Seven candidates are running for three seats on the Snook City Council in the May 2 city election, and they shared their thoughts on the issues with the Burleson County Tribune in our candidate forum.
The candidates are running for seats now held by Tina Vega, who is seeking re-election, and the seats held by John Pollock and Matt Collins, who are not seeking re-election.
In addition to Vega, the candidates include Charles Dunlap, Clarence Junek, MandieLee Demke, Ryan Taylor, Brad Hays and Kerrigan Bomnskie.
Each of the candidates were asked four questions.
The first question is: With the city seeing record growth and more growth anticipated, what are the city’s most important infrastructure needs (water, sewer primarily) through the decade, and how should Snook pay for that?
Vega said “growth should pay for itself.”
“Building permits, water meter connection fees and sewer tap fees are used to improve and maintain the infrastructure of these utilities,” Vega said.
“Otherwise, the city will have to increase property taxes. Simply put, if we want to maintain a reasonable property tax rate, growth must pay for itself and not be subsidized by those of us who already paid for the water tower and sewer treatment plant,” Vega said.
Dunlap said “water and sewer infrastructure is a continuing priority for Snook.”
“To continue growth, a thought-out plan with a mix of grants/ bonds, both short and long term, along with the community’s growing tax base, should achieve the required needs,” Dunlap said.
Junek said “I understand that there are grants and state monies for growing small communities.”
“I don’t know much about them, but I know our city manager does,” Junek said. “Snook’s current residents and water customers shouldn’t have to see alarming increases in their cost to fund future development.”
“That being said, I don’t like to see a single family residence be slammed with outrageous permit or impact fees as those are the properties I’d like to see more of. But I sure would pass along the cost to a developer, residential and commercial,” Junek said.
Demke said “as Snook continues to grow, our most important infrastructure priorities are making sure our water and sewer systems can support growth safely and reliably.”
“That being said, the current planning that they are working on should continue as well as planning ahead for the increased demand and maintain what we already have while expanding so we don’t run into issues down the road,” Demke said.
Growth is a good thing but needs to be managed wisely, she said.
“We need to make sure that new development doesn’t put a strain on current residents or lower the quality of services people depend on,” she said.
When paying for those improvements, Demke said a “balanced and reasonable approach should be taken like actively pursuing state and federal grants to reduce the burden on taxpayers -- making sure new developments contribute to their fair share on infrastructure costs, and continued budgeting and longterm planning so we are not forced into sudden tax increases.”
Taylor said the most important infrastructure needs this decade will be water capacity, sewer capacity, system reliability and responsible long-term growth.
“Growth is coming because of our proximity to Bryan-College Station,” Taylor said. “The real question is whether we are going to prepare for it or let growth get ahead of our infrastructure and leave taxpayers paying for bad decisions later. I believe the city’s first responsibility is to make sure that families, businesses and future residents have dependable water and sewer service before anything else.”
That means the city should focus on expanding the water supply and storage capacity, improve sewer treatment and collection capacity, replacing aging lines before they become emergencies, and building infrastructure in a way that supports growth without hurting current residents, Taylor said.
“As a conservative, I believe Snook should pay for these needs with a disciplined and taxpayer conscious approach,” Taylor said. “That includes aggressively pursuing infrastructure grants when available, requiring developers to carry their fair share of the cost when legally appropriate, planning capital improvements well in advance and only taking on debt when absolutely necessary for true, long-term infrastructure needs.”
Taylor added that he did not believe that current residents should be forced to subsidize reckless growth or poor planning.
“Water and sewer are core responsibilities of local government and should be treated as such,” Taylor said.
Brad Hays said that with record growth, “our ‘invisible’ infrastructure is under the greatest pressure.”
Hays said he city’s most critical needs through 2030 are: * Water and sewer capacity -- “We must expand our lift stations and treatment systems proactively. We cannot invite new neighbors if we cannot guarantee the reliability of basic services,” Hays said.
* Road Improvement and Safety -- “Our roads weren’t designed for this volume. We need a rigorous paving schedule and the implementation of safe places to congregate specifically sidewalks and pocket parks -- so families can walk their neighborhoods without fear of increasing traffic,” he said. Regarding how to pay for it, Hays said he advocates for a fiscally conservative approach that protects current taxpayers.
“We should implement fees so that developers -- those profiting from the growth -- pay their fair share of increased demand,” Hays said. “Additionally, we must aggressively pursue state and federal grant infrastructure grants to leverage outside dollars for our local pipes and pavement.”
Bomnskie said “with the city experiencing record growth, I believe the water infrastructure will be Snook’s greatest need.”
“Ensuring we have a reliable water system that can support both current residents and future development is critical,” Bomnskie said. “As new development occurs, I believe builders and developers should help carry the cost of expanding infrastructure that their projects require.”
“Growth should help pay for growth. By planning ahead and working with developers responsibly, the city can expand its water and sewer systems without placing an unnecessary burden on current residents,” Bomnskie said.
