1. What inspired you to run for public office?
When I first ran, one of the major concerns I heard from residents was that some council members were not accessible to the people they represented. Phone calls weren’t returned and emails often went unanswered. However, an even greater issue at the time was the city manager. Rather than managing the City under the direction of the mayor and council, they acted as though they ran it alone. The attitude toward the very citizens who paid their salary was dismissive and, at times, outright rude. I believed then—as I still do now—that leadership must be accountable and respectful to the public. I’m very pleased with our new city manager. He has worked diligently to address several significant issues left behind by the previous administration and I believe our City is better for it.
2. What are your top priorities or goals for the community during your term?
My top priority is being open and honest with the public. I believe residents have a right to know exactly how their tax dollars are being used, and I’m committed to making that information easily accessible. One major area I’ve focused on is our water infrastructure. We’ve developed a thoughtful, needs-based plan to replace failing pipelines—starting with the areas of greatest urgency and taking care to minimize disruption to streets, driveways, and daily life. While many sections of pipe are overdue for replacement, it’s simply not feasible to fix everything at once. That’s why strategic planning is essential. I also strongly support upgrading our water meters. Real-time data would allow residents to monitor their water use daily instead of monthly. This would not only give bill payers more control over their consumption, but it would also help detect leaks early—before they result in expensive surprises.
3. What do you love most about our city?
Our city has maintained its hometown feel, even as we’ve grown and attracted major stores and restaurants. It’s exciting to see new businesses investing in our community while we continue to preserve the character and values that make our town special.
4. What past experiences or roles have best prepared you for this position?
Both of my parents served in the military and we moved to Belton when I was in junior high. I graduated from Belton High School and went on to serve 24 years in the United States Air Force. For the first 14 years of my military career, I calibrated electronic equipment on aircraft. After that, I transitioned to the Air Force Recruiting Service, where I spent most of my time recruiting physicians. In 2014, I returned to Belton. After traveling extensively across the United States during my service, I can confidently say—there’s no better place to live than right here in Belton.
Professional Military Education (Leadership/Management) Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Academy - Correspondence (advanced leadership school), 2009 Non-Commissioned Officers Academy (7 Week In-Residence leadership school), 2003 Total Quality Management (Learned lean management, efficiency, planning, customer-oriented service), 1993 Airman Leadership School (7 Week In-Residence), 1989
5. How can residents get involved or share their concerns with you?
I encourage all residents to get involved by volunteering for the many boards and committees available to citizens. Your voice matters and your participation helps shape the future of Belton. Be sure to download the new myBELTON app—it’s a great tool for staying connected. You can use it to report issues like roadway concerns or code violations and one of its best features is an interactive map that shows current construction and development projects around town. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me anytime at jpryan@belton.org. I’m here to listen and ready to help.