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🌟 What Does the Best Of Celina Approved Badge Mean? In a town as vibrant and fast-growing as Celina, Texas, standing out as a business that truly delivers excellence is no small feat. That’s where the Best Of Celina Approved Badge comes in—a trusted symbol of quality, integrity, and local commitment. ✅ Personally Vetted. Genuinely Earned. Never Bought. This badge isn’t something you can purchase. It’s earned—and only by businesses that meet a high standard of trust, community reputation, and proven excellence. When you see the TBOC Approved badge on a business listing, it means that Ron Lyons, founder of The Best Of Celina Facebook Group, The Best Of Celina Website, and host of The Celina Radio Podcast, has personally: Met with the business owner(s) face-to-face Verified their reputation through real community feedback Confirmed that there are no unresolved complaints Witnessed firsthand their commitment to customer service and local values Only after passing this in-depth, hands-on evaluation will a business earn the right to display this badge. 🤝 A Commitment to Small Business Success Here at The Best Of Celina, we’re not just cheerleaders for local business—we’re partners in their success. From hosting free networking events to providing platforms that amplify their voice, we’re invested in helping the small business community thrive and grow. Over the years, TBOC has helped local businesses: Connect with new customers through visibility on our platforms Build valuable relationships with other Celina entrepreneurs Earn trust by being part of a community that believes in accountability and integrity The TBOC Approved Badge is one more way we highlight those who are doing business the right way. 💬 Why It Matters In a world filled with sponsored ads and paid endorsements, the Best Of Celina Approved Badge stands for authenticity. It’s a promise to the residents of Celina: You can trust these businesses because we already have. This badge tells customers: “This isn’t just another local business. This is a business we proudly stand behind.” 📍 For Businesses That Go the Extra Mile If you’re a local business owner who puts customers first, values your community, and runs your company with integrity, we want to meet you. This badge could be your next mark of distinction. Contact Ron at 214-783-5440 to discuss why your business is worthy of The Best Of Celina Approved Badge. Because in Celina, we don’t just build businesses—we build legacies. And The Best Of Celina is honored to be a part of yours.

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Read Erin Norris’s full Celina ISD School Board candidate Q&A and learn where she stands on growth, academics, safety, transparency, and the future of Celina ISD. Erin Norris Candidate Celina ISD Place 4 Opponents: David Hogue , Jennifer Driver Please introduce yourself and describe your connection to the Celina ISD community. I am a wife, mom, and neighbor who grew up right here in Celina, graduated from Celina High School, and I'm raising my family here. My family lives, worships, and homeschools here. You will see us eating at local restaurants, coaching at the ballfields, and cheering on our Bobcat teams. This community shaped who I am, and I care deeply about what it becomes. What personal experiences in education or community service have prepared you for a role on the School Board? I homeschool my kids and currently direct a large homeschool co-op in the area, which means I hire and train staff, manage curriculum, balance budgets, organize large events, and work with families and leadership across multiple cities. It is a real organization that takes real leadership. I also coach youth sports through the Celina Parks Department and was honored to be named their Parent of the Year last year. Beyond that, so much of my time is spent in conversation with Celina ISD families, parents with kids at every grade level, hearing firsthand what they love, what worries them, and what they want for their children. I attend board meetings regularly and have made it my business to understand how this district operates and where it falls short. On average, how many Celina School Board meetings have you attended in person this school year and have you ever addressed the board? I have attended the majority of scheduled board meetings this school year, including special called meetings, and on the occasions I could not be there in person I watched the recorded version to stay current. I have addressed the board directly, and earlier this school year I helped organize a community effort where nearly one hundred people showed up and more than fifteen spoke during public comment, including students. It made local news. What grade would you give the current status of the Celina ISD overall. B Vision For Celina ISD What is your long-term vision for Celina ISD, and how do you plan to balance the district’s rich heritage with the demands of rapid growth? My long term vision is a district that grows without losing what makes Celina special, the relationships, the sense that your kids are known and not just a number. Through surveys and conversations with families across this community, I have heard real love for what Celina is and real hope for what it can become. That feedback is shaping everything about how I am approaching this race. Rapid growth brings real pressure, on facilities, on teachers, on trust, and the decisions made in the next few years will define what kind of community Celina becomes for a long time. My job as one trustee among seven is to make sure families have a genuine voice in how we grow, that the heritage worth protecting actually gets protected, and that we build something every family who calls Celina home can be proud of. That is a vision worth fighting for and I believe this community is more than capable of getting there together. In what ways do you see the