Norma Owen

Responses (17)

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  Could we not raise the sales tax by .01 cent and save ourselves from raising property tax??

  I love to hear outofthe box suggestions and appreciate the thinking behind the question. Unfortunately, there isn't another penny of sales tax available for Council to add. Texas caps the combined sales tax at 8.25%. The State receives 6.25%, Lago Vista receives 1%, and CapMetro receives 1%. We are already at the maximum. But I don't think the conversation should end there. We should keep looking for ways to make the tax dollars we already collect from property tax, sales tax, and fees work harder. That is why I spent considerable time working on the nuts and bolts of our financial system this year. As part of the finance subcommittee, Mayor Saum, Councilor Paul Prince and I examined our chart of accounts, budgeting software, and public financial reporting. As long as we are using a product developed in 2003, our ability to analyze and find those precious pennies will continue to be extremely difficult. The finance subcommittee did the heavy lifting this year to ensure the prework was done in collaboration with Texas State University Institute for Government Innovation to turn our finance data around. (Thank you Mayor Saum for finding them!) That work included reorganizing and crosswalking the accounts so our financial data can work with modern budgeting and reporting tools like OpenGov and a more modern financial system to update our financial system. This next fiscal year, we expect that work to be executed into more modern systems. And I have advocated separating our longrange capital planning into three understandable pieces: predictable replacement of aging equipment and facilities, unplanned repairs, and future expansion projects. I have also advocated looking at our major infrastructure needs over a 20year horizon so Council can understand future bonding and cashflow requirements before those bills arrive. Planning ahead can save pennies in interest rates with the right information. The next step is just as important: put understandable financial information in residents' hands. Our financial data should ultimately feed a publicfacing tool where residents can see where the City stands, how money is being spent, what major projects are coming and how we expect to pay for them. There is quite the conversation on Social Media about what the City or Council should do in broad general statements to save money and keep taxes low. Its when our residents can see each expenditure and give feedback and ideas on how we can do better in specific ways that real savings and innovation can happen. For every major capital project, I want Council and residents to see the full financial picture: construction cost, financing, annual debt payments, operating costs, available grants or lowinterest financing, expected impact on utility rates or taxes, and the cost and risk of delaying the project. This is a lofty goal, but attainable with today’s tools. We cannot create another salestax penny. We CAN keep looking for better ways to use the dollars we already have, pursue grants and favorable financing, grow our local salestax base, and plan far enough ahead that tomorrow's infrastructure needs don't continually become today's financial emergencies, which is part of what is eating any extra pennies we can find today.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 🏗️ Growth & development

  Where do you see the city in 5 years?

  Five years from now, I think Lago Vista will still be in the middle of one of the biggest transitions in our history. The realistic side of me knows much of that work will be water and wastewater. We have aging infrastructure and significant projects ahead of us. Our master plans give us a roadmap, but simply taking every project on that list and figuring out how to send the bill to our residents isn't a financial plan. We have to determine what we truly need, when we need it, what newer technologies may change those needs, and then aggressively pursue grants, lowinterest financing and other opportunities to make those projects affordable. My hope is that five years from now we can look back and say we did that well, that our water and wastewater systems are well on their way to exceptional working order, we're using newer technologies where they make sense, and we have a credible longterm funding plan that our residents can actually afford. But that's only the foundation. What I'm really excited about is what life in Lago Vista could look like on top of it. I can imagine opening our City's financial and community dashboard and seeing, in plain language, how Lago Vista is doing, our finances, infrastructure projects and community priorities, and residents being able to offer ideas and participate along the way. I can imagine our residents and community organizations having come together to bring the potential of our new Economic Development Corporation to life. Through partnerships, private investment and thoughtful public investment, maybe our quaint, very local Dawn Drive has become an even stronger hometown destination and a vibrant, walkable Bronco Lane is ready to break ground. Those are visions today, not promises, but they're examples of what becomes possible when we plan together and use the tools we now have. The energy and spark coming from the members of our EDC, along with community members, have amazing projects in the works already. Now we just need to give those projects a chance. Our city will be amazed. And through all of that, I still want Lago Vista to feel like Lago Vista. I see our library bustling with children and families, softball tournaments happening at an expanded Sunset Park, and neighbors still knowing, and helping, their neighbors. I see our arts community thriving, with groups like the Hill Country Singers, Lago Vista Players and our local artists becoming an even bigger part of our community identity and something visitors come here to experience. I see our Fourth of July celebration and the Regatta better than ever, bringing residents and visitors together and supporting our local businesses at the same time. Those things matter. A city's success isn't measured only by its balance sheet, miles of pipe or number of building permits. It's also measured by whether people enjoy living there, whether families want to stay, whether local businesses can thrive, and whether we've held onto the sense of community that made people choose Lago Vista in the first place. Technology will change. Transportation will change. Lago Vista will change with it. My vision isn't to stop that change. It's to look far enough ahead that we can shape what comes next, protecting what we love about Lago Vista while building a city that works even better for the people who call it home.

