Candidate Q&A – Courtney Goza – Kyle City Council District 5

Courtney Goza

How can voters contact you?

• Campaign Email: [email protected]
• Campaign Website: N/A
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564524924977 (Courtney Goza for Kyle Council)
• Phone: 512-468-7076

In a few sentences, tell us about your background. Include in your answer information about your education, employment, and leadership experience relevant to this position.

I bring a robust educational background and significant professional experience. I have a BA in Business with honors from Concordia University and have taken Master's level coursework towards both an MBA and LPC, as well as earned an Associate's Certificate in Government Contracting. Prior to obtaining my real estate license, I worked at the Attorney General of Texas, multiple law firms, C.L.E.A.T., and in venture capital. As a former Certified Texas Contract Manager and current licensed Real Estate agent, I understand both public and private sector operations. I've demonstrated leadership by spearheading a successful petition drive against a controversial council decision and serving on multiple boards. My varied experience in business, law, and public administration, coupled with my dedication to community service, has prepared me to make well-informed decisions for Kyle's future.

For the next questions, please limit your responses to 100 words each

Describe your community involvement in Kyle

I've been actively engaged in our community in many ways. I led a successful petition drive against a controversial council decision and have worked to increase transparency in council spending, significantly boosting citizen awareness. I serve on my local HOA board and participate in my local Board of Realtors' Professional Standards Board. My passion for animal welfare is evident through my work with Austin Siamese Rescue, where I've been a board member for five years, serving as President and now Vice-President. I'm also independently involved in local animal rescue efforts. I am committed to civic responsibility, professional ethics, and community well-being.

There has been a lot of discussion about council members’ use of city credit cards, how to define city business for which they can be reimbursed and the amount of pay council members receive. How would you address these issues?

To prevent misuse and overspending, city council members should not have city credit cards. Instead, implement a reimbursement system for necessary expenses, with travel booked through the city for best value. Since the city provides meeting spaces, meal expenses should not be city-funded, aligning with State policy. Regarding compensation, reform the committee selection process. Council members should choose from a pool of qualified volunteers responding to a public call for service, consistent with other board formations. This ensures greater citizen participation in shaping Kyle's governance and promotes transparency. As a council member, I would advocate for these changes to enhance accountability and public trust in our local government.

How would you describe the progress to date on the 2022 Kyle road bond? What’s your favorite aspect of these improvements? Do you see any areas where corrections are needed?

The 2022 Kyle road bond projects are progressing well, with about half in final design stages and some in right-of-way acquisition. The remaining projects are in preliminary design with conceptual drawings underway. My favorite aspect is the focus on improving both traffic flow and pedestrian safety, addressing vehicular and foot traffic needs comprehensively. These enhancements will create a more efficient and safer transportation network for Kyle residents. Areas for potential improvement include better public communication about project timelines and statuses, and possibly reviewing project prioritization to ensure critical infrastructure needs are addressed first. Overall, the bond appears to be making positive strides in Kyle's infrastructure development.

With the adoption of the 2025 city budget, how well do you think your priorities and those of your constituents are being addressed?

The 2025 city budget partially addresses my priorities for Kyle's development. However, I recognize that it doesn't fully align with many of my constituents' concerns, particularly regarding tax increases. By maintaining the current tax rate instead of adopting a no-new-revenue rate, the city has effectively raised taxes for many Kyle residents, including homeowners and renters. While this decision allows for continued investment in essential services and infrastructure improvements, it has created financial strain for some community members. Moving forward, we need to strike a better balance between funding city initiatives and minimizing the tax burden on our residents, especially in light of rising property values.

How will you ensure that the underserved areas and population of Kyle, including the east side and its residents, will get the services they need?  

To ensure equitable service delivery for Kyle's underserved areas, particularly the east side, I would work with council on a multi-faceted approach:

1. Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of east Kyle to identify specific service gaps.
2. Prioritize infrastructure projects in eastern neighborhoods to improve connectivity and cohesion.
3. Encourage community involvement through targeted outreach programs and establishing neighborhood liaisons to increase participation.
4. Attract diverse housing options and mixed-use developments to the east side with a focus on neighborhood commercial to reduce travel.
5. Ensure fair distribution of city resources and attention across all areas of Kyle.

With all the construction and development going on, how will you ensure an adequate water supply for existing and new residents?

Ensuring adequate water supply amid rapid growth is a critical challenge. While the new ARWA line from the Carrizo-Wilcox aquifer will boost supplies starting next year, our growth may still outpace this increase. To address this, I propose:

1. Implementing stricter water conservation measures for new developments.
2. Expanding rainwater harvesting initiatives.
3. Investing in water reclamation and reuse technologies.
4. Offering incentives for retrofitting existing properties with water-efficient systems and fixtures.
5. Enhancing public education on water conservation.
6. Regularly reviewing and adjusting growth plans based on water availability projections.

These strategies, combined with our existing xeriscaping efforts, will help secure Kyle's water future.

What will you do to promote housing that first-time buyers and older residents can afford?

Affordable housing for first-time buyers and older residents, can be addressed in a number of ways:

1. Implement inclusionary zoning policies requiring a percentage of new developments to include affordable units.
2. Encourage the development of smaller, more affordable homes and multi-generational housing options. These can include ADU or tiny home communities where each resident buys a lot instead of renting.
3. Partner with non-profit organizations to create affordable housing initiatives.
4. Streamline the permitting process for affordable housing projects to reduce development costs.
5. Support the building of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to increase housing options.
6. Waive permitting for seniors and disabled persons when modifications are needed, particularly due to the effects of aging or disability, for example adding a ramp etc.