School Board evolving to meet future challenges? The best boards are not reactive, they are ahead of the curve, asking hard questions before issues become crises and bringing families along before decisions are made. As Celina grows, the board has an incredible opportunity to set a new standard, one where parents feel like genuine partners, where communication is proactive and clear, and where trust is built through consistency and honesty over time. That kind of board does not just manage challenges, it earns the confidence of a community that is watching closely and deserves nothing less. Celina has everything it takes to get there and I want to be part of building it. How will you work to maintain and enhance academic excellence across all Celina ISD schools? When I ask Celina families specifically about academics, the feedback I hear most consistently is that they feel disconnected from their child's education. Reading struggles going unaddressed at the elementary level, inconsistent communication, and a sense that the district is not bringing families along are examples that come up regularly. Part of my job as a trustee would be understanding whether those are isolated concerns or something systemic across the district. What I do know is that academic excellence does not happen without order, and order has to start at the top. I became who I am because teachers invested in me personally and academically, and I will never stop fighting for the teachers in this district who do the same for our kids every day. But lately the conversation has shifted from academics to behavior, and that shift matters. When staff conduct issues surface, when hiring processes miss clear red flags, and when the response from leadership is to declare the job done, that is not order, that is chaos. The district's own investigation confirmed systemic failures in hiring and oversight. Those failures do not get fixed by the same culture that created them. Real accountability means asking whether the right people are in the right seats, not just announcing that a new hire will solve everything. Our good teachers, and there are so many, deserve leadership that protects them by holding everyone to the same standard. Our families deserve a board that knows the difference between a problem being quiet and a problem being solved. We are not there yet, and I am running because I believe we can be. Academic Excellence & Curriculum Development What strategies would you propose to ensure that the curriculum remains innovative and relevant for today’s students? Curriculum is one area where I want to be honest about what I know and what I still need to learn. I am not on the board yet and I do not have full visibility into what is already working or being planned. Recent academic improvements are real and worth understanding more deeply before drawing conclusions. What I do know is that Celina earned an 87 and a B rating from the state this year. Prosper ISD, literally our neighbor, earned a 91 and an A. That gap is not large, but this is a conversation worth having. If elected I would want to learn from A rated districts in our backyard and bring those conversations back to our board and our families. My job as a trustee is to ask the hard questions, hold leadership accountable for the answers, and make sure teachers are empowered and parents are informed. When families tell me their elementary kids are struggling with reading, I want to know what the data shows and what the plan is. When teachers have ideas about what is and is not working in their classrooms, I want the board to hear them. When parents cannot get a clear picture of what their child is learning, that is a board level conversation. A stronger GT program, better early literacy outcomes, more visibility for families - those are not my decisions to make alone. They are the right questions to keep asking until the answers are good enough for every kid in this district. Teacher Support & Professional Development What steps will you take to support and retain quality educators within Celina ISD? Teacher retention starts with leadership and culture. As a trustee I can ask whether our compensation is competitive with neighboring districts, whether teachers feel supported and heard, and whether the culture we have built makes people want to stay. When good teachers leave, that is a signal worth paying attention to. I would push the board to ask why, listen to the answers honestly, and hold leadership accountable for creating an environment where talented people want to build a career. Teachers who feel valued, respected, and trusted to do their jobs well do not leave. That is not just a compensation formula. That is a culture question, and culture starts at the top. How do you plan to promote ongoing professional development to keep our teachers at the forefront of modern education? Professional development should be something teachers look forward to, not something they simply endure. The difference between meaningful and mandatory is the difference between a district that invests in its teachers and one that checks boxes. As a trustee I would ask whether what we are offering is actually making teachers better in the classroom and whether they feel valued in the process. That is how you build a culture where great teachers want to stay and grow. Fiscal Responsibility & Resource Allocation With enrollment projected to grow significantly, how would you ensure that the district’s budget is managed efficiently while meeting the needs of expanding facilities? Most Celina families could not tell you what is in our district budget and that is not their fault. Public does not mean accessible and accessible does not mean understood. As a trustee I would push for budget conversations that go beyond a line item approval at a board meeting, regular plain language updates that help families connect the dots between how we are spending money and what their