District 1

 

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Candidates

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd

 

Issues
1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience
2. Mitigating human-caused climate change
3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging
4. Expanding recycling and food composting access
5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

 

Survey Responses

1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience

Question: Weatherizing homes and buildings to be more energy efficient can make our neighborhoods more resilient against inclement weather, reduce pollution that harms our health, and save residents money on utility bills. Increased energy efficiency could also help prevent future outages from severe weather. Do you support creating municipal policies that will hold our commercial and residential buildings to the highest energy and water efficiency standards and increase weatherization in order to eliminate climate and air pollution impacts from buildings? 

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: As a Council Member, how would you work to help increase weatherization and energy efficiency in the community, especially for lower-income residents and people impacted by the February winter storm?

Matt Irvine:
Currently the city offers grants for solar and energy efficiency upgrades. The funding could be increased, and an information campaign could be launched to inform residents (specifically) of lower-income areas about these grants and assist in filling out the required paperwork to win the grant.

Birdia Johnson:
No response.

Vicki Byrd:
Team up with foundations that favor high environmental practices and connect it to the needs of the community.



2. Mitigating human-caused climate change

Question: Do you believe the City of Denton should prioritize solutions to mitigate human-caused climate change and make Denton more resilient against the impacts of climate change and inclement weather?

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: What will you do to reduce climate emissions in Denton and to make the city more resilient, such as investing in local community solar or weatherizing power plants, against the effects of climate change and extreme weather?

Matt Irvine:
With the recent winter storm, it is clear that Denton seemed okay, but due to ERCOT demand we had to shed load. We need to find a way forward with a better deal with ERCOT, or ditch ERCOT by going solo or connecting to the national grid.

Birdia Johnson:
No response.

Vicki Byrd:
Work with City Administrators to analyze the highest producers and propose grants to assist those producers to execute a plan of action for relief.



3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging

Question: Will you ensure Denton keeps its commitment to using 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery storage) and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for energy and heating?

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: Denton Municipal Electric paid over $200 million to ERCOT due to price gouging during the February winter storm while many residents were without power or potable water. What will you do to protect DME ratepayers from excessive charges from the February storm?

Matt Irvine:
I support the DME lawsuit against ERCOT to prevent the additional uplift charges. Unfortunately to my understanding, the city has already paid the $200 million. Going forward, we in Denton cannot be good stewards of our electrical investment and management while other cities and operators fail to invest in theirs to only allow ERCOT to dictate to us to shed load to cover other areas. Its an unfair burden to the citizens of Denton.

Birdia Johnson:
No response.

Vicki Byrd:
One possible notion is to set up a fund to assist homeowners up to 200.00 to cover excessive billing during that time.



4. Expanding recycling and food composting access

Question: Hundreds of Denton residents have written to the City Council in support of policies that would reduce solid waste by expanding recycling access and addressing food waste. Do you support creating solutions that would bring universal access to recycling and food composting to businesses and residences? 

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd
No
No Response
Yes

Question: How will you work to ensure that the city reduces its solid waste and increase recycling access over the long term?

Matt Irvine:
Unfortunately, only so much ever gets recycled. While I’m not opposed to expanded recycling and food composting access, I think it would be wiser to streamline what we do recycle, and invest in a waste-to-energy facility with a top of the line filter system. This adds to our energy portfolio, and reduces the need to keep expanding our landfill.

Birdia Johnson:
No response.

Vicki Byrd:
I will rely on previous attempts to increase recycling efforts to see if it is a viable plan to restart the program.



5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

Question: Will you support the creation of a regional park at the Gibbons Creek former mine lands that protects Texas wildlife and history while promoting local economic development and healthier communities?

Matt Irvine
Birdia Johnson
Vicki Byrd
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: Additional comments you may have on question 5

Matt Irvine:
With it being decommissioned, we need to find a good partner to offload this to. Due to it’s distance from Denton, Denton residents won’t get to enjoy it, so we should make sure who looks over what comes next for the area are good stewards of it.

Birdia Johnson:
No response.

Vicki Byrd:
Can you eat the fish from the lake?


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District 2

 

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Candidates

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck

 

Issues
1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience
2. Mitigating human-caused climate change
3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging
4. Expanding recycling and food composting access
5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

 

Survey Responses

1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience

Question: Weatherizing homes and buildings to be more energy efficient can make our neighborhoods more resilient against inclement weather, reduce pollution that harms our health, and save residents money on utility bills. Increased energy efficiency could also help prevent future outages from severe weather. Do you support creating municipal policies that will hold our commercial and residential buildings to the highest energy and water efficiency standards and increase weatherization in order to eliminate climate and air pollution impacts from buildings? 

