Sandeep Sharma
Government 12 at 12
E
ach month Town Life Magazine along with the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce invites a group of 12 people for an informal visit with one of our Town Council or local leaders. The group is selected based on 1st. Come 1st. Serve. This month’s guest was Sandeep Sharma and below are some of the questions that were asked.
Q1: When are we getting a new Town Manager?
As you may know, we paused the search earlier this year when we (Town Council) decided to keep Ms. Debra Wallace as our Interim Town Manager/CFO. We
know we have to go back to continue the search. Now with a new Council
Member and a new Mayor, time may be right to start the search again. Flower
Mound is such a unique town and I want to ensure that we find a candidate who
can relate to our vision to keep our town’s country atmosphere and foster economic development as per the Master Plan.
Q2: What is new in Flower Mound? It is a very loaded question. First, we are conducting a survey of Town’s Trails and Bikeways Master Plan. The input is needed to help shape the future of
our trails and bikeways. Town would like to know what your priorities are when it
comes to walking, cycling, and using trails throughout Flower Mound.
58 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | OCTOBER 2021
Second, there is a proposal for a development along Hwy 377 and Cross Timbers Road. I have been reviewing it and providing feedback to the applicant that I would like it to develop in compliance with the current Master Plan. This corridor along with the southern FM 2499 corridor, are the only two places where we can expect to have large commercial developments, including class-A offices, retail and restaurants, to help balance our tax base. Third, we continue to see development proposals that want to take away our commercial zones and put residential in its place. I am opposed to that and will continue to ensure that commercial zones do not get compromised. At the same time, the existing residential should develop as per their current zoning. Q3: What are we doing to help manage our traffic? Traffic is always everyone’s top issues. As a matter of fact, due to covid related work from home, there was less traffic on the
roads. However, this is only temporary, and I know we need long-term solutions. Town is continuing to improve our traffic signal synchronization technology, every year. We are also looking at implementing adaptive signal timing technology, which will bring improvements. Q4: Why are my taxes so high? What can we do about it? Well, I can only speak to the Town’s portion of the property taxes. In the last couple of years, I have supported decreasing our property tax rate and we approved homestead exemption for the first time. The Town Council and I are looking at further increasing the homestead exemption for the homeowners in the upcoming fiscal year. Q5: What can I, as a homeowner or local businessowner, help the Town and community? My agenda is always to listen to the local residents and be their voice in the Council. The way the residents can help, is by volunteering on town’s Boards and Commissions. We will be opening up the application process in August and September, so please apply and help us. My other goal is to first help existing local businesses sustain, before working to bring new businesses to town. I would also like for the business community and the chamber of commerce to help us bring quality commercial office projects to town. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com
