2025 Election Guide by kdhnews

Is I t t I me for a new c I ty hall?

Voters will choose whether to support a $155 million bond for a new

By Kevin Limiti Killeen Daily HeralD

The $155 million bond for a new city hall will finally come to a vote on May 3 as Proposition B. Early voting in the municipal election begins on April 22.

The bond has been widely debated, lambasted by critics but supported almost unanimously by the Killeen City Council.

A final design for the new city hall has not yet been settled on, but several options have been explored that included different modules with surface-level parking and parking garages. All of the potential options were located in downtown Killeen.

City leaders want the new building to go in downtown Killeen — where many city offices are now — to help spur economic activity in the downtown area. However, keeping the city’s top administrative building in north Killeen means south and west Killeen residents would be farther away from it.

A drive from the current City Hall, 101 N. College St., to Killeen Police Department’s headquarters in south Killeen takes about 18 minutes — over 7 miles on city streets, according to Google.

The current Killeen City Hall was the original Killeen High School, built in 1923 and renovated to become Killeen City Hall in 1993.

The city of Killeen estimated that it will actually cost an estimated $306 million in total over 30 years due to the city likely having to pay an interest rate of 5% on the debt, according to city documents.

This would increase the current debt owed by the city, which is around $217 million. The city owes about $173 million in principal with an estimated $43 million to be paid in interest.

If approved, the new city hall potentially could bring the city’s total debt to about $523 million.

City Manager Kent Cagle has taken issue with these numbers, though he did not deny that they were accurate, since they came from city documents.

However, he argued that they were part of a worst-case scenario and weren’t typical.

The city of Killeen had spent $25,000 on marketing for the bond project. However, there was not much evidence of marketing from the city until this week when it released a video featuring residents Bill Paquette and Don

Smith, emphasizing the need for Americans with Disabilities Act compliant city buildings.

Other than that, Mayor Debbie Nash-King sent photos of a flyer outlining the details of the bond project as evidence of marketing and Councilman Jose Segarra responded saying they were giving but flyers at the Spring Night Farmers Market, which are on Friday nights in downtown Killeen.

Christy Wilbanks, candidate for District 4, argued against voting for the bond because there were other issues in the city of Killeen she thought should take priority.

“We don’t need a new City Hall just to consolidate a couple of departments to be in one location.

Most residents don’t go to all of those departments at once in one day, it’s very rare,” Wilbanks said in an email. “Having a new building and promoting it by saying that several departments would be under one roof just doesn’t sell for me, especially when we are going into the 2026-year budget with a 2 Million dollar deficit and,

the residents of Killeen will feel the impact of their taxes going up.”

She also said she saw no evidence of the $20,000 for marketing being utilized.

“The information on the City Website regarding this bond is the same and hasn’t changed since they approved this bond election,” she said.

Councilman Joseph Solomon, who is running for re-election District 2, said he supports the bond, but it’s ultimately up to voters.

“I support this bond because it represents more than just a building; it symbolizes our commitment to improving local governance and enhancing the services we provide to our residents,” he said in an email. “Currently, our City Hall is operating beyond its capacity, which hampers our ability to serve citizens efficiently. A new facility would not only accommodate our growing population but also provide a space for public services under one roof.

This would lead to improved accessibility and a more streamlined experience for residents.”

“If the bond passes, citizens can expect to see a modern, functional, and welcoming City Hall that reflects our community’s needs and values. We have to wait and see what the voters decide,” he continued.

Sherry Volpicella, who is running for District 1, said she did not support the bond.

“I am against the election bond (Prop B) because our citizens can not afford more taxes,” she said in an email. “If anything, money should be going to fix our existing infrastructure. Not building vanity projects.”

The other candidates, which include Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Gonzalez, running for re-election for District 1, Veryn Valentine for District 2 and Anthony Kendrick for District 4, did not reply by deadline.

However, Gonzalez has previously spoken in support of the new City Hall bond.

By Kevin Limiti Killeen Daily HeralD

Voters will decide on May 3 whether to recall Killeen Councilman Michael Boyd, which is on the Killeen ballot as Proposition A. However, Boyd will only be facing consequences potentially to his political future and reputation as he is not running for reelection, and his term will expire in May.

But Boyd is apparently not worried about that.

“The recall election remains an absurdity and carried no weight in my decision to withdraw from the 2025 General Election, nor will it impact my current service to the community — as I will have already served my entire term,” Boyd said in an emailed statement. “Pass or fail, I cannot be removed from Office so it’s not something I’m losing any sleep over.”

The effort to recall Boyd garnered enough signatures to place it on the ballot after a petition from registered voters was confirmed by the city secretary in September 2024.

The petition was filed by former councilwoman and constant rabble rouser Mellisa Brown, whose stated reasons for the recall was that Boyd was “willfully and intentionally ignoring and disregarding citizens; putting the safety of the public second; not following the comprehensive

plan; and public disrespect and silencing of citizens.”

The petition was confirmed with 218 qualified signatures, with 202 being the necessary minimum. Boyd refused to resign — which was an option in lieu of a recall election — and many people, including former council members, spoke up in his defense at a September meeting.

Councilwoman Nina Cobb voted against calling for Boyd’s recall election despite the fact that the council members were obligated to approve it. Boyd, a two-term councilman, has represented west Killeen since 2021. He left open the possibility of serving Killeen sometime in the future even as he announced that he would not be running for reelection.

Courtesy mage | City of Killeen

Inset photo is of a rendering that shows an example of what a new Killeen City Hall could look like if a bond election is approved for May 2025.

PHoto file | HeralD

Above photo is of Killeen City Hall.

Killeen Councilman m ichael Boyd faces recall on m ay ballot

Michael Byod Killeen Councilman

Mellisa Brown Recall petition filer

early voting for May 3 election begins on Tuesday

By e ri K Wa Lsh Killeen Daily Heral D

Early voting for the May 3 municipal and school board elections begins April 22.

Here is a look at when and where to vote:

Killeeen

Early-voting polling Locations are at:

Killeen City Hal, 101 N.College St. Jackson Professional Learning Center, 902 Rev R.A. Abercrombie Drive

Lions Club Park Senior Center, 1700-B East Stan Schlueter Loop.

Polling times are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22 and April 29; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 23 - 29.

Har K er Heig HTs

In Harker Heights, early voting will be at:

Harker Heights Recreation Center, 307 Miller’s Crossing

Polling times are between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. beginning April 22 and ending April 25; and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 28 and 29.

Killeen is D

Early voting for the May 3 Killeen ISD Board of Trustees election will begin April 22 and end April 29 with polling locations in Killeen, Harker Heights and Copperas Cove.

Residents can vote for Killeen school board candidates the following early-voting locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22 and April 29; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 23 - 29:

Killeen ISD’s Jackson Professional Learning Center, 902 Rev. R.A. Abercrombie Drive.

Killeen City Hall, 101 N. College St. Killeen Lions Club Senior Center, 1700 E. Stan Schlueter Loop

Harker Heights, Belton and Nolanville residents can vote in the KISD electon at the Harker Heights Recreation Center on 307 Miller’s Crossing in Harker Heights between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. beginning April 22 and ending April 25; and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on April 28 and 29.

Residents in Coryell County or Fort Cavazos who live in the KISD boundry can vote at the Copperas Cove ISD Training Facility, #200 on 702 Sunny Ave in Copperas Cove from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22 and April 29; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 23 - 29.

BelTon

Early voting for the Belton municipal election will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-25 and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 2829 at City Hall on 333 Water Street.

Early voting for the Belton ISD school board will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 22-25 and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 2829 at the Pittenger Fine Arts Center, 400 N. Wall St. in Belton.

By Joseph Bahr Killeen Daily HeralD

Sherry Volpicella is challenging Jessica Gonzalez, Killeen’s mayor pro tem, for her seat on the Killeen City Council. The winner of the race will represent District 1. Gonzalez is a homegrown candidate; she has lived in the Killeen area her entire life and is a graduate of Killeen High School.

Volpicella is newer to the area, having lived in the north part of Killeen for more than four years. Before moving to Killeen, she lived in Florida, where she started as a waitress before working her way up to being the vice president of operations for a steel company. Now, Volpicella is retired and raising her 6-year-old special needs granddaughter.

Gonzalez is also a mother; she has three children. She currently works in property management and also owns Alexander’s Music Box, a downtown Killeen blues establishment. She has also been a participant in a variety of community activites and organizations including theater and film.