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: As a Council Member, how would you work to help increase weatherization and energy efficiency in the community, especially for lower-income residents and people impacted by the February winter storm?

Connie Baker:
I support taking better advantage of our municipal utilities free GreenSense program for energy. I think DME can look into taking that program to a higher level by being proactive. We could also explore options to partner with those willing and able to actually provide home efficiency improvements by helping people recoup those up-front costs over time with the energy savings.

Daniel Clanton:
No response.

Brian Beck:
The City of Denton’s Sustainability department recently updated their comprehensive Sustainability framework to include STAR & LEED energy conservation criteria. This along with the existing GSEER rebate and Education, Outreach, and Training offerings in schools and community events offer the most direct path into increasing residential household weatherization. More broadly, the recent Winter storms demonstrated how susceptible Denton is to so-called “single points of failure” that cascade into large and unfortunate consequences. I would press both DME and Water/Waste-water departments to finalize audits underway. The fact that these audits have already identified “pain points” that need to be fixed suggests that we likely need to audit more often.



2. Mitigating human-caused climate change

Question: Do you believe the City of Denton should prioritize solutions to mitigate human-caused climate change and make Denton more resilient against the impacts of climate change and inclement weather?

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: What will you do to reduce climate emissions in Denton and to make the city more resilient, such as investing in local community solar or weatherizing power plants, against the effects of climate change and extreme weather?

Connie Baker:
Denton needs to recommit to maximizing use of renewables by the City, individuals, and businesses with solar and other partnerships. At the same time, we all need to realize that energy reliability must be the top priority. This includes implementing proper safeguards from weather disasters as best we can without pricing power too high.

Daniel Clanton:
No response.

Brian Beck:
Three areas I would like to explore with DME, the Sustainability office, and Development & Planning are : (1) micro-solar generation both (a) on residential rooftops as is already being done through the rebate program [which, by the way, should be maintained or increased] but also (b) on large surface area commercial rooftops like the mall or warehouses. The potential to continually migrate from fossil fuel sources towards more and more local rooftop generation without requiring additional land-use footprints is particularly exciting. I would also like to explore (2) roof top and vertical green spaces and vertical wall-gardens that not only substantially reduce cooling needs and help absorb carbon emissions, but also simply look beautiful and make Denton a more appealing place to live. (3) A focus on developing urban green-spaces will also go along with focusing the public and developers on maintaining and sustaining our existing natural riparian and upland habitat corridors and green-rights-of-way throughout the city.



3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging

Question: Will you ensure Denton keeps its commitment to using 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery storage) and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for energy and heating?

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: Denton Municipal Electric paid over $200 million to ERCOT due to price gouging during the February winter storm while many residents were without power or potable water. What will you do to protect DME ratepayers from excessive charges from the February storm?

Connie Baker:
The City had a choice to roll or turn of electricity. We elected to roll in order to keep the citizens safer. We will most likely have an increase, but are trying to ease this over time so our citizens will not be overcharged all at once. I am one of seven Council Members and we work together to make better decisions for our community.

Daniel Clanton:
No response.

Brian Beck:
I completely agree with and support Denton’s lawsuit to prevent so-called “uplift” charges from ERCOT, but this will only go to mitigate additional charges to ratepayers. While a bit of a long-shot considering Texas’ overly favorable treatment of energy producers, in order to mitigate some of the already paid charges, I would support Denton joining with other cities in the Texas Municipal League (TML) to encourage the legislature to create retro-active rate-cap reductions that cover the storm period along with concomitant credits to cities like Denton. Finally, the departure of nearly all the commissioners of the Texas Public Utility Board and the excessive rate caps by ERCOT provide ample demonstration that Texas needs to rejoin the national grid. As such, although again a long-shot, I would also support Denton participating in TML and other efforts to allow cities to break-away from ERCOT and reconnect nationally where possible.



4. Expanding recycling and food composting access

Question: Hundreds of Denton residents have written to the City Council in support of policies that would reduce solid waste by expanding recycling access and addressing food waste. Do you support creating solutions that would bring universal access to recycling and food composting to businesses and residences? 

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck
Yes
No Response
Yes

Question: How will you work to ensure that the city reduces its solid waste and increase recycling access over the long term?

Connie Baker:
Denton needs to keep its place as one of the most aggressive and innovative cities in the state in recycling and waste reduction. Multi-family recycling must be revisited to make access easier. That area is our biggest opportunity for big improvement.

Daniel Clanton:
No response.

