Election
BY ETHAN THOMAS
Note: Mayoral candidate Jonathon Frazier endorsed Neal Linnartz for the May 2 election. “After spending more time speaking with Mayor Neal Linnartz and discussing the future of New Braunfels, we realized we share a very similar vision for the community. Rather than approaching this as adversaries, we have decided to work together moving forward,” Frazier said in an email to Community Impact . Frazier will still appear on the ballot, as the deadline to withdraw has passed.
KEY: *Incumbent
New Braunfels Mayor
Neal Linnartz* Occupation & experience: Incumbent Mayor, Attorney, past chair of New Economic Development Corp., service on many non-profit boards www.nealfornb.com
Michael French Occupation & experience: Intelligence analyst and a communications subject matter expert www.michaelformayornbtx.com
Angela Allen Occupation & experience: Residential real estate agent, Served on the city planning commission since May 2022
www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=61586332724997
Why are you running for office?
I was born and raised in New Braunfels; I care deeply for my community. Not having children, I dedicate my caring and nurturing to my community. I want to make sure we stay on the right path and continue to offer excellent services while keeping taxes as low as possible.
I am a concerned citizen running for a second time to save our city from this devastating rapid nose-bleed speed unrelenting growth. Our water situation is dire. Our police officers need real support. Our local businesses need our help as they are shutting down. We need common sense growth!
I’m running for mayor because I feel a calling in this critical moment. Our city is at a crossroads—what we do over the next decade could make it unrecognizable. Growth is outpacing infrastructure and water. It’s time for strong leadership that listens, respects residents and puts people first.
How would you prioritize responsible growth as the city approaches build out?
Growth must pay for growth, so we need to keep all impact fees as high as the law allows. As we run out of space for sprawl within the city, our focus is shifting to infill, and we must try to maintain our character and history as we infill.
We must slow way down our growth. Zoning must be re-thought and regulated. New Braunfels is at a critical turning point. The city is 73% built out. We need to shift from “rapid expansion” to “mature management.” We need to protect our beauty and charm, before it is too late!
We must evaluate New Braunfels as a whole and determine highest and best land use through Planned Unit Developments. Preserve the character of key areas, stop high-density sprawl, pause approvals until infrastructure, water, sewer, and roads are ready, protect aquifer, prevent flooding.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Keep taxes low, provide PD & FD with the staff and resources they need to keep us safe, preserve our historic downtown, economic mobility and housing options, entrepreneurship and job opportunities, access to childcare, community beautification and identity preservation, enhanced connectivity and transportation improvements.
We must slow down our growth. We are transforming into a congested cement city. Our city is facing a severe, immediate water deficit. We need a stronger solution to battle our dire water situation. Our police officers need more funding and personal. Local businesses need our help. Citizens come first!
My priorities are restoring trust, ensuring transparency and putting residents first. I will propose using Planned Unit Developments for build-out, pause approvals until infrastructure, water, sewer, roads and public safety are ready, stop high-density sprawl, protect the aquifer, prevent flooding, support first responders and preserve the Texas Hill Country.
What do you think is the big challenge the city faces in the next five years? How do you plan to address it?
Dealing with growth will continue to be the big challenge facing the city. I wish we could wave a magic wand and have green space stay green space but that is not reality. We must plan and stick to our plans on dealing with growth. Make development pay for growth.
Our continuous and unrelenting growth must be contained. We must slow growth to a healthy 4% from our current 30% each year. We must be part of the Texas Water Development Board’s Texas Water Plan and be recognized as a Water Deficit City! We must find better, sustainable water resources.
Our biggest challenge is unchecked growth overwhelming our water and infrastructure. We are at a crossroads. We must pause to evaluate infrastructure, water and city demands—not everything is a yes vote. We must also reevaluate how our city government operates to ensure it still effectively serves our growing community.
Money and time. As a fiscally conservative community, we keep our taxes low but that means we must be very efficient and cannot do everything. The city’s projects take staff hours to complete and with so many projects, it can take time to see them through completion. What resources do you think the city is lacking?
New Braunfels is lacking a great communicator who inspires all through optimism, projecting a vision of New Braunfels as the great shining city on a hill. I will be the citizens’ champion, strong and confident, fighting as the voice of the people. In this city, citizens must come first!
I know they are lacking. 1. Wastewater and sewer capacity 2. Infrastructure. Roads funding for state roads. Creating strong relationships with our state reps needs to be a priority. 3. Enviromental protection.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION
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