• 💬 Something else

  What is your "why" for running for this position?

  My “why” is helping stabilize Lago Vista and prepare us for what comes next. That comes in part from my experience before I ever sat on Council. I've worked with communities going through some of the same pressures we're experiencing now, and I saw what can happen when cities don't look far enough ahead. Difficult choices get harder. Services can be reduced. Taxes can rise substantially just to keep up. And the longer you wait, the fewer choices you have. I want Lago Vista to have choices. We're far from the difficult outcomes I've seen elsewhere, but we are at an important point. We've grown quickly without the commercial tax base many growing cities have to help carry the load. We're repairing aging infrastructure while planning for much larger projects. We're working to get our financial information current, and residents are understandably concerned about changes in staff and City leadership. You'll see in my other answers that I talk about infrastructure, financial planning and better information for our residents. All of that comes back to something pretty simple about how I approach this job: I tend to look around the corner. Right now, some of what is around that corner is already here. So looking ahead isn't about predicting the next problem. It's about dealing with what needs attention today while putting the pieces in place so we're not solving the same problems five years from now. It's also why I think about stability differently. People will change. Good information, sound processes, institutional knowledge and a credible longrange plan should remain. I don't have to be the engineer in the room, and I shouldn't pretend to be. My responsibility is to make sure we have the right engineer, the right financial information, our staff's knowledge and outside expertise when we need it. Then I need to ask questions, challenge assumptions and understand what today's decision means five, ten and twenty years from now. And through all of this, we have to protect the basics our residents depend on, police, streets, parks, our library and the everyday services people expect their City to provide. For me, stabilizing Lago Vista means getting through the challenges in front of us while building a City that doesn't depend on any one person sitting in any one chair. It means leaving behind the information, planning and systems that help the people who come after us make good decisions too. That's my why.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 🏗️ Growth & development

  How will you support local businesses while also protecting taxpayers?

  I don't see supporting local businesses and protecting taxpayers as competing goals. If we do it well, they should support each other. For a long time, Lago Vista hasn't had the commercial tax base that many communities rely on to help pay for City services. That leaves our homeowners carrying a significant part of the load. Growing a healthy local economy gives us another way to strengthen the City's revenue base without simply looking to property owners every time we need more revenue. But I don't think that means the City should just spend taxpayer dollars trying to pick businesses or solve every economicdevelopment problem itself. We now have a Type B Economic Development Corporation, and I see a real opportunity in bringing the strengths of the EDC, Chamber, City and our other community organizations together. They each have different roles, different tools and different people at the table. Let's use them. The Chamber can advocate for and support our existing businesses. The EDC can focus on economicdevelopment opportunities and rally the community for qualityoflife investments that meet its statutory purpose. The City can make sure our infrastructure, permitting, planning, and policies don't unnecessarily stand in the way of good investment. And all of us can do a better job of telling people what Lago Vista has to offer. Our challenge to meet today is finding a way to shore up these vital organizations in a way that pays off for our businesses and taxpayers. I also want us looking for partnerships and outside investment rather than assuming taxpayers have to pay for every good idea. There is untapped potential here. We have the lake, our airport, tourism and recreation, local entrepreneurs and some very talented people in this community. I would like to see us nurture businesses that start here while also being thoughtful about the businesses and investment we attract. And when people come to Lago Vista for a softball tournament, the regatta, an arts performance, a lake weekend or one of our community events, I want them eating here, shopping here and supporting our local businesses while they're here...and then they can go home. :) I say that with a smile, but there is a point behind it. Many of our residents moved here because they love the smalltown feel of Lago Vista. Economic development doesn't have to mean becoming another big suburb. We can invite people here, give them reasons to spend money with our businesses, and still be thoughtful about protecting the character of the community we call home. Every additional dollar of taxable sales generated in Lago Vista helps broaden our revenue base. It doesn't magically eliminate property taxes, and I won't pretend that it does. But a stronger commercial economy means homeowners don't have to be the only place we look as we work to meet the needs of a growing city. To me, that's how you do both: help our local businesses thrive, use the economicdevelopment tools we now have wisely, bring outside dollars into Lago Vista when we can, and make sure taxpayers can see the value they're getting when public dollars are involved.