Brian Beck:
The two lowest hanging fruits would be to expand recycling options to all residential and commercial addresses (including more multifamily) and to allow for both residential and commercial food waste collection for composting, but this would only mitigate some of the waste. Some barriers to zero-waste are that the municipal and infrastructure costs are hidden to businesses and consumers. But throwing everything in the garbage means the City and citizens have to pay in the long run. The EPA has a number of potential tools that cities use, but one way we could mitigate hidden charges is to either upcharge/surcharge commercial waste that could be re-used/recycled but isn’t, or also similarly provide rate incentives when commercial waste is redirected to recycling/re-use efforts. Finally, for city purchases, we need to expand our green procurement programs for office and building products (similar to how we mandate renewable energy sources for our power consumption), and encourage companies with city contracts to do likewise.



5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

Question: Will you support the creation of a regional park at the Gibbons Creek former mine lands that protects Texas wildlife and history while promoting local economic development and healthier communities?

Connie Baker
Daniel Clanton
Brian Beck
No
No Response
Yes

Question: Additional comments you may have on question 5

Connie Baker:
The sale of this property has been finalized by the City. The staff and Council are always interested in preservation. The City can partner with a non-profit to improve the area of local economic development and healthier communities, but whatever we do will be worked out with our partners at a later date. Therefore, at this time, I cannot support donating the former Gibbons Creek land and generation facility in the the Bryan/College State area. The Council Members will work together to make better decisions for our city and it’s residents.

Daniel Clanton:
No response.

Brian Beck:
Texas has a well-established dearth of regional and state-parks relative to most states, making us less attractive for professionals and professional businesses to move here. These parks not only provide potentially lucrative recreational and play opportunities while contributing to the quality-of-life of Texans, but they also help preserve rapidly dwindling wildlife and floral habitat, preserve historical and pre-historical archaeological sites, and provide outdoor-education opportunities. Economically, Gibbons creek would not only provide recreational opportunities and be a selling point for relocation, but the TMPA is proposing selling the land for ranches and ranchettes at substantially UNDERvalued levels relative to nearby comparables: this is not good stewardship of the tax-payers investments. The better and higher use of this ALREADY government land would be to support the citizens that paid for it in their utility rates. Citizens will never again be able to reclaim this land once we sell it off.


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District 3

 

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Candidates

Jesse Davis

 

Issues
1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience
2. Mitigating human-caused climate change
3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging
4. Expanding recycling and food composting access
5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

 

Survey Responses

1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience

Question: Weatherizing homes and buildings to be more energy efficient can make our neighborhoods more resilient against inclement weather, reduce pollution that harms our health, and save residents money on utility bills. Increased energy efficiency could also help prevent future outages from severe weather. Do you support creating municipal policies that will hold our commercial and residential buildings to the highest energy and water efficiency standards and increase weatherization in order to eliminate climate and air pollution impacts from buildings? 

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: As a Council Member, how would you work to help increase weatherization and energy efficiency in the community, especially for lower-income residents and people impacted by the February winter storm?

Jesse Davis:
To begin, I plan to support adoption of the 2021 International Building Codes when they come before City Council this Summer. We still operate under the 2012 code, if you can believe it. And many of the updates in the 2021 code relate to energy efficiency. That said, I also think it’s important to balance regulation with what regular people can afford and unintended consequences (like increased home prices). Which is why I would also support a residential winterization utility bill credit. It couldn’t be a huge program, because we don’t have the budget for it. But we can start somewhere.



2. Mitigating human-caused climate change

Question: Do you believe the City of Denton should prioritize solutions to mitigate human-caused climate change and make Denton more resilient against the impacts of climate change and inclement weather?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: What will you do to reduce climate emissions in Denton and to make the city more resilient, such as investing in local community solar or weatherizing power plants, against the effects of climate change and extreme weather?

Jesse Davis:
I am a big support of Denton’s 100% Renewable power plan, which we actually surpassed during my first year on City Council (yes, we sometimes produce more than 100% of our power needs). As a member of the Committee on the Environment, I also support and advocate for policies that reduce the City’s share of emissions. Programs such as using electric or hybrid vehicles when practical and allowing certain positions to work from home (both of which we do) can make a difference. I would also like to add more money to our solar rebate program, as the budget allows.



3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging

Question: Will you ensure Denton keeps its commitment to using 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery storage) and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for energy and heating?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: Denton Municipal Electric paid over $200 million to ERCOT due to price gouging during the February winter storm while many residents were without power or potable water. What will you do to protect DME ratepayers from excessive charges from the February storm?

Jesse Davis:
First, I am a big supporter of the City’s lawsuit against ERCOT, going on right now. The purpose of the suit is to prevent the City from paying certain fees and charges to ERCOT that we never should have been stuck with. We are also advocating in the legislature for accountability and structural changes at ERCOT that will prevent crises like this in the future.



