Lisa Ventura, Candidate for District 4
1. Protection of Taxpayers' Dollars – please respond by February 26, 2026
How much of a priority should be placed on protecting taxpayers' dollars? If we are granting dollars for “economic development” should the company be vetted? Should an “economic development” grant require an actual application? Why or why not?
Protecting taxpayers’ dollars must be a top priority. Voters I speak with across Arlington consistently tell me they are deeply concerned about their taxes — property taxes, rising costs, and whether their money is being spent wisely. People want their money managed frugally, just as they would with their own budget. After all, it's the families of Arlington that contribute their dollars to the city.
Look, economic growth turns the wheels that make our economy roll, but we need to be smart about it! It is what strengthens our tax base, but I don't want to see the incentives become political or automatic. There needs to be an application process. Applications require companies to clearly state what they’re requesting and what they’re committing to deliver. We can offer SMART incentives and negotiate for the best deal for the people of Arlington. Companies should be falling over each other to get to do business here!
2. Density – please respond by March 5, 2026
a. How do you feel about SB840 which allows changing commercially zoned properties to mixed-use or multi-family zoned properties without an approval from P&Z and/or the city council? Why?
b. How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?
The bottom line is this: Arlington folks know Arlington best, and our residents deserve a voice in how our city grows.
I support smart housing developments and redesigning commercial properties that need help, we need local checks and balances. The Planning & Zoning and City Council processes help minimize strain on our infrastructure, traffic, drainage, schools, and public safety services.
Arlington should absolutely encourage smart growth, but with LOCAL oversight. Arlington should make decisions about Arlington!
Regarding Regional Mixed Use zoning
Mixed-use development can be a great tool in the right places, but densities like 100 units per acre require careful planning. Growth has to be balanced with infrastructure, traffic, and neighborhood compatibility.
Density is not our priority, GOOD planning is!
If a project strengthens Arlington and our infrastructure can support it, I’ll consider it. But growth should never overwhelm the neighborhoods people call home. Lobbyists in Austin should not be able to overstep local Arlington's decisions.
Citizens can message me on Facebook at Lisa Ventura for Arlington City Council.
3. Citizen Participation – please respond by March 12, 2026
In 2023 the city council voted to require preregistration and reduce speaking time for citizen participation (at the end of the meeting). Do you agree with this move? Is two minutes enough time to describe a situation and make desired comments/solutions/etc.?
I understand that meetings must be efficiently managed. However, the purpose of the public forum is to hear from the citizens. If residents take the time to show up and speak, their City Council should take the time to listen!
If elected, I would review the policy to ensure it truly serves both goals. Options could include allowing longer speaking times when a complex situation is in discussion. We could provide multiple opportunities for residents to give us their input. We could offer opportunities on social media for discussions. I may open my office to the public at designated times. People want to be heard and they deserve to be heard!
People shouldn't be made to feel as if they are racing against the clock to get their statements out!
Arlington City Council spends enough time talking to themselves, they should spend time LISTENING!
I'm here to listen! Please contact me anytime with your concerns or comments. Lisa J. Ventura, FB: Lisa Ventura for Arlington City Council, Text: (817) 587-2337.
4. Corporate Welfare – please respond by March 19, 2026
The City Council has given away millions of dollars and/or potential revenues to companies to encourage development. At what point has there been enough “encouragement” and when should the taxpayers-- and lowering tax rates-- become a higher priority than development? Why?
Enough is enough. We are giving away the cow when we still need milk. The residents of Arlington have traffic, property taxes, and other bills to pay when big companies are raking in our dollars and not giving back to the city that is making them wealthy. I'm not against incentives, but there should be a sunset clause so that the city is eventually rewarded for taking the risk. There should be a clawback clause so that the city can recover from a bad risk. There should be performance based incentives, not automatic ones. At some point, the focus should shift to lowering the tax burden and investing in core services like police, fire, roads, and neighborhoods.
Residents should come first. Economic development should serve the residents who live here, not cost them. Arlington is already a desirable city to live, work and play. Developers and investors already want to invest here. Filmmakers want to use Arlington as a film set. Businesses want to invest here to capitalize on our growth. Let's negotiate better deals for our residents that benefit all of us.
5. Communications – please respond by March 26, 2026
If you receive an e-mail from a constituent on an Arlington issue and the constituent logically laid out and well documented the issue, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not? What actions will you take?
Anytime a constituent takes time out of their day to express concerns on an issue, deserves for me to take time out of my day to respond. I would first acknowledge that I received their email and will look into the matter. Then, I would need to review and research their issue to make sure I understand all sides. Then, depending upon what I discover, I might need to refer the constituent to the right department, or suggest they bring it up at a City Council Meeting. I would respond by giving them the answer and also thank them for bringing the issue to my attention. I would truly appreciate that citizen showing how much they care about our city. This is how a government should work that is truly working FOR the citizens.
6. Issues – please respond by April 2, 2026
Other than public safety what is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why? What are your suggestions for addressing this issue?
Beyond public safety, the most important issue facing Arlington is jobs. We don't just need a quantity of jobs, we need quality, well-paying jobs that become a career!
Look, we have this amazing Entertainment district, we've built good retail centers, have loads of hospitality, but people are still struggling. The jobs don't have opportunities for advancement, and the inflation costs rise faster than their wages.
If we don't address this issue, Arlington will become a bedroom city.
We have a good start with the Dan Dipert center which gives our students a fantastic education in different trades. We have UTA which turns out many professional students. Finally, we have TCC which provides students with associate degrees, but also certifications in many areas.
I would like to see us expand on all these opportunities for our young adults to find their path right here in Arlington without needing to find work in Dallas, Fort Worth, and elsewhere.
I'd like to see Arlington focus on attracting the small and medium business to Arlington. We do that by streamlining the permit process, providing microgrants and technical support for start-ups, and ensuring our police are equipped to handle the security needs of our city so businesses feel safe in opening here.
A successful city isn’t just a place people visit. It's a place where people can build their career, raise their family, and enjoy their lives. That starts with better jobs right here in Arlington!