• 🏗️ Growth & development

  What does supporting local mean to you?

  Supporting local starts pretty simply for me: look here first. If I need groceries, I shop here. If I'm looking for an outfit, I check Wild Navy. If I need flooring or a service for my home, I look for someone in Lago Vista first. Not everything we need is available here, but when it is, I want to give our local businesses the first opportunity to earn my business. Those dollars matter. They help keep someone's doors open, employ our neighbors and keep more of our salestax dollars here at home. But supporting local has to mean more than shopping local. It means asking what our existing businesses need to succeed and creating an environment and ecosystem where good businesses can invest and grow. Then there is the part that really interests me: what is the next local business that hasn't been created yet? We have entrepreneurs working from their homes today who may become tomorrow's storefronts. We have young people in our schools who may someday build businesses here. We have an airport whose economic potential I don't think we've fully explored. And we have places like Dawn Drive, Bronco Lane and the 1431 corridor where thoughtful investment could create something that feels distinctly Lago Vista rather than simply copying the development we see everywhere else. I'd love to see us become better at helping a good idea move from someone's kitchen table or garage, to its first customer, to a thriving Lago Vista business. I personally have met and talked to a few that have great promise. I’m excited for them and their future. That's where the City, EDC, Chamber, schools and community organizations can accomplish more together than any one of them can accomplish alone. Supporting local, to me, is really a cycle: buy here, help the businesses we have succeed, and create opportunities for the next generation of Lago Vista businesses to begin here too. That's how we build our local economy without losing what makes it local.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 💬 Something else

  How do you propose to address the Cap Metro debacle?

  This is one where I wish there were an easy Council answer. There isn't. Lago Vista voters have previously had the opportunity to leave CapMetro and chose to stay. Today, the financial obligation associated with withdrawing is substantially different, and under the current structure it is not something I believe Lago Vista can simply write a check for and walk away. So part of the answer has to happen at the State Legislature. Our Mayor has done a tremendous amount of work on this issue, and I joined that effort at the Capitol. In 2025, legislation was introduced that would have changed the withdrawal rules for small communities like ours, including reducing the waiting period between withdrawal elections from five years to two and changing how the financial obligation would be calculated. It did not make it through the Legislature. That means we keep working. We continue advocating for a reasonable exit calculation and the ability for communities like Lago Vista to revisit the question more frequently. We continue working with our state legislators. And just as importantly, we make sure our residents understand what that 1% sales tax means, what we are paying, what services we receive in return, what it would cost to leave under current law, and what options are actually available. Ultimately, if Lago Vista gets a financially reasonable path to reconsider its relationship with CapMetro, that decision belongs to the voters. I also don't want our strategy to depend entirely on having one particularly savvy political navigator on Council. Mayor Saum has been a strong advocate for Lago Vista on this issue, but Mayors and Council members change. We need to document the history, maintain the relationships we've built at the Legislature, educate the community and make continued advocacy part of the City's institutional knowledge. This is one of those issues where “we're in this together” really does apply. Council can advocate. Our Mayor can advocate. Residents can contact our state legislators and make their voices heard. And if the Legislature eventually gives Lago Vista a workable choice, our voters can decide what comes next.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  There has been some contention about the discussion of the tree mitigation. I want to hear more about how the candidates think the funds should be utilized or if we should collect it all?

  I think David VonOhlerking and many of our residents have expressed what most of us would probably say first: if we're collecting money because trees are being removed, then in a perfect world we ought to be putting trees and greenery back. I agree with that. The challenge is a little more complicated once you get into actually doing it. We need appropriate places to plant, access to water to keep those plantings alive, and the staff or partners to maintain them. Planting a tree that dies a year later isn't good stewardship either. Our current ordinance does restrict these funds. They can be used for planting trees or other greenery, as well as development or improvements to trails and pocket parks. The tree ordinance itself has also been under review, including discussion about the amount of the mitigation fee and how those dollars can be used. My preference is to start with the reason the money was collected. Where we can responsibly replace trees and greenery and keep them alive, I think that should be our first look. But I also think we need to ask a very basic question of every fee the City charges: Does the amount we're collecting still make sense, and can we reasonably use the money for the purpose we told people we were collecting it for? If the answer is yes, let's have a plan and use it. My hope is that strategic planning at all levels becomes a norm in our city processes. If we're collecting more than we can reasonably put to that purpose, then we should be willing to revisit the fee rather than allowing money to simply accumulate because that's what we've always charged. There are also some opportunities here to think a little differently. Could we partner with Keep Lago Vista Beautiful or other community organizations? Could plantings be incorporated into trails, parks and other public improvements where irrigation already exists? Could we identify priority areas in advance so that when mitigation dollars come in, we already know where they can do the most good? I don't think the answer should be “collect the money because we can,” nor do I think the answer is automatically “stop collecting it.” Let's determine what we actually need, what the law and our ordinance allow, what we can realistically accomplish, and set the fee accordingly. If we're going to charge someone a fee, we ought to be able to explain what it's for and show them what we're doing with it.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  What do you believe to be our #1 waste of money spent and what do you believe our #1 money well spent is?

