Job descriptionThe Council is the city’s governing body. This position is elected by district. (Districts 1-5; Districts 6-8 are elected city-wide). Term is two years.
DutiesEnacts city laws and ordinances
Determines city policies
Adopts city budget
Appoints city manager to administer city government
Annual salary$2,400; reimbursed for official city expenses.
MeetingsCouncil meetings every other week; special meetings called as needed.
City contact informationContact City Secretary
alex.busken@arlingtontx.gov
817-459-6186

Who’s Running?

Tamiko BrownFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tamiko-Brown-for-City-Council-District-3-100220288806205
Email: browntamiko4@gmail.com
Diana SalehWebsite: https://www.dianaforarlington.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianaforarlington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/district3diana
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianaforarlington/
Email: diana@dianaforarlington.com
Alixis LupienWebsite: http://www.alixisforcitycouncil.com/
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Alixis-Lupien-for-Arlington-City-Council-112116134299336/?ref=bookmarks
Dora O. TovarWebsite: http://www.tovarpr.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoraTovarACCD3/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/TovarPR
Email: doratovarford3@gmail.com
Nikkie HunterWebsite: https://nikkiefordis3.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nikkie-Hunter-for-City-Council-District-3-1718409828196494/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkieFor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkieahunt/
Email: nikkiehunter@nikkiefordis3.com

