Candidate Information

Full Name: Jared Elad

Campaign Website and Social Media Links:

JaredForFrisco.com

Facebook.com/JaredForFrisco

Occupation and Background: Financial Advisor – I own my own Wealth Management Firm

Why are you running for Frisco City Council?

I’m running for Frisco City Council because I think we need to start serving the residents of Frisco more effectively, instead of serving the developers and Frisco elite. We need to slow down the density and address the traffic issues, as well as focus on public safety. I also want to focus more on fiscal responsibility and transparency and less on vanity projects such as the PAC and Universal.

Community and Development

What are your top three priorities for Frisco’s growth and development?

Slow down density/halt building apartment complexes; Focus on responsible, community friendly development on the east side; Address traffic in a meaningful way

How do you plan to balance economic growth with maintaining community character?

I’d like to focus more on smaller projects for the community and not so many mega projects. And, I’d like to focus on attracting more small businesses to Frisco.

What is your stance on residential and commercial zoning changes?

Not sure I understand the context of the question

How will you ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth?

I think we need to slow down the growth and let the infrastructure catch up. Future projects should have a plan for infrastructure built in at the beginning. And, it must be adhered to.

Density continues to be a hot discussion for Frisco Residents.  Cheney even did a video on Density seven years ago when running for Mayor.  He said in that video that the resident’s ultimate concerns was the concept of density and what the ultimate build out population number should be. 

At build out the city’s comprehensive plan allows a maximum capacity of up to 350 thousand residents (building with maximum density).  He then said in his campaign video that is not what people move to Frisco for, and he believed to maintain quality of life the population target goal should be around 280,000.  He continued, we need to build out with world-class level developments with more open space, less multi-family all over the city and an overall less dense environment.  In the last two years Cheney has changed his tune and said, “Density is a political dog whistle used at election time for political mailers.”  

What is stance on Density?

Density is a real issue for Frisco citizens. Many have cited this as a reason for leaving. And, it’s creating quality of life issues for everyone. The only way to address it is to slow down the growth and determine what the right population number is for Frisco. 350k residents seems too high.

Fiscal Responsibility and Budgeting

What would be your approach to managing the city’s budget while ensuring essential services are maintained?

First, make sure that essential services are covered. We need to take care of our fire and police departments as well as other city services. Beyond that, all expenditures need to be thoroughly and reasonably evaluated to determine if they are necessary.

Do you believe Frisco’s current property tax rates are sustainable?  Would you support any changes including cuts, increases or adjustments to the current property tax rates? Why or why not?

No. Residents can’t afford their property taxes based on the appreciation of their valuations. Even when the city and Frisco ISD lowers the tax rate, residents still don’t see it as their tax bill gets higher every year. I would be for reducing the rate but that isn’t enough.

What are your funding priorities for public safety, education, and infrastructure?

Public safety should be fully funded including additional police officers to handle the increased issues that will come with Universal (traffic, crime). See my previous comments about infrastructure.

How would you plan to handle Frisco’s increasing debt and financial obligations?

The debt can be handled by not taking on any more of it. The addiction to debt/bonds needs to stop to ensure the financial health of the city for years to come. TIRZ money can be used to pay debt obligations.

In December of 2021, the Mayor, Jeff Cheeney had to vote in a rare tie breaker vote in regard to an employee Health Clinic operated by Premise Health.   At the time city staff shared the results of a survey which collected responses from 684 of 1,239 city employees.  Out of those 684, a total of 89.75% said they were likely or somewhat likely” to use the clinic for urgent care needs.  Only 64.7% said they were likely to “somewhat use” the clinic as their primary care provider. 

Estimated expenses in the clinic’s first year total over $1.44 million, according to the proposed five-year budget. Those expenses include salaries, insurance, management/implementation fees and equipment purchases.  The clinic’s fifth-year budget is listed at more than $1.31 million. It was projected that the clinic will operate at a loss in its first three years.  The estimated cost for the first five years was $6.28 million.  At the time there was a concern about how many years it could take to break even on the investment and how many employees would use the option.  

