Candidate Q&A – Katie Dunn

Celina City Council – Place 4

Opponent: Shea Scott​

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Growth & Infrastructure.

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Celina’s explosive growth requires costly roads, utilities, parks and drainage. How will you ensure these systems keep pace without sacrificing fiscal responsibility or small-town charm?

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Celina’s growth is exciting, but it also comes with real responsibility. Roads, water, drainage, parks, and public safety all have to grow with the community. The goal isn’t to stop growth, but to make sure it’s intentional and sustainable. Infrastructure should lead growth, not chase it, and we have to stay fiscally responsible as we build. Just as important, we need to protect the things that make Celina special.

 

Through my work with local businesses, the Chamber, and the Downtown Commission, I’ve seen how thoughtful planning and collaboration help preserve that identity. My focus on council will be steady, responsible growth that strengthens infrastructure while protecting the culture that brought so many of us here.

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Property Taxes & Revenue.

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The council has lowered the property-tax rate for four straight years, yet higher valuations mean many homeowners still pay more. What is your philosophy on future tax rates, and how would you diversify revenue (e.g., sales tax) to fund services?

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While the city has lowered the tax rate for four consecutive years, rising property values mean many residents still feel their tax bills increasing. My philosophy is that we should continue looking for opportunities to lower the rate when it’s fiscally responsible while still ensuring the city can keep up with infrastructure and public safety needs.

 

One of the best ways to ease pressure on homeowners is to grow our sales tax base. Thoughtful retail, restaurants, and local businesses help diversify revenue so the cost of running the city isn’t carried primarily by residents.

Public Safety Funding.

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Nearly half of Celina’s general fund goes to public safety, and the city plans to add school resource officers, detectives, patrol officers and firefighters. How will you balance staffing needs with limited resources as the population spreads east and north?

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The relationships we build with our police officers and firefighters help hold a community together. We want our kids playing in the square and in our parks and feeling safe. As Celina grows, public safety has to grow with it. That means making sure response times, coverage, and school safety keep pace with new development. Those decisions should be guided by data such as response times, service demand, and population growth so we are adding positions where they are truly needed. The goal is to grow our police and fire departments in a thoughtful, strategic way while remaining responsible with taxpayer dollars.

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Water Conservation Policies.

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Officials say roughly half of peak-season water use is spent watering grass; staff proposed limiting turf or requiring xeriscaping, but builders worry about cost. What policies should the city adopt to reduce outdoor water consumption while respecting property rights and development economics?

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Water is one of the most important issues facing Celina. While we are currently experiencing restrictions, regional projects like Lake Ralph Hall are expected to expand our water supply in the coming years. Because of that, I would be cautious about quickly moving to mandates like citywide xeriscaping. Many residents value their yards and gardens, and those things are part of Celina’s lifestyle and character.

 

A better approach is collaboration with landscapers, builders, and water experts to encourage drought-tolerant landscaping, smarter irrigation, and conservation during peak months. The goal should be reducing waste while allowing flexibility and preserving the character of our neighborhoods.

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Long-Term Water Supply.

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North Texas is planning new water sources like LakeRalphHall to meet booming demand. What should Celina do to secure adequate water for decades, and how should the city engage residents in conservation efforts and drought planning?

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Securing long-term water supply must remain a priority for a fast-growing city like Celina. Regional projects like Lake Ralph Hall will play an important role in expanding North Texas’ water capacity, and Celina should remain actively engaged with the Upper Trinity Regional Water District. At the same time, responsible planning means managing the water we have today.

 

Conservation during peak months, efficient irrigation, and clear public communication all help extend our supply. Seasonal water restrictions are not new in North Texas, and many surrounding cities manage them regularly. The key is balance: investing in future infrastructure while encouraging practical conservation efforts that residents understand and support.

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Downtown Street Reconstruction.

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City officials want to convert all downtown streets to concrete within 10–15 years, which would require postponing other projects. Do you support the 10-15-year option (approx.$85million), a longer timetable, or an accelerated 6-10-year plan that could cost more than $200million? Explain your choice.

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Downtown is the heart of Celina, and maintaining it well is important for both safety and the experience of the people who gather there. Converting streets to concrete makes sense as a long-term investment because it lasts longer and reduces ongoing maintenance. At the same time, we have to balance downtown improvements with the many infrastructure needs across a rapidly growing city. For that reason, the 10–15 year timeline feels like the most responsible approach. It allows the city to improve downtown thoughtfully while continuing to invest in other critical infrastructure like roads, utilities, and public safety.

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Infrastructure Trade-Offs.

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Pursuing OptionB for downtown streets could delay projects such as Legacy Bridge and J.Fred Smith Parkway and stretch engineering resources. Which infrastructure projects, if any, would you defer, and how would you mitigate impacts on residents and businesses?

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Infrastructure decisions always involve trade-offs, my priority would be making sure we are not creating bottlenecks or safety concerns as the city expands. Projects that directly affect mobility and connectivity, such as Legacy Bridge and J. Fred Smith Parkway, are important for managing traffic as growth continues. Any adjustments to timelines should be based on clear data about traffic demand, safety, and development patterns. The responsibility of council is to prioritize projects that have the greatest impact on residents’ daily lives while being transparent about timelines and trade-offs.

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PIDs, TIRZ & Special Districts.

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Celina prefers Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) to finance infrastructure; they fund roads, utilities, parks and amenities through special assessments. A Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ #8) has a fund balance of $3.5million and a captured value of $719million. What role should PIDs, TIRZ or other districts play in funding growth? Under what conditions would you create or expand a special taxing district?

