My name is Les McDaniel and I’m running for re-election to Llano City Council. My wife, Sarah, and I stay busy trying to keep up with our three kids, Rory, Sophie, and Lowen. We moved back to Llano for my work in 2019. We’d previously lived here a couple of years before moving back to Missouri to be closer to family while waiting for our oldest, Rory to be born, but life has a way of bringing you back sometimes. My career has been in operations management for industrial minerals mining and when work first brought us this way, Llano seemed like the best choice of where to settle and that’s proven true over the years.
1. What qualifications, skills, or experience do you bring that would make you an effective member of the Llano City Council?
Over my career I’ve gained experience in a lot of the areas that relate to how a city operates, like sorting through facts to find the ideal solutions, working with large budgets, managing capital projects, and working through employee issues. Over my last 2 years on city council I’ve learned more about how to apply those skills within the framework of city government.
2. What motivated you to run for Llano City Council?
I first considered running in 2024, after being encouraged to run by my wife and friends. I felt I could bring a balanced approach to the position and use the management skills I’ve obtained over the years to bring some value to our city government. That is essentially the same reason I’m running for re-election.
3. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the City of Llano today?
The most pressing issues facing Llano today are how to keep costs down for our residents, fund needed infrastructure improvement projects, and resolve our issues surrounding our water availability.
4. Water is one of Llano residents' biggest concerns. What, in your belief, is the best path for Llano regarding our water future? Please be specific.
Water availability is a big issue in Llano and in Texas in general. We have multiple paths forward and all of them will cost money. The city has successfully dredged material out of the river in the past to maintain our ability to store water. We need to continue to work on the requirements needed to increase our water storage permit to make dredging a feasible and cost-effective process for the future. We need to evaluate our dam and ensure it is maintained to prevent any future structural issues that could lead to water losses. Part of that evaluation would be if increasing the dam height is feasible and what the costs and impacts would be.
5. How would you approach the budget process to fund the city’s needs without placing additional burden on taxpayers?
Every budget cycle is important and the upcoming one is no different. A lot of time will need to be spent analyzing the budget and finding ways to minimize any cost increases to our citizens in the form of utility rates and taxes. Water rates are the biggest challenge due to the amount of debt being paid for previously completed capital projects. We must continue to prioritize critical infrastructure projects while making sure the city is in position to complete future projects as they come due, such as complying with required projects to comply with TCEQ regulations. I foresee many discussions revolving around wants and true necessities.
6. How can the City Council work with staff and existing resources to move the JLK Event Center, Llano River Golf Course, City Pool, and Lantex Theater toward self-sufficiency?
I think the city is headed in the right direction with the JLK Center and the Golf Course. Staff is diligently working to improve revenues while trying to minimize costs. The new Lantex manager is passionate about that facility, and I look forward to hearing ideas on how to improve both the theater and revenues. Council and staff need to continue to work together to brainstorm cost reduction opportunities at each of the facilities that were budgeted at a deficit and make improvements a priority. The City Pool is a more difficult challenge due to its condition. It’s currently being evaluated and Council and staff will have to discuss best ways to move forward.
7. How would you approach economic development and business retention while preserving Llano’s small-town character?
Economic and business development opportunities will need to be judged on individual merit. Higher wage jobs would be a tremendous benefit to our area. I would weigh the benefits of what the businesses could provide with the potential impact on our infrastructure and town in general before supporting any accommodation to sway them to our area.
8. What are your top priorities for Llano's aging infrastructure?
The top infrastructure priorities are the water and sewer system. These systems are in need of the most improvement as relayed in each respecting Capital Improvement Plan and are where the most focus needs to be spent on how to fund them efficiently.
9. How do you plan to engage with residents and ensure their voices are heard in council decisions? Will you take direct questions from citizens?
I’m open to discussing any issues personally and hearing the thoughts of our citizens. I will respond to emails and phone calls, although you may have to leave a message, but I’ll be sure and get back to you.
10. If elected, what specific goals would you aim to accomplish during your term?
If elected, I will continue to work to provide cost effective solutions for the City of Llano. We need to improve our financial ability to complete needed improvements to our city’s critical infrastructure projects both near term and in the future without significant cost increases to our citizens.