The District 1 representative serves Killeen’s northside. District 1 includes almost every property in the city north of Veterans Memorial Boulevard along with a bit of land south of that road around the Skylark Field Airport. Areas in District 1 include the bulk of downtown Killeen along with Castle Heights and the Chimney Hill Estates.

Why are you a good candidate for public office in Killeen?

Killeen is my hometown! I truly care about the people and making our city a better place to live. I am results-driven and the fruits of my efforts can be seen across the city and there is much more work to be done.

What do you think is the biggest issue in District 1 and what will you do to address it?

The aging infrastructure and improvements are needed and are being prioritized with the help of our public works, water and sewer departments.

Will bringing a new grocery store to District 1 be a priority for you? if yes, how do you plan to attract one to that area of Killeen?

It has been a priority even before joining the council! I have often said we will leave no stone unturned in the search to find the right fit for this area. We have begun co-op grocery discussions with some citizens who are also doing all they can to find a way to provide a needed service to our community

Do you support Killeen’s ongoing downtown revitalization? if yes, how do you plan to bolster it?

I have championed this project as part of my initial call to action by my constituents. I began this process with many discussions understanding that we had to do something

different, and more strategic. The visual improvements are stunning and this is just the beginning! The amount of change I was able to activate in a short period of time is a testament also to our community who was engaged and ready to commit to this transition! Now it’s important to keep foot traffic there and create more destination events and activities for our entire city to take part in. There are a few more designations I will be working with staff on to also increase our visibility.

What has been your biggest accomplishment while serving on the Killeen City Council?

There are many. The most visible is the drastic transformation of our downtown area, the Killeen Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit and bringing back a police substation as requested by my constituents! We have a lot to be proud of and still more work to do.

Why are you a good candidate for public office in Killeen?

I understand a good portion of our citizens in my district and see the struggle they face daily. I’ve lived their life, I’ve brought myself up out of that life. I am always open to working with anyone on any issues.

What do you think is the biggest issue in District 1 and what will you do to address it?

Infrastructure is our biggest problem in District 1. From galvanized pipes from the 50s to cement used in the 80s our whole infrastructure needs to be updated. There

are new methods that can be used without tearing up the whole street. I am looking to reduce the cost of this by using cheaper, faster, more long-lasting methods using our existing workforce and not outside expensive contractors.

Will bringing a new grocery store to District 1 be a priority for you? i f yes, how do you plan to attract one to that area of Killeen?

The problem with bringing a grocery store to the north side is that the median income is so low that enticing a big or even medium-box grocery store to the area is almost impossible. To change that we need better paying jobs and I am advocating to bring manufacturing here to Killeen, giving our citizens a chance to have better paying jobs and bringing up that median income to make us more attractive to grocery chains.

Do you support Killeen’s ongoing downtown revitalization? i f yes, how do you plan to bolster it?

I absolutely do support the revitalization of our downtown. Since our property taxes in this area have gone through the roof in the past few years, I think we should be able to offset that with our food and beverage tax downtown. I want to see our downtown become a bright and shiny source of revenue for our city. A few ordinance changes and our city could attract some of the best restaurants and clubs.

What is the biggest change you would bring to the Killeen City Council?

The ability for our citizens to reach out and speak to us. An, at least, quarterly open forum with my constituents to discuss their concerns. The ultimate change I would like to see is going back to later meetings, once a week, and at the end of the meeting have at least three people a week be able to come to the podium and voice any concerns that they have in the city that are not on the agenda. It would take 12 minutes, we owe our citizens that. We need to let the people speak and we need to address their valid concerns. Thank you for letting me put my platform out there.

• VoTI ng lo CATI ons

Jessica Gonzalez incumbent for district 1

sherry Volpicella Candidate for district 1

voter walks out of the Senior Center at Lions Club Park during a previous election.

two

veterans are battling for District 2 seat on the Killeen City Council

By Joseph Bahr Killeen Daily HeralD

Joseph Solomon is seeking another term on the Killeen City Council as its District 2 representative. Solomon is a military veteran, minister and has been engaged in community service in the Killeen area for more than 30 years. He currently serves as a campus pastor for the Christian House of Prayer and is also the executive director of the Refuge Corporation, a charity arm of the church which regularly provides free food and other services to those in need.

Solomon is being challenged by Verlyn Valentine for the District 2 spot on the Killeen City Council. If elected, it would mark Valentine’s first time serving on the City Council. Like Solomon, Valentine is a military veteran. He has lived in Killeen for a more than a decade.

The District 2 representative will act on behalf of a large portion of the Killeen populace, primarily in the southeast portion of the city. Some of the neighborhoods in the district include Heather Glen and the Timber Ridge Estates to the south and Crescent Manor and Marlboro Heights on the northern side.

Jose PH s olo M on

Why are you a good candidate for public office in Killeen?

I want to give four points on this.

No. 1 is community engagement. I have a strong commitment to listening to the residents of District 2 and just really attempting to understand their needs and concerns.

I do and I have had town hall meetings. I believe in communicating with our citizens, and that’s what I have done.

No. 2 would be that I have the leadership and I have the experience. I served on the City Council in Copperas Cove. And then, of course, I’ve had my experience here, serving on Killeen’s council. So I believe I bring a value of experience and leadership.

The next thing is being dedicated to fostering sustainable development in Killeen.

I’m talking about focusing on enhancing public services, improving its infrastructure, and promoting economic opportunities that benefit all residents, not just District 2.

Last would be a passion for service. I just have a passion for people. It drives me to advocate for our citizens, to stand for our citizens. I would like to continue this. I’ve

been serving for decades in the community and I want to continue that effort and finish what we have started.

What do you think is the biggest issue in District 2 and what will you do to address it?

One of the biggest issues in Killeen and District 2 would be road repairs. We need our roads repaired. We’re actually doing that now. We’ve already approved the design for phase four of Featherline Road for $11.4 million and we’ve approved construction on Stagecoach Road starting from East Trimmier Road to W.S. Young Drive.

I believe doing those things will address these road issues. We’ve got a long way to go, but we are working on it, and we are making strides with this. I believe that we need to address the roads in District 2.

a s the city continues to grow and expand, especially to the south, what would you do to make sure the city is prepared for that growth?

I think that we’re doing the right things now, and that is watching the growth. When I say watching the growth, it comes down to infrastructure and making sure that we don’t overdevelop.

Right now, we are in growing pains, and we have to carefully look at each situation. We’ve got the new development right off Stagecoach Road, The Preserve At Thousand Oaks, and we have to make sure that

as it grows, we have the right streets and the right infrastructure to accommodate those homes.

What has been your biggest accomplishment while serving on the Killeen City Council?

I believe it’s communicating with the citizens, finding out what they need and talking to them.

It goes back to Featherline Road. In the beginning, everybody was complaining about the water pressure and the roads and they did not want anything to be built over there. We, Councilwoman Nina Cobb and I, proposed a town hall meeting and we listened to the citizens. We had to give them space and time to voice their opinion about things. So the bottom line is communicating and listening to our citizens and addressing those needs.

I believe that was one of the greatest accomplishments, just relating and listening to them. And then out of that, we now have the $11.4 million reconstruction on its way. Maybe it’ll take about two or three years or so, but it’s on its way.

I believe it’s one of the biggest accomplishments that I’ve done.

V erlY n Valen T ine

The Herald reached out to Verlyn Valentine with questions, but did not receive a response.

not available

With Boyd not running, newcomer slated to be elected in Killeen’s District 4

By Joseph Bahr Killeen Daily HeralD

The Killeen City Council is guaranteed to have at least one newcomer after the May 3 election. Both candidates for the District 4 seat, Anthony Kendrick and Christy Wilbanks, have never served on the Killeen City Council before.

The current representative for the seat, Michael Boyd, announced he was dropping out of the race in February. He cited his numerous accomplishments since beginning his tenure in 2021 and a desire to go in a new direction as reasons for the decision.

Wilbanks has lived in Killeen for around seven years. She is a retired military spouse and has experience working in a variety of business industries including banking, health and various levels of politics. She became a credentialed International Practitioner of Holistic Medicine in 2012. She has also been a volunteer in the community.

Kendrick has lived in Killeen for more than 20 years and is a military veteran.

The District 4 council member represents the western part of Killeen. Most of the area west of South Fort Hood Street is included in the district. Conder Valley, Goodnight Ranch and Lonesome Dove are some of the locations included in the district.

CHrisTY WilBanKs

Why are you a good candidate for public office in Killeen?

