Elgin Mayor Pro Tem Galicia Love outlines priorities, urges residents to engage

Galicia Love, mayor pro tem for the City of Elgin and councilmember for Ward 2, described how neighborhood activism led her into local politics and outlined her duties and priorities in an interview on the City of Elgin podcast.

Love said she balances family life and work — she is a full-time employee at Ascension Seton in neurology and psychology and is pursuing graduate study in clinical mental health — with council service. "It's $150 a month after taxes come to 113," Love said when asked about council compensation, adding that the position is effectively volunteer work and that she serves because she is passionate about the community.

Love recounted a neighborhood dispute that helped launch her civic engagement: developers had promised parks and open space in a new subdivision but shortly after move-in residents received notices about apartment construction nearby. She said she and neighbors collected more than 320 signatures and brought the concern to city council; according to Love, the developer later did not proceed with the apartment project. "We went around and we got signatures from over 320 people in the neighborhood," she said, describing the experience that led her to run for office.

Love also described her responsibilities as mayor pro tem and her role representing Elgin at regional gatherings. She said she attends additional meetings beyond regular council sessions and recently represented Elgin at Texas Municipal League (TML) Small Cities events, bringing back training and best practices. "I am one of the only council members on council who is a certified municipal official," she said, noting that she uses those resources to identify opportunities that could benefit the city.

On policy priorities, Love said the council is focused on encouraging commercial and industrial development to expand the local tax base, finishing road work that has caused "growing pains," and approving community amenities such as a new skating rink residents requested. "We don't want to keep going out to other cities and spending our tax dollars there," she said, describing a desire to keep activity and spending local.

Love also urged residents to get involved: contact their ward representative, attend ward meetings, and volunteer for boards or community events. She described organizing the children's parade (Hawkeye) and other volunteer-driven activities as entry points for civic participation. "Your vote does matter," Love said of her narrow first race, which she said she lost by four votes before winning in a later election.

Host Stacy Ford Osborne closed the episode by directing listeners to the city's website for information about meetings and opportunities to participate.

For more information, the city posts agendas and meeting details at elgintexas.gov.