Candidate Q&A – Ryan Tubbs

2026 Celina Mayoral Candidate

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Opponenets: Eric Becker and Erica Cornelius

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Managing Growth & Infrastructure.

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Celina’s comprehensive plan warns that infrastructure and services such as roads, water, sewer, drainage and parks are expensive to build and will be in high demand as the city expands. How will you ensure that roads, drainage, water/sewer systems and public spaces keep pace with the city’s projected population growth without sacrificing fiscal responsibility? What strategies would you use to maintain Celina’s small-town character while accommodating thousands of new residents?

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After getting elected for my first term in 2023 I sought to create Celina’s first 5-year Capital Improvement Program which you can find here.

https://www.celina-tx.gov/1874/Five-Year-Capital-Improvement-Project

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Creating alignment on the projects that your tax dollars fund creates transparency and a guiding document for the public and private sector to view priorities and provide feedback.

Celina’s small town charm is because of its people. Through events, small business support and the way neighbors come together define the community’s character.

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Fiscal Policy & Taxation.

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The city has lowered its property-tax rate for four consecutive years, yet rising property values mean homeowners still pay more. Meanwhile, officials hope new retailers will increase sales-tax revenue. What is your philosophy regarding property-tax rates and revenue diversification? Would you continue lowering the tax rate, and how would you balance property-tax relief with the need to fund public services?

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Celina’s budget relies heavily on single-time fees which creates an unhealthy relationship with residential growth. Commercial property and sales taxes must help alleviate the burden for homeowners to carry the burden of operating a successful city. SB 2 passed in 2019 limits cities' ability to raise their property tax revenue by up to 3.5 % from the previous year without holding a voter-approval election. The tax rate will continue to be lowered as the state legislature is expected to lower the tax rate revenue cap from 3.5% to 1-2.5% while service demands remain high for new roads and public safety. Because of new growth plus the appraisal districts ability to increase property values the “voter-approval tax rate” will automatically decrease the tax rate.

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Public safety and schools always come first. Property tax relief matters, but not at the expense of public safety. Police and fire services are core responsibilities, and I won’t support cutting them. We should prioritize responsible budgeting, limit non-essential spending, and grow our commercial tax base so we can provide relief without compromising safety.

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Water Supply & Conservation.

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In January 2026 the city discussed making lawn irrigation optional and limiting turf in new developments, noting that roughly half of peak-season water use comes from irrigation. Lake Ralph Hall is expected to expand regional supply in the next few years. How should Celina secure a long-term water supply, and what role should conservation ordinances (such as xeriscaping or turf limits) play? How would you engage builders and residents to support these measures?

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City staff is currently working with third party professionals regarding plans to limit the demand to irrigate turf. This doesn’t impact current homeowner requirements but will set a new standard going forward for residential, commercial and medians. Celina can lead the way in creating beautiful landscape with native plants. Worksession, public comment and input from the builder community is part of this process to make a successful adoption and rollout.

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Public Safety & Emergency Services.

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Calls for police and fire services are growing 10–20 % annually, prompting plans for a fourth fire station and a new dispatch center. With nearly half of the general fund going to public safety, how will you ensure adequate staffing, equipment and response times as the city expands eastward and northward? What innovations or partnerships could improve public safety without unsustainable spending?

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Public safety is already nearly 50% our general fund, and that’s a priority I won’t compromise. As we expand east to fire station #4 and north to station #5, we’ll phase in staffing and infrastructure strategically so response times keep pace with growth.

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At the same time, we can use smart partnerships like Collin County dispatch, shared services like mutual aid, and technology like Flock Safety to improve efficiency while ensuring growth pays for growth without unsustainable spending.

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Transportation & Mobility.

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City leaders have considered converting downtown streets from asphalt to concrete within 10–15 years, a project that could cost $85 million and force other road improvements to be delayed. How should Celina prioritise road spending between downtown reconstruction, outer-loop connections, and neighborhood streets? What is your view on multimodal options such as sidewalks, bike lanes and public transit?

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Downtown roads, water, sewer, and stormwater are a $450 million investment over the next 12-15 years to redo what has been neglected since the 1960s-1970s. City Council recently allocated an additional 85 million specifically in Downtown improvments in our revised 2026 5 year CIP.