Recent News Articles

Candidate Q&A

1. WHY ARE YOU THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
My expertise lies at the intersection of business and community service. I am a diligent problem solver and partnership creator, but I am also a deeply caring person. I’ll work to bring equity, empathy, and action to City Hall. I have also heard from too many Arlington residents that they don’t feel like our local government acts in their best interest, and I’ll be a voice for the average resident, not just those at the top.
Alixis Lupien
I believe that I’m the best candidate because I’ve experienced life in Arlington from multiple viewpoints. I’ve lived here as a single mom, a married mother of two, a serving military member, a veteran, woman of color, poor, and middle class. I feel that my life experiences, along with my education, will aid me in connecting, on a real level, with our residents.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
2. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS AFFECTED ARLINGTON’S BUDGET AND SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS. HOW WOULD YOU GRADE ARLINGTON’S RESPONSE AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Arlington did an admirable job setting up local testing and vaccination sites, and when the City realized where particular hotspots of infection were in the city, they conducted effective outreach to residents in those areas. However, there were also equity issues in the dissemination of resources. I would work to reduce disparities in resource allocation, better communicate with community members, and more strongly encourage compliance with health officials’ recommendations.
Alixis Lupien
I think we can always do better. Disseminating important, pertinent information is always an issue for Arlington. We could have and should have better utilized current technology to reach all resident with updates and information. Newsletters, emails, text messages, etc could have all been used to make sure our community was adequately updated.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
3. ARLINGTON WILL BE RECEIVING NEARLY $85 MILLION IN RELIEF FUNDS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. HOW SHOULD THAT MONEY BE SPENT?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
The American Rescue Plan funds should first be used to reimburse COVID related expenditures so the City can meet its other financial obligations. Then, the next priority should be addressing the community’s most immediate needs at present. And, finally, City Council should consider investments we can make now that will benefit residents later down the road.
Alixis Lupien
The funds from the American Rescue Plan would best be spent on our community debt and needs that have arisen. No one needs to be on debt from medical bills incurred due to COVID. No one deserves to be unhoused, due to losing their job because of the pandemic, so we should allocate funds to keep these people housed until they can find alternate employment. Local businesses could use those funds to stay in business and operate to their full potential. Reimbursing those who have had to bury loved ones, due to COVID would be another great use.
Beyond that, we could create programs within our city that are structured specifically to assist our community during disasters like these, come up with better methods of communication, and make sure our residents are aware of these programs.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
4. THE RECENT “BIG FREEZE” CAUSED MANY RESIDENTS TO GO WITHOUT POWER OR WATER FOR HOURS OR EVEN DAYS. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CITY’S RESPONSE (WARMING CENTERS, TRANSPORTATION, AND EMERGENCY WATER DISTRIBUTION)? HOW WOULD YOU WORK TO IMPROVE ELECTRIC/GAS/WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Arlington provided several useful forms of aid, but there were equity issues in the dissemination of those resources. I think the City should use its influence (albeit limited) with energy companies to incentivize them to winterize their equipment so the system is better able to handle extreme conditions in the future. Proactive planning for these conditions is of the utmost priority.
Alixis Lupien
Personally, I didn’t hear about warming centers or transportation. I think our city has an ongoing issue with communication. Residents just aren’t being actively informed of what’s going on around them and what programs are available to assist them. We need to rethink how the city communicates with residents and utilize modern technology to do so.
I would hope that the city has learned some valuable information about how to improve our electric and water infrastructure to make sure we are safe in the future. I would push for an investigative panel to find better ways of maintaining and upgrading our electric and water systems to a level that our residents deserve.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
5. HOW SHOULD ARLINGTON ADDRESS THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING? WHAT ROLE SHOULD CITY GOVERNMENT PLAY IN RESPONDING TO PANDEMIC-RELATED EVICTIONS?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Housing is a right and access to affordable housing is imperative to the well-being of our citizens. Arlington currently has “The Housing Choice Voucher Program” which provides rental assistance to eligible low income persons, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The City should continue to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs as well as address disparities that remain in order to fully meet the needs of the community.
Alixis Lupien
Housing is a human right. No person should be without a home. There’s a lot we could do to push for affordable housing, staying with new housing complexes being required to provide a certain number of low rent options as well as multi family options. We could use a portion of the AMR funds to build new low-rent and multi family housing as well.
Pandemic related evictions should be stayed. As a city, we should be doing everything we can to keep people housed, find employment for those who have lost their jobs, and make sure people are as comfortable as they can be during these trying times.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
6. IN PUBLIC REMARKS, NEW ARLINGTON POLICE CHIEF AL JONES HAS PROMISED COMMUNITY MEMBERS A “SEAT AT THE TABLE” IN DECISIONS ABOUT POLICING. HOW SHOULD THE CITY INVOLVE RESIDENTS IN POLICING DECISIONS? WHAT ARE APPROPRIATE LIMITS TO RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Every member of the Arlington community wants to feel safe, and amicable relationships between members of the community and the Arlington Police Department are critical to realizing that goal. Establishing a citizen review board to investigate conduct complaints is a mutually beneficial way to increase both transparency, trust, and accountability. The Mayor and City Council members have expressed initial support for the idea, and I will work with the council, concerned constituents, and law enforcement groups to arrive at solutions that meet the needs of people throughout the community. There is no doubt that we can prioritize public safety and support law enforcement in their efforts to protect the community all while meeting the needs of our residents.
Alixis Lupien
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
7. DO YOU THINK IT IS EVER APPROPRIATE FOR STATE LAWS TO OVERRIDE LOCAL CONTROL OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT THE CITY? IF SO, PLEASE PROVIDE AN EXAMPLE.
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
I believe vesting substantial power at the local level is crucial to a city’s success and best meets the individual needs of the community.
Alixis Lupien
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
8. DOES THE CURRENT ARLINGTON GAS DRILLING ORDINANCE PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PROTECTIONS FOR CITIZENS WHO LIVE, WORK, OR ATTEND SCHOOL NEAR DRILLING SITES? WOULD YOU CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THE PERMITTING AND INSPECTION PROCESS?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Ensuring safe proximities to well sites is my top environmental concern because it is an area in which the City has jurisdiction to prevent direct harm to members of the community. I will rely on the latest research and best practices when voting on the allowable distance new sites are a sufficient distance from homes, schools, and businesses to eliminate the health threats and mitigate the environmental impacts. I also welcome the opportunity to partner with local environmental advocacy groups such as Livable Arlington. Furthermore, we should review the effects the current ordinance is having to determine how to proceed.
Alixis Lupien
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
9. HOW DO YOU ASSESS THE CURRENT STATE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT IN ARLINGTON? WHAT SHOULD THE CITY’S TRANSIT PRIORITIES BE?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
Arlington has been fortunate to expand VIA’s geographical service area through CARES funds, which has made public transportation available to more residents. However, despite the benefits of the on-demand system, Arlington still needs a form of reliable, affordable transportation, which could reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, expand employment opportunities for residents, and increase patronage of local businesses.
Alixis Lupien
I think that, while Via is a great idea, it’s not enough. We have people who just aren’t able to afford the $3-4 per ride that Via offers. For our disabled and low income communities, we need to make programs available that cut or eliminate these costs. If we aren’t going to provide a mass transit system, then we need to make rides available to all people, at a level they can afford.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter
10. ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?
Tamiko Brown
Diana Saleh
One of the biggest goals of my campaign is to involve more Arlington citizens in City processes so we can do a better job addressing residents’ concerns. I would love to hear from community members both now and if I’m honored to be District 3’s next member of City Council.
Alixis Lupien
We need more mental health professionals everywhere. We need them in our schools, so we can aid our children and teaching staff better. We need them in our public services, so we can de-escalate mental health situations and keep an eye out for first responders who need a break. We need them in our communities, so people have someone to talk to and can access the tools to feel better and create better life situations and outcomes.
Dora O. Tovar
Nikkie Hunter