kids are experiencing in the classroom. When people understand where the money goes, they become a meaningful part of the conversation. What priorities should guide the allocation of funds between new construction, renovations, and educational programs? The community already weighed in on this, Celina voters passed a $2.3 billion bond by a strong majority, and the priorities they set were clear: new schools, safety upgrades, and technology. My job as a trustee is to make sure those dollars are spent the way voters intended, that educational programs are protected alongside construction, and that families can see exactly where the money is going. Addressing Overcrowding & Infrastructure Needs Celina ISD is experiencing rapid enrollment growth. What measures would you support to prevent overcrowding in our schools? We can't prevent overcrowding; it's already here. According to the district's own bond materials, every campus will exceed capacity within three years. We witnessed it firsthand last year at Moore Middle School, with children sitting on the floor at lunch due to a lack of seating. The bond voters passed gives us a path forward, but someone has to make sure we stay on the path and ask hard questions when we don't. How can we optimize existing facilities while planning for necessary future expansions? Optimizing what we have and planning smart for what's coming are both board level conversations that require transparency and honest reporting. Celina is not the first district to grow this fast. Prosper, Frisco, and Allen have all been through this and have real lessons to share. Are we learning from them or figuring it out on our own? As a trustee my job is to ask those questions, make sure families know what's being planned, and ensure every decision has students at the center. How will you ensure that parents, teachers, and community members have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process? This is exactly why I'm running. Before I was ever a candidate I was showing up to board meetings and talking to families in this community. As a candidate I've been conducting surveys and having real conversations with parents, teachers, and community members, and what I'm hearing is shaping everything, including how I'm answering these questions right now. People want to be heard before decisions are made, not after. That's the standard I hold myself to and will expect the same from the board. Community Engagement & Transparency What methods would you use to maintain transparency about district policies, budgets, and upcoming projects? Information has to be accessible and in plain language. Budget updates, project timelines, and policy decisions should not require a law degree to understand. Texas law allows closed sessions for specific reasons like personnel, legal matters, and real estate, but a lot of what affects families most should never be behind closed doors in the first place. When documents are presented to the public they should actually be readable, not heavily redacted. Technology & Innovation in the Classroom How can Celina ISD better integrate new technologies to enhance learning and operational efficiency? Technology should serve students and teachers, not create more work for them. I'd want to understand what we already have, whether it's being used well, and whether teachers feel equipped to use it before we talk about adding anything new. Better technology in the hands of teachers and better communication tools connecting families to the district would make an immediate difference for everyone. What role do you see for technology in preparing students for a rapidly evolving, digital future? Every student leaving Celina ISD should be digitally literate and ready for what comes next. Technology in the classroom should connect to real skills, not just screens for the sake of screens. The board's job is to make sure we're asking whether what we're investing in is actually preparing kids for careers and opportunities that don't exist yet, and that teachers have what they need to make that happen. Student Safety & Wellbeing What initiatives do you believe are essential to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment? Every student deserves to feel safe and to learn in an environment where they can actually thrive. That looks different for different kids. Students with special needs deserve programs built for them, not just access to a general classroom. Gifted students deserve to be challenged, not held back. Strong discipline and clear behavioral expectations protect everyone, especially the kids who are there to learn. Safety and order are not optional, they are the foundation everything else is built on. How would you address issues related to student mental health and overall wellbeing within the district? Mental health challenges are real, and parents are telling me they are watching kids develop anxiety and depression at rates we have never seen before. Some of that starts with what we are putting in front of them. Celina made a strong call going phone free on campuses and the data backs that up, but taking phones away is only part of the answer. We need to educate kids on real dangers and partner with parents to put safeguards in place at home too. When a student is struggling, parents need to be the first call, not the last. When that struggle becomes a safety concern for others, the district needs clear policies to protect everyone involved. Every child needs to know they are uniquely valued by this community and by God, and as we grow we cannot let that get lost. Celina ISD has seen its share of trouble with the recent locker room events and impaired teachers. Why did these things happen and what do you intend to do to stop similar events from happening in the future. These are questions that deserve full and honest answers from the people who were in the room. What I know is what most Celina families know, which is