TYLER, Texas — City of Tyler District 6 councilman John Nix has announced his resignation in order to run for mayor of the Rose City in 2020.
Nix issued the following statement regarding his intentions Friday afternoon:
It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Tyler for over 10 years. We have seen tremendous growth in our city over the years but at the same time made conscious choices to maintain our quality of life. We have made major improvements throughout our city but, as we all realize, have major needs we must address in improving infrastructure such as roads, drainage, traffic and parks.
I am passionate about continuing to govern our City in a conservative and business-like manner. In 1995 the voters approved the half cent sales tax with a pledge from the council to put in place a “pay as you go” plan to eliminate debt and pay cash for our improvements. This model has been embraced by every council since 1995 and as Mayor I will continue this approach that has become a model for cities across the state of Texas.
I want to continue to improve upon the blueprint that our city operates under and redouble our efforts to improve customer service to our taxpayers. The City of Tyler has dedicated and passionate employees who are engaged and eager to serve their employers -- the citizens of Tyler. Under my leadership, we will prioritize the blueprint and use it as the tool for direction, instruction, and to reward exemplary service. The number one priority of city government should be public safety and with this in mind we will continue to support our police and fire departments and make sure they have the resources needed to protect and care for our community.
Infrastructure has been a focus of mine since I began my service in 2008, and the City has made great strides in almost all infrastructure areas in the past 5 years. In the 2018 Community Survey, traffic congestion and road conditions were top concerns and they need to be addressed in the immediate future. With our state projected to almost double in population in the next 30 years, we must plan for rapid growth in Tyler. We must set the foundation for this growth by addressing our current issues in traffic and road conditions, while at the same time not burdening the next generation with long term debt. In 2019 a city-wide traffic study will be conducted. This study, along with Mayor Heines’ call for staff to address upgrading traffic signals throughout Tyler, will initiate the process of confidently addressing our traffic flow. It is my desire to lead us in this direction.
In order to be eligible for Mayor and to comply with the City of Tyler charter, I am required to submit my letter of resignation to Mayor Heines with my last day being March 27th, 2019.