Robert Rizo – District 3 Kyle City Council Candidate, November 2022

There are several large commercial, retail and residential development projects currently under construction in Kyle. Do you have any concerns about them or how well our current infrastructure can support them?

Kyle City Council recently approved a City Transportation Plan, the plan has identified much-needed infrastructure improvements and future roadway.

The transportation plan assures that identified right of way will be preserved for future growth.

The Development Agreements the City has approved in the last three years have limited the number of homes per buildable acre.

Commercial Spec Buildings are only being approved where the infrastructure can maintain the increase of traffic.

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

Development Agreements ensure that builders contribute to infrastructure upgrades and develop to a higher standard. 

Parkland dedication has been a top priority in the DA agreements, and currently, developers are contributing to the VYBE Trail System, eighty miles of trails that will connect the entire city.

What are your thoughts about Kyle's affordability as a place to live? How would work to ensure Kyle is an affordable city going forward?

The secret is out, Kyle is a great place to live and raise a family, and Kyle's affordability is the reason for our exponential rapid growth.

In the past three years, the city has worked with developers to create infrastructure that attracts new businesses to relocate to Kyle, increasing sales tax revenue will contribute to the general and help pay for infrastructure and services, lessening the burden on residents.

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

Kyle's rapid growth rate has created a demand for more services, Law Enforcement being a top priority, while many agencies throughout the US have struggled to hire new officers, the City of Kyle has been working to assure we hire and develop top officers who will serve their community.

The New Public Safety Center will open in early 2023, this new facility will bring much-needed resources to the citizens of Kyle, and the technology in this new facility will help provide logistical support in deploying resources. 

Drought has been on residents’ minds this year. How should Kyle address the city's immediate and long-term water and wastewater needs?

Kyle is a partner of the newly created Alliance Regional Water Authority (ARWA) the infrastructure will bring the much-needed water from the Carrizo Springs Aquifer to maintain Kyle's current and future growth will be completed in 2023.

Restricting future high-end water users will be crucial for future councils to preserve this new resource.

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

Kyle is currently working on the city's Comprehensive Plan. The plan will help guide the city's growth well into the future, creating areas that will allow families to live, work, and play in Kyle will reduce traffic. 

What should the city council do to support local businesses?

Kyle already has a great reputation for making the permitting process easy to navigate for new business, Kyle's Restaurant incentive was created to bring new restaurants to the citizens of Kyle.

What are your views on Kyle's roads and your position on the Kyle road bond proposition that will be on the ballot this November?

The proposed bond will bring upgrades to the current infrastructure and build identified new roadways as well.

The proposed roadways will allow connectivity from east to west, and north to south.

Selecting a city manager is one of the most important decisions a city council can make. What characteristics do you want the next Kyle City Manager to possess and demonstrate in this important role?

The next city manager will need to demonstrate Experience, Honesty, Strong Moral Character, and as a council member, I will make the recommendation that the public will also be given a chance to interview potential candidates.

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

For the past three decades, I have been a visible part of the community, which has allowed residents to communicate by name on a regular basis, if re-elected I will continue to be visible to all my neighbors (Residents of Kyle). 

Kyle Road Bond Proposition

Proposition A, which totals $294.4 million, provides funding for critical transportation projects that will decrease congestion and improve overall safety and mobility in Kyle.

There are 8 roadway projects across Kyle totaling 10.3 total miles of new location, reconstruction, and widening projects to improve the City’s transportation network.

These projects will provide additional capacity to support current and future traffic, strengthen connections between the east and west sides of Kyle, and construct key segments of the Vybe trail system.

WHERE ARE THESE PROJECTS?

See the map below to look at the potential projects and where they are in the City.

Scroll through the project pages to learn more about each project on the ballot this fall.

Robert Rizo-700

Name

Robert Rizo

How can voters contact you?

Describe your educational background

Jack C Hays High School, ACC Liberal Arts

Describe your relevant employment background

  • 30 years in Commercial Property Management and Construction, my background bring a much-needed resource to the Dias. 
  • My experience has proven beneficial in helping designing three parks and the Public Safety Center.
  • My ability to read blueprints and knowledge of construction helps me make crucial votes on the Dias. 

Describe your leadership experience background

  • In my three years on the Kyle City Council I have worked tirelessly to bring unity to the Dias, my leadership was acknowledged by my fellow Council members when they named me Mayor Pro Tem.
  • in 2020 when the Pandemic hit our Community my leadership skills were on full display, I brought Monthly Food distributions for two years to the residents of Kyle. This resource fed thousands of families who were struggling due to job loss or reduction in hours.
  • As vaccines became available I facilitated clinics throughout the city for the residents, and in 2021during the winter storm I worked eighty hours a week to help distribute food, and water, throughout Hays County, my work in the past three years has earned me State Representative Erin Zwieners full endorsement.
  • My ability and wiliness to act when needed demonstrate my leadership and wiliness to serve with my whole heart.

Describe your community involvement in Kyle

  • Thirty years of serving in the community prior to being elected to Kyle City Council.

  • Central Texas Food Bank Volunteer, Board Member for the Hays County Food bank, PTA, Second Vice Chair for the Clean Air Coalition, volunteer in numerous Nonprofit organizations,(Hays Latinos United, Hays Tejano Democrats), 3-year KBAD member, Citizens Police Academy Alumni, Youth Minister, and I have coached years of boys and girls youth sports.

  • I have been a visible member of my community for 30 years. 

  • My service in the community has led me to serve as an elected leader.

Rizo is running for reelection to the Place 3 seat on the Kyle City Council. This is an at-large council seat, meaning that any registered voter in the City of Kyle can vote in this election. Rizo has held this seat since May 2019, when he won a special election.

The Kyle City Council is composed of a Mayor elected at-large by the people for a three-year term and six Council Members, three elected at-large and one from each of the three districts, for staggered three-year terms.

Click on the image below to see an interactive map of the Early Voting locations in Hays County. Registered voters can vote at any location.

Click on the image below to see an interactive map of the Election Day voting locations in Hays County. Registered voters in Hays County can vote at any vote location on Election Day.