4. Expanding recycling and food composting access

Question: Hundreds of Denton residents have written to the City Council in support of policies that would reduce solid waste by expanding recycling access and addressing food waste. Do you support creating solutions that would bring universal access to recycling and food composting to businesses and residences? 

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: How will you work to ensure that the city reduces its solid waste and increase recycling access over the long term?

Jesse Davis:
As one of my first major acts on City Council, I called for the City to investigate and adopt a comprehensive solid waste strategy, with the goal of adopting a Zero Waste Strategy. This plan is still in the investigatory stage, but I’m hoping for a report soon.



5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

Question: Will you support the creation of a regional park at the Gibbons Creek former mine lands that protects Texas wildlife and history while promoting local economic development and healthier communities?

Jesse Davis Yes

Question: Additional comments you may have on question 5

Jesse Davis:
I clicked yes to this question, because I absolutely support the idea. However, there are many practical considerations to work through before it could become a reality. We don’t own the land outright–we co-own it in partnership with 3 other cities. If they would rather sell the land, but Denton refuses, we’d end up in a stalemate. It’s also not at all clear where the money would come from to build and maintain the park infrastructure. I’d estimate at least a few million dollars, and perhaps much more, would be necessary for things like entrance gates, restrooms, campsites, roads, and basic trails. Texas Parks and Wildlife has not shown any interest in running the park, so we’d have to provide staff and pay them. I’d love to see it happen, but we may have to find a compromise somewhere, or settle for less.


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District 4

 

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Candidates

John Ryan
Alison Maguire

 

Issues
1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience
2. Mitigating human-caused climate change
3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging
4. Expanding recycling and food composting access
5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

 

Survey Responses

1. Energy efficiency, weatherization, and resilience

Question: Weatherizing homes and buildings to be more energy efficient can make our neighborhoods more resilient against inclement weather, reduce pollution that harms our health, and save residents money on utility bills. Increased energy efficiency could also help prevent future outages from severe weather. Do you support creating municipal policies that will hold our commercial and residential buildings to the highest energy and water efficiency standards and increase weatherization in order to eliminate climate and air pollution impacts from buildings? 

John Ryan
Alison Maguire
No
Yes

Question: As a Council Member, how would you work to help increase weatherization and energy efficiency in the community, especially for lower-income residents and people impacted by the February winter storm?

John Ryan:
Denton has several ways to help residents increase the energy efficiency. This includes funds for low-income residents to pay for home repairs and weatherization and DME energy audits and rebate programs for high efficiency equipment and solar panels. Policies on new construction and major remodels are already in place. I don’t believe we should force building and home owners to have to upgrade existing buildings when they are not doing a major remodel. I believe the key is education, true cost recovery timelines. As an example if a single speed pool pump costs is $800 and uses $120 worth of electricity per month and a variable speed is $1200 but only uses $60 worth of electricity, in month 7 the $800 pump had cost you more the the $1200. If you replace a working $800 pump with a $1200 pump it will pay for itself in 24 months.

Alison Maguire:
The city has a Homeowner Repair Assistance Program and a rebate program for homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. I would like to see the city expand both of these programs and also be more proactive in connecting residents with state and federal resources for folks whose homes were damaged in the winter storm.



2. Mitigating human-caused climate change

Question: Do you believe the City of Denton should prioritize solutions to mitigate human-caused climate change and make Denton more resilient against the impacts of climate change and inclement weather?

John Ryan
Alison Maguire
Yes
Yes

Question: What will you do to reduce climate emissions in Denton and to make the city more resilient, such as investing in local community solar or weatherizing power plants, against the effects of climate change and extreme weather?

John Ryan:
DME has one of the best rebate programs in Texas of Solar rebates. DME is also evaluating the best way to weatherize the Denton Energy Center and will be bringing those back to council in the near future. The fleet department continuously works at replacement vehicles that are hybrid or electric. The largest producer of GHG in the city is the landfill, we must continue to find diversion methods and educate the public on how the can reduce how much and what goes into our landfill.

Alison Maguire:
Our three biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions are in electricity, waste, and transportation. I would be very interested in exploring the feasibility of DME acquiring greater solar or wind generating capacity, either through the distributed generation program or the building of solar or wind farms. However, with or without generating capacity, we need to continue making progress toward our goal of DME going 100% renewable. We need to revisit some of the solid waste policy changes of the last few years to see how we can reduce landfill emissions and divert more trash from the landfill, including through commercial and multi family recycling and composting programs. On a small scale, the City of Denton can reduce vehicle emissions by transitioning our city’s fleet to low- or zero-emission vehicles where possible. However, we must also prioritize making it safe and convenient for residents to choose modes of transportation other than cars. That means promoting dense, mixed-use development and investing heavily in pedestrian, bike path, and public transportation infrastructure.



