Fair Oaks Ranch– After the May 6 election results rolled in last Saturday, it became clear Keith Rhoden would be the Place 2 City Councilman.
With less than 1,000 votes cast in the city’s single-seat ballot, Rhdoen took more than half the votes – 58.72% – avoiding a runoff election with one of the three candidates and officially taking his spot at the dais.
Rhoden has lived in the Hill Country buffer city for six years with experience as a certified public accountant, which he predicts will help him in his new civic role.
“I believe I bring a lot of skills to the table. I bring a deep well of experience that I think could help the council and help move them further along,” Rhoden said. “I am also a listener, to people’s needs and hear what they think and take their ideas and see where they might fit or how we might develop them.”
The newly elected city dweller will replace Roy Elizondo who has served two terms as the Place 2 City Councilman.
During the Boerne Star’s candidate forum cohosted by Boerne Radio 10.3 FM, Rhoden spoke on his experience with regulatory measures which he said will help him best serve the community.
“The big thing with cities that we see is cities are involved with a lot of regulations and regulatory criteria, and in my background in the supply chain and negotiating agreements and also being part of a regulated industry, we deal a lot with regulatory situations,” Rhoden said. “So those skills, I believe, bring a lot to the table that I believe would help council.”
While this is his first time running for office in the town, the CPA has served in many executive roles in the finance world and has volunteered with the San Antonio Food Bank, summer youth camps, his homeowners association and more.
Rhoden campaigned on a desire to maintain the city’s small-town charm and more rural sensibilities despite increasing growth and development.
“As the city continue to grow, I want to ensure the lifestyle and attraction of Fair Oaks Ranch continues to be a safe place to live and play and is beneficial to the residents,” he said.
The city, which is an entry point to the Hill Country, is seeing a large-scale development at Lemon Creek Ranch - a live, work and play development going up along Interstate 10 and Dietz-Elkhorn Road – and City Council recently approved plans for a more dense development with commercial property.
City officials and staff have overseen several major projects over the past few years, including a water and wastewater utility rate study which resulted in no changes to the rates despite an effort to stop the wastewater utility from subsidizing the water utility.
Rhoden said it’s a tricky situation due to the varying places residents receive these services rather than one centralized source, but he hoped to see an equitable solution developed.
“Water I think is everyone’s problem right now, and I think in Fair Oaks Ranch … we have some of our own,” Rhoden said, noting there are residents with public utilities, some on private wells and others getting outside water and wastewater services. “So, it is a tough situation to figure out exactly what we need to do to make sure everybody is addressed in our city because it’s not just one common system.
“I want to thank everyone who came out and voted for me in the recent Fair Oaks Ranch City Council election. The overwhelming support I received is truly heartwarming. It is an honor to represent the citizens of Fair Oaks Ranch and to be a councilman who listens to your concerns. Being entrusted with your vote, I endeavor to work hard to address the issues that come before the council. Fair Oaks Ranch is important to me. You, my neighbors, are important to me. Let’s continue to work together making the Ranch a great place to live. Again, thank you for allowing me to serve.
—- Keith Rhoden
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