The second question was: The city council just approved the first reading of the comprehensive development/ zoning regulations, and the city council will be considering all development/zoning issues. What should be the council’s priorities when considering development/zoning issues? What should they do and not do?
Hays said the fundamental question is will Snook manage growth or let growth manage us.
Hays said his approach “is rooted in common sense and a deep respect for our community’s roots.”
His three priorities are infrastructure first, protecting property values and consistency over favoritism.
Regarding infrastructure: “We cannot approve new rooftops is our pipes and roads can’t handle the load. Growth must pay for itself. I will not ask current taxpayers to subsidize a developer’s bottom line,” Hays said.
Regarding protecting property values: “Zoning should be a shield, not a sword. My goal is to ensure a noisy commercial project doesn’t sprout up next to your quiet back yard. We need sensible buffers to protect the ‘small town feel’ we all moved here for,” Hays said.
Regarding favoritism: “The rules must apply to everyone equally. No ‘spot zoning’ and no special favors,” he said.
Hays said he will prioritize transparency and lean on expert planning “to keep us out of the courtroom.”
He will not support government overreach. “I am interested in managing traffic and drainage, not telling you what color to paint your shutters,” he said.
Snook is at a crossroads, and he is seeking Snook residents’ vote to “grow with purpose, protect our land, and keep Snook the independent community we love.”
Demke said “as someone who chose Snook for its small-town feel and sense of community, I believe the city council’s top priority should be making decisions that support reasonable, well-planned development while protecting the character of our community.”
“The city council should take time to continue to listen to the community,” Demke said. “What we should not do is approve developments that strain our infrastructure, ignore resident concerns or move forward without proper planning. Growth is important, but it needs to be handled in a way that protects what makes Snook special while still preparing for the future.”
Bomnskie said “in a small town like ours, the priority in development and zoning should be managing growth in a way that protects our community while planning for the future.”
“Infrastructure, especially water and sewer, has to come first, and new development should pay its fair share so residents aren’t left with the cost,” Bomnskie said.
The council should be consistent and fair, following the comprehensive plan and keeping regulations simple and practical for a smaller town, she said.
“At the same time, we should avoid over regulating, which may discourage our own community members from building in the city,” Bomnskie said. “Ultimately, it is about balanced growth that benefits our residents and protects what makes our town special.
Vega said the council’s first priority should be “do we have the infrastructure to support the additional growth.”
“The city council will need to follow best practices when it comes to development/ zoning issues. We should not put additional burdens on the current infrastructure that is currently in place without improvements to the system,” Vega said.
Taylor said the council’s approach must center on three core principles: protecting private property rights, ensuring responsible growth that pays its own way and preserving the town’s rural character.
“Property owners deserve the freedom to use their land without excessive government interference, provided projects do not impose undue burdens on existing infrastructure or taxpayers,” Taylor said.
“New development must fully cover its own costs for roads, water, sewer and services so current residents are not forced to subsidize growth through higher taxes,” Taylor said. “At the same time, we must safeguard Snook’s small-town identity by supporting only thoughtful, scaleappropriate projects that fit our community rather than overwhelming it.”
Junek said he applauds the council and staff for drafting a zoning proposal that fits the community’s needs and allows them to evaluate proposals on a case-by-case method.
“This flexibility allows for adaptations as the city grows and our needs change,” Junek said.
The council has the responsibility “to not only wisely manage the city but consider the impact to residents outside the city limits who significantly contribute to promoting small business and other infrastructure such as the VFD and school system,” Junek said.
The council should prioritize -- clustering commercial, industrial and retail, Junek said.
“Among other things, this would better manage traffic flow and reduce noise complaints by residents next to industrial,” he said.
Junek said the council should consider: * Densities when considering development plats (for example, high density townhome development next to acre lots), Junek said.
* Ensuring roadways, drainage, water and wastewater capacities are not stressed or compromised by new development.
* Approval of development that larger than single family homes, whether commercial or residential, be required to improve the property for the greater good of the community. That can include infrastructure improvements sidewalks, culverts, green space, buffers -- and safety street lighting that protects night skies, he said.
Junek added that there should be “consistency in decisions by the council, and that those decisions meet the needs of Snook residents inside the town limits, as well as consider property owners in the extra-territorial jurisdiction and surrounding areas as they will be affected as the town grows.”
What is best for Snook is the common denominator, he said.
Dunlap said the council’s recent decision for development/zoning regulations “are positive steps in the right direction.”
“Providing a constructive set of standards will be the framework for the city to grow,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap said the ongoing upgrade and maintenance of the current water/sewer system should be incorporated into the plan to ensure that compliance standards are met for safe drinking water and sewer disposal.
“At the same time, identify possible bottlenecks that may occur as the city grows,” Dunlap said.
“Drainage must also be considered as part of the roll out of a comprehensive plan, to ensure soil erosion is kept to a minimum. This impacts property values,” he said.
The plan being developed should be mindful of constituents’ needs, be practical and avoid being onerous in regulation, Dunlap said.
