by SEAN KIMMONS

The Kyle City Council has seen its dais shaken up recently, with fresh faces taking on new roles. But no seismology advice will be needed to predict another shake-up as two city council seats free up in May.

Only one of the council races, between Jason Welch and Diane Hervol, will be contested. The seat opened after former councilmember Michelle Lopez resigned to make  a bid for the mayor’s seat against Lucy Johnson.

Brad Pickett, a financial manager, is on his own in the other race for the seat being vacated by councilmember David Salazar, who did not seek a third term in office.

Early voting for municipal and school board positions runs from April 26 to May 4. Election Day is May 8.

The Hays Free Press recently sat down with the only two competing candidates in Kyle and here’s what they had to say.

Diane Hervol

HERVOL

Age: 48
Job: Legal administrator at Davis Law Firm in Austin
Years lived in Kyle: 7 years

Explain how your professional background will benefit the city?
A legal administrator is the liaison between the partners, shareholders, employees and associates. Basically I handle all of the business management of the law firm. I have to be involved in all of the management and that includes financial management.

Do you think the city has acted responsibly in issuing its current debt, and in what specific situations would you support issuing further debt?
From what I understand, the majority of the debt is due to mobility and infrastructure. As a commuter, quite honestly, I’m very happy to see that bridge (along Dry Hole Drive/CR 210). I’m glad to see the fact that we’ve been able to resolve some of these mobility issues to transport Kyle residents more freely to and from the city. But we’re at a crossroads between our past and present and I think that the next few years is going to be challenging but not impossible for us as far as the mobility issues. I think the approach is to be proactive. I would have to make sure I had a clear understanding on how much it costs. Did we exercise all of our efforts to make sure that the price on that particular asset is the best price possible?

Do you have any ideas on how to handle the city’s mounting debt? How high do you think the tax rate should go?
There are some talks about the long-term debt policy. I also feel like we need to create a timeline to decrease that debt. How are you going to create viable financial solutions for future expenditures? Whether it’s Jason or myself, this is a three-year term and there’s going to be several issues that will come before us; the library, infrastructure issues and the police station. For me, I’d create a timeline on how we’re going to reduce the $73 million worth of debt that we’re already in. Then I would try to be aggressive to be more competitive in our bidding processes for future expenditures and see whether or not there’s additional funding on the county, state or federal level, or, if we can re-finance the current debt that we’re in. I’m going to exercise fiscal responsibility. I want all the citizens of Kyle to be aware of how much it costs and if we were diligent in making sure we exercised every possibility that we could to purchase or finance some of these future expenditures. Sometimes you need to spend a little to get a lot. How much do we have to spend or what will it take to attract more people to Kyle, increase our sales tax and property tax revenue?

In your opinion, is Kyle’s rapid growth a problem or blessing for the city?
I feel it’s been a blessing as far as the hospital, amenities, parks, mobility and infrastructure. For me, I like the small town feeling. It’s a friendlier atmosphere. There’s more of a sense of community. I think that has developed because of the growth. You’re out, getting more active and more amenities are involved that might have a social situation which helps your community presence. We should promote Kyle like we never have done before. Economic development is very important. How are we going to sell Kyle?

Is there anything that you think the council should be doing to encourage more commercial development in the city?
I think there should be some incentive, depending upon each situation. For me, I’d like to stay right here in Kyle. I’d like to have a job that pays a wage similar to what I get in Austin and keep my tax dollars within the city’s boundaries and, therefore, having all of my needs met. Sustaining and maintaining quality of life within the city is important.

And finally, why should someone vote for you?
I think the fact that I’m involved in my local HOA (homeowners association), I have served two terms on the Planning and Zoning Commission, went through the Kyle Leadership Academy to understand the role of city government. I think that the next likely step is to serve on city council. I feel that I’ve been a public servant for many years and I can bring that to the table in addition to my professional background. I also feel that I will bring accountability, transparency and I will be very committed.

WELCH

Jason Welch

Age: 33
Job: AT&T sales manager
Years lived in Kyle: 3 ½ years

Explain how your professional background will benefit the city?
I’ve been in sales since I was 19. Dealing with people, in general, you get into different situations. You have to build rapport and deal with people directly and I think that’s going to be an asset on the council, especially when citizens want to approach me with their concerns. I have also developed a set of core beliefs that I would use publicly in the council. I think that’s what politics are lacking today.

Do you think the city has acted responsibly in issuing its current debt, and in what specific situations would you support issuing further debt?
I don’t support the current debt that has been issued. I don’t blame the city manager. He provided information from suggestions by the council. I don’t think that the council really looked closely at the debt. I support [Kyle City Councilmember] Huebner’s debt freeze idea and putting a time limit on when it should stop. We should pay down some of this debt before issuing more, keep the property taxes low, and create a savings account to pay for projects, such as the library. There are also some roads that are in dire need of repair. Patching some roads in the meantime, or finding other temporary solutions until we get some of this debt paid off.

Do you have any ideas on how to handle the city’s mounting debt? How high do you think the tax rate should go?
The debt freeze is an idea. Based on the current debt, the tax rate will probably go up to 60 cents and that’s too much. There have been several other councilmembers wanting to put a limit on the amount of debt in percentage of what we pay in taxes. I would support in doing this and making it as part of the city charter.

In your opinion, is Kyle’s rapid growth a problem or blessing for the city?
I think it’s been a blessing. With the additional people moving in, it’s bringing in more businesses – the things we had to drive 30 minutes to get to just a few years ago. My general philosophy is maximum individual freedom with little government influence. If I was a member of the council I would never limit the growth that is happening in the city.

Is there anything that you think the council should be doing to encourage more commercial development in the city?
I’m definitely a pro-business guy but I don’t think that the government should be playing favorites when it comes to what types of businesses come here. I don’t think that’s a role that government should be doing. Especially with the growth that we have right now, it’s not hard to attract business in this type of environment. I don’t think that there’s a need to offer tax rebates. I think with the big anchor stores, like Target, HEB and the hospital is going draw in business. I don’t think there’s a need to offer special incentives for businesses. I think it should be a level playing field for whatever type of business moving here.

And finally, why should someone vote for you?
I try to make people understand what my core beliefs are so that they understand how I will vote. There are certain lines that I won’t cross because of the core beliefs I have. The core beliefs that I hold, as I studied history, philosophy and economics, I kind of focus back on the principles that our founding fathers believed in. Like the pursuit of happiness, maximum individual freedom, right to property. We’ve seen it here with the involuntary annexation in order to make the borders of the city look better, which I don’t think is a reason to do something that a property owner doesn’t want to have done. My main thing is that I want people to get involved here at the city level. I want people to get out and vote and actually take a look at the two choices that they have and who they align more philosophically with as far as their politics go. I consider myself more libertarian than conservative. I’m more about getting the government out of our lives than most conservatives. If you’re looking to have the Kyle city government take more control and expand its powers, then I’m probably not the candidate for you.