3. Renewable energy and protecting against winter storm price gouging

Question: Will you ensure Denton keeps its commitment to using 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, and battery storage) and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for energy and heating?

John Ryan
Alison Maguire
Yes
Yes

Question: Denton Municipal Electric paid over $200 million to ERCOT due to price gouging during the February winter storm while many residents were without power or potable water. What will you do to protect DME ratepayers from excessive charges from the February storm?

John Ryan:
The final cost will most likely not be known until at least late summer. The $200 million is what DME paid for the electricity used but don’t not take into account what DME was paid for the electricity they put on the grid or what DME paid for the fuel to run the Denton Energy Center. When we get to the final number we will use long term revenue bonds so the ratepayers will see less of an increase than the decreases we have put in place the last several budget years.

Alison Maguire:
I am glad that the City of Denton has filed a lawsuit against ERCOT to protect us from further charges, and if elected I will pursue every available avenue to hold officials at ERCOT and other state-level agencies accountable for the man-made disaster we experienced and for the price gouging they engaged in or condoned. Due to the large amount of debt we were forced to take on after the storm, I can’t promise that rates won’t need to be raised keep DME financially viable. However, I can promise that I will place high priority on the concerns of DME ratepayers, and I will do everything I can to ensure that this debt is handled in a responsible and equitable manner.



4. Expanding recycling and food composting access

Question: Hundreds of Denton residents have written to the City Council in support of policies that would reduce solid waste by expanding recycling access and addressing food waste. Do you support creating solutions that would bring universal access to recycling and food composting to businesses and residences? 

John Ryan
Alison Maguire
Yes
Yes

Question: How will you work to ensure that the city reduces its solid waste and increase recycling access over the long term?

John Ryan:
Education of the residents is key. The “brown” carts we started using a couple of years ago help with some of the food waste for “pre-prepared” and spoiled produce. On the recycle side if a load is contaminated beyond 10% the recycle center has the right to refuse it which means it is haul to and buried in the landfill. Better education, especially of dumpster users, is the only way we can eliminate loads being refused.

Alison Maguire:
Commercial and multi-family recycling must be made available across the city right away, and I would like to run a pilot program to explore the feasibility of curbside compost pickup. I would also like the city to invest more heavily in recycling education programs, through communications and through Denton ISD, to work to reduce contamination in our recycling program.



5. Regional park at the former Gibbons Creek mine lands

Question: Will you support the creation of a regional park at the Gibbons Creek former mine lands that protects Texas wildlife and history while promoting local economic development and healthier communities?

John Ryan
Alison Maguire
No
Yes

Question: Additional comments you may have on question 5

John Ryan:
I may be open to it, but because there are several cities involved in the ownership it is a much more complex issue than just yes or no.

Alison Maguire:
The former mine lands surrounding the Gibbons Creek Power Plant are densely forested. Preserving forests and mature trees is a high priority when it comes to air quality and carbon sequestration, and as a City Council member I would fight to protect those trees.


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Denton 2021 Environmental Candidate Survey

 

The following survey was created by Texas Campaign for the Environment for the purpose of nonpartisan voter education on local environmental issues. The survey was distributed to all 2021 Denton City Council Candidates.

Candidates’ responses are organized by council district. If you don’t know your City Council District, you can look it up here.

 

Candidate Survey Responses by District

 

District 1        District 2

District 3        District 4

 

Voter Information:

  • Early voting is Monday, April 19 to Tuesday, April 27.
  • Election Day is Saturday, May 1st.
  • Find your City Council District here.
  • You can find information on voting times and locations here.

 


 


Denton City Council 2020 Runoffs: Environmental Voter Guide

 

 

After a historic turnout in Early Voting and on Election Day, three City Council seats, including the Mayor, are heading for a December 8 runoff election, with early voting beginning November 23. Make sure to get out and vote in the runoff so we continue this incredible streak of voting in Denton!

Click the buttons below to see our voter guide for each race and find out where the candidates stand on environmental issues.

The following survey was created by Texas Campaign for the Environment and Denton Conservation Alliance for the purpose of nonpartisan voter education on local environmental issues. The survey was distributed to all 2020 Denton City Council and Mayoral Candidates. Candidate responses are organized by district/place.

 

Candidate Survey Responses (By District/Place):

 

    Mayor             Place 6          District 2

Mail Ballots: A Note for College Students and Out-of-Town Residents

If you’re a college student in Denton, there’s a good chance you might be out of town for this election. If you’re a student or resident who will be out of town, make sure the Denton County Elections Office receives your application for a mail-in ballot by November 25th. Download the application for a mail-in ballot here. The address to submit your application and more information on the process can be found at the county’s vote-by-mail page.