I believe I am a great candidate for City Council District 4 because I have a proven background in business, community service and volunteerism. I bring strong leadership skills from banking, credit financing and quality management in business and a fresh perspective to our city. I’m committed to making Killeen a vibrant, strong community with sustainable economic growth. Truly becoming a “Great place to live, work, and play”

What do you think is the biggest issue in District 4 and what will you do to address it?

The biggest issues in District 4 would be crime, road repair and an avenue of communication to keep Residents updated and informed on the different projects within the district and the city as a whole. I would work closely with the public safety to find out what is happening and what improvements or suggestions they have and bring this to the City Council to address the safety within our city. Regarding road repairs, I would visit the areas under construction and speak with the firm to get updates, problems or solutions on the project and report back to the residents. I strongly believe in communication with residents of District 4. Not only could they contact me by phone and email, but I would also want to meet them there in the district to talk with them and see what they have to say! I held coffee meet and greets

during the last couple of months and if elected, I will continue that so I can meet the residents and have open communication with them.

in March, multiple people were killed in violent incidents in District 4. What steps will you take to improve safety and prevent incidents like that in your district and the entire city?

It is extremely important to have a great relationship with the first responders. The council should meet with them regularly to ask for updates, what their concerns are and what ideas they have, they are the ones with boots on the ground and they are the experts in this field. I believe it’s important to have crime prevention and to do so, we need to meet with all public safety on a regular basis to make sure the city stays safe and make sure they have what they need to help the residents of Killeen.

a new business park is being built on the eastern border of District 4. What will you do to help attract businesses and jobs to that park and the entire city?

With any new development for businesses, we need to reach out to corporations that are not in our city and show them the assets that Killeen has and what it could be. We shouldn’t stay idle and wait for them to contact us; we contact them and show them why Killeen would be a great fit.

What is the biggest change you would bring to the Killeen City Council?

Focusing my time and effort while sitting on the City Council. I would be a full-time Councilwoman that believes in fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and basic services first, an open government and citizen engagement and I would work on changing Killeen’s perception.

anTHonY KenDriCK

The Herald reached out to Anthony Kendrick with questions, but did not receive a response. In a previous interview with the Herald, he indicated he wanted to provide activities for youth, reduce crime and bridge a divide he saw in the city. “Killeen is starting to separate, and I see the separation in such a way to where it becomes a color thing, and it shouldn’t be that way,” he said. He also indicated a desire to improve efficiency and fiscal responsibility in the city, saying, “I think we have to be better at using the

Photo

Killeen D isT ri CT 2

Joseph soloMon incumbent for district 2 Verlyn Valentine Candidate for district 2

Killeen D isT ri CT 4

By Jana Lynn KiLCrease

Killeen Daily HeralD

The May 3 election will list five names for three places on the ballot for the Killeen ISD Board of Trustees.

Incumbent Brenda Adams, 69, is running unopposed for Place 1, She is now retired from the district as an educator and principal and holds a master’s degree in education.

Incumbent Susan Jones will be challenged by Brianna “Sunshine” Harrelson, 39, for Place 2. Jones has served on the board since May 2011 and is currently finishing her fifth term. She is also vice president at The Federal Savings Bank. Harrelson is a mother and has completed some college work. She has been ordained and received her certificate from the Restorative Life Ministry.

In the Place 3 race, incumbent Oliver Mintz, 52, is challenged by Lan Carter. Mintz is an attorney and has served on the board for the last three years. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree. Carter is a child therapist and holds a master’s degree in science.

There were five questions the Herald sent to the candidates and there responses are below.

What are the top three major issues facing KisD? What would you propose, if elected, to address them?

aDaMs: The top three major issues facing KISD, I feel are (1) Providing quality instruction for all students in safe and secure environments. I insist on evaluating all security and safety measures at every campus to ensure fidelity of procedures, enforcement and consistency of best practices. Revise the Student Code of Conduct Handbook, outlining specific behavioral expectations, consequences and ensuring state of the art detection devices with mandatory schedules of use. (2) Committing to teach so that students learn to their maximum potential. I’ll continue to focus on the board adopted Strategic Plan with three priority areas that will improve student achievement including key performance indicators measured through 2029, and (3) Making the best fiscally sound decisions regarding funding/budget. I know we must trim our budget in preparation for state/federal shortfalls; but I won’t agree to cutting salaries for teachers/staff who work closely with students. Public school funding is under attack, but I plan to stand for the rights of every student especially during this politically charged season of mishaps.

Jones: Funding and budget allocations are a priority coming into 25/26 school year. We are looking at a deficit budget currently and will be losing $10 million from our previous allocation of Impact Aid dollars. I will continue to advocate for efficiencies and re-alignment within the organization and continue to be very active in the Impact Aid funding fight. Currently, we will lose approximately $50 million over the next five years.

• Academics is always a high priority and is always in need of improvement. Focusing on our subgroups for additional resources and re-alignment with staffing to meet their needs is crucial. Focusing on hiring highly qualified teachers and having one in every classroom is also a high priority of mine.

• Evaluating how we deliver mandatory remediation to those failing is also necessary. Again, funding is important and keeping cuts away from the class-room will be a focus of mine as well.

• Safety and discipline within our school environment is necessary to facilitate learning. Please see my answers to question 3 below.

Harrelson: “Transparency- my phone is almost always on. I want to hear from parents

and the staff, I want to know the issues so they can be addressed and I want to work with the community to find solutions. Currently, our district hides behind closed doors to resolve parent grievances, I want to allow the parent to decide if it should be public or private, then the community can address if this is a common problem and help with solutions. Several teachers, paraprofessionals and staff have said they feel their jobs are in jeopardy if they speak out. This is unacceptable, they should be able to address concerns, I will be a safe open door for any staff that wants to remain anonymous but wants to see a problem fixed.

Discipline- We have ignored the Code of Conduct in our schools for far too long.

Unity- We have different rules and programs in every school. Some welcome parents and volunteers, while other refuse to allow parents past the office. Some schools barely offer tutoring, while others have student council, science Olympiad, book club, etc. Why do some of our students deserve to take pride in themselves and their school while others are ignored? I understand not all campuses will be the same, but we need to find what programs are working and offer them throughout all of the level of schools. And the district needs to put in place a policy for parents and volunteers that all schools should follow.

MinTZ: First, we need to rebuild the trust of the community that our schools are safe. We need to have continued, transparent engagement to let the community know what steps we are taking, what errors may have been made, and how we are ensuring our schools are a safe place for our children

Killeen ISD school district or underfunding of public education (budget) to include special education and adoption of school choice; teacher/staff shortage, and fair compensation across the board; and school safety, discipline and bullying.

“A significant portion of Texas school districts, including over 73%, are struggling with insufficient funding, leading to budget cuts, potential school closures, and the elimination of staff positions. The state’s failure to raise the basic allotment, the per-student amount each district receives, for six years has exacerbated the issue. Additionally, our district is top heavy.

I recommend restructuring the higher echelon, reviewing budget to find ways to increase pay for staff especially auxiliary staff, maintain current staffing and recruit an experienced workforce. Look into legislation, grants and other funding that could provide additional funds for the district to improve pay, gain incentives and improve outcomes for the district. School choice, particularly the voucher system, is a significant concern. Diverting funds to private schools through vouchers reduces resources for public schools, further straining an already underfunded system.

Teacher shortages are a growing concern not only in our district but Texas as a whole. Many experienced teachers are leaving the profession due to economic factors and lack of support. The Texas Education Agency has addressed this issue through initiatives like the Teacher Vacancy Task Force, but the problem persists. There should be equitable pay for staff. A percentage based pay increases are not fair for all staff.

specialists whereas we are not being overzealous with punishment but looking into training and teaching.

Bullying is a majority factor in the district causing major disruptions in the learning environment. There are federal and state laws that address these issues. The district needs to look into the requirements and carry them out with validity. Currently, students who are being bullied are victimized twice. The first by the bully and then by the system. We need to fix the system. The resources are there.

Why do you think voters should elect you to the KisD school board? What specific qualities do you possess that would make you a good school board member?

aDaMs: Voters should re-elect me to serve because of the wealth of experiences I’ve attained as a KISD former military dependent student, KHS graduate, parent of two KISD graduates, substitute teacher, educator and administrator with 44-plus years of service. Experience and effective leadership matter. I’m very grateful as one who’s ‘talked the talk’ and ‘walked the walk.’ Education is everything to me. I’m a servant leader with a renewed sense of dedication, pride, purpose and passion.

