Mayor Pro Tem Sandeep Sharma

TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND | TOWN COUNCIL PLACE 2

photo courtesy of Mayor Pro Tem Sandeep Sharma

What was the catalyst for your civic involvement?

Having lived in Flower Mound for many years, I felt that the town was suddenly losing its appeal.

So, I volunteered to get involved in town’s boards and commissions. I served on Town’s Planning & Zoning Commission, SMARTGrowth Commission, Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, and Charter Review Commission.

I got elected to the Flower Mound Town Council in 2018.

What are your feelings about your current term on the Town Council?

I feel satisfied, since I believe we made progress in what I was able to make happen and what we, thankfully, prevented from happening.

One of my major contributions on the Town Council included putting more money in the pockets of the Flower Mound residents. I voted to approve a 2.5% homestead exemption in 2018, which lowered the homeowners’ tax bills. Then, in 2019, I championed and voted for reduction in property tax rate.

I am glad to say that I was successful in leading the effort to remove the discussion of Lakeside TIRZ from the table, which would have cost our taxpayers heavily. Another thing that I firmly believe in is our Master Plan. It already allows for appropriate residential density and commercial developments for economic growth.

I was able to help prevent multifamily residential developments, while encouraging commercial/Class-A offices in designated areas.

While we continue to work on synchronization of traffic lights in Town and make infrastructural improvements using newer technologies, I was able to raise the residents’ concerns and get the FM2499 and FM3040 intersection improvement on our Capital Improvement Plan.

As we know senior citizens are a wonderful part of our community, how do you feel about their needs?

I felt really good about being the catalyst and in collaborating with Seniors in Motion Auxiliary, and the town staff to start a wonderful program this January 2020 to provide affordable transportation to seniors.

What can we look forward to during your second term if you get re-elected?

During my current term, I stayed true to my promises, and you can expect the same from me again. I will continue to support low-density and responsible growth. Flower Mound has a wonderful Master Plan and an enviable SMARTGrowth Program that will guide me.

I will keep encouraging town staff to enhance parks and open spaces. I will continue hold developers to the Town’s park land dedication requirement and stop waiving land dedication and development fees.

I will continue listen to and engage with the residents. Ultimately, the biggest stakeholder in the Town, is its residents.

How do you achieve work-life balance?

Yes, with fulltime work, family and Town Council, it would be fair to say that I am testing my limits. Fortunately, with my company, I can make my own schedule, so conflicts are manageable.

What do you like to do for fun?

Family movie time is the most relaxing, especially, after we have spent hours coming to an agreement on the movie. I look forward to early morning jogs on the trail along the lake. At some point in time, I hope to get back to writing poetry.