Voter Information:

  • Places 6 and Mayor are citywide elections. For District 2, voting is restricted to registered voters living within the respective districts. You can find your district here.
  • Early Voting begins on November 23. Once announced, you’ll find Early Voting locations on the county elections website.
  • Election Day is December 8. Find Polling Locations here.
  • For additional election information, including voter registration, voter ID requirements, and precinct information, please visit the Denton County Elections website at www.votedenton.com.

Voting Locations and Times:


Denton Runoffs: District 2

 

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Candidates

Connie Baker
Ronnie Anderson

 

Issues

1. Local Climate Impacts
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
3. Renewable Commitments
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
5. Land Development and Green Spaces
6. Community Engagement

 

Survey Responses

 

1. Local Climate Impacts

What are your greatest concerns about the impacts of climate change on Denton and its residents, and what must the city do to mitigate those impacts? What barriers exist to getting these solutions enacted?

 

Connie Baker
My greatest concerns are about increased heat, drought, insect outbreaks and declining water supplies that lead to a reduced yield in crop, roadways, bridges, wildfires, etc. Same with extreme rainfalls in other areas. Many climate changes effects are manageable by reducing emission gases. Planning ahead and taking action to build protections where already exposed in vulnerable areas.

 

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks

The city recently voted to expand reverse setbacks on development near gas wells to 500 ft. Do you believe the 500 ft reverse setback is sufficient to protect public health? What measures would you like to see implemented to mitigate health concerns from potential air, water, soil, and fire concerns related to gas wells?

 

Connie Baker
No, I feel 500 ft. is still too close to protect the public. I am not sure what measures could be implemented, but i would be willing to look into this matter.

 

 

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

3. Renewable Commitments

Denton has committed to using only 100% renewable energy and reducing air pollution. Recently there was a possibility City Council would have to decide whether or not to sell its share in the Gibbons Creek Coal Plant, which would restart the plant and create non-renewable energy and air pollution. The Gibbons Creek site still may be sold to be used for industrial processes that could create harmful emissions. How would you ensure Denton upholds its commitment to renewable energy and reducing air pollution?

 

Connie Baker
The Gibson Creek Coal Plant would be beneficial to decommission the plant and go with the plan to create a family-friendly area. Selling the Gibson Creek Plant could endanger the health of area residents and polluting the air and water.

 

 

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste

Denton is in the final stages of permitting to expand its landfill to over 200 ft high. Right now, over 50% of annual trash disposal is coming from outside cities and businesses at wholesale rates. What kinds of programs and policies would you consider to reduce trash volumes at the Denton Landfill from within the city and from outside cities and businesses? Would you consider any recycling mandates for businesses or apartments, or food waste diversion mandates (composting, food donations) for food businesses?

 

Connie Baker
It is my understanding that clothes are a big item in landfills. It would help to have more clothes recycle bins around town and encourage people to donate to our 2 Goodwill centers. Bringing your own cloth bags for groceries helps save the landfills from plastic bags. Composting sites would be helpful with leftover food items, such as, banana peels, egg shells, etc. Recycling bins for paper and cardboard, etc. at business would be very beneficial. Denton has a great recycle program with containers available for home use. We need to use them more by talking to our community members.

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

5. Land Development and Green Spaces

City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?

 

Connie Baker
Building projects are essential to growth, but we need to consider how each project will effect the agriculture, wildlife, air pollution, traffic and other components. We need to develop a strategic future vision.

 

 

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

6. Community Engagement

How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?

 

Connie Baker
We could add more open spaces, such as hiking trails, parks and activity centers. Reduce waste by better recycling methods. Encouraging carpools, public transit and bikes as alternate transportation.

 

 

 

Ronnie Anderson 
No Response

 

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Denton Runoffs: Place 6

 

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Candidates

Paul Meltzer
Jim Mann

 

Issues

1. Local Climate Impacts
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
3. Renewable Commitments
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
5. Land Development and Green Spaces
6. Community Engagement

 

Survey Responses

 

1. Local Climate Impacts

What are your greatest concerns about the impacts of climate change on Denton and its residents, and what must the city do to mitigate those impacts? What barriers exist to getting these solutions enacted?

 

Paul Meltzer
Increasing temperatures make the “heat island” consequences of rapid development worse. We need to preserve and enhance tree canopy, make funded parkland purchases, and be open to creative zoning-for-preservation swaps.