Increases using percentage across the board could mean thousands of dollars for some and fifty dollars for others. Some staff are in poverty within our district due to low pay. Look at policies and procedures that are currently in place concerning class sizes, training, resources and behavior to include bullying. Make hard changes where needed and as a district have all schools follow all protocols, policies, procedures and regulations as designed. Be transparent, fair and empathetic to each issue. Look into the special education process and make adjustments to gain alignment with current laws.

I am also a prior military member and a mom, so I understand the trials and tribulations that come with raising children in an ever-changing environment. K I lleen I s D c an

Second, we need take steps to deal with budget uncertainty. We cannot count on an increase in the State allotment. We must continue to find cost savings without impacting what happens in the classroom. Part of this equation includes saving Impact Aid funding through aggressive action to change federal law. Third, we must continue to drive higher academic achievement. By focusing on the most effective programs, developing our teachers, training future educational leaders and rewarding and incentivizing our best teachers, we can move the needle. The implementation of our Systems Scorecard will enable us to more effectively track and measure what is working, what is not, and reinforce the best programs and cut away those that don’t most positively impact our students.

CarTer: The top three concerns with

School Safety should be thoroughly scrutinized, reviewed and improved. Based on current events an outside School Safety Program should be hired to oversee all details concerning safety and their recommendations should not only be considered it enforces. They are the experts.

Discipline Policies should be reviewed by not only school staff but counselors and behavioral

Jones: I have a Master of Public Administration and school Board Trustees’ main responsibility is to review and set policy, allocate resources and hire and evaluate the superintendent. In addition, my years of experience as a business owner, banker and in community leadership roles have enabled me to advocate and collaborate with my fellow board members on policy changes and budget discussions. I have put in the hours for continuing education required by the state and many above that. I have attended the Texas Association of School Boards’ yearlong leadership academy and last year I spent several days attending the Holdsworth Center’s Texas School Board Institute. I am a strong proponent of audits and I have also had the privilege of speaking at a Texas Association of School Boards conference on the importance of audits as a school board’s only tool to independently look into the district operations.

HeralD | file

There are two contested seats in the May 3 election for the Killeen school board.

Brenda adaMs incumbent susan Jones incumbent Brianna harrelson Candidate

oliVer Mintz incumbent lan carter Candidate

Harrelson: I am a mom, not just by name but by my actions. I have supported the teachers and schools as much as I have been allowed. I have been an approved volunteer for several years and have dropped everything anytime I was needed. When it was needed, I have conferenced with the principals, then district, then gone to school board with issues my children and their friends have experienced. I began SpedTEX parent advocacy training last year so I could volunteer to help parents with their child’s special education needs, and I have been active in the community listening to other parents and teachers.”

MinTZ: Since I was elected to my first term, I have asked the hard questions aimed at driving the change we need. In the past three years, we have made significant changes from the status quo that has existed for decades. If reelected, I will continue to ask the hard questions, listen to parents, engage with the community, and above all, stay focused on improving outcomes for our students. As a lawyer and former senior military Officer, I have the experience and education to continue to lead these efforts within KISD.

CarTer: Voters continue to ask for change but continue to vote for the same individuals that have not made adequate change. We have someone who has sat on the board for over 10 years and we continue to vote them in with minimal improvement within our district. I’m a parent, teacher, counselor and work with children on a daily basis helping them to overcome obstacles in their daily lives. As a parent I know the issues through the eyes of a parent and my three children who have faltered and succeeded within this system. I have exercised my right to help change legislation at the state level on many occasions for our children and teachers. I have advocated for not only my own children but other children as well, helping all gain a free and appropriate education for their success. As a teacher I have worked inside the system advocating for students and teachers trying to gain better outcomes for all of us. I’m knowledgeable on the policies, regulations and laws.

As a Counselor I see the damage that the lack of training, guidance and knowledge can do. since the March 10 fatal stabbing at smith Middle school, KisD has been under heavy scrutiny by the public for safety issues. if elected, what will you do to improve safety and security at KisD schools?

aDaMs: The KDH previously insisted on a response regarding the Mar 20 fatal stabbing of a Smith Middle School student, however, due to an active ongoing investigation, I’m not at liberty to provide any information at this time. I remain steadfast in embracing the collective efforts from students, parents, community and our entire district towards resolving these conflicts and improving the overall ‘village’ connection.

Jones: Safety and discipline within our school environment is necessary to facilitate learning. Sadly, in today’s environments, we must be ultra vigilant with aggressive behavior by a few bad actors, requiring a new look at having expensive screening devices at entrances for all who enter our campuses. It is also important for the superintendent to implement the code of conduct, with fidelity, across the district.

• I will advocate for a Safety Team that manages the bullying reports and societal threats in a timely manner with follow-up. I will seek to review the policy and punitive measures that are imposed on unruly bus riders as well. Busing is not required by State law and it is a privilege to ride. Parents become part of the equation when they must drive their student to school, Saturday detention or to DAEP. Parents are held accountable for truancy with the court system, and they should also be responsible for their children’s behavior.

• Community and parent involvement is always welcome, but everyone must be vetted to ensure that all our students and staff are safe, and the campus administration knows who is on campus.

• Teachers should not be hit, bit or kicked by students of any age and state laws need to be amended so other district’s can address this.

• The DEAP program needs to be reviewed again to ensure that it is meeting the intent of the program to remediate behaviors. It is not a privilege to attend Gateway’s DAEP program and it should not be a place that students wish to return to. We need to enhance our communication system with parents during emergencies and periodic updates during emergencies. It was suggested by a community member to implement an Amber Alert type notice which I think is an excellent idea. I would further suggest that it includes green for general information, yellow for concerns and red for Amber-type issues. This would alert parents immediately to the urgency of the issue at hand.

Harrelson: We have a code of conduct, it is very well established. We need to start using it. If we catch small behaviors they won’t be able to escalate to large behaviors. I would also like to see all bully reports made to the Assistant Principal’s office be tracked by the district. When

a child writes a report, it should be submitted to the school safety department, not just when it’s become so out of hand that a parent reports it on the “bully tracker. One more thing I would like to see is a open door policy for staff. Currently, many of our teachers, paraprofessionals and other staff in the schools see problems but feel their job is on the line when they report them. I want them to tell us what is going on in the school, and not worry about being harassed or fired, the more information we get, the more we can do to support our staff and ensure safety.

MinTZ: We need to do a brutally honest review of what happened, assess what we can improve and assign accountability where appropriate. Most importantly, we need to tell the community everything we can, within the bounds of the law. This is the only way to rebuild trust and confidence among this community that is understandably shaken by the horrific event at RJSMS.

CarTer: School Safety has been a top priority due to ongoing events and tragedies. There are a number of companies that are committed to fostering a secure educational environment for students, faculty and staff. Seasoned public safety professionals should be sought out to look into our current plan and help develop a safe educational environment for students, faculty and staff. They are experienced in both operational and technological education assessments and program development that delivers the appropriate path to enhanced safety and security in K-12, colleges and universities. These companies are sensitive to the unique challenges based on regional differences, community environments, financial needs and sustainability. I would recommend an outside safety company to review and make recommendations going forward as they are the experts in the field.

What are your thoughts on KisD’s programs for special education students? Does KisD do a good job with special ed?

aDaMs: Our Specialized Learning department services 7,723 students which is 17.6% of our population. Eligible students with disabilities receive a continuum of services to meet the unique needs of each student. Yes, we continue to face challenges to hire certified SPED teachers, staff and behavior specialists. The district is refining program services and transportation services at each elementary school to alleviate staffing and transportation concerns. Yes, we’re aware some SPED students experience extreme episodes of behavior that we must address in a different way for the safety of the student and others. There’s always room for improvement; but we’ll never stop seeking ways to better serve our students, parents and staff.”

Jones: Our special education population averages between 15%-18% and KISD has implemented positive changes over the years but we still struggle to keep up with the unique challenges that each Individual student needs to advance.

• Hiring of qualified teachers with SPED certifications is also a challenge that we face; a challenge shared across the nation. Currently KISD’s pay scale factors in a stipends for SPED qualifications and each budget year this is evaluated to see how we can be more competitive.

• I have advocated for a Therapeutic center within KISD that will allow the consolidation of some services where very specialized staff is required to deliver services in a timely manner. With this approach, we can provide better services while staying within the State and Federal laws of providing services in the least restricted environments and in an appropriate timeframe.

• As a public school, we are required to provide educational opportunities from the age of 3 to 21 for those students that are identified with special needs. I have suggested that we research how we may be able to expanded our 18–21-year-old program at the Career Center so these individuals can be as self-sufficient as possible.