  My #1 waste of money may sound a little unusual: staff time lost because we haven't kept our technology and systems current. We have talented people doing work that sometimes takes far longer than it should because they're working around older applications, systems that don't communicate well with one another, reports that aren't easily usable, or processes that still require too much manual effort. That's real money. If we're paying a skilled employee to spend hours assembling information that a modern system could produce in minutes, the old software may look inexpensive on the budget, but it isn't inexpensive. That's one reason I've pushed so hard on updating our financial systems and reporting. Technology shouldn't replace our people. It should give them more time to do the work we actually hired them to do and serve our residents. For money well spent, I have two answers because they really go together. Invest in our people. Training and professional development make the employees we already have better at their jobs, give them opportunities to grow within the City and help us build institutional knowledge instead of continually having to buy expertise from outside. And invest in infrastructure that solves more than one problem. I'm particularly interested in the work we're doing with our effluent and reclaimedwater system. If we can improve how we treat, move and beneficially reuse water we're already producing, there is potential to improve our system, support irrigation and recreation, and possibly buy ourselves valuable time before some much larger capital investments are required. That's the kind of spending I like: fix something we already own, make it work better, get more useful life or capacity from it, and reduce a larger cost down the road. For me, the question isn't simply, “How much did we spend?” It's what did that dollar accomplish? If it saves staff time, builds expertise, extends the useful life of an asset, improves service or helps us avoid a much larger expense later, that's money I can feel good about spending.

  Written by the candidate

  Follow-up 1 · A neighbor · Sep 28

  I appreciate your thoughtful answer and the reasoning behind your choices. Thank you!

  Norma: Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. I'm always open to questions and conversation, so please don't hesitate to reach out. You can also learn more about me and where I stand on issues at NormaOwen.com.

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (2 left)

• 💬 Something else

  Do you pray on the issues before you vote

  Our city is hurting, and for many, faith in humanity and our institutions has been shaken. My strength comes from my faith, especially during difficult times like these. Prayer and selfreflection help me consider not only what decision to make, but how to carry the responsibility of making it. I recognize that our residents have different religious beliefs, or perhaps none at all, but we can still share the same hope for thoughtful, compassionate leadership. My personal faith guides me, but it does not replace the responsibility to listen, understand the facts, and consider how my decisions affect the people I serve. We begin each City Council meeting with an opening prayer. For me, that is an opportunity to reflect, while recognizing that each person may approach that moment according to their own beliefs.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 💬 Something else

  What are your top 3 priorities for this upcoming term? What are your proposed solutions or stepping stones for those priorities?