 

Outerloop connections are made via development agreements for new home communities, Coit & Choate are both being improved from Frontier/1461 and beyond the Outerloop. Each street downtown that doesn't have sidewalks is uniquely designed to cause as little disruption as possible to trees and existing homes but updating outdated and neglected infrastructure creates disruptions.

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I don't support the use of Sales Tax to bring entities like DART this far north as their model is broken and suburbs don't receive the value they pay into the system. Autonomous self-driving vehicles are the current way of the future and have seen dramatic improvements in the public transit sector as they become more affordable.

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Downtown Vision.

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The Downtown Master Plan aims to preserve historic charm while adding modern amenities, including a multi-story parking garage and entertainment district. What is your vision for downtown Celina in 10–20 years? How would you balance redevelopment with historic preservation, and what policies would you advocate regarding building height, density, parking and public art?

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I want to see Downtown flourish with private investment. Taxpayers are spending 100 million dollars on the parking garage and Downtown Center plus tens of millions of dollars fixing aging infrastructure Downtown. This is being done to incentivize private investment and to take care of existing residents. Building height and parking are specific to each project. If it's right to partner with the private sector to provide additional public parking downtown I am all for it. I appreciate all of the murals downtown incorporated into almost every new project or renovation. Beyond paintings, I believe live music and community performances should be embraced more to celebrate all forms of art.

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Economic Development & Retail Mix.

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Celina’s strategic plan emphasises attracting both major retailers and high-tech businesses while supporting mom-and-pop shops. The plan also describes small businesses as the “heartbeat” of the community and calls for business-friendly policies. How will you ensure that big-box stores like Walmart, Costco or Home Depot coexist with locally owned businesses? What tools (e.g., zoning, incentives, façade grants) will you use to create a vibrant and diverse commercial base?

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Small businesses provide an identity for the community. Large commercial retailers provide ad valorem and sales tax to provide funding for public safety and our schools. We can then use dollars spent here locally to reinvest into the community through infrastructure and marketing to make sure our small businesses have the tools needed to succeed. Check out our recently adopted Local Business Support Program!

https://issuu.com/celina_texas/docs/cedc_local_business_support_program

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Housing Affordability & Diversity.

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As development accelerates, there is concern about housing affordability and the availability of diverse housing types. What policies would you pursue to provide a range of housing options (entry-level, “missing middle,” senior housing) while avoiding unchecked sprawl? Would you support density bonuses or inclusionary zoning to encourage affordable units, and how would you address potential pushback from existing residents?

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Via development agreement, Celina has a wide range of housing types from townhomes, multi-family, 40-foot rear entry lots all the way up to acre lot homes. The city plays an indirect role in affordability as we can't control land prices, insurance, materials, or construction costs. Celina has the third-highest average home value in Collin County behind Prosper and Frisco. As a general principal until the long-term water supply issue is solved I don't believe Celina should be incentivizing housing projects.

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Open Space, Parks & Agricultural Heritage.

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The comprehensive plan calls for preserving natural land and Celina’s agricultural roots. How will you balance development with farmland preservation and the creation of parks and greenbelts? Would you champion any agricultural or agritourism initiatives to celebrate Celina’s heritage and support local farmers?

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We should be intentional about protecting open space in our master planned communities, commercial spaces and add parks while respecting property rights. I’m open to agricultural or agritourism efforts that honor Celina’s heritage and make sense for the community. How many of you understand what agritourism is?! Hah!

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Financing Growth (PIDs, TIRZ & Other Tools).

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Celina prefers Public Improvement Districts to finance infrastructure and discourages Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zones unless they provide significant economic benefits. Yet the city already has TIRZ #8 with millions in captured tax increment funds. What is your stance on using PIDs, TIRZ, municipal utility districts or bonds to fund roads, utilities and public facilities? Under what circumstances would you create a new TIRZ or other special district?

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Celina has two commercial TIRZ which one stretches over Downtown and out to Preston Rd and the other goes from Preston Rd to property along DNT. The Downtown TIRZ is to ensure reinvestment Downtown and TIRZ #5 is a performance-based TIRZ where the owner can recuperate 50% of ad valorem value on approved project expenditures such as Ranch Rd, Cattle King Dr, and Sunset Blvd. Residential TIRZs are for blighted areas. Open farm land in Celina is in high demand.