Harrelson: We have students who are in the wrong programs just because that is what the school offered. We have students receiving speech therapy through telehealth. We have parents who know what their child needs, but don’t understand the Individual Education Plan meetings well enough to get the services that would help their child. We need to do better.

MinTZ: The program is improving, but still has significant strides to make. Currently, there is a realignment of SPED programs underway, meant to more effectively align assets with the children that need them. We need to continue to restructure our system to include looking for innovative ways to make the program better.

CarTer: Texas and Killeen ISD are struggling to adequately serve students with special education needs, facing significant funding shortfalls and teacher shortages. The state has consistently ranked low in national rankings for special education, and a lack of updated funding formulas has strained the district’s resources. The district’s current programs are not viable, sustainable or even educational enough for students to be successful in today’s world. I would advocate for increased investment to ensure all students with disabilities receive the necessary services. Seeking better legislation that decreases funding shortfalls and strained resources that forces the district to divert funds

from general education and puts a strain on programming for all students. Special education has never been fully funded. Being fully funded benefits all students. Special education teachers are in high demand across the country, and 82% of Texas special education teachers report that there are not enough professionals to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Our district is no different. This shortage impacts the quality and availability of services for students with disabilities. Texas and our district have consistently ranked low in special education services. The district is challenged in funding, resources and service delivery for students with disabilities. I would call on the Texas legislature to make a bold investment in special education, highlighting the importance of addressing the funding gap and ensuring all students with disabilities receive the support they need.

an audit last year found the Killeen school board spends 60% of meeting times in executive session, or behind closed doors. are you okay with that? if not, what would you do to correct this?

aDaMs: Constituents may not be aware that school board members must comply with mandates and restrictions within the Texas Open Meetings Act which requires a quorum of four members to be present to conduct business on the agenda. We can’t meet at other times to deliberate unless it’s in closed session——to avoid a ‘walking quorum’. Yes, in the past we’ve had lengthier sessions due to immediate matters; however, as noted in the recent audit, moving forward we’re making a concerted and efficient effort regarding the amount of time in closed session.

Jones: The 60% referenced above was noted in the Governance Audit, page 21, during the period of Aug 2023 and Dec 2023. It is a small snapshot of our normal meetings and it is important to note that a new superintendent had just been hired and many personnel decisions were being made at that time. These meetings are not discussed outside of the closed session nor is the discussions open to publication. I have copied from page 18 and 19 of the Governance Audit below:

Executive/Closed Sessions – These meetings are closed to the public and can only cover certain topics which are defined in the Texas Open Meetings Act. No formal action or vote can be taken in an executive/closed session. These meetings may be conducted any time, but generally occur before or during another type of Board meeting. Examples of items discussed in executive/closed sessions include:

• Consulting with an attorney regarding pend-

ing or contemplated litigation, a settlement offer, or if the duty owed to the State Bar of Texas conflicts with open meeting requirements;

• Deliberating the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property;

• Deliberating the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of an employee or to hear a complaint or charge against an employee;

• Deliberating the deployment of security personnel or devices, or a security audit; and

• Deliberating the discipline of a child.

Harrelson: Most of our closed door meetings are from staff or parent grievances. The first improvement that would eliminate most of the closed door issue would be to listen to our staff and parents before it gets bad enough for a grievance. I know as a parent, a formal complaint isn’t my first attempt to address an issue. But when it does get this far, asking the parent if they want their grievance in open or closed session allows them to be in control of the privacy they need. Open sessions would also allow the community and other parents to speak out if this is a common issue or a one-time thing, giving the district a better idea on how to solve the problem, and reducing what seems like hiding from the public.

MinTZ: I acknowledge the perception that these extended closed sessions create. We need to better structure those periods to make Board meetings more accessible to the public, and move any potential extended closed sessions to the end of the agenda out of respect to our community. Certain topics do require a longer, more deliberative discussion, as well as other topics that, according to law, must be discussed in closed session. I take the closed session topics, often related to personnel decisions, very seriously as they can profoundly affect the lives of many employees and students. That said, we do need to be more effective at managing the time spent in closed session.

CarTer: School board meetings are generally open to the public, but they can also include executive sessions or closed sessions for limited discussions. The key here should be limited discussion. While there’s no specific average time for closed sessions, the TEA recommends that regular board meetings don’t exceed an average of two hours. Killeen ISD Board Meetings currently surpass recommendation by hours. Spending 60% of your time behind closed doors is not transparency and may be cause for alarm if the district spend the majority of its time in closed session.

5 runn I ng for har K er he I ghts

cI

ty counc

I l

all residents who are registered voters are eligible to vote in all races on the ballot

By Dave miLLer Killeen Daily HeralD

Five people are running for Harker Heights City Council in the May 3 election, and early voting begins on Tuesday.

All City Council seats are at-large, meaning candidates can live anywhere in the city, and all residents who are registered voters are eligible to vote in all races on the ballot.

Early voting and Election Day voting will take place at the Harker Heights Recreation Center, 307 Miller’s Crossing in Harker Heights

The Herald contacted the five candidates seeking two seats on the Harker Heights City Council and asked them all for a brief biography and other questions.

Anson Booker, Brian Burt and Candice Shoaf are seeking the Place 1 seat on the council.

Tony Canterino and Jesse Myles are vying for the Place 3 seat.

Below are their answers.

PlaCe 1

anson BooKer

I have lived in for Harker Heights since 2004. After twentyplus years of service, I retired from the United States Army as a logistician. I’ve served in the Veterans of Foreign Wars at many levels from the State to the local post within our community. I was appointed to the Parks and Recreation advisory board, which has strengthened my view on our quality of life.

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the city of Harker Heights, and how would you address them?

Veterans property tax exemption:

I will continue work with the city and our state legislators to pursue reimbursement from the State of Texas for this property tax. This will be a continuous fight and I am prepared to concentrate a large part of my effort to this issue while making sure that our veterans receive all benefits that are due to them.

Water is an issue that will affect the future of our city and we must educate the citizens that this commodity is not getting any cheaper. We have to stay aligned with other cities to ensure we are stable to sustain our water supply in the years to come. Improve communication with our citizens. We have the technology in place now and the means to ensure that our citizens are kept informed. We need to utilize these tools to their potential such as our city website, The Heights Herald, the city text alerts and emails, our social media outlets, etc.

What adjustments to the city budget would you make if the legislature fails to pass a bill giving the city substantial reimbursement for the $4.5 million lost to the disabled veterans property tax exemption?

First and foremost, I want to continue the great efforts of the current city council and city leadership. Understanding that adjustments will have to be made, we will continue going to the capitol working with the state legislative office to ensure that Harker Heights gets some type of reimbursement from the Veterans tax exemption. This will be a continuous fight and I am prepared to concentrate a large part of my effort to this issue.

if elected, what major accomplishment do you hope to achieve in your first year in office?

A goal for my first year’s major accomplishment is to gain as much knowledge and experience from the current council and city leadership. I will commit my time and myself to learn about the issues at hand in depth. I will continue to talk with the citizens about their concerns and needs so that I can make well informed decisions. I value teamwork and strengthening relationships to make changes. I want to continue, and improve upon, quality city services, effective commu-

nication, and quality of life for our citizens to keep Harker Heights the bright shining star of central Texas.

Brian BUrT

I am Brian K. Burt, and at 64, I’ve spent the last 23 years as a defense contractor and business owner supporting the U.S. Army through my technology company.

For 31 years, Texas has been my home, and for the last 20, that home has been right here in Harker Heights.

My life, including my military service, has taught me the importance of integrity, leadership and selfless service. These are the values I will bring to our community. As a husband of 31 years, I understand the importance of commitment, and I’m dedicated to serving our community with that same level of devotion.

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the city of Harker Heights, and how would you address them?

1. Infrastructure Strain: I’d implement “roads first” development policies, and include developers’ input towards proportional infrastructure improvements like traffic studies and road expansions. This ensures growth doesn’t outpace our infrastructure.

2. Housing Development: I’d advocate for balanced housing policies prioritizing community interests and preserving neighborhood character. This includes increased resident involvement in planning and transparent decision-making.

3. Public Safety: I’d enhance public safety through community engagement, promoting Neighborhood Watch programs, fully supporting first responders, and exploring community policing strategies to build trust and address varying safety perceptions.

