It was a tremendous honor to serve as the mayor of Cypress in 2025, in part because it gave me a unique window into our city government and the pulse of our community. As we move into 2026, I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned and why I believe our local government made immense strides compared to where we were a year ago.
One of the great things about Cypress is that we have the core, foundational elements in place that every city wants—safe streets, great schools, and a strong financial position. As council members, it is our job to maintain that solid foundation, while making enhancements where we can. By working with my colleagues and our city staff, we made fantastic progress in key areas in 2025.
Enhancing Public Safety
Cypress city councils have long prioritized public safety and this year was no exception. We remained committed to hiring new police officers and promoting great officers from within. We also made improvements, such as rolling out Automated License Plate Reader technology throughout the city. Our police department even partnered with Lexington Junior High School and Cypress High School on e-bike safety education programs. Our department’s efforts throughout the year paid off, as Cypress’s overall crime rate dropped by 18 percent in 2025 compared to 2024!
In 2026, two of my top priorities will be looking at ways to enhance officer safety, and considering new technology that can benefit both officers and residents.
Creating Long Term Financial Stability
Compared to most other cities, Cypress is in an enviable financial situation. Due to a combination of factors—a thriving business park, some very popular retail stores, and generally prudent financial practices—we don’t face the kind of budget deficits that many other cities struggle with. We have built up reserves of over three times our annual operating budget. But that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows.
The city is likely to spend close to $30 million on a new pump station to protect residents from flooding. In recent years, the city’s Recreation and Park District took on large loans from the city to pay for Lexington Park ($13.7 million) and Arnold Cypress Park ($33 million). And the city owes our retirees over $50 million in unfunded pension liability. So, while we can afford to enhance public safety, improve parks, and foster more responsive government, we also need to engage in thoughtful, long-term planning.
To that end, I previously worked with city staff on a plan to accelerate the funding of our pension trust fund so that we will be able to pay off our unfunded pension liability by the end of the decade. As of today, we are on track to achieve that goal! In 2026, I’m optimistic that our council will continue down that path, while taking steps to ensure that both our city and our Recreation and Parks District are in a strong financial position for years to come.
Better, Safer Playgrounds
Another exciting development this year was the initiation of a plan to rejuvenate playgrounds in our local parks. Cypress has about 20 parks with playgrounds, but it’s clear that many could use some improvement. Most of the playground equipment in our parks is already about 20 years old, and many playgrounds also don’t have adequate shade cover, which can render the equipment useless on hot days.
That’s why Council Member Kyle Chang and I engaged our Recreation & Community Services Commissioners to make recommendations for which playgrounds were most in need of improvement, where to add shade, and which parks present a good opportunity for more unique and special amenities. In 2026, we will begin implementing some of those recommendations so that our playgrounds will be not only be safer, but more vibrant in the near future.
More Responsive, Transparent Government
Since before I was elected in 2022, I’ve stressed the need for more responsive, transparent government in Cypress. In my first two years on the council, it was difficult to make strides in that area. But with a new group of council members in place this year, we made our council meetings more accessible, and took action on some long-standing resident concerns.
First, this council reversed measures taken by prior councils that restricted council members’ ability to bring agenda items forward. We made the process of council members putting items on the agenda easier, and more public, which gives both council members and residents a better opportunity to understand and shape the decisions that impact our city. We also made our public comment periods at meetings fully virtual, so that residents who cannot attend in person can still make their voice heard.
Second, we have made solid progress on some thorny issues. For example, after hearing from multiple residents, this year I brought up the issue of illegal dumping of trash and furniture on one of our city streets. Shortly after, we tried a pilot program using a security camera to deter illegal dumping. And in 2026, the council will be considering options to create a permanent solution.
I’m also excited that our council is discussing reforms to protect our elections from undue influence. Cypress city elections have had a sordid history in this area. In 2012, two city council candidates received campaign contributions that were illegally laundered by someone who was trying to disguise the true source of the money. More recently, in 2022, Cypress voters received mailers from a mysterious entity called the Safe Neighborhoods PAC that spent over $35,000 to support three local candidates. It turned out the PAC was actually funded by our trash company and a local real estate developer. Our residents deserve better than money laundering and mysterious PACs in our elections.
That’s why I recently proposed lowering the campaign contribution limit in Cypress from $5,900 down to $500. I also proposed a new requirement that any independent expenditure PAC identify it’s top five donors on mailers, so voters know who is really spending money to support local candidates. With council support, those reforms will be in place before our next election.
An Independent Minded Council
Speaking of city council, we have a great group of council members heading into 2026. Sometimes in cities like Cypress, councils can become very insular—with a small group of friends who belong to the same local organizations, receive financial support from the same special interests, etc. But today, following the appointment of our newest council member Rachel Strong Carnahan, we have a council of independent minded representatives with diverse backgrounds and political views. With this council and a city staff that combines experienced employees with talented new members, I have never been more optimistic about the future of local government in Cypress than I am today.
So, while 2025 was not without its challenges, we made great progress overall. I hope you’ll be engaged and share your perspective so that together, we can make our great city even better in 2026!
Editor’s note: This is an opinion submitted by former Mayor and Council member David Burke. ENE invites other submissions