April Ryan is a central Texas native, mother of two, & business owner. With a history of civic involvement & a proven track record as a business leader, April has held numerous board positions, including on the NB Downtown Association & Sparks Small Business Center. She has consistently advocated for historic preservation & capital investments to retain the city's charm & quality of life. Most recently her family business received the NB Gives Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the community & the Small Business Outstanding HUB Champion Award from Governor Abbott’s Office. She currently is proud to be serving as a City Council member for District 6.

Q: If elected, how would you support a thriving local economy, particularly small businesses, and ensure City policies encourage investment and long term economic vitality?

A: My background as a small business owner for 17 years and my volunteerism as President of the Downtown Association provides me with a unique perspective and a connection to our local economy and its history. I have personally witnessed the positive impact that small businesses have on the tax base through encouraging collaboration, increasing visitation, and preservation of our city's unique character. Furthermore, as Vice President of the Spark Small Business Center, I have seen first hand how we can utilize EDC funds to fuel job creation, business expansion, and encourage startups to invest in our community. On Council, I have consistently emphasized the importance of small businesses and advocated for initiatives that enhance our downtown, public spaces, and cultural events, which in turn support local commerce. My focus has been on strategically supporting small businesses with free resources and prioritizing efficient regulatory processes that affect our local entrepreneurs.

Q: How are roads and major infrastructure projects funded, and what approach would you take to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with, or gets ahead of, growth?

A: The City funds infrastructure projects through a mix of local, state, and federal sources.
Investments are currently being advanced using awards from the AAMPO, Bonds, and
the NBEDC that focus on reducing congestion and improving pedestrian infrastructure
throughout the city. We will continue to pursue state and federal grants and cooperative
agreements with TxDOT to leverage local dollars and bring investments to our
community. Also in partnership with NBU, we currently impose impact fees on new developments to fund infrastructure expansion, with the maximum fees mandated by Texas law to ensure growth supports growth. We also must reduce bureaucratic hurdles that delay the design and construction phases of approved projects, ensuring projects move from planning to completion as efficiently as possible. By committing data-driven, long-range planning and diversified funding, we can ensure that our essential infrastructure supports the vitality of our city.

Q: What is your vision for long range planning in our city, and how would you balance proactive infrastructure investment with responsible fiscal management as the community grows?

A: My vision is to secure New Braunfels' quality of life for future generations through
data-driven planning focusing on parks, roads, and water. Establishing clear, measurable metrics to continuously assess long-range plans effectiveness and use this data to guide necessary adjustments to the Capital Improvement Program. We also must proactively coordinate with regional partners to ensure sufficient infrastructure supply is secured. This includes identifying and acquiring land for future public spaces, acquiring right-of-ways and a comprehensive transportation plan. Maximizing outside funding sources and cooperative agreements helps to shift the burden of large-scale projects away from local taxpayers. It is also essential to educate residents about the importance of proactively replacing aging infrastructure. These critical projects are funded through a combination of rate planning and developer-driven fees for new infrastructure requirements to insure that we reduce maintenance costs and ultimately save tax dollars in the long-term.

April Ryan (Incumbent)