Election season officially kicks off for area City Council and school board races today. The filing period for the May 11 election runs through March 1. Here's a rundown of the upcoming races:
SouthlakeSouthlake will have a busy election season with three City Council seats and a possible election for a multi-purpose center.Up for reelection are Brandon Bledsoe, Place 3, Al Zito, Place 4, and Jeff Wang, Place 5.Southlake limits council members to two consecutive, three-year terms. All three incumbents are eligible to run again.For more information on running for office, visit the city secretary's office at Town Hall, 1400 Main St., call 817-748-8016 or visit cityofsouthlake.com and click on the city secretary link under city departments.The council has not decided whether to call a bond election or referendum for a $31-million multi-purpose center for May or delay it until November, Mayor John Terrell said.Southlake officials are looking for ways to fund the facility without a tax increase. That will be the main discussion at the council's winter workshop Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Timarron Country Club, 1400 Byron Nelson Parkway."There's a real possibility that this item won't end up on our May election," Terrell said.Through online surveys, Southlake residents have indicated that they want a facility with recreation areas, meeting space, aquatics and a new senior center. Terrell said they don't want an increase in property taxes."We want to make sure that we do this the most fiscally responsible way possible," Terrell said. "I know they would much prefer to have it without a tax increase. We're going to do everything in our power to make sure that that happens." The council has until March 1 to call an election for May 11.Carroll ISDOn the Carroll school board, candidates can file for Place 6 and 7. Trustees John Thane, Place 6, and Sherri Williams, Place 7, are both long-time school board members.The terms are for three years and there are no term limits.For more information, visit the district's new administration office, the former Carroll Middle School at 2400 N. Carroll Ave.ColleyvilleThe mayor and two City Council seats are up for reelection this year in Colleyville. The seats are currently held by David Kelly, mayor, Carol Wollin, Place 1, and Michael Muhm, Place 3.Terms last three years and there are no term limits.For more information, visit the city secretary's office in City Hall, 100 N. Main St., or call 817-503-1130.GrapevineGrapevine voters will decide between candidates for two City Council seats and whether the city should have term limits.Council members Mike Lease, Place 3, and Darlene Freed, Place 4, are up for reelection.For more information, visit the city secretary's office at City Hall, 200 S. Main St., call 817-410-3182 or go online at grapevinetexas.gov and click on the city secretary page under departments.Terms last three years and currently there are no term limits.That could change as voters consider a charter amendment that would limit the mayor and council members to three consecutive terms, or nine years.A bipartisan group of Grapevine residents collected more than 1,400 signatures last fall to put the item on the ballot for May. The group, called Better Grapevine, wants term limits to bring new candidates and ideas to the council in a city where long-time incumbents have dominated Council seats.If approved, the three-term limit would start in 2013, meaning current incumbents could serve three more terms. Term limits would start over if a council member took a year off between terms or became mayor.Grapevine-Colleyville ISDThe Grapevine-Colleyville ISD school board has two seats up for reelection this year. The seats are currently held by Karen Deakin, Place 3, and Lisa Pardo, Place 4.For more information, visit the GCISD administration office at 3051 Ira E. Woods Ave. in Grapevine or call 817-251-5200.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