 

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks

The city recently voted to expand reverse setbacks on development near gas wells to 500 ft. Do you believe the 500 ft reverse setback is sufficient to protect public health? What measures would you like to see implemented to mitigate health concerns from potential air, water, soil, and fire concerns related to gas wells?

 

Paul Meltzer
In the balance of property rights and health protections, I think 500 feet is a realistic and prudent basic reverse setback. I’d be interested in exploring other avenues to encourage well capping and zoning-for-conservation swaps.

 

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

3. Renewable Commitments

Denton has committed to using only 100% renewable energy and reducing air pollution. Recently there was a possibility City Council would have to decide whether or not to sell its share in the Gibbons Creek Coal Plant, which would restart the plant and create non-renewable energy and air pollution. The Gibbons Creek site still may be sold to be used for industrial processes that could create harmful emissions. How would you ensure Denton upholds its commitment to renewable energy and reducing air pollution?

 

Paul Meltzer
I was relieved to see that the sale would involve decommissioning the plant and doing the associated environmental cleanup. We’re continuing to engage in new longer term renewable energy contracts. I also support increasing our tree canopy and protecting green space to sequester carbon and particulates.

 

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste

Denton is in the final stages of permitting to expand its landfill to over 200 ft high. Right now, over 50% of annual trash disposal is coming from outside cities and businesses at wholesale rates. What kinds of programs and policies would you consider to reduce trash volumes at the Denton Landfill from within the city and from outside cities and businesses? Would you consider any recycling mandates for businesses or apartments, or food waste diversion mandates (composting, food donations) for food businesses?

 

Paul Meltzer
I support finding ways to limit contamination so we can expand our recycling program to include commercial and multifamily—a waste stream three times as big as residential. I also support investigating introducing curbside compost pickup for residential and commercial. Other municipalities do it.

 

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

5. Land Development and Green Spaces

City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?

 

Paul Meltzer
We have about $6 million in bond money for parkland purchases. We prioritize adding people into the 10-minute-walk to green space range and trail connectivity. I’ve also asked staff to add an evaluation of conservation value to each parcel considered. I feel we need to protect the trees areas around our major watersheds, Clear Creek, Hickory Creek, Pecan Creek, and Cooper Creek and preserving what’s left of our original cross timbers. I encourage exploring zoning-for-conservation swaps to achieve this.

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

6. Community Engagement

How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?

 

Paul Meltzer
I supported forming a new Sustainability Committee to tap local expertise to help guide us toward our sustainability goals.

 

 

 

Jim Mann
Declined to Respond

 

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Denton Runoffs: Mayor

 

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Candidates

Keely Briggs
Gerard Hudspeth

 

Issues

1. Local Climate Impacts
2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks
3. Renewable Commitments
4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste
5. Land Development and Green Spaces
6. Community Engagement

 

Survey Responses

 

1. Local Climate Impacts

What are your greatest concerns about the impacts of climate change on Denton and its residents, and what must the city do to mitigate those impacts? What barriers exist to getting these solutions enacted?

 

Keely Briggs
Extreme record breaking temperatures, drought, flash flooding, water supply, loss of habitat/insects. We must put a priority on green infrastructure and protecting and preserving our forests. The barriers would be funding and a lack of urgency by council.

 

 

Gerard Hudspeth
One of my top environmental and land development concerns is guarding against developmental sprawl. I support policies to incentivize infill development and repurpose existing buildings. Another priority is the tree canopy and green spaces. I will work to ensure both increase every year.

 

 

 

2. Gas Drilling and Development Setbacks

The city recently voted to expand reverse setbacks on development near gas wells to 500 ft. Do you believe the 500 ft reverse setback is sufficient to protect public health? What measures would you like to see implemented to mitigate health concerns from potential air, water, soil, and fire concerns related to gas wells?

 

Keely Briggs
500ft. is better than 250ft. Data from other studies suggests it should be more. Without a local Denton study, 500Ft was agreed upon and it is in place. With the 500ft, I believe other measures should be implemented to help with safety. Soil and water testing, local health impact study, continued/increased inspections, notifications to homeowners and air monitoring around sites.

 

Gerard Hudspeth
Personal health concerns are not a one size fits all solution. As Mayor, I would take a very active role in ensuring Denton’s public health. Public health is a core responsibility of the City Council, per the city charter.

 

 

 

3. Renewable Commitments

Denton has committed to using only 100% renewable energy and reducing air pollution. Recently there was a possibility City Council would have to decide whether or not to sell its share in the Gibbons Creek Coal Plant, which would restart the plant and create non-renewable energy and air pollution. The Gibbons Creek site still may be sold to be used for industrial processes that could create harmful emissions. How would you ensure Denton upholds its commitment to renewable energy and reducing air pollution?

