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With the early voting period starting this week, learn more about your candidates for local offices with our May election guide.
Elgin City Council races include YaLecia Love and Jennifer Flores for Ward 2, and incumbent Forest Lee Dennis is being challenged by Stephanie Lippke for Ward 4. Cheryl Reese and John Altmiller are the candidates for District 2 at Elgin Independent School District.
Incumbents in three other races drew no opponents and are effectively re-elected. Arthur Gibson and Matthew Callahan will continue as city councilmen for Wards 1 and 3, respectively. School board president Byron Mitchell stays as District 1 representative at Elgin ISD.
For our Local Election Guide regarding Bastrop, Smithville and McDade, click here.
SAMPLE BALLOT: Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on the PDF attachment.
We sent a survey to each candidate in each contested race for each position on the Elgin City Council and school board based on contact information at hand. Candidates had the option to answer each individual question and/or submit a general statement. We received these responses by our deadline of April 17.
Early voting began April 24, and Election Day is May 6. To confirm your voter registration status and learn more about the election, visit http://www.bastropvotes.org.
— Elgin City Council —
Ward 2
YaLecia LeFlore-Love
What made you want to run for this position?
I am running for city council because I believe in the ability of local government to make a real difference for the local people. We live locally and I plan to spend my working hours on council doing something that makes our local community an even better place to live. I get excited about integrating ideas and skills to get better outcomes. As your ward representative, I aim to make a real continued difference in our community by keeping us united. We are “One Team, One Town, One Family.” I aim to represent the views of my ward and the community at-large to ensure we get the services and support needed to make Elgin a great place to live for everyone.
Describe your experience – educational, professional or personal – that you bring to this position?
If elected, I bring over 10 years of experience as a health professional and 23 as a community volunteer to this position. I am an avid community leader and volunteer in Elgin for many events and activities. Most recently, I was selected to participate in the first ever Elgin 101 Academy class and was elected as class president by my fellow participants. Elgin 101 is designed to enhance the citizens of Elgin's knowledge of how our city government operates. During the winter freeze of 2021 and 2023, I worked with other neighbors in our neighborhood to get water and food where we safely could to each other. Additionally, I am a member of the Elgin Juneteenth Organization, co-chair of The Hogeye Festival, including the Children's Parade and hospitality room, and will be the head chair this year over the Children's Parade. I have been a part of Elgin's Lighted Christmas and ran the "Decorating Cookies" station during that morning's events. I am also a part of Elgin Cares. Through this organization, hot meals are provided every Friday to members of our community. My heart is in everything I do for our community. As a City Council Ward 2 representative, I will continue to bring the passion I have for our city to the position and constantly strive to improve the lives of Ward 2's residents as well as the lives of everyone throughout the city.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your city? Feel free to add anything specific about your ward/district.
After walking, driving, and speaking with many residents in Ward 2, the biggest challenge identified by the residents is infrastructure, especially our roads. Roads and other infrastructure are something that our city has been working to improve within each ward, including the 290 corridors. Our city is growing and so is what we need to make life better for us as residents. As a representative for Ward 2 on the council, I will continue to be an advocate for road improvements that are needed to ensure the citizens of Elgin and visitors can safely navigate through our streets.
What are some changes (if any) you feel need to happen to move forward?
There are four areas where I see change is needed within the city. First, I want to see more businesses build in Elgin proper. Second, we need access to more health care facilities. Specifically, we need an actual hospital or some type of emergency facility that can handle or stabilize emergency situations. Third and as previously mentioned, improved roads are needed to accommodate increased usage due to our growth. Fourth, is community safety. Safety is something that is really starting to show concern every day. I want to engage the community and Elgin P.D. in efforts that will keep our neighborhoods safe.
In the last two years, what are some city council/staff decisions made you have agreed with and/or aspects of the city you feel are going in the right direction?
Recently approving tax exemption for 65 and older residents of our community was a great decision. Also, the work being done to improve and maintain our streets, especially after the recent winter ice storm, are underway. One example of such improvement is the widening of a portion of County Line Road.
How do you expect your city to adapt as its population grows? Where do you see your community in five years?
As the population of Elgin grows, I see the community adapting by embracing the new and varied talents, views, and increased volunteerism from our new residents. Population growth is not seen as a negative, rather is a welcomed change by many. In five years, I see our city as a place that continues to thrive as we grow.That growth includes more businesses, access to health care, improved infrastructure and increased community engagement.