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Tools like PIDs and TIRZ districts can play an important role in helping fast-growing cities fund infrastructure. When used responsibly, they allow growth to help pay for the roads, utilities, and amenities new development requires. Public Improvement Districts can be effective because the infrastructure is funded by the developments that directly benefit from it. TIRZ districts can also support strategic investment in areas where the city wants to encourage economic growth.

 

The key is accountability and clear community benefit. These tools should only be used when the infrastructure need is clear, the financial impact is responsible, and residents fully understand how the structure works.

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Support for Small Businesses.

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Celina’s strategic plan calls small businesses “the heartbeat of Celina” and commits to investing in infrastructure, streamlining permitting and maintaining a business-friendly atmosphere. How will you ensure that downtown shops and locally owned services thrive as big-box retailers open nearby?

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Supporting locally owned businesses should remain a priority as Celina grows. I support a Local First initiative that encourages the city to prioritize and support local businesses through thoughtful policies and collaboration. Leadership matters in this area. When council sets the tone that local businesses are valued, that mindset carries through to staff, economic development efforts, and how the city approaches growth.

 

We should also make it easier for residents to anchor their businesses here by keeping permitting clear and predictable. The goal is to welcome new investment while protecting the businesses that give Celina its personality and sense of community.

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Balancing Big-Box & Local Retail.

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The city hopes to boost sales-tax revenue with national retailers. What policies will you implement to attract major stores without eroding the community character or pushing out independent businesses?

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Celina is already attracting national retailers, and they can play an important role in strengthening our sales tax base and creating local jobs. At the same time, the barrier to entry for a locally owned business should never be harder than it is for a national retailer.

 

Creating a faster and clearer path for small businesses through permitting and fees helps entrepreneurs avoid losing valuable startup time and resources. We should also be intentional about the partners we attract. Larger retailers should align with the values of our community and take the time to become part of the culture. That should be the standard, not the exception.

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Agricultural Heritage & Open Space.

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Celina’s strategic plan pledges to preserve the city’s “rich agricultural heritage” while encouraging high-tech businesses and agritourism. How will you protect farmland, natural spaces and the city’s rural character amid rapid development?

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Celina’s rural character and agricultural heritage are important parts of our identity. As the city grows, thoughtful planning should help preserve open spaces, natural areas, and the traditions that connect us to that history. Encouraging opportunities like agritourism and supporting local agriculture can help keep those roots visible in the community.

 

Growth is coming, but it should enhance Celina’s identity rather than erase it. Protecting natural spaces where possible and planning development carefully allows the city to grow while still feeling connected to the land and history that shaped it.

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Housing Diversity & Affordability.

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With rapid growth and rising property values, how will you promote a range of housing options—starter homes, “missing middle” housing, senior living—while avoiding unchecked sprawl and preserving neighborhood quality?

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As Celina grows, it’s important to think about housing options that allow people to live here in different stages of life. A healthy community includes starter homes, housing for young families, and options for seniors who want to remain in the community. At the same time, growth should be thoughtful and well planned. Encouraging a balanced mix of housing options helps ensure Celina remains a place where families, young professionals, and longtime residents can continue to call home.

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Downtown Vision & Character.

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As downtown streets are rebuilt, how should building heights, density, parking and land uses evolve? What is your vision for Celina’s downtown 20years from now, and how will you balance modern amenities with historic preservation?

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As improvements are made, development should remain thoughtful in scale so building heights, density, and land uses complement the historic square rather than overwhelm it. Walkability, parking, and gathering spaces will also remain important so downtown continues to be a place where people spend time. Twenty years from now, I hope downtown Celina still feels authentic, active, and community-centered. The goal should be adding thoughtful amenities while preserving the historic charm that residents value.

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Community Engagement & Transparency.

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The strategic plan emphasizes open communication and telling Celina’s story. How will you keep residents informed about zoning changes, budgets and development plans? What tools will you use to gather feedback from both long-time residents and newcomers?

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Residents deserve timely information about development, zoning decisions, and how their tax dollars are being used. The city should use multiple tools to keep people informed, including public meetings, digital updates, and social media. Just as important is creating opportunities for residents to share feedback and ask questions. Celina has both longtime residents and newcomers, and both perspectives matter. The goal should be open, consistent communication so people feel informed, heard, and connected to the decisions shaping their community.

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Personal Priorities.

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Beyond the issues above, what are your top three priorities for Celina over the next four years? How does your background uniquely prepare you to represent a rapidly growing city, and what legacy do you hope to leave?

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First, I want to champion a Local First initiative that encourages the city to think about locally owned businesses when projects go out for bid, when they are qualified and competitive. We should also make it easier for residents to open businesses in their hometown with fewer barriers, reasonable fees, and clearer timelines. I also believe we should start tracking how many of our tax dollars are spent locally and be proud of that number.

Those dollars circulate back into our community and strengthen our local economy.

 

Second, I believe consistency in leadership is critical. Our city staff are the professionals working on the front lines every day, and council should provide clear, consistent direction and support so they can stay focused on serving residents and know that council has their back.

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Third, Celina needs a strong voice beyond our city limits. As one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, we must stay engaged with what’s happening at the state level, build relationships with our representatives, and advocate for policies that support our community. My background as a small business owner and my work with the Chamber, Downtown Commission, and other local organizations have given me a front-row seat to both the opportunities and challenges that come with Celina’s growth.

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Closing.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to the voters in Celina that hasn't been covered here already? Also, why do you believe you are the better choice for this council position than your opponent(s)?

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My campaign has always been about what I’m for, not who I’m against. My hope is that voters choose the future they want for Celina, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of that conversation.