Ennis: The Facts & The Future

Meaningful leadership starts with an honest conversation. As I meet with neighbors across our city, I’m hearing a common desire for more transparency and a return to common-sense government. I’ve compiled this page to provide direct answers to the questions that matter most to you.

Infrastructure Focus

Question: "Do we need to focus on infrastructure first, or can we work on other areas simultaneously?"

Answer: While a solid foundation is essential for long-term success, we don’t believe in working in a vacuum. Our strategy is to prioritize critical infrastructure while identifying "quick win" projects in other areas. This allows us to maintain momentum and see immediate results without compromising the stability of our future growth.

The Stray Animal Crisis

Question: What is your plan to address the stray animal crisis in our city?”

Answer: I’m a big believer that the best solutions come from working together, so my first step would be to bring everyone to the table—our city teams, the county, and the incredible animal welfare nonprofits that are already doing the work.

Instead of trying to "reinvent the wheel," I plan to look at what’s actually working in other successful cities. By reaching out to these experts and neighboring municipal leaders, we can figure out how to bring those proven ideas home to our community. My goal is to move past temporary fixes and build a long-term, humane system that our residents can be proud of.

Festival Funding Efficiency

Question: “With the city spending more on festivals now than in the past, does this mean they are even more successful?”

Answer: Not necessarily - While the city's expenditure has grown from roughly $125,000 in the past to a projected $450,000 for 2026, a larger budget doesn't always equal a better result for our community.

First Responders & Public Safety

Question: "Our First Responders are the backbone of our community’s safety. What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing our police, fire, and EMS departments, and how will you ensure they have the resources they need?"

Answer: The most pressing challenge we face is recruitment and retention. Ennis is currently in a competitive market where we can lose highly trained personnel to neighboring cities. When a first responder leaves, our community loses years of local experience and the taxpayer dollars spent on their training.

To keep Ennis safe, I will focus on:

Competitive Pay: Ensuring our compensation packages keep our veterans here rather than losing them to surrounding departments.
Smart Budgeting: Prioritizing essential safety equipment and modern technology over non-essential city spending.
Support: Providing the resources and wellness programs needed to handle the high-stress nature of the job.

By focusing on retaining our best people, we ensure that our residents receive the highest level of professional care and protection.