Why should the voters choose you? What sets you apart from your opponent?
Voters should choose me because I am tenacious in all my efforts. They should choose me because I listen to what everyone has to say and research issues as a means of finding the best resolution. I'm passionate about whatever I do. I am task oriented and a servant leader who is fully vested in our community. Furthermore, I will strive to support our community by addressing issues identified by the residents of our city and by driving change through the implantation of new ideas/strategies. I am effective, respectful, polite, and will continue to be that to my fellow council members, staff, and the public regardless of likes, dislikes, friendships or politics. Voters should choose me because I believe that community engagement helps local governments to promote sustainable decisions. And aim to help make a positive difference and help share the future. Lastly, my qualifications are my proven community involvement, my family's investment in our home and property, my steady performance within the community, the understanding of teamwork, and my time and commitment to this town and community.
Any other information you would like to share with voters?
I would like to remind everyone that early voting starts Monday, April 24, to May 2. Please remember that Travis County Polling location will be at the ACC-Elgin location this year, and all Bastrop County polling locations will be at the Elgin Rec Center. Election day is May 6. I encourage everyone to utilize their right to vote. And ask you vote for LOVE on the ballot for Ward 2. I will be hosting a candidate interview for the community to come ask me questions at Jackson Soul located at 313 N. Main St., Elgin, TX 78621, on Saturday April 22, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. We’ll also be supporting one of our local businesses in our community Jackson Soul.
Jennifer Flores
What made you want to run for this position?
I always advise friends and family to be the change and I see this as a way of taking my own advice. Taking action and being a part of the process is what encouraged me to run for City Council member in Ward 2.
Describe your experience – educational, professional or personal – that you bring to this position?
I've been a strong advocate for my communities. I prefer to help anonymously so that way it feels most genuine. In the past six years, my actions have been louder than my words and I am teaching my daughter by example. This has been most rewarding. We all have to start somewhere. Most recently, I completed the Elgin 101 course that was provided by the city of Elgin, free of charge. This helped me obtain a better understanding of how our city is managed. This also helped me get a better look at the relationships within the city of Elgin.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your city? Feel free to add anything specific about your ward/district.
I think that the city of Elgin has had the same thought processes and is stuck in the same way of doing things. I can bring new ideas to the table. I'm always willing to listen to questions, comments, concerns and most importantly suggestions. There is always a solution to every problem and there can be more than one answer. All I ask is for the opportunity to be a part of the solution.
What are some changes (if any) you feel need to happen to move forward?
Certainly the finances need to be allocated better and particular projects need to be moved forward and prioritized. We need to be prepared for the inevitable changes coming to Elgin. We need to be looking further into the future when designing roads and accommodations to our growing community. Safety and security measures need to be prioritized so that we can safely move forward.
In the last two years, what are some city council/staff decisions made you have agreed with and/or aspects of the city you feel are going in the right direction?
I am happy we will be getting another Elementary School on County Line and that the area will be expanding.
How do you expect your city to adapt as its population grows? Where do you see your community in five years?
I'm hopeful that we will have more entertainment for our families. We need safe areas for large groups to gather and not feel like we're in a can of sardines.
Why should the voters choose you? What sets you apart from your opponent?
I'm okay with causing ripples and waves. I will give some push back with questions and concerns from the community. I plan to have a way of direct communication and encourage citizens to reach out. I am not a yes woman.
Any other information you would like to share with voters?
I am excited for the opportunity to be able to help my community in a much bigger way. I appreciate my neighbors and hope to meet their expectations.
Ward 4
Forest Lee Dennis
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Stephanie Lippke
What made you want to run for this position?
Elgin is evolving from a small town to a bedroom community of Austin.If we are not careful all our retail, restaurant and entertainment needs will be met in Austin and the surrounding towns. We need those sales tax dollars in Elgin serving the needs of the Elgin community. We can only achieve this through proactively marketing these opportunities to potential businesses. Strategic planning is always evolving. The city last addressed the strategic plan back in 2009. This plan is antiquated and there has been no action to reinstate Envision Elgin as a commission to advise the city council for future growth.
Describe your experience – educational, professional or personal – that you bring to this position?
