Diane Hervol (incumbent)
Experience: current District 1 council member Top priorities: maintain and repair roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure; economic development
Why are you running?
We need people on council who will ask the important questions, demand transparency in our city government and represent all of the people. I want to serve the needs and interests of the people who live and do business in Kyle. I am committed to improving Kyle’s infrastructure, increasing economic development, securing our neighborhoods and being fiscally responsible. I will continue to support our small businesses, as they reflect Kyle’s unique character.
What is the biggest challenge facing the city?
Our biggest challenge is to manage our growth within our budgetary constraints. We must address the maintenance and repair of Kyle’s infrastructure, including roads, sidewalks, water lines and wastewater capacity. But we must be fiscally responsible so our citizens are not overburdened by the cost of providing these essential services. This is a very tough balancing act, and we must be careful not to add frivolous spending until we have accomplished our basic needs.
Why do you feel you would make a good City Council member?
I have an extensive background in serving my city and proven experience in being an effective Council member. If re-elected, I will continue to be fair and honest, to listen to all views and not just those who are outspoken, to uphold the many voices of my constituency and keep an independent perspective. The City’s first priority is the people of Kyle. I have a reputation of being a hard worker. I believe I have made a difference and can continue to do so.What specifically can City Council do to attract more employers and commercial property tax generators to the city in order to ease residents' tax burden?
The city recently adopted an economic development master plan that maximizes Kyle’s strengths and minimizes its weaknesses. We need a more diversified approach to attracting employers and commercial development to Kyle, particularly more focus on securing high-paying, professional jobs for our citizens. We can do a better job of marketing the city to employers and businesses by stressing the benefits of Kyle’s location: the I-35 corridor; water availability; low cost of electricity; trained labor; two nearby colleges; streamlined development processes. It’s also important to keep in contact with existing businesses to explore opportunities for growth and expansion. Our small businesses should also be encouraged to grow and thrive.
Travis Mitchell
Experience: small-business owner Top priorities: lower taxes through debt reduction, develop a small-business incentive program
Why are you running?
Kyle is the place I have come to love and cherish. It’s the place my family calls home. It’s the place in which I have built a business and in which my future is fully vested. I am running for City Council because I believe Kyle’s best days are ahead. And yet, in many ways Kyle is fractured. So many of our citizens are indifferent to politics and isolated from the community. They live here but do not call Kyle home.
What is the biggest challenge facing the city?
First is managing growth. Second is managing growth. Kyle’s population has grown by an average of 137 residents per month for the last 20 years, from 2,954 in 1996 to nearly 36,000 today. That’s five new people coming to Kyle every day for 20 years. This growth has caused our taxes to rise, our wastewater treatment facility to swell beyond capacity and our older roads to deteriorate. We cannot sit back or pass half-hearted measures aimed at making small changes.