I’d prioritize a thorough city budget review to identify potential cost savings across all departments. To ensure responsible adjustments, I’d advocate for increased budget transparency through initiatives like a ‘Budget in Plain Language’ report and a ‘Citizen Budget Advisory Board.’ While drastic cuts are undesirable, careful adjustments are necessary to balance the budget while minimizing impacts on essential services for Harker Heights residents. Tough decisions would be required.

if elected, what major accomplishment do you hope to achieve in your first year in office?

In my first year, I would aim to launch a comprehensive revitalization plan for Harker Heights’ north side. This involves assessing the area’s economic landscape, collaborating with stakeholders, and developing targeted strategies to attract new small businesses, retail, and essential services.

I would push for initiatives like small business grants and streamlined permitting. Achieving tangible progress would signal my commitment to balanced growth and longterm prosperity for the entire city.

CanDiCe sHoaF

I have lived in Harker Heights for 25 years. Before retirement, I enjoyed a varied work career focused on customer service and social services. Being involved with the public was the best part of my work!

Since local government has long been an interest of mine, I began attending City Council meetings when I could. Newspaper articles can report the highlights, but observing in person is much more informative.

Married for 50 years to Stanley; our fam-

ily has grown from one daughter and one son, who is retired military, to include seven grandchildren and soon to be nine greatgrandchildren.

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the city of Harker Heights, and how would you address them?

Our city is experiencing growth yet is losing property tax revenue. My goal is to keep property taxes low while providing adequate revenue for services.

Zoning serves a vital role in livable communities. Regulations must be enforced, during and after construction, and better forecasting of needed infrastructure is necessary to support growth.

City officials must be transparent with the public, especially about changes that are coming, and ask for greater public input to guide decisions.

Cities are grappling with this tremendous loss of revenue and looking to state legislators to provide an acceptable level of relief. It is reported that some cities get maybe 20%, $900,000 would be pennies on the dollar. Finding $4.5 million in budget cuts will be difficult but it can be done. With guidance from the city’s experts, the budget must be scrutinized with a magnifying glass to make careful and considerate cuts where most appropriate.

if elected, what major accomplishment do you hope to achieve in your first year in office?

I did not sign up to be a complainer nor to state an agenda of drastic changes. Since attending City Council meetings, I have seen good examples of leadership, past and current, and I want to continue this.

My greatest accomplishment would be to honestly and fairly represent the voice of property owners, voters and residents, and to represent our city as it faces the obstacles that come with progress and growth.

PlaCe 3

TonY CanTerino

A 20-year resident of Harker Heights, I’ve been a business owner in the community for 6 years, bringing over 45 years of experience as a jeweler. I’ve proudly served on the Harker Heights City Council for 3 years and as Mayor Pro Tem.

As a past president of the Harker Heights Rotary Club, I’m dedicated to community service and support local fishing tournaments. I’m also a local philanthropist, actively involved in giving back to the community.

I’ve been married for over 20 years and am a proud father of three daughters and grandfather to seven grandchildren.

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the city of Harker Heights, and how would you address them?

The top three challenges facing Harker Heights are ensuring public safety, maintaining infrastructure, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in a constrained budget environment.

To address these, I would prioritize efficient use of tax dollars by allocating resources to strengthen public safety while also ensuring infrastructure improvements are aligned with the city’s needs.

We must ensure that growth is manageable without sacrificing the quality of life for residents, and we should focus on policies that maximize taxpayer value.

If the Legislature fails to pass the bill for reimbursement, we’ll need to make tough

decisions in the city budget.

My focus would be on protecting core services, such as public safety, while avoiding tax increases. We can explore re-prioritizing spending, finding efficiencies, and leveraging reserves to mitigate the impact on residents. At the same time, I would work to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain essential services without overburdening taxpayers.

if elected, what major accomplishment do you hope to achieve in your first year in office?

Throughout my service in Harker Heights, I will continue to achieve a thorough review of the city’s budget with a focus on fiscal responsibility. My goal would be to implement policies that optimize spending, ensure transparency, and avoid unnecessary tax increases. I’d also work on securing alternative revenue sources, such as grants or public-private partnerships, to offset costs, ensuring Harker Heights remains financially stable and capable of delivering essential services, particularly in public safety, without overburdening taxpayers.

Jesse MYles

I am Jesse Myles: veteran, business owner, and longtime Harker Heights resident. I lead The Myles Group, a successful real estate team, and own multiple businesses that contribute to our local economy. I am committed to responsible growth, budget transparency, and economic development. My priorities include supporting public safety, improving infrastructure, and attracting businesses. By fostering business growth and securing grants, I aim to keep Harker Heights thriving while maintaining fiscal responsibility and a high quality of life for all residents.

What do you see as the top three challenges facing the city of Harker Heights, and how would you address them?

1. Revenue Loss & Budget Constraints: As a beneficiary of the 100% disabled veteran tax exemption, I believe a 30% loss in city revenue is far too high. On the dais I will push for budget transparency, prioritizing funding essential services and pursuing grants to ease the tax burden.

2. Infrastructure & Street Maintenance: I will advocate for state and federal infrastructure grants and partnerships to improve roads and utilities.

3. Public Safety Staffing: I will work to increase funding for police, fire, and ambulance services, ensuring our growing population has proper emergency response coverage.

I will conduct a transparent budget review to eliminate inefficiencies while protecting public safety and infrastructure. I will advocate for alternative revenue streams, including economic development in cybersecurity and small business development. Additionally, I will establish a Grant Task Force to secure funding from sources like the Flood Infrastructure Fund (FIF) and public safety grants to offset losses and maintain essential services without overburdening taxpayers.

if elected, what major accomplishment do you hope to achieve in your first year in office?

My main priority will be establishing a city Grant Task Force to secure funding for infrastructure, public safety, and economic development. I will also implement a budget transparency initiative, ensuring residents understand city finances so nobody is left in the dark about where our tax dollars are going. I will work to diversify our economy and increase revenue without raising taxes. These efforts will ensure Harker Heights remains financially strong, safe, and a great place to live.

anson Booker Candidate

candice shoaf Candidate

tony canterino incumbent

Brian Burt Candidate

Jesse Myles Candidate

I ng launches race for belton c I ty counc I l Voters will decide multiple

By JoeL vaLLey fme neWs serViCe

BELTON — Belton voters will decide multiple seats on the Belton City Council when Election Day arrives May 3. Voters will have an opportunity to cast their ballots as early voting begins April 22 to launch the election cycle.

There are three seats on the Belton City Council that will appear on ballots: Place 5, Place 6 and Place 7. All are for three-year terms ending in May 2028.

Stephanie O’Banion, the director of impact and engagement at United Way of Texas and the former executive director at United Way of Central Texas, is unopposed for Place 7. She was first elected to her seat in May 2022 — an election that she also was unopposed for.

Daniel Bucher, who currently represents Place 5, and former Belton ISD school board

Vice President Ty Taggart filed for Place 5; Luke Potts, a Belton businessman who serves on the Belton Planning and Zoning Commission, and Clinton Bailey, a veteran and small business owner, filed for Place 6. Potts and Bailey are seeking to take Place 6 Councilman Wayne Carpenter’s seat after the former mayor announced in 2023 that he would not be running for reelection.

PlaCe 5

Daniel Bucher

Bucher, who has served on the Belton City Council since November 2020, called himself “Belton raised and Belton proud.”

“I am dedicated to seeing Belton continue to develop and thrive for years to come as I am invested personally and professionally in this community,” he said in a statement. “Leadership is of the utmost importance and your vote matters. Help me work for you.”

Bucher, born in Morgan’s Point Resort, gradu-

ated from Belton High School in 2005 and from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a bachelor’s degree in sports management.

“Upon graduation, I went to work for Belton Christian Youth Center and then to Grand Avenue Theater when it opened in 2012,” the father of three said. “I am back at Belton Christian Youth Center serving as executive director and helping make a lasting Kingdom impact on the kids of our community.”

During his time on the Belton City Council, Bucher has voted in favor of several development projects, including the Heritage Park Expansion, Standpipe Park, Miller Heights Public Safety Center and the Central Avenue Bridge.

Ty Taggart

Taggart — who now owns Chisholm Trail Flooring and Cospers Country Meat Market following a nine-year career as a teacher — is excited to take on Bucher.

“My family has been in this city for many generations, and have made numerous contributions through the years,” the Belton High School alumnus said. “Now, it’s my turn. Belton is a city on the move and I want to help keep its momentum moving forward into the future while respecting and honoring its past.”

Taggart, whose campaign yard signs are appearing in a growing number of yards, is hoping for continued support.

