Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Kemah City Council Position 5

Councilmembers are the city’s legislators. Their primary duty is policymaking, which includes identifying the needs of residents, formulating programs to meet the changing requirements of the community and measuring the effectiveness of ongoing municipal services. 2-year term.

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  • Candidate picture

    Robert Rourke
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Isaac Saldana
    (NP)

Biographical Information

What training, experience and background make you the best qualified candidate for this office? [500 characters; approx. 100 words]

What are the two biggest problems facing [city name] residents, and what would you do to combat them? [1,000 characters; approx. 200 words]

If the city received a $5 million grant to use for the city in any way you wished, what would you do with it and why? [1,000 characters; approx. 200 words]

What else do you hope to accomplish as a council member? [1,000 characters; approx. 200 words]

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Campaign Address 123 Kemah
Kemah, TX 77565
Campaign Phone 2818650133
Public Email isaldana@kemahtx.gov
I’ve spent nearly 30 years in construction and over 20 years in real estate, working hands-on with development, infrastructure, and budgeting. I’ve served on Kemah City Council since 2019, focusing on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and planning for the long term. I approach city decisions the same way I approach my work, practical, measured, and focused on results.
The two biggest challenges, I believe, facing Kemah are managing growth responsibly and maintaining strong financial stewardship.

Growth is happening in and around Kemah whether we invite it or not. As a non-zoned city, we don’t have the same tools as other cities, so we have to be more strategic in how we guide development. That means strengthening ordinances, improving oversight, and being intentional about the types of projects we support so they align with our community and long-term vision.

Equally important is fiscal responsibility. I’ve worked to strengthen how the City manages its resources, including implementing investment strategies that generate additional revenue and reduce reliance on taxpayers. My focus is continuing to make disciplined financial decisions that position Kemah for long-term stability.
I would focus on using those funds in a way that creates long-term value for the city rather than short-term gains.

That could include strategic investments that strengthen the city’s financial position, support responsible economic development, or enhance community assets that improve quality of life. Any use of those funds should be carefully evaluated to ensure it aligns with Kemah’s long-term goals and does not create ongoing costs the city cannot sustain.

My approach would be to treat it as an opportunity to strengthen the city’s future, not just spend available money.
I want to continue building on the progress we’ve made by focusing on responsible growth, financial discipline, and long-term planning.

That includes being intentional about the kind of development we attract, strengthening the city’s financial position, and making decisions that support Kemah’s future without creating unnecessary burdens on residents.

I also want to continue improving transparency and accountability so residents feel informed and confident in how their city operates.

Kemah is a special place, and my goal is to help guide its growth in a way that preserves what makes it unique while preparing it for what’s ahead.