Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Murphy City Council Member, Place 5

3-year term, elected citywide. Must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, a qualified voter, and a resident of the city. The City Council establishes city policy through ordinances and resolutions.

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    Laura Deel
    (N)

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    Sarah Fincanon
    (N)

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    Kevin Kelley
    (N)

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    Manoj Varghese
    (N)

Biographical Information

Motivation: Why do you want to serve as mayor or city council member, and how have you worked with different stakeholders, such as businesses, community organizations, and residents?

Changes: What changes do you expect in the city in the next few years and how would you plan for them?

Transportation: Do the current transportation options in the city enable residents to get where they need to go? If not, what improvements would you support?

Infrastructure: Besides transportation, what are the most urgent infrastructure projects in the city, and how would you get them done?

Affordability: What changes, if any, are needed to make the city more affordable for its residents?

Finance: What is your plan for managing the city budget and addressing fiscal challenges?

Land Use: What is your vision for land use in the city, including businesses and housing?

Collaboration: How will you work with county and state government and regional organizations to address the city’s needs?

Other Issues: What other important issues are facing the city council, and how would you address them?

Education MS in Computer Science from UTD
Experience I spent 15 years at Cisco as a Senior Manager overseeing budgets, teams, and tight schedules. While serving on council for 3 years, I’ve delivered concrete actions and kept my campaign promises while leading on complex issues.
Campaign Email lauraformurphy@gmail.com
Our newly adopted Master Plan sets an exciting vision for our city, and I’m committed to its execution with steady leadership and concrete action. On council, I’ve prioritized engagement—teaching classes and community groups about local government, responding to concerns like unsafe left turns into PSA, and working with city inspectors to ensure PISD addressed mold and traffic safety at MMS. I’ll continue prioritizing outreach, celebrating the diversity that strengthens our community, and ensuring every resident feels welcomed and heard.
Our city is entering an exciting period of growth, highlighted by the arrival of HEB and new economic opportunities. With this growth, traffic management is critical. Council has secured funding to reconstruct McMillen to improve a key thoroughfare and reduce congestion on 544. We have also rezoned nearby land to commercial in order to encourage redirection of traffic by providing more services off of 544. My focus is planning ahead, investing wisely in infrastructure, and following our master plan to ensure responsible growth while preserving our city’s character.
Traffic is a real issue in our city. We evaluated options like DART and rideshare partnerships, but they’re currently too costly for a city our size. Our recently adopted master plan reserves space for a future transit station as regional service expands. Transportation for elderly and disabled residents remains a gap, and we’ll keep exploring solutions while balancing cost. We’re also improving mobility by connecting trails, adding a pedestrian underpass at 544, building a creek bridge, exploring trail-based development, and rezoning to move services off 544.
Beyond transportation, urgent priorities include water line replacement to reduce water loss, controlling rising costs, and protecting our environment. We must also improve trail connectivity and address aging street panels and sidewalks. I support exploring cost-effective technologies, such as foam solutions for street and sidewalk repair, where appropriate. By prioritizing proactive maintenance, investing strategically, and using innovative methods, we can extend infrastructure life while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Council has improved affordability by lowering the tax rate and diversifying revenue. Securing HEB through a strong economic development agreement and rezoning land for retail boosts sales tax and reduces reliance on property taxes. The city is also making better use of state/federal grants to ease the burden on taxpayers. Additionally, the city launched a pilot program using EVs for police patrol to explore long-term cost savings and will expand as results prove effective. By growing smartly, leveraging outside funding, and managing expenses, we can reduce costs and maintain quality services.
My approach to addressing fiscal challenges starts with following our master plan and continuing to diversify revenue through strong services and economic development as well as outside funding. I will hold the city manager accountable and ensure we maintain the appropriate amounts in reserves for emergencies. Proactive planning for roads, water, and sewer infrastructure is key to avoiding costly repairs. By planning ahead, prioritizing needs, and maintaining fiscal discipline, we can meet challenges while protecting taxpayers.
My vision for land use is grounded in our recently adopted master plan, with a strong focus on execution. This term, we’ve taken action by adopting strategic initiatives and the master plan, correcting past mistakes, rezoning key properties, working to move traffic off 544, and acquiring land to better guide development and economic growth. This next term is about delivering results—higher-quality projects, attracting services residents actually want, and encouraging green space in redevelopment. Thoughtful, proactive planning will ensure balanced growth for both businesses and housing.
I prioritize collaboration at every level. I helped hire our city manager, and her leadership led to increased coordination with county, regional and inter-city partners. I work with city staff on resident concerns, including regular conversations with police/public works on traffic and safety. I’ve taught about local gov in PISD classes and with local scout troops. I initiated discussions with PISD on traffic and mold. I’ve interviewed residents for commissions, created a Youth Advisory Council, stayed active with Murphy Chamber and WISD fundraisers, and I plan to grow these efforts next term.