  My three priorities really come back to one thing: getting Lago Vista on solid footing today while preparing for what's coming around the corner. And I don't want to just talk about what we need to do. I want to talk about how we get there. 1. Get our infrastructure on a reliable, affordable path. We've got aging water and wastewater infrastructure that needs attention now, and some very expensive projects ahead of us. Our master plans give us a starting point, but I don't believe we should simply take every project on that list and figure out how to send the bill to residents. My next steps are to verify what truly needs to be done, prioritize repairs and replacements, look at newer technologies and opportunities to get more out of the systems we already own, and build a realistic funding plan. My active participation with the Infrastructure Planning Advisory Subcommittee has given me a good foundation and understanding of the work before us. I've advocated looking 20 years ahead so we can understand our future debt and cash flow before those bills arrive. I also want a dependable annual maintenance and replacement plan, so we're not continually reacting to the next emergency. And we need to aggressively pursue grants, lowinterest financing and other funding opportunities. Every dollar we can save matters. 2. Finish modernizing our finances and give residents information they can actually use. This one may not sound exciting, but it affects nearly everything the City does. I've spent considerable time this year working with the finance subcommittee on the nuts and bolts of our financial systems, including reorganizing our chart of accounts and preparing for modern budgeting and reporting tools. Now we need to finish that work. I want residents to be able to look at an understandable financial dashboard and see where we stand, what we're spending, what projects are coming, what they'll cost and how we expect to pay for them. I also want us to look closely at the time and money lost because of outdated technology and manual processes. Our employees should have tools that make their jobs easier, not harder. Good financial information helps Council make better decisions, but it also gives our residents the opportunity to ask better questions and bring ideas to the table. 3. Build a stable City organization and a stronger Lago Vista economy. We've experienced a lot of change in City leadership and staffing. I want us to build an organization that can withstand those changes without losing momentum, knowledge or direction. That means investing in staff training, strengthening processes, keeping good records and having clear priorities that carry forward from one Council or City Manager to the next. It also means putting together a real economicdevelopment and tourism strategy. We now have an EDC, a Chamber with strong connections to our local businesses, and community organizations full of people with ideas and talent. I want us to bring those strengths together, define what we're trying to accomplish, and identify the right partners and funding sources to help make it happen. I'd love to see more of our homegrown businesses succeed, more thoughtful investment along Dawn Drive and Bronco Lane, and greater use of our airport, lake, arts and recreation opportunities to support our local economy. But growth should strengthen Lago Vista, not erase what makes it special. And throughout all three priorities, we cannot lose sight of the everyday things our residents count on: public safety, streets, parks, our library and the community connections that make this such a special place to live. I've said this in another answer, and it remains central to how I approach this job: People will change. Good information, sound processes, institutional knowledge and a credible longrange plan should remain. I want us to deal with what's in front of us, look far enough ahead to avoid repeating today's problems, and leave Lago Vista with more choices for the future. That's what I want to keep working toward.

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  There was discussion at the 9/17 city council meeting about the possibility of contributing taxpayer dollars from the general fund to the Chamber of Commerce, over and above allowable HOT funds. Would you support doing so?

  I don't think this has to be a CityversusChamber question. This has been a difficult year for both, and I think we need to rebuild some trust. The Chamber is working through how it sustains itself and serves our businesses, while the City is working through how public dollars can be used appropriately and documented. From the conversations I've had with Chamber leadership, I believe there is a genuine desire to make the relationship work. I share that desire. There is also a reality we shouldn't ignore: the Chamber doesn't have unlimited time to figure this out. Without a workable funding path, we could very realistically find ourselves without a Chamber. I don't think we should be casual about that possibility or assume that rebuilding one later would be easy. Would I support simply giving the Chamber additional General Fund dollars to cover its operations? No. Would I consider using General Fund dollars for clearly defined work that advances a strategic purpose for the City and that the Chamber is well positioned to provide? Yes, I would consider it. Those are two very different things. And I think the words "strategic purpose" matter. We need to decide what Lago Vista actually wants to accomplish with economic development and tourism. We haven't done enough of that. Without a clear strategy, the City, Chamber and now our EDC are each trying to find their part without stepping on the others' toes. I think the Chamber has the potential to be an important part of that picture. It knows our businesses, brings people together and can do things the City shouldn't necessarily be trying to do itself. HOT funds should be used for eligible tourism purposes, with the results documented. The EDC should have room to do the economicdevelopment work it was created to do. And if there is work the City needs beyond that, let's identify it, decide who is best equipped to do it and determine what it's worth. But we also need to recognize that our longterm planning and the Chamber's immediate situation are happening at the same time. We may need to work on both tracks—address what is immediately in front of us while building the strategy that prevents us from being right back here next year. I don't want to start with, “How much money should we give the Chamber?” I'd rather start with, "What are we trying to accomplish for Lago Vista, and what do we risk losing if we do nothing?” Then define the work, choose the right partner, establish what we expect in return and use the right funding source. I want our Chamber to succeed. I also have a responsibility to our taxpayers. I believe there is a path that respects both, but finding it is going to require some trust, some grace on both sides, and a willingness to work together.

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  Do you support subsidizing the golf course with taxpayer dollars if raising the tax rate is required to continue doing so?