 

Keely Briggs
I am not in favor of selling Gibbons Creek so that it can continue to run as a coal plant. In 2015 we were told as part of our renewable Denton Plan this dirty polluter would come offline. Most decisions then were made based on that assumption. All generation goes into the grid. Denton has committed to a 100% renewable energy goal and city leaders will need to continue to work and maintain that goal to help the grid stay as clean as possible.

 

Gerard Hudspeth
I cannot provide an answer because this decision has not come before council. It is important to have all available and updated information before making a decision of this magnitude.

 

 

 

4. Landfill Expansion & Zero Waste

Denton is in the final stages of permitting to expand its landfill to over 200 ft high. Right now, over 50% of annual trash disposal is coming from outside cities and businesses at wholesale rates. What kinds of programs and policies would you consider to reduce trash volumes at the Denton Landfill from within the city and from outside cities and businesses? Would you consider any recycling mandates for businesses or apartments, or food waste diversion mandates (composting, food donations) for food businesses?

 

Keely Briggs
We do not need to renew the many outside contracts of waste we allow to come in to our landfill once they expire. If we are to prevent a 210ft trash pile we have to start doing something now. Recycling will help but it isn’t the answer. We can make multifamily units and commercial recycle but if it’s contaminated it will not be recycled. So education is still critically important. We need to start composting programs or change our policy to allow for private companies to begin composting in our city. There is so much food waste!

 

Gerard Hudspeth
The landfill expansion is not imminent and will be decided by a future city council. Denton has a number of programs that encourage citizens to reduce and divert the amount of waste. For example, the dumpsters downtown were removed so that the individual commercial customers could be accountable for their solid waste. Also, this change helped with illegal dumping. Denton offers recycling centers and free pick up to discourage illegal dumping.

 

5. Land Development and Green Spaces

City Council and the Planning-and-Zoning commission have recently seen some high-profile development projects approved that would severely impact or even destroy large swathes of important green corridors, further exacerbating species loss and the financial impacts thereof. Where do you stand on such developments and what steps could the city take to sustain and protect regional environmental assets?

 

Keely Briggs
Losing quality forests and open spaces is hard to watch. These old growth trees and prairies have been here longer than we have.They provide many benefits to our ecosystem. I am concerned about the loss of habitat for our wildlife. We need to understand these areas have value and add to our quality of life. When they are gone, they are gone. Our tree code has been updated and is better than before but if an area was platted under the old code, they can use it. A positive is that we allow conservation areas now. It doesn’t seem to be enough. I understand development has to happen and is going to, but we can do it in a smart and sustainable way. These corridors are our highly valued assets and should treated as such.

 

Gerard Hudspeth
The citizens of Denton voted in last year’s bond election to purchase land to preserve green space. I support the vote of the citizens and staff has recently identified several acres to purchase. I currently discuss land banking, via first right of refusal agreements with the city staff. As Mayor I will continue to look for new and unique ways to protect our city green space.

 

 

6. Community Engagement

How would you engage and support community members to make positive environmental changes in Denton?

 

Keely Briggs
I am very excited that we are creating a community Environmental Committee to help implement our sustainability plan. It was an idea that came from our own Environmental Committee, which I chair, to help our residents engage and be a part of solutions to make our city more sustainable. I will continue to host monthly meetings and make sure issues are made public and information is shared.

 

 

Gerard Hudspeth
I have a clear record of promoting open communication on the council. And I want to do more, as Mayor. In the past, people could have direct and daily contact with their leaders. But this has been pushed that to the wayside as cities grew. I plan to use advancements in technology to help me bring that tradition back. As Mayor, I will continue with direct monthly meetings with citizens and use “CivicPlus”, a constituent relationship app to ensure citizens always have a voice. I will also continue to be active with local nonprofit organizations to be part of their weekly scheduled event. I will have an open door policy.

 

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Denton 2020 City Council Candidate Survey

The following survey was created by Texas Campaign for the Environment and Denton Conservation Alliance for the purpose of nonpartisan voter education on local environmental issues. The survey was distributed to all 2020 Denton City Council and Mayoral Candidates. Candidate responses are organized by district/place.

 

Candidate Survey Responses (By District/Place):

 

District 1        District 2           Place 5              Place 6             Mayor (7)  

Voter Information:

  • You can find your district here. Places 5 & 6 and Mayor are citywide elections. For Districts 1 & 2, voting is restricted to registered voters living within the respective districts.
  • Early voting is October 13-30. Find Early Voting Locations here.
  • Election Day is November 3rd. Find Polling Locations here.
  • For additional election information, including voter registration, voter ID requirements, and precinct information, please visit the Denton County Elections website at www.votedenton.com.

 


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