not enough. Reports have been heavily redacted, decisions have come without explanation, and parents have had to show up to board meetings just to get basic information. What the investigation confirmed is that our children were not protected the way they should have been. That is the bottom line. The protection of our children has to come before everything else. That is not a political position. That is the only acceptable standard. As a trustee my job is to dismantle what is not working and build something better in its place. Parents deserve trustees who fight to get the truth out, not keep it in the dark. The truth always comes to light, and parents in Celina deserve the truth. Balancing Tradition with Change Celina ISD has a proud legacy—how will you honor this tradition while implementing necessary changes for modern education? I grew up here and graduated from Celina High School, so this is not abstract for me. The legacy worth protecting is not a specific program or a way things have always been done. It is the culture of this community, the relationships, the belief that every kid matters and everybody knows your name. That does not get preserved by standing still. It gets preserved by making sure every decision we make, whether it is about curriculum, technology, facilities, or hiring, is held up against the question of whether it is actually good for kids. That is how you honor where you came from while building something worthy of where you are going. What innovative ideas do you have that could enhance the learning experience while respecting the district’s history? Celina's legacy is something to be proud of, and the families who built it deserve that recognition. But we are not the same town we were ten years ago. Thousands of families are moving here with kids who have different gifts and different interests, and our programs need to reflect that. One concern parents raised in our survey is equity in girls' athletics, from funding to facilities to opportunity. That conversation is worth having openly. Every kid who moves to Celina should be able to find their place here. That is how you honor a legacy while actually growing it. Collaboration & Leadership How do you plan to work collaboratively with fellow board members, administrators, and community stakeholders to achieve your goals? My approach has always been to show up prepared, listen more than I talk, and work hard alongside whoever is in the room. If I raise a concern I bring a solution with it, or I commit to finding one. I have spent this campaign doing exactly that with parents, teachers, and community members across Celina, and that does not change if I win. A board works when everyone at the table is pulling in the same direction for kids. That is the only agenda I am bringing. What leadership qualities do you bring that will positively impact the district’s future? I do what is right and I speak what is true, even when it is uncomfortable and even when people push back. I do not cave. I have grit and I have integrity, and right now those two things matter more than any title or credential. A lot of people care about what is happening in this district. I am someone who will actually stand up and fight for it. I ask questions until I understand something fully and I do not vote on things I do not understand. Celina does not need a politician at this table. It needs someone who genuinely loves this community and will not stop working until it gets what it deserves. What is the key message you want to convey to parents, educators, and community members regarding your candidacy? I have no personal agenda here. I am not running to protect anything except the kids and families in this community. What pushed me to step up was simple. I believe every child in Celina deserves the same thing I want for my own kids, and I believe parents deserve a seat at the table through someone who has nothing to offer except their voice, their fight, and their grit. Someone who genuinely loves this community and will not stop working until it gets what it deserves. No one will work harder for your kids than I will. I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote. Closing Statement How do you envision your role on the School Board making a lasting difference for Celina’s students and families? I regularly tell my kids that God created them to be difference makers, called by a higher authority to something bigger than themselves. That is not just something I say. It is something I believe about every child in Celina. Schools shape who children become. The values they encounter in those hallways, the way they are seen and known, the culture that surrounds them every day, that matters eternally not just academically. Celina's students and families deserve a board that understands that weight and takes it seriously. That is the difference I am praying this seat can make. Contact Email Erin@VoteErinNorris.com Phone +1 469 382 9409 Campaign Website Link https://www.voteerinnorris.com/ Facebook Campaign Link https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588532724096

