Accomplishments

I was first elected in 2009 and it has been an interesting four and a half years. We have faced the worst downturn in the US and world economy since the 1930’s yet Denton managed to avoid layoffs, we avoided having to reduce services, and still have a healthy reserve fund.

  • Increased the property tax exemption for senior citizens from $25,000 to $50,000.
  • Increased our road repair funds by over 60% from the 2008-09 budget to address serious a decline in our streets.
  • Strengthened smoking ordinance that placed new limits on smoking in public places and businesses in order to protect customers and workers.
  • Completed two major sets of revisions to gas well drilling ordinance that provide greater protections for citizens, neighborhoods, and property values.
  • Added a gas well inspection department to ensure that operators are following city, state, and federal rules to protect people, air and water.
  • Led the effort to revise city rules in order to allow mobile food vendors – food trucks and food trailers.
  • Revised rules in order to allow wind turbines to generate electricity on homes and businesses.
  • Expanded our parks by purchasing land to add more soccer fields at North Lakes Park and, by doing so set up a tree preserve near the north lake.
  • Insisted on better citizen input in the plan for the northeast electrical transmission line for Denton Municipal Electric. As a result, the final configuration will directly impact fewer homes and neighborhoods while improving service reliability.
  • Enhanced opportunities for citizen engagement
    • Making it easier to address the city council during regular meetings
    • Availability of information on the city website
    • “Engage Denton” website to get input and ideas from citizens
    • Started the 2030 comprehensive planning process.
  • Added protection of citizens from predatory lenders
  • Voted to fully fund the Plus One program – administered by Interfaith Ministries to help people with their electric bills.
  • Adopted a “Safe Passing” ordinance to help protect pedestrians, bicyclists, street crews, stranded motorists, those in wheel chairs, and other vulnerable road users.
  • Updated the bike and pedestrian mobility plan that includes 35 miles of on-street bike facilities.

I will continue to work to make city government more transparent and accessible to our citizens.