George Torres for Buda City Council – At-Large Position 1 – 2026

George Torres

How can voters contact you?

Campaign or City Email: george@georgetorresbudatx.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/georgetorresnow Instagram @georgetorresagency
Phone: 512-626-3153

 

1. Tell us about your background, including your education, employment, leadership experience, and community involvement relevant to the position.

I am a husband, father, entrepreneur, community service volunteer, and advocate for Buda's small business community. Owning and operating my own small business since 2020, I gained  firsthand insight into the challenges of starting up and growing a business, so both in my personal business and in my role as a member of the board of directors for the Greater Buda Chamber of Commerce, supporting locally-owned businesses remains a major focus for me. After working my way through Texas State University, and graduating magna cum laude and settling down in Buda, my focus is set on giving back to our community. Since 2022, I have served as a Board Director for the Chamber of Commerce, I am a member of Santa Cruz Catholic Church, a MOYSC Little League coach, and a tireless advocate for all things Buda. Receiving the EDC Community Spirit Award from my peers in 2024 strengthened my commitment to expand my efforts to both promote and protect the small town feel of this very special little place we call Buda.

2. Texas law requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal ICE officers. City government can limit the extent of that cooperation. Please explain where you believe appropriate limits should be.

As a strong supporter of law enforcement and safe communities, I believe city government should support law enforcement when officers act lawfully to protect our community. Cooperation with ICE must follow Texas and federal law while preserving due process, equal protection, dignity, and public trust. Supporting law enforcement and defending constitutional rights are shared responsibilities that keep Buda safe, welcoming, and united. Cooperation can come in many forms, but I do not want families in crisis to fear reaching out to Buda PD for assistance because they think it could result in imprisonment or deportation without due process. That reality could cause women, children, and entire families in crisis to fear reaching out to Buda PD for assistance, lest they face imprisonment or deportation without due process. Buda is blessed with an outstanding department and all evidence indicates they have done a great job in complying with all legal requirements while protecting every resident of Buda. Their annual racial profiling traffic reports indicate ZERO bias in traffic enforcement. Therefore, I'm comfortable continuing to let Chief Kidd and his outstanding staff continue their efforts (which have made Buda one of the safest cities of our size in the country), but monitoring the execution.

3. With Heritage Homes, The Colony, and Persimmon adding thousands of homes and vehicles, how will you use Buda’s available authority and partnerships to ensure roads, water, fire, and police services keep pace with growth?

Our current mayor, council, and staff are doing an outstanding job launching record investments to expand our transportation network and require new developments to spend millions to mitigate their negative impacts--which resulted in the new bridge to FM 2770 and Marathon Road, connecting Armbruster's Curve to FM 1626. I will support budgets and long range plans that keep roads, water, police, and fire protection ahead of new development. I will strengthen partnerships with Hays County, regional agencies, utilities, developers, and legislators to coordinate projects and secure resources. Developers should contribute fairly to required infrastructure. Fair, transparent bidding should also give qualified Buda businesses opportunities to compete for city contracts, allowing them to expand and create more local jobs. My goal is responsible growth that protects taxpayers, maintains reliable services, strengthens local businesses, and preserves Buda’s quality of life.

4. With the reductions in the 2026 city budget, how will you address your priorities and those of your constituents?

As a small business owner, I understand how to build and manage budgets. This mayor, council, and staff receive awards each year for their accounting and budget management achievements. On council, I'll verify that the city receives dependable service at the best responsible cost. It is a very tough time economically for many Buda families. The City made very responsible budgetary decisions that minimize the negative impact of cuts while keeping our most important bond and capital improvement projects on target. The 2026 budget makes the best use of available funds. It is no accident that Buda's budget reductions were a fraction of other municipalities in Central Texas--our City Manager and staff in cooperation with our Mayor and Council built budgets that made sense and kept us living within our means.

5. Do you support the use of surveillance cameras like Flock in Buda? Why or why not?

Yes, with guardrails. Buda is unique in that we do not allow Flock to sell our data. Also the Chief has strong policies in place with limits to system access and he personally monitors system access to ensure we don't have the abuses that have occurred in other communities.  As the technology advances, my commitment is to closely monitor how those changes impact our right to safety and the protections of the 4th and 5th amendments. Public safety is crucial, but camera technology must be used transparently and remain under local law enforcement oversight rather than private company control. Trained officers operating under clear city policies should determine when information is accessed and used. In August 2026, 90 jurisdictions ended relationships with Flock amid concerns about privacy, data sharing, cost, misuse, and public trust. Buda should consider whether the system remains valuable if nearby communities withdraw. I support cameras only at community entry points with heavy traffic, not throughout residential areas. Any system must protect public safety, privacy, constitutional rights, and local control. As with most technology, without appropriate guardrails in place it can be misused.

6. How will you ensure that underserved areas and populations receive the services they need?

Ensuring every part of Buda receives needed services begins with listening and identifying aps. During major development, smaller neighborhoods and vulnerable residents can be overlooked. I will keep working families, seniors, students, and residents facing hardship visible in city decisions. Buda should strengthen partnerships with local churches, charities, the Hays County Food Bank, and Hays CISD because they understand community needs and have earned residents’ trust. Coordinating food assistance, family resources, transportation information, and emergency support will reduce duplication and reach people more effectively. I will advocate for equity that guarantees equal access to city services.

7. Imagine it is 2030, and you are wrapping up your three year term as mayor or City Council member. You feel you successfully achieved your priorities. What does Buda look like? What has changed? What has stayed the same?

By 2030, I see Buda as a thriving community where residents can travel safely and easily across town. Roads, trails, water, and public safety services have kept pace with growth. Buda is a regional technology and innovation hub where leading companies create quality jobs and local businesses prosper, allowing more residents to build careers close to home. Connected parks, trails, gathering spaces, and events support outdoor family living. What remains unchanged is Buda’s welcoming spirit, strong relationships across backgrounds, and pride in helping neighbors. Buda is larger and more prosperous, yet it still has that small town feel.