  I think there's more to this question than simply whether the golf course receives taxpayer support. Our golf course is a community asset, and it has been receiving a General Fund subsidy. But what sometimes gets lost in the conversation is that the subsidy has been decreasing, and there is a financial plan in place to continue improving its operations. One of the biggest challenges has been the irrigation system. You can't maintain healthy greens and a quality golf course without reliable irrigation. The work to repair and replace that system is also connected to improvements in our effluent disposal infrastructure, something the City needs for wastewater management beyond just the golf course. Our Golf Superintendent has developed financial projections tied to these improvements, and as the work has progressed, the results have been trending in line with those projections. That's encouraging, and I want us to continue measuring that progress. We're also working to improve our accounting systems so we can better evaluate all our enterprise activities, not just the golf course. I want us to understand the full cost of operating these services, the revenue they generate, and the financial impact on the City. Would I support raising property taxes simply to continue an openended golf course subsidy? No. But I also wouldn't support walking away from an improving operation, especially while we're making infrastructure investments that serve more than one City purpose, without understanding the consequences. I supported the nonewrevenue tax rate during our budget discussions, even though that rate was higher than the prior year's rate. I know that decision was unpopular with some residents. But my vote was about the City's overall financial responsibilities, not about protecting a golf course subsidy. For me, the goal is to keep reducing the golf course's reliance on the General Fund as its operations improve, while recognizing the value of the infrastructure investments already underway. I don't believe responsible budgeting is always about cutting a line item today. Sometimes it's about finishing the work that puts us in a better financial position tomorrow. I want to see us follow the plan, measure the results, and make decisions based on where we're actually headed, not just where we've been.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 💬 Something else

  Will you support an independent, open to public hearings, Board of Ethics or Review, made up of resident appointees, in the upcoming new Charter proposal in the spring? If not, why not?

  Yes, I would support exploring an independent resident review board as part of the Charter review, provided we can structure it to operate fairly and with as little political influence as possible. I think we have a gap in how we hold elected officials accountable. Right now, when a Council member's conduct raises serious concerns but doesn't rise to the level of a criminal offense, much of the responsibility for addressing it falls on fellow Council members. That's a difficult position to put anyone in. We're all human. None of us is perfect, and serving on Council doesn't change that. But residents have every right to expect professionalism, respectful conduct and accountability from the people they elect. The challenge comes when Council has to investigate or take action against one of its own. Relationships, political differences and concerns about the consequences for the City can influence whether something is pursued at all. Even when people are trying to do the right thing, those competing considerations can get in the way. I don't believe accountability should depend on whether your fellow Council members are willing to hold you accountable. An independent review board could help fill that gap. But I would want us to be thoughtful about how it's created. Who appoints the members? How do we keep political disagreements from turning into ethics complaints? What authority would the board actually have? How do we protect someone from an unfounded accusation while also making sure legitimate complaints receive a fair review? I support public hearings where appropriate, but we also need to protect confidential information and ensure everyone receives a fair process. And there is another practical challenge. We already struggle to find enough residents willing to serve on some of our boards and commissions. An ethics board would ask volunteers to take on some particularly difficult responsibilities. We need to be realistic about that and make sure members have the training and support to do the job. I would like to see us examine how other cities have structured independent review boards, what has worked, what hasn't, and what authority we can legally give such a board through our Charter or enabling Ordinance. I don't want to create a board that looks good on paper but has no real ability to accomplish its purpose. And I certainly don't want to create another tool for political retaliation. I want a fair process that protects both the public and the person being reviewed, with clear rules that apply equally to everyone. People will disagree. Council members will make mistakes. But when there is a legitimate concern about conduct, residents should have confidence that it can be reviewed fairly, objectively and independently, regardless of who is involved. That's the kind of accountability I would support.

• 🚨 Public safety

  What have you done, or what is your plan, to assist our ESD in creating an evacuation plan, in the event of an emergency?

