Ryan leading incumbent McDonald after early voting in Pflugerville council race
Challenger Melody Ryan was leading Pflugerville City Council Member Jim McDonald for the Place 5 seat after early voting results were announced Tuesday night.
Ryan has 58% of the vote to McDonald's 42%.
Council Member Kimberly Holiday is running unopposed for the Place 3 seat. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Pflugerville grew by about 20,000 people — to about 65,000 residents — from 2010 to 2023.
McDonald, 60, was first elected to City Council Place 6 seat in 2017 and was elected to Place 5 in 2021. Hs is a former software engineer who now owns a local wine bar called the Three Legged Goat. He said his priority if reelected is fiscal sustainability so the proper amount of money is spent now on the resources needed for residents and businesses as the city continues to grow.
Ryan, 48, is a certified public accountant. She said her top priorities are fiscal responsibility, infrastructure and growth management, and community representation and engagement.
McDonald said he also prioritizes continuing to improve Pflugerville's water system so it can stand up to future droughts. He said the city is adding a second wastewater plant that, once it treats the water, will be used to irrigate parks and large industrial areas.
He said serving on council for the past six years and other city committees for eight years prior means he has the proper experience to continue serving in the role. He said his previous career as a software engineer made him develop a knack for finding creative solutions to difficult problems.
McDonald said he also wants to continue working on lowering the cost of living by considering different kinds of housing, like townhomes. He said it's important that teachers and first responders in particular can afford to live in Pflugerville.
Ryan said her biggest focus would be on ensuring tax dollars are spent strategically to encourage growth while not over-burdening taxpayers. She said that in her everyday job as a CPA, she helps families maximize their resources while minimizing their tax burden, an expertise she thinks would prove helpful on the council.
Ryan said she advocates for more transparency and accountability in the city's financial dealings and said she will manage large projects effectively to keep them on track and within budget. She said large projects should not just have clear visions, but also periodic assessments to make sure the money is spent accordingly.
She said she is the best candidate because, on top of her experience as a CPA, she has volunteered in Pflugerville for 17 years. She has served on multiple governmental commissions and committees like the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation and multiple bond committees for the city and school district.