Key issues include community division, rising costs, water conservation, and balancing employee retention with fiscal responsibility. I will address these by improving transparency, continuing to encourage community engagement, and exploring innovative cost-saving strategies. I’ll work to maintain retail occupancy, support sustainable water practices, and plan proactively for infrastructure needs. By focusing on results and collaboration, we can keep the city united, fiscally responsible, and thriving.
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I am running for Murphy City Council because this community is home. My family has lived here for over 13 years, and with two young children, I am invested in Murphy’s long-term success. With nearly two decades in law enforcement, I’ve worked closely with businesses, community organizations, and residents to solve problems through collaboration and communication. My 10 years serving on my HOA board has also given me hands-on experience representing residents and addressing neighborhood concerns. I am committed to being accessible, listening to our community, and helping ensure Murphy remains a safe, thriving place for years to come.
Murphy will continue to grow, bringing increased traffic demands and added strain on aging infrastructure. One key concern is our aging water system, where ongoing leaks and drip loss waste valuable resources. We must take a proactive approach by investing in technology and infrastructure to detect and address water leaks before they become major issues. At the same time, traffic congestion will require thoughtful planning, including roadway improvements and coordination with regional partners. My focus will be on planning ahead, protecting resources, and ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with growth while maintaining the quality of life our residents expect
Murphy’s current transportation options generally allow residents to get where they need to go, but the bigger challenge isn’t within our city alone—it’s the rapid growth of surrounding communities. As neighboring areas expand, more commuters are traveling through Murphy, increasing congestion on our roadways. A clear example is the new H-E-B, which will significantly impact traffic along FM 544 and McCreary Road. To address this, we must plan regionally by coordinating with surrounding cities and agencies to improve traffic flow, optimize signal timing, and evaluate roadway capacity. Proactive planning and infrastructure improvements will be key to keeping pace with continued growth.
Beyond transportation, one of Murphy’s most urgent infrastructure priorities is addressing aging water systems. Leaks and ongoing water loss from drip waste resources and signal the need for proactive upgrades. We should invest in modern leak detection technology and phased pipe replacement before failures occur. To get this done, I would prioritize data-driven planning, secure funding through budgeting and grants, and ensure transparency with residents. By working with city staff, engineers, and regional partners, we can take a proactive approach to infrastructure, protect resources, and prevent costly emergency repairs in the future.
Murphy is a great place to live, but rising costs are a concern for many residents. To keep our city affordable, we must focus on responsible budgeting, limiting unnecessary spending, and prioritizing essential services. Being fiscally transparent and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently is key. We should also look for ways to attract and support responsible commercial/retail development to help broaden the tax base and reduce the burden on homeowners. At the same time, investing in infrastructure proactively helps avoid costly emergency repairs. Smart planning and disciplined spending will help keep Murphy affordable while maintaining the quality-of-life residents expect.
My approach to managing the city budget is centered on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and long-term planning. We must move beyond year-to-year budgeting and focus on multi-year forecasting to better anticipate future costs, infrastructure needs, and economic changes. This includes prioritizing essential services, evaluating spending for efficiency, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used wisely. We should also plan ahead for large capital projects to avoid reactive, costly decisions. By taking a disciplined, forward-looking approach and working closely with staff and stakeholders, we can address fiscal challenges while maintaining strong services and protecting residents from unnecessary financial burden.
My vision for land use in Murphy is guided by the new Master Plan, ensuring future development aligns with the community’s long-term goals while preserving what makes Murphy special. Growth should be thoughtful and balanced, supporting quality business opportunities and housing that fit our character. We must also ensure new projects consider traffic impact and infrastructure capacity before approval. Equally important is preserving open spaces and green areas that give Murphy its unique feel.
Addressing Murphy’s needs requires strong collaboration with county, state, and regional partners. I will work to build and maintain relationships that allow us to advocate for our city, secure funding opportunities, and ensure Murphy has a voice in regional planning decisions. This includes coordinating on infrastructure projects, traffic solutions, and public safety initiatives that extend beyond our city limits. By staying engaged, communicating regularly, and working collaboratively, we can leverage resources and partnerships to better serve our residents and position Murphy for long-term success.
Beyond infrastructure and transportation, key issues facing City Council include public safety, maintaining community standards, and managing responsible growth. As our city evolves, we must ensure our police and fire services are well-supported while spending is focused on the needs of the community. I also believe term limits are important to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the council. I will prioritize essential resources, protect our neighborhoods, and ensure development aligns with our long-term vision. Transparency, accountability, and open communication will guide my approach to keeping Murphy strong and prepared for the future.
Education Master of Science Electrical and Computer Engineering, Univ of Wisconsin Madison
Experience Local Leader with few decades delivering Cyber Security at Bank of America.
Campaign Email manoj4murphy@gmail.com
1. A Proactive Vision for Murphy