  Emergency preparedness has been something I've been actively working on, and I think the key is recognizing that an emergency doesn't stop at the city limits. Just this past week, we participated in a regional emergency tabletop exercise, coordinated by ESD 1 with the Texas Division of Emergency Management. It brought together our neighboring communities, emergency responders, schools, transportation agencies and other organizations to work through how we would respond together when an emergency happens. One thing we've been told is that there isn't one evacuation plan that works for every emergency in Lago Vista. Our geography, limited major roadways, the type of emergency and where it's happening all affect how people should respond. For example, the safest route during a wildfire on one side of town might be the very road we need people to avoid during a different emergency. In some situations, sheltering in place may be safer than evacuating. That doesn't mean we shouldn't plan. It means we need plans and procedures that can adapt to the circumstances, with clear responsibilities, reliable communication and coordination among the agencies responding. I've also been working on the community side of preparedness. I shared information with our Lions Club about Emergency Support Functions—essentially, how different organizations and volunteers can help during an emergency. I was instrumental in bringing our Presidents' Council together around the idea of a North Shore United Response, so our community organizations have a way to coordinate their efforts when help is needed. I've supported Mayor Saum's efforts to strengthen our emergency response capabilities and regional partnerships, along with pursuing grants that can help us prepare without placing every cost on local taxpayers. One result is the City's 2026 AARP Community Challenge Grant, which is helping us offer four free emergency preparedness workshops beginning October 14. They cover household preparedness, emergency alerts and evacuation, mobility and medical needs, and neighbors helping neighbors. But I also want to be clear: preparedness activities are not a substitute for an actual evacuation plan. We live in a beautiful area, but our geography and limited major roadways create real challenges. An evacuation plan needs to address how traffic will move, what happens if a road is blocked, how residents will receive instructions, and how we help people who cannot simply get into a car and leave. My next step would be to continue working with ESD 1, City staff, law enforcement, TxDOT and our regional partners to identify gaps in our evacuation procedures, agree on responsibilities, and test those procedures through exercises. I also want residents to understand what they should do before an emergency happens. Where will they get reliable information? What should they have ready? Who might need help in their neighborhood? We can't promise that every emergency will unfold the way we planned. But we can prepare, practice, identify what doesn't work, and improve. I don't want our first real test of an evacuation plan to be the day we need it. And I believe our community organizations and neighbors can be an important part of making that preparation work.

• 💬 Something else

  Most people cannot lie and pass a lie detector test. That's why businesses use them. It increases the odds of hiring people with integrity. Are any candidates willing to take a lie detector test, and who would support requiring new applicants to take one?

  Yes, I would voluntarily take a lie detector test. I understand the question and the desire behind it. Residents want elected officials and City employees they can trust. I want that too. But I think we need to distinguish between someone's willingness to take a polygraph and whether a polygraph is a reliable measure of honesty. Polygraphs measure physical responses, not honesty itself. Research has shown that truthful people can fail and dishonest people can pass. So while I'm personally willing to take one, I wouldn't want us to assume that passing a test proves someone's integrity. As for requiring applicants to take one, the law makes some important distinctions. Federal law generally prohibits private employers from requiring polygraphs, with certain exceptions. Government employers have more flexibility, and polygraphs may be appropriate for some public safety positions. But requiring them for every City job would deserve careful consideration, including legal requirements, the nature of the position, cost and reliability. Candidates for elected office are a different matter. We cannot simply add new qualifications for public office without considering the legal limitations. I believe integrity is demonstrated over time through a person's actions, decisions, willingness to answer questions, and how they conduct themselves when faced with difficult circumstances. That is also why I support examining an independent ethics review process. Residents deserve meaningful accountability, not just assurances that someone is trustworthy. So my answer is yes, I would take one voluntarily. But I would not support making polygraphs a blanket requirement without first establishing that doing so is lawful, fair and genuinely useful. Ultimately, I believe the strongest test of integrity is how we conduct ourselves and whether we're willing to be held accountable for our actions.

  Written by the candidate

  Ask Norma a follow-up ↗ (3 left)

• 🏗️ Growth & development

  What is your stance on possible future developers seeking to build higher density neighborhoods such as shoreline ranch, the property across from bar K park, and a few other large acre parcels for sale that can seek zoning changes?

