Robert Rizo – District 3 Kyle City Council Candidate, November 2019

Based on the latest developments, is there anything the city can do to protect the safety of its citizens from the proposed Permian Highway Pipeline?

Unfortunately, State and Federal laws limit what cities can regulate when it comes to pipelines. Right now Hays County has filed litigation against the Permian pipeline. Kyle could participate in this pending litigation. kyle can legally participate with other municipalities to see that our precious resources would be protected. The ordinances that Kyle had created focused on the depth of the pipeline to allow for future infrastructure.

With the passage of SB 2, how will this property tax legislation affect the city over the next 5 to 10 years?

SB 2 requires cities to take any tax increase past 3.5 to the voters. This is not a wall as some cities have painted it to be. They have tried scare tactics to increase taxes this fiscal year. What HB 2 requires cities to increase citizens' participation.

What can be done to ensure builders are paying their fair share so the infrastructure is done right when they build in Kyle?

City Council working with city staff, planning and zoning, can create developer agreements that will help offset some of our infrastructure costs.

How would you characterize the current debt of the city? What is a manageable debt level for a city the size of Kyle?

The City of Kyle has a large debt and is about to increase with the expansion of the wastewater treatment plant and our first installment of the Alliance Regional water authority. Unfortunately, growth has outpaced our infrastructure. We find creative ways to manage growth in a financial manner.

What are your thoughts about Kyle's affordable housing situation? If more is needed, how would you provide for it?

I believe Kyle is an affordable place to live in. As Austin is becoming more and more unaffordable, more people are moving to Kyle and driving up home values. Working with developers to include affordable housing in new development is key to keeping Kyle affordable.

What do you think about the current proposal to move the Kyle City Hall to the Uptown development in Plum Creek and move the police station to the existing city hall?

I believe the Kyle City Hall is still a capable size building of housing city staff and employees. I believe that we need to take a deep look at our current Kyle Police Department building. For decades we have moved the police department from building to building, every building that we have moved the KPD into, we have tried to retrofit. If city leaders would’ve addressed this a decade ago the price would’ve been an estimated $14 million. We are now at an estimated $24 million if we were to build a new PD. Kicking this can down the road 10 years from now could be at an estimated cost of $40 million. If we are hiring the best officers and setting high standards for recruitment we must provide an adequate working environment. We can do better for them men and women who protect us.

The future of the Kyle Police Department facilities is unclear after the rejection of a bond issue proposal in August. What should be done to ensure Kyle PD has adequate facilities?

City leaders and staff must research and provide adequate information to its citizens on the total cost of a new Police Department. Citizens need to be made aware of all cost, locations and what the needs our of PD are.

Law enforcement is one of the largest expenses in the city’s budget. What are your thoughts about the size of Kyle's police force and if they are being deployed adequately?

I believe our PD is adequately staffed, as we are growing so well our PD. Unfortunately, we do not have offices or the room in our current police department to add more officers. Unfortunately where our police department is situated sometimes the train can slow down response time.

How will you ensure we continue to have access to quality EMS and fire fighting services?

Working with county officials we can continue to you have adequate first responder services. As a council member, I have a great working relationship with county leaders that I believe will benefit our city and its citizens.

The Kyle police department rarely uses cite and release for non-violent, low-level offenses. Do you support expanding cite and release by broadening the definition of residency to include "working, living or going to school in Hays County"?

I do support sight and release for low-level offenses. I believe taxpayers are paying too much for the housing of low-level offense incarceration. We have to be fiscally responsible with taxpayers' dollars.

Do you support a robust diversion program for city law enforcement, such as the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program?

I do support the LEAD program. This will be a great tool for law enforcement.

Should Kyle give economic incentives to attract businesses, or is the city’s location on the I-35 corridor and its position as one of the fastest-growing cities incentive enough? Explain.

I believe we have to be careful when giving out tax incentives,; when was the major requirements for a company that is playing to apply for a tax incentive is that companies recruit locally to fill its jobs. Kyle has a credible work for us to fill the needs of any company is looking to relocate to Kyle. When more of our commuter citizens are working locally it will help decrease traffic on I 35 and it will create a greater need for more restaurants for a non-commuter city. This will benefit Kyle in sales taxes.

What should the city council do to support local businesses?

City Council is about to revisit its comprehensive plan. City Council working with staff and planning and zoning and create a new comprehensive plan that will Nurture and carry business growth into the next 10 years.

Considering Kyle’s current growth, does the city have the necessary environmental regulations in place to prevent the pollution of the Blanco River and other watersheds? If so, please explain. If not, what would you propose?

I believe we need to revisit or environmental regulations. Our current regulations were for a small town, ranching and farming community. We are now a city and we have to revisit our environmental regulations.

How well is Kyle planning for the future in general? What improvements would you suggest?

I believe that we as a city or doing a good job of planning for the future. unfortunately our growth has out surpassed our infrastructure and we must do more to address or decaying roads. actually this vehicle now has a road crew and we must continue to add and grow our road crew.

What are you willing to do to maintain an open dialog with your constituents?

As an elected official I have made myself very accessible. My work in the community keeps me aware of the concerns of all my neighbors in Kyle. Having a visible presence in the community has helped my constituents voice their concerns.

If elected, how will you work to ensure the city council operates in a transparent manner?

As an elected official I have encouraged citizen participation at our meetings. I meet with local small businesses and residents of Kyle on a regular basis.