“The proposed comprehensive development/ zoning plans is a positive blueprint that should help elevate the City of Snook to the next level, attracting more families and businesses to the area. As the council finalizes its regulations, it should be cognizant to make them both more flexible and evolving in nature,” Dunlap said.
Question three was: Are there any specific ordinance changes needed by the city that you would suggest on any issue?
Bomnskie said there were no ordinances she was looking to correct at this time.
Dunlap said “the city is going through rapid change with residential construction being the main driver.”
“The city ordinance on maintaining work site debris needs to be strengthened to ensure safety and aesthetic,” Dunlap said.
Vega did not cite a specific ordinance she would change. However, she said she supports the current noise ordinance.
Vega said that to protect the city’s family friendly lifestyle, the city has just approved a new noise ordinance like most Texas cities. That includes no loud noises after a certain time and speed limits of 25-35 mph on residential streets, she said.
“First impressions are important when visitors pass by or visit our town, and businesses look more favorably to set up shops in communities who take pride in their town’s appearance,” Vega said.
“Ordinances to remove junk vehicles and unsafe housing are in place, and they are being enforced,” Vega said.
Junek said the only ordinance that may need some changing, probably rewording, is Ordinance 2025-01, which requires a development plat for any new building on your property.
“The way it is worded, most survey companies won’t give you what the ordinance requires without a complete, stamped re-survey,” Junek said.
Hays suggested a modernization of the land subdivision ordinances.
“We need clear, enforceable requirements for ‘functional green space.’ Currently, our rules are too vague. I would propose an ordinance requiring developers to include dedicated public areas -- like our walking trails or playgrounds -- to every new major residential plat.”
“If we are building the ‘city of the future,’ our kids need places to be kids,” Hays said.
Taylor said the city should review and update ordinances with one simple question in mind.
“Does this protect taxpayers, infrastructure and public safety without creating unnecessary government interference?” Taylor said.
“First, the city should strengthen or clarify ordinances related to water and sewer system capacity do new development pays its fair share and does not overload existing systems. Second, the city should review subdivision and development standards so growth is orderly, transparent and tied to actual infrastructure capability,” Taylor said.
Dempke did not suggest any ordinance revisions.
The fourth question was why each candidate is running.
Demke said the community has become home to her family, “and I want to be part of its future.”
“We chose Snook because of its smalltown feel and the opportunity to get back to our roots, something that is truly special and worth protecting,” Demke said.
“While I may be new to the area, I bring a fresh perspective and a strong desire to listen, learn and serve. I have a deep respect for what makes this town unique, and I want to help guide its growth in a way that honors its values while preparing for the growth of the community,” Demke said.
Junek said he was born and raised in Snook, graduated from Snook High School and Texas A&M University.
“I then served as a teacher, coach and principal at A&M Consolidated Junior High for 34 years. I always encouraged students to get involved in civic duties and activities. I feel it is past time for me to fulfull that obligation myself. Pay it forward,” Junek said.
Hays said he is running because he believes in stewardship.
“My daily work in the classroom keeps me grounded. I see new famlies moving in, and I see the challenges our students face,” Hays said. “I am a moderate conservative who believes in private property rights, but I also know that ‘freedom’ shouldn’t mean a developer can devalue your home or compromise your safety.”
“I want to bring a common sense, educator’s perspective to the council -- one that plans 10 years out so that when my students graduate, they have a safe, prosperous and well-planned city to come home to.”
Taylor said he is running because he cares deeply about the future of Snook.
“I want this town to grow and prosper, but I also want it to stay the kind of small Texas town where you know your neighbors, where people still look out for one another and where families feel safe putting down roots,” Taylor said.
Taylor said growth is coming, “and I believe we need to be ready for it with stronger water and sewer infrastructure, responsible planning and leadership that puts residents first,” he said. “But we should never lose sight of what makes Snook special. I want to help make sure we grow in a way that protects our quality of life, respects taxpayers and property rights and preserves the character of this community for the next generation.”
Vega said her husband was born in Snook, and when they married they moved there and raised their two children.
“I have watched our sleepy little farming community become now a growing, thriving community of neighbors who cherish our small-town atmosphere that reflects strong family values,” Vega said.
During her previous two terms on the council, she asks herself when she votes -- “Will this business or development or this ordinance make our town a better place to live?”
“If the answer is yes, I voted for it. If not, I voted against it. And I have always made myself available to all community members to call and tell me about their concerns, and I have brought those concerns to the mayor and other council members. I promise to continue following that philosophy,” Vega said.
Dunlap said he is running to give back.
“I have been very blessed with a successful business career. I want to take all that experience and help the community grow and become more prosperous,” Dunlap said.
Bomnskie said she is running because she cares deeply about the community and wants to help ensure “our city continues to grow in a way that protects our small-town values.”
“I believe in responsible leadership, transparency and making decisions that serve the best interests of the people who work and live here. My goal is to listen to residents, support smart development and help keep Snook a great place to live, work and raise a family,” Bomnskie said.