Change Address

VOTE411 Voter Guide

Grand Prairie City Council Dist 3

The city of Grand Prairie is a Home Rule City and operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council approves the budget and determines the tax rate. The council also focuses on the community s goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning as well as supervising the city manager s performance.The Grand Prairie City Council is made of 6 single-district council members who each represent a specific district, 2 council members who represent the city at large, and a Mayor who is also elected at large for a 9-member City Council. The Mayor and council members are elected for overlapping 3-years terms on a nonpartisan basis. If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff election.La Ciudad de Grand Prairie es una ciudad de régimen autónomo y opera bajo un sistema de . El concejo de la ciudad aprueba el presupuesto y determina la tasa impositiva. También se enfoca en los objetivos de la comunidad, proyectos principales y consideraciones a largo plazo, como el crecimiento comunitario, el desarrollo del uso del suelo, los planes de mejora de capital, el financiamiento de capital y la planificación estratégica, además de supervisar el desempeño del administrador de la ciudad.El concejo de la ciudad de Grand Prairie está compuesto por 6 miembros del concejo que representan distritos específicos, 2 miembros del concejo que representan a la ciudad en general y un Alcalde, quien también es elegido en una votación general, conformando un concejo de la ciudad de 9 miembros. El Alcalde y los miembros del concejo son elegidos por períodos superpuestos de 3 años en elecciones no partidistas. Si ningún candidato recibe al menos el 50% de los votos, se llevará a cabo una segunda vuelta electoral.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    David Chappelle
    (N)

  • Candidate picture

    Amber Timberlake
    (N)

Biographical Information

QUALIFICATIONS: What qualifies you to serve on the City Council?

BUDGET: How do you propose to manage budgetary challenges with the need to provide the expected level of service?

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS: How should your city work with other governments such as the U. S. Department of Homeland Security?

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR: What policies, procedures and guidelines would you support to protect residents from discrimination?

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: What growth or changes to public transportation options do you believe your city should provide, if any?

CHALLENGE/OPPORTUNITY: What are the city’s greatest challenges and opportunities over the next several years?

Occupation Finance Consultant
Education Bachelors and Masters
Campaign Phone 9727579544
My qualifications are grounded in real-world experience. As a finance professional, I understand budgets, long-term planning, and the consequences of financial decisions, skills that translate directly to city governance. I started my first business in high school, giving me firsthand knowledge of what it takes to operate responsibly and with accountability. As a District 3 homeowner, I understand the issues residents face daily. I am ready to apply that experience in this district from day one.
Sound budgeting starts with financial literacy and transparency. I will push for clear, honest reporting on how taxpayer dollars are spent, and demand that financial decisions be explained in terms that residents can understand. I will prioritize core services infrastructure, public safety, and neighborhood investment, while reviewing operations that may be increasing or duplicating costs. Responsible budgeting means planning for the long term, not just balancing this year's books.
I will closely evaluate any partnership between Grand Prairie and federal agencies, including DHS. Families in District 3 deserve to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods. To be clear: I will never support policies that hurt families or create fear in our community. Local government's first obligation is to the people who live here, and I will ensure that any intergovernmental relationship reflects that commitment to serving families.
Every resident of Grand Prairie deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. I will support clear, enforceable policies that protect residents from discrimination in city services, housing, and economic opportunity. Accountability must apply at every level, including city leadership. I will advocate for transparent processes that give residents a real path to report concerns and see them addressed because equal treatment should never depend on who you know or where you live.
Grand Prairie has taken early steps toward better regional connectivity, including the Park and Ride on I-30 and ongoing discussions with DART about expanded service. I support moving those conversations forward and advocating for transit options that give District 3 families real access to jobs and services. While joining DART fully requires a voter-approved sales tax dedication, I believe we should continue exploring every available partnership to improve how residents move through and beyond our city.
Grand Prairie's greatest challenge is ensuring that growth benefits everyone. Rising housing costs, uneven infrastructure investment, and economic development that bypasses existing residents are issues that need urgent attention. The opportunity is to get ahead of these challenges with smart, transparent planning that puts families first.
Occupation Attorney
Education SMU Dedman School of Law
Note: Instagram: @TimberlakeForGrandPrairie
I believe my unique blend of legal expertise and proven record of service are what qualify me most for service. My experience as a former federal and municipal attorney means I can hit the ground running with a deep understanding of regulations and budgets, and their effects on our everyday lives. However, I’m equally as willing to do the hands-on work that is required to ensure our city thrives. I am a trained advocate who has spent my career standing up for others, and I am ready to bring that same level of professional scrutiny and dedication to City Hall.
I believe managing a city budget is a lot like managing a household: you have to prioritize the must-haves before the nice-to-haves. My goal is to make sure your tax dollars are focused on the basics: safe streets, reliable infrastructure, and supporting our seniors. With my legal background, I’m trained to look at the fine print and find where we can be more efficient without cutting the services our families rely on. I’ll advocate for a transparent process where every dollar spent has a clear purpose, so we can keep Grand Prairie thriving without placing an extra burden on our homeowners.
I believe that Federal agencies, particularly DHS are equipped to handle themselves and I am firmly against Grand Prairie joining DHS's initiatives. Our local tax dollars and police resources must remain dedicated to our own neighborhoods, not diverted to fund federal agendas. Outside of that, I believe regional coordination is vital. With Grand Prairie being in the heart of DFW is it important to make sure our efforts are aligned, particularly when it comes to city development and infrastructure.
I believe every resident in Grand Prairie deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness. Protection from discrimination isn't just about following the law, it’s about making sure our city has clear, simple ways for neighbors to report unfair treatment in housing or the workplace. My background in civil rights law, has taught me that rules only work if they are enforced. I support strengthening our local guidelines to stop predatory practices before they take root. I’ll advocate for transparency, accessibility, and I am 100% committed to standing up for every family in Grand Prairie.
I believe in prioritizing smart, on-demand solutions that respect our unique local needs. Our current Via Grand Prairie service provides a strong foundation for local travel, and I support using better technology to reduce wait times and improve reliability for all residents. Looking forward, I also support the development of a regional intercity rail system. Connecting Grand Prairie to a larger North Texas rail network will reduce highway congestion and provide our workforce with a seamless, high-speed link to the rest of the DFW Metroplex.
Grand Prairie’s greatest challenge is managing rapid growth without losing our neighborhood character or overextending our infrastructure. We must modernize aging roads and upgrade public safety technology to keep pace with new development. However, this growth brings a major opportunities like the revitalization of our downtown core and the 161 Corridor. By leveraging my legal background to ensure smart land use and transparency, we can turn these projects into long-term wins that boost our local economy while protecting the legacy, property values, and quiet streets of our beautiful city.