I have a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin with a double major in Communications and Sociology and a minor in Spanish. I started my career as a liaison to the Texas Legislative Sunset Advisory Committee working with several statewide associations and a state agency. I continued to take positions over the past 30 years that were unique, rewarding and helped me grow as an individual. I am currently working for Manor ISD at the Manor Early College High School. I spend a lot of my free time answering Elgin citizen’s questions and helping them to navigate the city of Elgin ordinances and codes. Over the past three years, I have immersed myself in everything about the city of Elgin by researching past City Council and boards and commissions minutes and reviewing city of Elgin ordinances and codes. Cataloging this vast amount of information to share with citizens who reach out for help has been very rewarding. I want to be known as the councilwoman who responds and helps citizens with their concerns.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing your city? Feel free to add anything specific about your ward/district.
Hands down the biggest challenge facing Elgin is the explosive growth. We were not ready for it and have been behind in planning and reacting to this new normal. We need to stop allowing developers to build zero-lot line homes in developments currently in planning and in future developments. This has been a huge contributor to the growth of these developments. They are allowed to build the maximum number of houses per acre. This localized population density has created an undue burden on Elgin’s outdated infrastructure.
We fix this by saying no to developers and their tiny lots. We need to require every developer to do their part in paying for infrastructure upgrades to roads their developments will overburden. Developers need to pay their part for parks and donate land for school and public safety substations. This should be a mandate to the City Manager going forward when he is negotiating these Planned Development districts.
What are some changes (if any) you feel need to happen to move forward?
Elgin city government has been reactive to this growth. They need to take an active role in reinstating Envision Elgin and their strategic planning. Elgin adopted the current Strategic Plan in 2009, and the plan was to cover only until 2028. The only update was to the Parks and Recs plans in 2016. Why are we following a Strategic Plan created in an era that could not even begin to forecast the growth we are currently experiencing? This dated and irrelevant plan needs to be completely revised and updated immediately.
In the last two years, what are some city council/staff decisions made you have agreed with and/or aspects of the city you feel are going in the right direction?
When the City Council tied the 2021 Certificate of Obligation bonds directly to the projects by ordinance, legally binding the bond money to the specified projects in the ordinance. The bonds could only be used for projects that were either “constructing, improving, extending, refurbishing, weatherizing and equipping the city’s water and wastewater system including the wastewater treatment plant expansion, additional wastewater lines, lift stations and pumps, replacement of water storage facilities, water wells and refurbishment of water storage tanks.” Since 2016, CO bonds have been taken out by the City of Elgin to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant. It was not until 2021 when funds were again borrowed for upgrading the wastewater treatment plant and these funds were tied by ordinance to the money FINALLY guaranteeing there would be funds to finish this much needed project. This is the ONLY time the city council has tied the project to the bond money since September of 2016.
How do you expect your city to adapt as its population grows? Where do you see your community in five years?
Elgin needs to stop reacting to the growth and start planning for the growth. The land is being sold to housing developments and will leave us without highway property to entice businesses. The city of Elgin and the Elgin Economic Development Corporation should be partnering and marketing every large property listing to potential business developers.We need businesses which generate substantial sales tax dollars for the city. These Master Development fees will dry up as soon and we need sales tax dollars to replace them.
Why should the voters choose you? What sets you apart from your opponent?
If the voters are looking for a strong voice that will ask questions and bring awareness on what is happening in the city of Elgin, then they should vote for Stephanie Lippke. If voters want a City Council member that will respond and help with their issues, then they should vote for Stephanie Lippke. If the voters want a City Council member that will question the status quo and ask the hard and not always popular questions, then they should vote for Stephanie Lippke. If the voters are looking for someone who will hold city management accountable for decisions like the failure to open the rec center during major weather events. The decision to go $3 million over budget on building the Elgin Police Department. The decision to put developer’s needs before those of actual citizens. If voters have concerns about these decisions being approved by the current city council, then they should vote for Stephanie Lippke.
Any other information you would like to share with voters?
I love Elgin deeply, and it’s the community that built me. We are at a point where we need to preserve the heritage, small-town charm and the historic areas while planning strategically for Elgin’s future.
— Elgin ISD —
District 2
Cheryl Reese
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John Altmiller
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— Candidate Forum —
Need to hear more? The Elgin Courier hosted a candidate forum at the Elgin Chamber of Commerce building April 17, which included all four City Council candidates and words from one school board candidate. Watch what they had to say in person.
