Three candidates for Flower Mound Place 5 debate traffic, development and affordability at public forum

Dr. Buddy Bonner moderated a Cross Timbers Gazette forum in Flower Mound where three candidates for Town Council Place 5 — Claire Harris, Susan Cox and Ethan Mitchell — answered questions about traffic, development, affordability and the Riverwalk ahead of early voting and the May election.

The candidates diverged on how to address traffic, with Harris pointing to adaptive signal technology and interjurisdictional coordination, Cox saying the town must work with transportation commissions and state agencies because many roads are state-owned, and Mitchell urging a data-driven approach that begins by mapping problem locations and prioritizing safety, including school drop-off lines and pedestrian crossings. "We need to get my hands on data and actually see where the real problems are," Mitchell said.

On development, Harris said Flower Mound's high standards make some projects difficult but praised state streamlining measures and stressed applying the town's Master Plan, traffic impact analyses and water-supply reviews to proposed projects. "If it meets all the ordinance requirements of the town of Flower Mound, we are legally obligated to approve it," Harris said, citing legal limits on denying uses that comply with ordinances. Cox said she would listen to residents and use majority input as a guide; Mitchell said he would analyze whether requirements were met and, where possible, use data to make approvals easier for local businesses.

Candidates offered competing ideas for revitalizing the Riverwalk. Cox called the area "a hot mess" and urged recruiting family-friendly restaurants and better signage for existing businesses; Mitchell emphasized more events and creative marketing, and Harris pointed to a planned cultural arts center and ongoing festivals as tools to draw visitors.

Housing affordability was a recurring theme. Harris noted land prices and proposed lowering the residential property tax rate, maximizing the state-allowed 20% homestead exemption and expanding local options for senior exemptions; Mitchell said he would look for tax-lowering or incentive options that encourage people to move to town; Cox described frustration with rising appraisals and questioned how exemptions are translating to savings for homeowners.

The candidates also addressed outside influence in local elections and campaign finance. Cox said she is endorsed by the Denton County Republican Party and that she has not accepted PAC money; Mitchell said he set a personal spending limit ("the actual number is 1,110") and does not take PAC money, saying "my vote can't be bought." Harris said she has not accepted PAC funds and argued municipal elections should remain nonpartisan.

Throughout the forum candidates emphasized the Master Plan and the Cross Timbers Conservation District as tools to preserve the town's character; Harris highlighted conservation requirements that preserve open space and said those protections maintain the town's 'country feel.'

The event opened with two Lewisville ISD Place 5 candidates — Stacy Barker, a current Lewisville ISD trustee, and retired educator Brian Pollard — who spoke briefly about school performance and experience. Barker cited a district graduation rate of 96.8% and said she had advocated raises for staff not included in House Bill 2, calling fiscal stewardship a reason to support her; Pollard emphasized classroom experience and property tax concerns.

The forum concluded with one-minute closing statements and a reminder from the moderator that the program is available on FMTV and online; early voting begins April 20 and runs through April 28, with election day May 2. The candidates urged residents to review details of proposed projects and attend council meetings ahead of potential future votes.