  I do not believe Lago Vista needs to approve substantially more highdensity, singlefamily residential development at this time. What we do need is a stronger commercial tax base and a better balance between residential growth and economic opportunity. This is particularly important for Lago Vista right now. We already have significant residential development entitlements in place. The City is currently evaluating those commitments against our ability to provide the infrastructure and services they will require. Before approving additional residential density, we need to understand what we've already committed to, whether our infrastructure can support it, and what those obligations will cost our community over the next 10 or 20 years.   We also need to recognize what's happening in the housing market. Demand for the types of singlefamily homes already approved in Lago Vista has slowed. Until that market begins moving again, I don't see a compelling reason to significantly increase those residential entitlements. But I want to make an important distinction. Not all density is the same, and not all development serves the same purpose. There are a few locations in Lago Vista where thoughtfully planned mixeduse development could make sense. Think of shopkeeperstyle neighborhoods, with small businesses and living spaces together, or a shopping and dining destination with some residential uses mixed in. Something along the lines of a smaller, Lago Vista version of the Domain, designed to fit our community and preserve our Hill Country charm. We need more opportunities for local businesses, restaurants, services and places where residents can gather. And here's why I believe that matters so much: **Lago Vista needs to strengthen its commercial tax base so we aren't relying so heavily on residential property owners to fund City services and infrastructure.** (With emphasis added) Every new residential neighborhood brings additional demands for roads, utilities, public safety and longterm maintenance. Residential growth generates revenue, but it also creates obligations. We need to understand that balance before granting additional development rights. Wellplanned commercial and mixeduse development can help diversify our sources of revenue, provide services our residents want, create opportunities for local entrepreneurs and strengthen our longterm financial position. That doesn't mean every commercial or mixeduse proposal is automatically a good one. Location matters. Infrastructure capacity matters. Compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods matters. And the financial impact on the City matters. I support honoring existing development rights while carefully evaluating requests for additional entitlements. Our Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map should help guide those decisions, rather than changing our plans simply because a developer requests more density. My position is that we should be cautious about adding more singlefamily residential density while actively exploring wellplaced commercial and mixeduse opportunities that strengthen our local economy. Lago Vista will continue to grow and change. The question is whether we're shaping that growth to create a financially sustainable community while preserving our Hill Country charm, or simply reacting to the next development proposal. I want us to look around the corner, understand what we're committing to, and make decisions that leave Lago Vista stronger 10 and 20 years from now. We don't necessarily need more rooftops right now. We need to make sure the rooftops we've already approved can be served responsibly, while creating the economic opportunities that help sustain our community for generations to come.

• 💵 Taxes & budget

  What is your plan for minimizing the transfer of taxpayer funds to private interest via things like lawsuits, embezzlement and corrupt spending, no-bid preferential contract awards, etc?

  I believe the best way to protect taxpayer dollars is to build systems that make it difficult for money to be misused, easier to identify problems early, and clear who is responsible when something goes wrong. And that work has already begun. One of my priorities has been modernizing the City's financial systems. I've worked with fellow Council members and staff on improving our chart of accounts, organizing historical financial information, and moving toward better budgeting and reporting tools. The plan timeline is a two year span. One year is behind us with the roadmap created. The council forum on the city website shows the conversations over time: https://councilforum.lagovistatexas.gov/threads/prposedbudgetcalendarandorganizationalrestructure.162/#post755 Why does that matter? Because when information is scattered across outdated systems, difficult to retrieve, or requires hours of manual work to understand, it becomes harder for Council, staff and residents to see what's actually happening with public money. **Good financial controls start with good information.** I want us to be able to follow a dollar from the budget, through a contract or purchase order, to the payment and the result. We should be able to see what was authorized, what was spent, whether the work was completed, and whether we're getting what we paid for. That means strengthening several areas. Purchasing and contracts: Competitive purchasing should be the standard where required and practical. When a contract qualifies for an exception, there should be a documented reason, appropriate approval and a clear record of the decision. We also need to monitor contract changes and cost overruns, not just the original award. Financial safeguards: No one person should control an entire financial transaction from beginning to end. Clear approval limits, separation of duties, regular reconciliations and independent audits help protect both taxpayers and honest employees. Preventing lawsuits: Not every lawsuit can be prevented, and being sued doesn't automatically mean the City did something wrong. But consistent procedures, good documentation, employee training, sound legal advice and addressing problems before they escalate can reduce unnecessary legal exposure. Accountability: When concerns are raised, there should be a clear process to review them, protect those who report legitimate problems and take corrective action when warranted. That connects to my support for examining an independent ethics review process. I also want better public financial reporting. Residents shouldn't need to be accountants or spend hours searching through Council packets to understand how their tax dollars are being used. Technology can help us identify unusual spending, track contracts, compare budgets with actual expenses and recognize problems sooner. But technology alone isn't the answer. We also need trained staff, clear policies and a Council willing to ask questions and follow through. And I think this is important: waste isn't always the result of dishonesty. Sometimes it's the result of outdated technology, unclear responsibilities, poor planning or decisions made without understanding their longterm consequences. Those dollars are just as important to protect. I don't believe we can promise that mistakes, misconduct or lawsuits will never happen. But we can put processes in place that reduce the risks and make sure problems don't go unnoticed or unaddressed. **People will change. Good information, sound processes, institutional knowledge and a credible longrange plan should remain.** That's why I've been working on financial modernization. I want Lago Vista to have systems that protect taxpayer dollars regardless of who is sitting in City Hall or on Council. For me, accountability isn't just about what happens after something goes wrong. It's about doing the work that helps prevent it in the first place.