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Who is running for Celina City Council in 2025? Get their answers to the hard questions here! 2025 Celina City Council And School Board Candidates TBOC ENDORSEMENTS COMING SOON TBOC Members, Welcome to the official Candidate Q&A for the 2025 Celina City Council and Celina ISD School Board elections. On this page, you’ll find comprehensive profiles of the individuals running to shape the future of Celina, Texas—and, importantly, our local school system. Our candidates, drawn from diverse backgrounds, share a common commitment to serve and improve our community and educational landscape. (Please note that while questionnaires were sent to all candidates, two school board candidates chose not to respond.) Explore each candidate’s vision for local growth, community development, and sustainable improvements. Whether their focus is on enhancing public safety and boosting local business, or on advancing educational excellence and supporting our school system, these dedicated leaders are ready to listen to your concerns and guide Celina toward a promising future. Click on a candidate’s profile to learn about their background, policy priorities, and plans to address the challenges and opportunities facing our city and schools today. Join the conversation, get informed, and make your voice heard this election season. While you're here consider joining TBOC —sign up is simple, quick, and free, plus you get so many things before non-members as well as discounts that are tailor made for TBOC Members only! We hope this resource provides valuable insight into what each candidate stands for, believes in, and aims to accomplish for Celina, Texas. If you have further questions, feel free to reach out at Ron@TheBestOfCelina.com or call/text 214-783-5440. Stay tuned for our upcoming Candidate Endorsements and podcast interviews with each willing candidate. – Ron Lyons Click On Any Candidate Below To Read Their Full Q and A Celina City Council Place 1 Dorothy Allan City Council Candidate Place 1 Philip Ferguson City Council Candidate Place 1 Celina City Council Place 6 Brandon Grumbles City Council Candidate Place 6 Unopposed City Council Candidate Place 6 CISD Board Candidates Place 1 Meagan Dungan CISD Board Candidate Place 1 Chuck Hansen CISD Board Candidate Place 1 Vicky Hogue CISD Board Candidate Place 1 CISD Board Candidates Place 2 Cameron Riggs CISD Board Candidate Place 2 Michael Wagoner CISD Board Candidate Place 2

Eric Becker, candidate for Mayor of Celina Texas in the 2026 election, shares his positions on growth, infrastructure, taxes, water supply, public safety, economic development, and downtown Celina. Candidate Q&A – Eric Becker 2026 Celina Mayoral Candidate Place 4 Opponents: Ryan Tubbs and Erica Cornelius Managing Growth & Infrastructure. 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? Celina’s growth must be synchronized with infrastructure capacity. Development approvals should align with roads, water, drainage, and public safety readiness. I support impact-based financing, long-term capital improvement planning, and conservative debt management so growth helps fund growth. Maintaining small-town character requires thoughtful zoning, preserved open space, strong design standards, and protecting our historic downtown. Disciplined planning and clear expectations for developers, we can accommodate new residents while preserving what makes Celina unique. Fiscal Policy & Taxation. 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? Lowering the tax rate is meaningful, but real relief also requires spending discipline and diversified revenue. My philosophy is simple, live within our means, budget conservatively, and grow our commercial tax base to reduce pressure on homeowners. I would continue evaluating rate reductions annually, but only if essential services and infrastructure obligations are fully funded. Long-term fiscal stability requires expanding sales tax through responsible retail and business recruitment while maintaining strict oversight of expenditures. Water Supply & Conservation. 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? Long-term water security requires a dual strategy: expanding supply and managing demand. Regional investments like Lake Ralph Hall strengthen capacity, but infrastructure must be paired with responsible conservation to reduce peak stress on the system. Because irrigation accounts for roughly half of peak-season usage, conservation ordinances such as smart irrigation standards, drought-tolerant landscaping, and reasonable turf limitations in new developments should be part of the solution. These measures should be phased, data-driven, and clearly tied to capacity planning. Engagement is critical. Builders need predictable standards incorporated early into development codes, and residents need education on cost savings and long-term reliability. Transparent communication about supply projections, infrastructure costs, and drought contingency planning will build community support for sustainable water management. Public Safety & Emergency Services. 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? Public safety must scale with population. As calls increase 10–20% annually, we need data-driven models, planned facility expansion, and disciplined capital planning. We must ensure response times remain strong while leveraging technology, regional partnerships, and shared services where feasible. Public safety spending should be strategic and proactive. Transportation & Mobility. 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? Road investments should be prioritized based on safety, congestion relief, and economic impact. Outer-loop connections and arterial capacity often relieve system-wide pressure more effectively than aesthetic upgrades. Downtown improvements should be phased responsibly. Our immediate priority is building a reliable road network that matches our growth trajectory. Working with TXDOT and helping them prioritize is also important. Downtown Vision. 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? In 10–20 years, I envision a vibrant, walkable downtown that honors our heritage while supporting thoughtful development. Historic preservation must remain central, with architectural standards that protect scale and character. I am not in favor of large chain (corporate) businesses in downtown. Economic Development & Retail Mix. 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? We need both national retailers and strong local businesses. Big-box stores expand the tax base and reduce sales leakage; locally owned businesses define our culture. Strategic zoning, façade programs, small business support initiatives, and careful site planning can ensure coexistence. Economic development should diversify revenue, create quality jobs, and reinforce our entrepreneurial spirit. Housing Affordability & Diversity. 