Kelly Burke, Candidate for Place 3

 

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?

Priority of protection of taxpayers' Dollars: Tax payer dollars is and will always be a top priority.

Vetting: Yes every company should be fully vetted and pass the set criteria. All companies should be treated the same way, and all fully vetted.

Require an application: Yes it should, if one is applying for a governmental grant that governing body would require an application. In addition then an approval, so I feel this should be the same across the board.

 

 

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?

a) I believe that zoning changes should go through the council and P&Z. This is how local government works, all things go through the department heads then voted on by the Council.

b) I believe we have housing issues with the influx of people that have come into our City from various places, so we have problems to address. If we are going to continue to build we have to build quality not quantity,we need beautiful structures that are going to last the long haul. If the zoned locations are not going to have real future sustainable projects built on them, we can keep these locations as is until the right thing comes.

 

 

 

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.?

 

 

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?

 

 

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?

 

 

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?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Term Limits Committee – please respond by March 4, 2021

Last Summer a Term Limits Advisory Committee was named and then fast-tracked recommendations to the city council within only four meetings and over 13 hours of deliberation between July 14 and July 28. Do you have an opinion about this whole situation? Do you have an opinion about the outcome? Why or why not?

I agree with the outcome and I believe it was long over due. We need term limits in every level of our government.

 

2. Sales Tax – please respond by March 11, 2021

This past November voters passed a measure to increase the sales tax another ¼ cent to 8.25% for the funding of an Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Seemingly wild claims were made, selling voters on this. What are your thoughts on the EDC's purpose and the tax? Why?

I do not agree with this tax increase. Also my question and or concern was and still is. With the raising of tax was this a temporary thing or will it stay here forever. I have had the question of concern posed by many on the campaign trail.

Also Arlington brings in enough money from sales tax to survive from this tax alone.

So that means we have a problem that needs to be investigated and addressed.

 

3. Density – please respond by March 18, 2021

How do you feel about changing commercially zoned properties to multi-family zoned properties? What if the area already contains many, many apartments such as southeast Arlington in the Hwy 360 corridor? How do you feel about RMU (Regional Mixed Use) zoning and its potential 100 units/acre? Why?

I wouldn't be against it in some areas especially if we are dealing with local small business owners trying to open a new business. 

Now the other side of that would be in existing apartment heavy areas. I would not see us needing more in an already crowded area. So changing zoning in those places I would not lean towards doing so.

 

4. Transportation – please respond by March 25, 2021

VIA's December 2019 contract renewal has increased the geographical coverage area to 41% (and is available to 49% of the population) of the city. Meanwhile, the contract was to be paid at a rate of 53% by Arlington taxpayers (general fund), 31% by Federal Grant, and 16% by the people taking the rides. Currently CARES funds are paying for VIA, but that will eventually stop. When things return to “normal” funding, let's assume that the Federal Grant will cover 25%. At that time, what should be the pricing structure between the general fund and riders? Why?

Well First let me say I like the idea of via and right now pricing has proven to be pretty good. 

Now once the grant runs out. 

If the grant still covers 25% I would need to understand the general fund in comparison to the riders pay. If the riders paid 75% what would that actually be and would this be based per mile of the ride. 

I think there could be several options. But I would first need to look at all the numbers the drivers salaries and all the variables to make an educated choice in this matter. 

 

5. Corporate Welfare – please respond by April 1, 2021

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 the taxpayers, and lowering tax rates, should become a higher priority? Why?

I do not agree with our government and or city funding big business. This is not okay with me.

We pay for these things so this should be left up to us on how we want to spend our own tax dollars.

So with that being said Lowering the tax rates is a top priority for me. I am for the people the hard working people of this city deserve to be treated right, just and fair. I think we have been mislead about how are money has been spent and I am not okay with it.

 

6. Communications – please respond by April 8, 2021

If a constituent emails you a question or comment on an issue about which you disagree and asks you for a response, will you respond to the constituent? Why or why not?

I will probably respond to as many questions and our comments and concerns as possible.

If I agree or not I think they deserve an answer.

I believe in being upfront and honest on all issues at hand. This is just who I am as a person and this is the kind of politician that I will be.

 

 

7. Issue – please respond by April 15, 2021

What is the most important issue the city council is currently facing? Why?

 

I think if its not it should be taxes. Property tax, sales tax and the spending of Our tax dollar's on the funding of billionaires projects.

There are a lot of upset people that have been mislead about the building of the new Texas Rangers Stadium.

They aren't happy and for that matter neither am I. People want to ensure that this never happens again..

So if the city council isn't focused on the tax issues. The spending of the citizens of this cities hard earned money, then they are missing the mark.