Wes Mays, Mayor, City of Coppell
In an interview with Invest:, Wes Mays, mayor of City of Coppell, discussed the city’s notable accomplishments, transportation system, community outreach initiatives, support for small businesses, distinctive features and forthcoming prospects.
What have been some key highlights and achievements for your office and the city since last year?
We were thrilled to witness the grand opening of VariSpace and McLaren Automotive’s global headquarters. Coppell faces a challenge in terms of limited available land for new development. Currently, we have an average vacancy rate of approximately 3.6% for the existing 33 million square feet of commercial space. Consequently, we have limited space for a large number of new businesses relocating to our city. However, we are fortunate to have excellent corporate partners who have chosen Coppell as their home. In the past year, many of these partners have expanded, including Wisenbaker Builder Services, Rediform, Inc., and Chadwell Supply, Inc.
Nearly two years ago, we opened our Arts Center, which had been ready for operation before the onset of COVID. Due to the pandemic, we had to postpone its opening for about two years. However, when we finally opened its doors, it was met with great enthusiasm and support from our citizens. Our Art Center has been a resounding success, receiving rave reviews. In fact, it was rated as the best small theater venue in North Texas. It’s a source of pride for us, and one of my personal objectives is to ensure its continued success.
What are some of the strategies that the city is implementing to continue creating an affordable, accessible, and innovative transportation system?
We continue to support a city-subsidized transit system for workers coming to our town. We utilize a lift service where workers can call Lyft if they arrive by train or bus, and Lyft will pick them up from the train/bus station and transport them to their work location in Coppell. The city covers the majority of the transit cost. Additionally, we partner with an agency to provide transit for seniors and disabled individuals for various trips, such as to doctors’ appointments or grocery stores, exclusively for our senior population and those who have a mobility impairment. One significant change on the horizon, although it is still several years away and currently under construction, is the DART silver line. We are thrilled to have a station being created just 100 yards south of our southern border in the Cypress Waters area.
What community outreach programs does your office have in place?
In the North Texas area, which is attracting approximately 350,000 new residents per year, housing prices in Coppell have skyrocketed due to high demand. As a city, we closely monitor these housing costs as they impact our tax rate and revenue. Despite the challenges, we have been fortunate to offer our existing residents one of the lowest tax rates they have seen in the past 30 years. It’s a mixed-bag situation since housing availability is limited and demand is high, but we are managing it effectively.
What are some programs or initiatives that the city has implemented to support small business growth and success?
We are celebrating the graduation of our 21st Leadership Coppell class. These residents have completed a 10-month program conducted by our Chamber of Commerce, which provides comprehensive knowledge of not only city operations but the entire area.
Small businesses face challenges everywhere, including Coppell. To support them, we utilized a portion of the American Rescue Plan funding received from the federal government. We made this funding available to local businesses for rent assistance and also implemented a program specifically for businesses impacted by city construction. From the ARPA funds, the city distributed a total of $1,605,000 to small businesses in Coppell that suffered financial losses.
The initial request for funds was quickly fulfilled, with $850,000 being requested within 24 hours of the announcement. The City Council then authorized an additional amount to meet the demand. It demonstrates the significant need for support, and we are glad to have assisted our local small businesses.
What is your outlook for the city in the near term?
There are numerous aspects that make North Texas an exceptional place to live, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride when discussing them. One of the major attractions of Coppell is our highly acclaimed school system, which is among the best in the state. Families choose to move to Coppell specifically for the exceptional education their children can receive here. We have successfully capitalized on our reputation as a family-oriented community.
In addition to our outstanding schools, we have top-notch police services that instill a strong sense of security in our residents. Our fire department is also highly ranked, and we are even in the process of constructing a fifth fire station to enhance fire protection services. Maintaining our infrastructure is a priority for us, and while some of our streets and roads are over 30 years old, we have diligently maintained and reconstructed them as needed. As a result, our infrastructure remains in excellent condition.
The challenges we face are not earth-shattering but rather typical of managing a city. I have frequent discussions with our city manager, addressing the day-to-day issues that arise. Sometimes it could be as seemingly trivial as a parking spot change at a grocery store that doesn’t sit well with a resident like Mrs. Smith. I often joke with our city manager, Mike, that if that’s the most pressing problem of the day, it’s actually a good day. It’s truly rewarding to live and work in a city like Coppell, where opportunities abound for all our residents.
On the business front, we faced a potential setback with a ruling by the Comptroller, which could have had a negative impact on us. Fortunately, a bill was introduced in the Texas Legislature to supersede the Comptroller’s ruling, but unfortunately, it did not pass in the House and will not become law. This means we now have to address the Comptroller’s ruling, known as State Rule 3.334, which could potentially result in a sales tax revenue loss of approximately $25 million per year for our business community. Our focus, in terms of our legislative priorities, will be to vigorously challenge and contest the Comptroller’s ruling. It will be a legal battle, but we are prepared to fight for what we believe is right for Coppell.