At the five-year mark if the clinic is still not breaking even would you support closing the Employee Wellness Clinic or continue to operate at a loss?

Yes, I would support closing the clinic if it’s not at break even.

Should the city be in the business or running an Athletic Center, Performing Arts Center, or any other type of business model that mirrors a commercial business which has annual operational costs paid for by tax dollars?  

No

Transparency and Accountability

How will you ensure transparency in your decision-making process and open communication between the city council and residents?

I will explain my decisions on key votes so that the community understands my reasoning. I will also make myself available to meet with residents by hosting regular town halls and I will also listen when community members speak at city council meetings and read their emails.

Currently only the city council meeting is aired live, however many residents believe they should have access to live meetings for the different boards and commissions as well as well as the published minutes of the meetings should be more detailed as to what was discussed. 

Do you support more increased public access to city council meetings, boards and commission meetings?

 Yes

What steps would you take to improve access to meetings, meeting minutes and public records?

I would see what other cities do and replicate the good ideas in Frisco by submitting a proposal for change.

What is your definition of conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest is when someone could potentially benefit from actions or decisions made in an official capacity.

Do you support implementing a stricter ethics policy that puts a check on the influence of money in local politics which would require council members to recuse themselves from votes that could benefit donors who contributed more than $1000 or $2500.00 to a political campaign?   

Yes

Do you believe active members of the city council should be on the front lines advocating as “private citizens” for Propositions on the ballot during local elections?

No

Community Services and Quality of Life

What are your plans for enhancing public parks and recreation on Frisco’s East Side of the DNT?

If Brinkmann Ranch is to be entirely sold, I would work to ensure that some of the land be allocated for public use. The city could require the developers who purchase the land to fund the project/s. That is probably the best location. I would like to see some of the land kept for the cows to graze as that is part of Frisco’s history.

How do you plan to address traffic congestion across Frisco?

Work to ensure the traffic signals work more effectively. Remove concrete medians where the left turn lane traffic spills into the center lane regularly (at DNT and Eldorado for example).

Do you think Frisco has a public transportation need? No

How will you engage with and listen to diverse voices of the community?

See question 1 in the previous section

Public Safety

What measures will you take to ensure Frisco’s Police and Fire Department remain well-funded?

I will ask the departments what they need, validate that by looking at other city models and then advocating for funding.

For years the Frisco Firefighters Association has taken to the citizens input pulpit asking for more staffing (specifically going from a 3 Man Truck to a 4 Man Truck).   Turnover has been high recently with Firefighters taking retirement and then going to work for other cities who are more supportive of their First Responders.

Do you support increased staffing and moving to a 4 Person Truck?  Yes

What will you do to start repairing the relationship with our first responders to stop the turnover, so they stay here in Frisco, and we don’t lose that much needed experience and wisdom.

I will meet with the fire fighters regularly and listen to their concerns. I will also ensure that retention is improved by implementing a target and holding the city manager and fire chief responsible for achieving it. I would start with a 2% decrease in turnover and go from there.

As Frisco continues to grow, do you believe Frisco’s current policies on crime prevention and emergency response are sufficient? Why or why not?

I don’t think we are staffed appropriately for Universal and need to evaluate what is needed before situations escalate. The recent stabbing of a Frisco ISD student shows that this is not the same city it was a few years ago. We need to staff for the situations we encounter today.

Would you support removing Animal Services “out” from under Public Safety and turning it into its own department?

Yes

Residents have been advocating for an animal shelter (instead of the partnership with Collin County) and the city keeps stalling, saying they are open to one with a public-private partnership.   Do you believe Frisco should have its own Animal Shelter and Education Center?  Do you believe it is a city service, or should it be a public-private partnership?

Yes, and yes it Is a city service?

Closing Statements

Is there anything you would like us to know about you that we have not asked?

Do you have any final messages for the voters?

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