 

Public Improvement Districts are a good negotiation tool for annexation as well as developer obligations such as road, water and sewer off-site which otherwise the city has no legal mechanism for new development to pay for itself such as extending a road beyong it's boundaries to Preston or DNT or an off-site lift station. In-city MUDs and MMDs would have to be considered on a case-by-case basis if inside city limits. By allowing the additional tax what infrastructure obligation, parks, school sites and obligations would the management district take on?

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Downtown Parking & Transit.

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The downtown centre project includes a four-story parking garage to provide nearly 400 spaces. Do you believe structured parking is sufficient to meet future demand? How will you manage downtown parking for residents, employees and visitors, and would you consider alternative transit (e-shuttles, ride-share hubs) to reduce congestion?

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As Downtown expands and redevelop additional structured parking will be required. As autonomous ride sharing becomes more affordable I would love to see a shuttle service Downtown.

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Sales-Tax Strategy & Economic Resilience.

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City staff hope sales-tax revenue will eventually surpass development-fee revenue as major retailers open. What strategies will you use to broaden the sales-tax base (e.g., attracting entertainment venues, tourism, tech companies)? How will you safeguard Celina’s finances from over-reliance on any single sector?

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From a city policy standpoint, our job is to create a predictable, business friendly environment with strong infrastructure, clear zoning, and efficient permitting. Private investment should grow our retail, dining, entertainment, and service sectors.

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To protect our financial health we need a diversified sales-tax base, conservative revenue projections, and strong reserves. Balanced growth and disciplined budgeting are the keys to long-term stability.

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Community Engagement & Transparency.

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Rapid growth can strain residents’ trust in city government. How will you communicate with residents about major decisions (zoning changes, utility projects, water restrictions) and ensure transparency in budgeting and planning? What methods will you use to gather input from long-time residents, newcomers and under-represented groups?

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After being elected I wanted to take the transparency approach to always be available and push information out rather than having to go search for it. All City Council presentations and supporting documentation are loaded into the meetings portal with the attached agenda. On top of our normal Chamber of Commerce hosted State of the City we also partner with Celina ISD to host a spring and fall town hall. Through social media, mailers, roadside billboards, door hangers, and booths set up at community events we try to engage the community to ensure they are informed and aligned with the decisions happening in their city.

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Regional Cooperation & Infrastructure.

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Celina’s growth depends on regional partners such as the Upper Trinity Regional Water District and state agencies for road and water projects. How would you work with neighboring cities, the county and regional entities to coordinate infrastructure, manage cross-jurisdictional traffic, and ensure Celina’s interests are represented in regional planning?

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Celina has regular meetings, representation and advocates with and through TXDOT’s Dallas Office, BNSF, North Central Texas Council of Governments, Regional Transportation Council, Region C Water Planning, Texas Water Development Board, Denton County Mayors Council, North Texas Commission, Texas Municipal League, Dallas Regional Chamber, and UTRWD Board of Directors.

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Personal Priorities & Vision.

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Beyond these specific issues, what three priorities would define your administration? How does your background prepare you to lead a rapidly growing city, and what long-term legacy do you hope to leave for Celina?

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Water, Roads, Economic Development

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My background has prepared me to focus on strong leadership, accountability, and long-term planning. Rapid growth requires a management team in place that receives clear policy direction from the council to ensure we execute responsibly.

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My commitment is to put residents first in every decision and keep our city financially sound, well planned, and rooted in the values that define our community.

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Closing Statement.

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Do you have any final statements you'd like to make to the residents of the City of Celina? And finally, why should voters support you instead of your opponent(s)?

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When you view my resume from my first term in office and engagement in the community I hope you see someone who has your family’s best interest atheart as we build a welcoming community everyone can be proud of. Some of my accomplishments are below 

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• Passed Term Limits for Mayor & City Council

• Raised impact fees so new development pays for itself

• Stopped capping & waiving impacts fees

• Set parameters around the usage of public finance districts to decrease density & improve open space

• No new standalone multifamily approved

• Renegotiated agreements to lower density on existing multi-family and single-family homes

• Require traffic impact analysis

• Created first 5 year Capital Improvement Program

 

I will work to always give residents a say in their future from approving debt issuances to collaborating on council priorities.I want to thank my opponents, city council candidates, school board trustees, and all those who volunteer and give back to make Celina the proud place we call home.Election Day is May 2nd and I would appreciate your support in voting forRyan Tubbs for Celina Mayor!