“It’s time to get things cranked up for my campaign for Belton City Council, Place 5,” the father of three said. “I don’t have an ax to grind but I love my city and want to serve it to the best of my abilities.”

PlaCe 6

luke Potts

Potts wants a chance to serve the city of Belton.

“As someone who has lived in Belton my entire life, I’ve been blessed to grow up in and contribute to this amazing community,” he said in a statement. “It’s a

place I deeply care about, and I’m ready to step up and serve in a new way.”

Potts highlighted his experience as an entrepreneur, problem-solver and advocate for growth.

“I want to focus on keeping Belton thriving while preserving the heart and values that make it special,” he said. “Whether it’s fostering responsible development, improving infrastructure, or addressing community concerns, I am ready to work for all of us. Together, we can build on the legacy of this incredible town and create an even brighter future for the generations to come.”

Potts is thankful for the support he has received to date from his neighbors and friends.

“Your enthusiasm and energy are what drive this campaign forward,” he said. “We’re working to make Belton an even better place, and I’m honored to have your support as I run for Belton City Council, Seat 6.”

Potts is not the only candidate who has drawn support in recent weeks.

Clinton Bailey

“My intent is to earn your trust and confidence, and ultimately be a vessel for your voice to be heard by the city leadership,” Bailey, who also is running for Place 6, said in a statement. He listed several priorities, including public safety, the permit process, property taxes, and water scarcity.

“I attended two different water briefs over the last two days,” Bailey said. “The recurring message is that the current water sources and

infrastructure is insufficient to sustain their projected growth over the next two decades. I think there will be a need for Belton Town Hall meetings in the future to help educate our residents on the current issues, future concerns and proposed solutions.”

The father of three also wants the city to grow responsibly.

“As Central Texas continues to grow rapidly so will Belton,” Bailey, who envisions a Texas that eliminates property taxes, said. “We must work to get ahead of the growth so that we can shape responsible growth. Failing to embrace growth and properly plan for it will have a negative impact and be extremely expensive in the years to come. I believe we can keep our small town feel and have responsible growth at the same time.”

By JoeL vaLLey

Belton Independent School District voters who reside in Area 3 will be among those at the polls on May 3. Suzanne McDonald, the incumbent, will face off against Riley David Beck, a professional counselor. Area 3 includes residents in the south side of the district that McDonald has served since 2013.

suzanne McDonald

“Born and raised in Belton, I graduated from Belton High School in 1983 and have deep roots in the community,” McDonald said in a statement. “As a mom of five, I was involved in my kids’ schools, including serving as PTA president at Miller Heights Elementary.” McDonald, a past Belton ISD school board president, stressed how education has always been important to her.

“I earned an associate’s degree from Temple College, a bachelor’s degree, with a minor in business, from Tarleton State University, a Health Information Technology certification from the state of Texas,” McDon-

ald, who worked with the Bell County Public Health District for 28 years before she retired in 2012, said. “I am a big believer in lifelong learning and the power of education to shape the future.”

riley David Beck

Beck — who has served on the Belton ISD Bond Advisory Committee, the Belton ISD Bond Oversight Committee and as a Belton ISD Financial Ambassador — has four children who attend three different Belton ISD schools, and has campaigned as an eager challenger.

“I appreciate those in our community that have reached out to let me know of you and your children’s concerns,” he said in a statement. “There is work to do.” Beck, who holds a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the University of Phoenix, has served as a licensed professional counselor with the Department of Veteran Affairs since August 2014. If elected, one of his priorities will be to prioritize the safety and health of Belton ISD

daniel

ty taGGart Candidate

luke potts

clinton Bailey Candidate

VoTI ng Infor MATI on

students and staff.

“It’s sad to hear about bullying and safety concerns,” he said. “Safety of our students’ staff should be a main focus and included in future goals within the district.”

Beck, who received an endorsement from the Temple Area Builders Association HomePAC, has remained active with his participation in Belton ISD activities, and attended a Bond Oversight Committee on April 2 at Belton High School.

“While taking a tour of the additions, I was amazed at the culinary arts addition,” he said. “This kitchen is incredible. Hopefully our students learn what assets and opportunities are available to them in our high schools. Our community voted for many upgrades in the 2022 bond and there are some excellent career and technical education opportunities to prepare our students for the future.”

g risham, Walker face off for temple City Council District 1 seat in m ay 3 election

By eLLiot hemstreet fme neWs serViCe

The Temple City Council District 1 incumbent is focused on future developments and growth in Temple while her challenger wants to change how the city handles growth.

The city of Temple has one spot open for its city council panel as voters may begin casting ballots on April 22 during early voting for the May 3 local election.

Candidates vying for District 1 seat are incumbent Jessica Walker and independent challenger CJ Grisham.

Walker, the incumbent and current mayor pro tem of the city, is seeking a third consecutive term. Grisham wants to unseat her as a first-time candidate in Temple.

District 1 covers North Temple from Gun Club Road to the east, the North Temple Industrial Park and Texas Highway 36 toward Moffat.

Jessica Walker

Early

Walker, co-owner of Lengefield Lumber Co., has occupied her district seat on the council since 2018.

Walker relayed how she has stayed up to date with residents and businesses throughout her tenure with the city.

“I understand city operations, budgeting

and policymaking,” Walker said. “I sit on several city/community boards and stay involved with residents, businesses and organizations which gives me first-hand knowledge of local needs.”

Walker believes that keeping all of the council members together will foster stronger leadership for the city’s future.

“I am proud of the work that that council has accomplished,” Walker said. “Our city is financially sound and well managed. I want to continue to raise the bar for our quality of life here in Central Texas. I believe there is no better place to raise a family, educate your kids, and enjoy affordable quality housing stock.”

CJ grisham

Grisham is a lawyer who wants sweeping changes to the city council. This is Grisham’s first time running for a local office after losing in the primary for the Texas House District 55 in 2017.

Grisham believes the city is growing too fast and city leadership should focus on other matters including maintaining current infrastructure and solving code enforcement issues.

“I just want to slow down a lot of our growth and permits until our infrastructure can catch up,” Grisham said. “I can guarantee you there are a lot of ways that we have in the city that we’re spending money on things we don’t need to be spending money on.”

Grisham wants to ensure the city council is dedicated to helping all Temple residents in the future.

“I want to bring Temple government back to representing the people and everybody whether your city councilman likes you or not,” Grisham said. “Everybody should be treated equally in this city.”

Jessica walker incumbent

cJ GrishaM Candidate

VoTI ng Infor MATI on

HeralD | file

A voter leaves the Harker Heights Recreation Center after voting in Harker Heights.

HeralD | file

A Killeen resident walks into St. Joseph Parish Hall, precinct 109, to cast his vote.

By Jana Lynn KiLCrease

Killeen Daily HeralD

The vision of Central Texas College is to be a leader in providing innovative academic, technical, continuing and adult education to a diverse worldwide community to meet student and workforce needs. To do that, it requires the CTC Board of Trustees, comprised of elected representatives. Trustees serve six-year, atlarge terms representing CTC’s district, which includes the Killeen and Copperas Cove school districts.

In the May 3 election, there are four seats to consider at the ballot box. Place 1 incumbent Jimmy Towers will run unopposed. In Place 2, incumbent Charles Hollinger is challenged by Charles Joseph Brashear Jr. In Place 3, incumbent James A. Pierce Jr. will go up against Mark Manning. In Place 4, incumbent Eric R. Armstrong is unchallenged.

Below are the four questions the Herald asked all candidates to answer along with the answers of those who chose to respond.

With budget work beginning, what are some areas of the budget which you feel need editing, either increasing or decreasing funds? Why? Please give at least three.

ToWers: Did not reply.

Hollinger: The budget process involves these top three issues facing CTC. We are losing talented employees to turnover many times due to fiscal constraints. Inflation only makes things worse for operating a college. Unfunded mandates from various governmental agencies which while trying to improve have unintended consequences. We’ve not seen the budget from staff, but it will include increased maintenance due to age (boilers), non-renewal of staff positioning (finance-changing needs), and state actions of Gov. Abbott’s Texas 2030 plan when 60% of Texans 25-64 have a degree, certificate or postsecondary credential of value. In the real world the plan and implementation have become a dynamic funding plan.