As a Cybersecurity professional, my career is dedicated to asking the tough questions: “Where are we vulnerable, and how do we stay ahead of the curve?” I want to bring that same analytical, proactive mindset to City Hall. I have a proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders—from CEOs focused on the bottom line to the employees .

2. Protecting the American Dream The American Dream is alive and well, and I am a product of it. My journey has taken me from Graduate School to teaching at the University of Wisconsin, and through a professional career that spanned California before finally planting roots here in North Texas—Plano and now in our home of Murphy
Murphy is a "boutique" city that we chose to make our home. We don't need to be the biggest; we need to be the most resilient and the best managed. My plan is to use my analytical professional experience to ensure that as Murphy matures, it becomes more efficient and fiscally sound.

Key points / themes 1. The Transition from Construction to Redevelopment 2. Aging Infrastructure and Digital Modernization 3. Demographic Shifts and Aging-in-Place plus a fiscally conservative tax environment 4. All while not compromising on partisan agendas

My commitment is to Evidence-Based Governance.
Current Reality in Murphy

1. Murphy's Last "Mile" Problem 2. CAR-dependent community by design

My Proposed Improvements

1. On-Demand Micro-Transit(similar to DART’s GoLink) 2. Regional Coordination (The Silver Line) 3. Reduce high density neighborhoods 4. Capitalize on FM 544 Sidewalk Project
1. Water System Resilience ,Modernization and Cost Effectiveness

2. Strategic Drainage & Stormwater Mitigation

3. Predictive over Reactive: Using my analytical background to move Murphy toward a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that fixes things at "80% life" rather than "failure point."

4. Regional Partnerships: Strengthening ties with Collin County and the NTMWD to share the costs of large-scale regional repairs.

5. Grant Writing Excellence: Instead of immediate debt, I will push for a more aggressive pursuit of state and federal infrastructure grants aimed at "Resilient Cities." like Murphy
1. Keeping the city’s tax rate stable—or reducing it when feasible—should always be a priority.

2. Thoughtful, balanced development—particularly in commercial areas—can help broaden the city’s tax base. When we attract and retain high-quality businesses, we reduce the burden on homeowners by diversifying revenue sources.

3. Another important factor is infrastructure efficiency.

4. We should also look closely at utility costs and water usage.

5. For many families, affordability also includes housing stability and long-term planning.

6. In addition, we should explore ways to support senior residents.

7 . Public safety and city services also tie directly into affordability.
1.Balanced and conservative budget that focuses on core services—public safety, infrastructure, and essential city operations

2. "Build-Out" Transition

3. No-New-Revenue (NNR) from property taxes

4. Prioritize Internal Efficiencies

5. Financial Transparency Dashboard on the city website.
1. Protecting the character of our neighborhoods.

2. High-quality, thoughtful commercial development

3. Redevelopment and reinvestment

4. Additional Housing Options

5. Parks, trails, and pedestrian-friendly design
1. Work with Collin County Commissioners Court

2. Coordinating with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office

3. Actively pursue grants from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

4. Seat at North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) specifically in matters of resiliency

5. "Last Mile" connectivity to the DART Silver Line.

6. Data Sharing with Murphy Chamber of Commerce

7.Non-Partisan Professionalism in all engagements

Items of consideration in my mind as a citizen

1. Public Safety 2. Short-Term Rental (STR) regulation 3. Government Transparency. 4. Environmental Stewardship: Water and Greenspace

My approach if elected would be grounded in a few key principles:

1. Listen to residents and value community input before making decisions. 2. Prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains. 3. Work collaboratively with fellow council members, staff, and regional partners. 4. Communicate clearly and consistently to build trust and transparency. 5. Make data-driven decisions while keeping the community’s values at the center.