Ellen Ermis
How can voters contact you?
Campaign Email - Community1stellen@gmail.com
Campaign Website - https://www.community1st-electellenermisforkylecitycouncildistrict1.org/
Facebook/Social Media - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579897520819
Phone Number - 512-638-3386
1. In a few sentences, tell us about your background, focusing on your education, professional experience, and leadership roles that prepared you for this position?
Background: 45 years in Hays & Comal County. Retired, Texas State University - PhD in Education, Honors & Psychology. Masters in Community Wellness. Strategic planning, grant writing, meeting & event management. Board Service – Kyle Parks & Recreation, Kyle City Hall Front Desk Volunteer, KASZ Comm/Grants, Texas State Service-Learning Team, Canyon Lake Community Resource & Recreation Center, Comal County Parks.
Instructions: For the next questions, please limit your responses to 100 words each.
2. Many residents are dissatisfied with road conditions, traffic congestion, and limited sidewalks in Kyle. What specific steps would you take to improve mobility without overburdening taxpayers?
Consultants have completed master plans for Transportation, Parks and Recreation and a mobility plan is underway to provide a map to resolve the issues, citizens face with road conditions, traffic and sidewalks. As sales and hotel occupancy tax revenues increase, part of those tax dollars should go toward solving these problems.
3. Many in our city are fearful of the warrantless and extrajudicial removal of Latino members of our community by federal authorities. Where do you stand on the federal government’s deportation agenda?
These are scary times and things are out of control. People are angry, competitive and divided over political issues. I hate the current immigration policies but have no control. I can however make an impact on our local level. I aim to provide needed transparency, low-cost solutions, inclusiveness and partnerships.
4. The cost of water utilities in Kyle are going up and residents are concerned about the long term sustainability of our water. How can the city ensure that we have a secure water supply for the long term future of Kyle?
I learned from a trusted council member that the fear is not justified and that recent plans put in place are sufficient for the future. The Public Works department is one of the most efficient and hard-working departments of the city and master plans show needs for additional staff and funding. Federal infrastructure funds were available and the city failed to apply because it was too much work. Instead, they used $12 million of Covid recovery dollars meant for community needs for the sewer.
5. Kyle has seen rapid commercial growth, often dominated by fast food and corporate chain stores. What policies or incentives would you propose to attract and support local businesses, small retailers, and locally owned restaurants, while maintaining the city’s unique character?
Small local business and restaurants could really help improve the downtown. Some hope to demolish the downtown buildings purchased by the City but some of those buildings could be repurposed in old small town Texas style. Kyle has a long history that we need to acknowledge, an award-winning park and one of the few remaining opera houses in Texas (what we call Historic City Hall).
6. Compensation for Kyle’s mayor and council members has been a regular topic of conversation in Kyle. Should compensation be lower, stay the same, or be higher?
Compensation for the mayor and council should stay the same. These are positions of service from the heart, not from the wallet. Current races seem to have plenty of interested parties and salary does not seem to be the issue. In addition to existing salary, members receive other benefits from expense accounts for food, travel, etc.
7. Kyle has plans for parks, art installations, downtown developments, a sportsplex, and more. What possible City projects are you most (or least) looking forward to?
Primary focus should be on the downtown area and the existing park, Krug Activity Center, Fire Station and City Hall. Kyle has no tourism focus. Prior employment includes San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and I want to bring new focus to Kyle to build community for citizens here and throughout the region.
Of course I approve of more art and culture in Kyle. I’m just not sure those giant flowers and signs in the roundabouts are the answer.
Ellen Ermis is running for Kyle's At-Large District 1 seat. This means anyone living in the Kyle City Limits can vote in this race.
Hays County uses vote centers, meaning Hays County voters may cast ballots at any vote center in the county during the times the vote centers are operating.
Early Voting Begins: 10/20/25
Election Day: 11/4/25