BrasHear: My main issue is tuition. According to the End of Year Consolidated budget report posted August 31, 2024 page 14, 31% of Central Texas College revenue is Tuition alone. This outnumbers any other category. We need to work on improving the ease of admissions and enrolments to bring those funding back to CTC and ensure tuition fees are not increased alleviating financial hardship to students and supporting the community. My second issue is the wages of the laborers working for CTC. According to Indeed.com and Glassdoor.com the average wage for building Maintenance, Custodial and General labor in Bell County is $20 and hour. We need to match those wages for the fine employees of the campus who are paid significantly less. According to the End of Year Consolidated budget report posted August 31, 2024 salaries and wages for Building Maintenance total $830, 761 with Custodial services $1, 442, 622 . According to the Texas department of transportation in Texas we have 176 Aviation schools and over 300 airports open to the public. According to Texas flight Magazine Jan 10, 2025 issue we have an exceptional flight school in Texas, we need to be one of those schools. Funding the means to compete with those schools and provide the skills to feed those exceptional university like Baylor University flight school, Texas State Technical College, and LeTourneau University needs to be considered.

PierCe: CTC worker’s pay needs to be raised to make our employees competitive

with other local businesses in the area.

Manning: Having dealt with the Killeen City budget during my time on the City Council, my position would be not to design the budget, but instead hear it presented by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of Finance. Several budget items I would look at for emphasis and possible increases are: 1) Marketing and Outreach 2) Faculty salaries-make competitive 3) Student counsel and care.

arMsTrong: Did not reply.

What are the top three issues facing CTC? What would you proposed to resolve these issues?

ToWers: Did not reply.

Hollinger: The Senate has acted to fund a small percentage of operations to only those leading to a degree, certification, marketable skills or transfers. To call the community college system state supported when CTC only gets less than 15% of operations from the state is certainly a stretch to be considered state supported. The current budget process was a mess. We got tax appraisal numbers that indicated the district had shrunk in property values at a time we were up against a statutory deadline for a decision. Our options were a tax increase, tuition increase or a staff reduction. The compromise was a combination of all the options. Not perfect, but given the timing and alternatives trying to undo the start of what the state was going to do, we discharged our responsibility to keep the operation functioning. Increasing enrollment is a two-edge sword. On one hand it is affecting tuition payments, but to get the state dollars, these students must meet the Texas 2030 goals.

BrasHear: Enrolment and registration are my stand fast positioning for this election. It’s a simple equation, the more students we have enrolled and registered in the class they need the more profit the establishment receives eliminating the need for any increase in property tax.

Those in their 20’s and 30’s in our community needs the opportunity to advance in our society. Jobs skills that provide good wages and benefits are required for their advancement in today’s world. Fortunately for CTC we have a Chancellor Dr Carter who has the foresight to recognize this need and is addressing the issue. The certification and skills needed by present and future business, factories, warehouse, and job market not just in the technical, but sciences fields have been addressed and needs to be supported so that the local population has first bids at these opportunity’s as well as enticing corporation movement to the area for our job force. I would support Dr Carter in this issue within our community.

And most of all Property Tax. The present Board of Trustees excluding one member James Perce voted to raised Property tax. I will not vote to rase the property tax. I plan on using the ease of enrolment and registration to make up for any needed funding to ensure those in Coryell and Bell County don’t have to pay more property tax. I will also do my due diligence in the voting for and recommendation of the appointment for the Property Appraisal District Membership that the board holds 156 votes for.

With this I would also push for a two-year term limit and evening board meetings so the community can attend and be heard.

PierCe: Increase marketing for the college. By doing so, we can show our potential students in the area that Central Texas College is the wise and economical choice to make.

Manning: Central Texas College must remain affordable to all students. I urge no reductions and continued support for Federal grants that are vital for the community college program. I support CTC’s competitive tuition.

Next, it should maintain a low tax rate by adding students through outreach to all counties served in Texas and the Military around the world.

Finally, it should keep it’s inclusive learning environment with the Board Of Trustees direction with local input.

arMsTrong: Did not reply.

Why do you think voters should elect you to the CTC Board? What specific qualities do you possess that would make you a good trustee?

ToWers: Did not reply.

Hollinger: “I’m the incumbent for place 2 and have 6 years’ experience to go with a BBA in marketing and MBA in management from the University of Houston. Where I received a Distributive Education Scholarship. Being a native Texan and following the concept of, ‘if you’ve done it, then you ain’t braggin’ applies to honors and activities. I spent 4-plus years in the Student Senate, on the Dean’s List and only missed being student body president by a handful of votes, all while working full time at Foleys and serving as Vice President of my fraternity, plus 4 years on Who’s Who and Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership and scholarship fraternity). I graduated from Killeen High in 1963 in the top 10%, student body and student council president, KHS Roo Band sectional leader (all 4 yrs), DECA state office and All State Solo honors. Taught 2 yrs in Dickinson ISD as a teacher and

student council sponsor. Returned to Killeen in 1969, bought a home and entered into the family business and civic activities.

BrasHear: Like many of you in the community I served in the military retiring after twenty years with a rich skill set and experience in the functioning of a large organization. With this I have worked in leadership roles in contracting, procurement, budgeting in excess of 92 million dollars. After my military life I have volunteered in my community as NHL Flag football couch, Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout and Scout Leader, Watchdog Dag with the PTA. I’m a lifetime member of DAV, VFW, and AUSA. I have held the appointed position as Park and Recreation board member for both Georgetown Texas and here in Harker Hights. With this I plan on supporting the Board and Chancler in state Legislation by continuing my experience within state and local groups and organization with our state and federal representatives. And most of no increase in property tax.

PierCe: We need to look more closely at the upcoming budget to make sure that property taxes are not raised again.

Manning: I am a proud Central Texas College graduate, who lived at home after graduation from Killeen High School and worked full time while I attended CTC classes. With a deep family heritage, I stayed in Killeen. With a successful Media advertising career, public elected service and community involvement, I am asking for voters to let me do this important role.

arMsTrong: Did not reply.

What measures can be addressed in order to increase enrollment?

ToWers: Did not reply.

Hollinger: The dollars needed are in tuition, local taxes, state support, government grants and contracts. Looks like more of the same. Enrollment is increasing but does not pay the bills. European operations are largely gone, due to contract problems, as well as encroachment to the base from other institutions.

BrasHear: First and foremost, Finding the reasons for the registration problem so CTC can keep students in the area. This can’t happen until the Board decides to recognize and admit this issue. I plan to change that. On Mar 30, 2025 at the Politics in the Park event hosted by Brandy Byrd with the BellCountyVotes group I spoke with Killeen Herald reporter Jana Lynn Kilcrease and gave a video interview referencing this issue. It is shame that individuals not only pay higher tuition to attend Waco, Temple or Austin community colleges due to the difficulties in enrolling and registering in class but the cost of travel. This shows we do have an issue. The loss in tuition and funds of those going to other colleges can’t be ignored. So, thank you

for the question! On the campaign trail I’m repeatedly told of this issue by many past and present alumni in our community. My family and I have also experienced this problem. It’s just a simple fact that CTC has an issue. The Board had been addressed of this issue on September 17, 2024 by Dennis Faulkner of Harker Hights. With this I took interest in the board and decided to run, I will post the September 17th board meeting to my campaign Facebook page for your viewing. I’d also like anyone who had this issue to e-mail me at my campaign e-mail address brashear4trustees@gmail.com so I can bring your frustration to the Chancler. The fix at this point is unknown but the forcing of the board after all this time to recognize the issue and gain the Chancler assistant is the start to end the problem. Enrollment/registration, property tax increase and certain members of the board ignoring those issues is the problem. I assure you I will place those issues as my main priority once I’m holding Place 2 on the Central Texas Board of Trustees.

PierCe: I am running for re-election for CTC Place 3 because for the last six years I have fought hard for Central Texas College. My very

Texas College Board of Trustees will hold elections May 3, 2025, for four places on the board.

first achievement was to get all our meetings livestreamed on YouTube to give the public a chance to watch what is going on in the college and to increase transparency. In six years I have not voted for a tax increase and I will not vote for one in the future. I believe in keeping the tuition as low as possible so our students can afford to use our school. I am a 24 year retired Army veteran with three combat tours (Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan). I have been married to Anne Pierce for 31 years and I am originally from Ft Worth, Texas. All three of my daughters and many of my former Soldiers have taken classes at CTC. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Maryland University College in 2010, while still on active duty.

Manning: Intense media and outreach focus. I will offer my full commitment and input to this effort. The Central Texas College story should be targeted to all Texas communities through online and traditional marketing. The first target- right here. Central Texas College should be the first choice for our Military and students at all stages of life in the real world.

arMsTrong: Did not reply.

Central