine years later—and I think we're in a really good spot,” he said.
Zimmerman said his biggest accomplishments include:
- Funding various law enforcement projects, including K-9 units and drones
- Rebuilding and enhancing infrastructure following several natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 and Winter Storm Uri in February 2021
- Bringing in various bioscience and pharmaceutical companies, and seeing hospital growth
- Working to acquire the Imperial District site
- Maintaining a tax rate of $0.35 per $100 property valuation
Officials also swore in City Council At-Large Position 1-elect Jim Vonderhaar and District 2-elect Sanjay Singhal on June 17. Both won in June 7 runoff elections after failing to reach the requisite percentage of votes in the May 3 election.
Vonderhaar defeated Maggy Horgan by a 17% margin, securing the seat that Ferguson relinquished to run for mayor. The business owner and energy industry executive said his top priority is public safety, and emphasized the need for a fully staffed police, fire and emergency medical services departments.
Singhal secured more than 75% of the vote, defeating Nasir Hussain. The energy consultant, who retired from Schlumberger as senior executive after 33 years of service, said his top priority is to “implement the roadmap for the growth of Sugar Land.” Singhal replaces Naushad Kermally, who vacated his seat to run in the May 3 mayoral election.
In case you missed it
City officials swore in other May 3 elected City Council members during a May 13 special meeting, including:
- At-Large Position 2: Rob Boettcher, replacing Jennifer Lane, who did not seek re-election
- District 4: Rick Miller, replacing McCutcheon
