Arredondo to challenge Derrick’s seat

San Marcos CISD Place 1 Trustee Miguel Arredondo has announced his intention to run for Place 6 on the San Marcos City Council. Arredondo said on Thursday that he has appointed Kim Porterfield as his campaign treasurer for a “potential bid” for the seat on the council, which is currently held by Melissa Derrick. The first day of filing is not until July 21, but Arredondo said, “... it was necessary to appoint a treasurer at this time to begin raising both funds and support.”

He continued, “My motivation for running for council while serving on the school board is because I believe it’s time for the next generation of leadership to step up and address the issues impacting all San Marcans.”

Arredondo cited rising costs of living, difficult commutes because of heavier traffic and inadequate public transit options, and “the challenges faced by small business owners and entrepreneurs because of a municipal government that continues to over legislate and mandate small businesses. As a fifth-generation San Marcan, I’m running so that the next five generations that call San Marcos home can experience and enjoy the community my family has known and loved for decades.”

Arredondo said he will continue serving on the school board through the election and will step down from his trustee position if he is elected to council. He said he feels that if he does step down, he will be leaving the board of a school district that is heading in the right direction. He cited salary increases, the district’s successful bond package and other growth measures the district has taken.

“We’ve hired social and emotional counselors, we will now have parent liaisons and G/T facilitators at every elementary school campus, and with the recent approval of schematic designs of our new central administration building and child development center, the district is on track to spend over $50 million dollars on capital projects in District One and on the east side of I-35,” Arredondo said. “I’m confident that Superintendent Cardona and my colleagues on the board can and will continue our forward momentum.”

Arredondo is a product of the San Marcos public school system and Texas State University.

Derrick announces re-election bid

Derrick has indicated that she intends to seek another term on the dais. 

“I will be running for re-election for City Council Place 6, as I have an obligation to the citizens of San Marcos to finish the job I began during my first term,” she said in an email. “I am committed to ensuring our new land development code is a true reflection of our city’s new master plan, and that job is not yet complete. 

“We’ve just begun the process of conducting the neighborhood character and small area studies which will ensure we guide development responsibly and ethically during this time of epic growth and into the future,” she continued. “I have the knowledge and experience necessary to complete this crucial task for our community right now. As a member of the workforce housing committee, we have begun the initial steps to ensure we have housing for the workforce which serves as the backbone of our town.”

Derrick praised the San Marcos residents she has been able to forge relationships with who voice the needs of the community and thus help guide the council. 

“I have been blessed to work with many groups within our community towards shared goals, and believe that serving a second term is vital to the success of many endeavors that have become a passion over this last three years,” she said. “It would be my sincere honor to continue to represent the best interest of our community for another three years.”

San Marcos City Council places 5 and 6 are on the ballot for the Nov. 6 general election, as is the mayor’s office. The filing period for candidates is July 21-Aug. 20; the last day to register to vote before the election is Oct. 9. More information about the election and filing forms for candidates can be found on the city's website.