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? A healthy city provides housing options for young professionals, families, and seniors. Thoughtful density near commercial corridors can reduce sprawl while preserving established neighborhoods. I support planning that allows diverse housing types without sacrificing infrastructure capacity. Any incentive tools must be fiscally responsible and community-supported. Open Space, Parks & Agricultural Heritage. 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? Growth and preservation are not mutually exclusive. Strategic land-use planning, greenbelt corridors, and park dedication requirements should be integrated into development approvals to protect open space while accommodating population growth. Preserving key view corridors and historic properties maintains Celina’s identity. I support exploring voluntary conservation tools, trail connectivity, and partnerships that protect agricultural land where feasible. Agritourism—farmers markets, seasonal festivals, and farm-to-table initiatives—can celebrate our heritage, support local producers, and strengthen community identity without compromising fiscal responsibility. Financing Growth (PIDs, TIRZ & Other Tools). 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? Growth should help fund the infrastructure it requires. PIDs are appropriate when transparently structured and limited to benefiting properties. TIRZ districts should be used selectively and only when measurable economic return justifies public participation. Any financing mechanism must include clear accountability, defined timelines, and conservative risk assumptions. Long-term debt should never compromise fiscal stability. Downtown Parking & Transit. 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? Structured parking is a practical step, but it must match realistic demand projections. Nearly 400 spaces may meet near-term needs; however, utilization data should guide future expansion rather than assumptions. Phased planning prevents overbuilding and unnecessary debt. Parking management should prioritize turnover for visitors, designated employee parking, and clear wayfinding. Time limits and smart-parking technology can improve efficiency. I would also evaluate complementary solutions such as seasonal e-shuttles, coordinated ride-share zones, and event-based traffic planning to reduce congestion while preserving downtown accessibility and walkability. Sales-Tax Strategy & Economic Resilience. 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? Our goal should be a balanced and diversified sales-tax base. That means recruiting destination retail, family entertainment, restaurants, and service businesses that keep spending local, while also pursuing light industrial, technology, and professional employers that add daytime population and stability. We must avoid dependence on any single sector. Diversification, conservative revenue forecasting, maintaining healthy reserves, and phased infrastructure investment protect the city during economic cycles. Sustainable growth comes from broad participation across retail, services, and employment—not one headline project. Community Engagement & Transparency. 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? Trust requires proactive communication, not reactive explanations. Major decisions—zoning, utility investments, water policy—should be clearly presented before votes occur, with plain-language summaries, financial impacts, and long-term implications publicly accessible online. I support regular town halls, targeted neighborhood meetings, digital updates, and expanded use of surveys and advisory boards. We must engage long-time residents, new families, business owners, and underrepresented groups early in the process. Transparency in budgeting, capital planning dashboards, and consistent public reporting builds confidence and keeps leadership accountable. Regional Cooperation & Infrastructure. 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? Regional coordination is essential as Celina grows. I would maintain proactive engagement with the Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Collin County, TXDOT, and neighboring cities to ensure infrastructure planning aligns with projected growth and capacity needs. That means participating early in regional planning discussions, advocating for fair project prioritization, sharing data on growth projections, and building cooperative agreements that address cross-jurisdictional traffic and utility demands. Strong relationships, clear communication, and consistent representation ensure Celina’s interests are protected while contributing responsibly to regional solutions. Personal Priorities & Vision. 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? Three defining priorities: infrastructure readiness, long-term water availability, and fiscal discipline. My background as a business owner and long-time resident has required budgeting, strategic planning, and accountability. I believe leadership means setting direction, empowering professional staff, and making decisions grounded in data, not politics. My goal is simple: leave Celina stronger, financially stable, and prepared for the next generation. Growth brings opportunity, but also responsibility. I offer steady, business-minded leadership focused on infrastructure, public safety, and fiscal discipline. Closing Statement 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)? Voters should support me because I will prioritize long-term stability over short-term headlines, trust professional expertise, and ensure Celina grows responsibly while preserving the character that brought us here. Contact Email eric@automationintegration.net Phone +1 214 707 8208 Political Website www.BeckerForCelina.com