Texas Record
Forney
JT

James Traylor

Council Member Place 12021-2027

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
2

Term ending Dec 31, 2027.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
26
Total speaking time
44:39
Avg per meeting
1:43
Segments
815

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Top issues during term (20)

critical→Mar 2026[33]

Comprehensive Data Center Prohibition

Protects surrounding residential property values by preventing incompatible industrial intrusions.

critical↓May 2025[29]

Public Safety and Crime Prevention

No immediate financial impact reported during the presentation.

critical→Apr 2025[24]

FY 2026-2027 Budget and Tax Rate

Values increased by 4.5% overall, with each penny on the tax rate raising approximately $487,000.

critical↓Jan 2025[22]

Parking Standards in Industrial Districts

Potential property value impacts for neighboring homeowners and infrastructure costs related to drainage and road improvements.

critical↑Jan 2025[21]

Commercial Development Expansion

Generates new sales and property tax revenue for the city through commercial and residential construction.

critical↓Mar 2025[20]

Data Center Prohibition

The project could generate new tax revenue for the city through business operations.

critical→Apr 2025[20]

Library and YMCA Bond Proposal

Will determine public debt and potential property tax impacts if voters approve the bond in November.

high→Aug 2025[19]

Regional Housing Authority

Utilizes existing staff time and police records to improve neighborhood code compliance and community safety.

critical↑Nov 2025[19]

Abatement of Substandard Residential Structures

Costs for city-ordered demolition or legal processing may be assessed against the property owners as liens.

high↑Aug 2025[11]

NTMWD Water and Wastewater Rate Increases

Adjusts city utility and service fees effective October 1 to fund municipal operations.

high↓Jul 2024[11]

Economic Development Incentives and Business Prospects (Project House)

The project involves a $30,000 economic development grant funded by the FEDC.

critical↓May 2023[10]

Community Park Safety

Property values have declined for homeowners in affected blocks due to rental saturation and community disruptions.

critical↓Apr 2023[9]

emergency services contract

The contract will involve significant city expenditures for emergency services.

high↓Mar 2025[9]

Townhome Development Rezone Request

Private investment in housing development was proposed, but no direct municipal capital expenditure was outlined.

critical↓May 2025[9]

Rental Inspection and Crime Addendum

Potential impact on individual property resale values noted by the speaker.

medium↓Jul 2024[7]

Historic District Preservation

Private property investment by the homeowner.

medium↓Aug 2023[7]

Animal Shelter Operations

The committee's discussions may eventually lead to budget requests for facility improvements or staffing.

high↓Feb 2026[5]

Commercial Growth and Traffic

These projects will bring new jobs and tax revenue to the city.

high↓Jun 2025[5]

EMS Funding and Leadership

The fee will generate approximately $162,000 annually.

medium↓Mar 2021[5]

Annual Board and Commission Reappointments

None directly associated with volunteer appointments.

Moved or seconded (40)

Motions Traylor personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.

  • movedpassed 6-02026-05-19

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Minutes as presented.

  • movedpassed 6-02026-05-19

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-21

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-21

    Council Member Traylor moved to Remove the Item from the Table.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-21

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Minutes as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-21

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item with the following amendment: Change the minimum setback of 1,000 feet to 5,000 feet from any property zoned in a residential distr…

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-21

    Hold a public hearing and discuss and consider approval of an Ordinance amending the 102 development standards for 1.25 acres of property located east of North F.M. 548 and north 103 of North Gateway Boulevard. The property is zoned by Ordinance 13-04. (Staff/Planning 104

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • movedpassed 5-02026-04-07

    accept the explanation as presented

  • movedpassed 6-02026-04-07

    Council Member Traylor moved to table the item to the April 21, 2026 Regular Meeting of the City Council.

  • movedpassed 6-02026-04-07

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-02-17

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item as presented, with the membership consisting of five (5) members.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-02-17

    Following discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Helm moved to approve the item as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02026-02-17

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda, now consisting of Items VI.1-5 and 7.

  • movedpassed 6-02026-01-06

    Consider approval of the acceptance of public improvements for the 1st Choice Insurance 52 Office project. (Staff recommends approval of the item.) 53 [APPROVED] 54 55

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • movedpassed 6-02026-01-06

    Council Member Traylor moved to table the item to the February 3, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting, along staff time to return with a modified ordinance draft to include points di…

  • movedpassed 5-02025-11-18

    Council Member Traylor moved to discuss the item in Executive Session under Section 551.071, Consultation with Attorney, of the Texas Government Code.

  • secondedfailed 2-42025-11-18

    Consider approval of the quarterly investment report ending 09/30/25. (Staff recommends 68 approval of the item.) 69 [APPROVED] 70 71

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • movedpassed 6-02025-11-04

    approve the item as presented.

  • movedpassed 5-02025-11-04

    Consider approval of the Minutes of the September 16, 2025 (Regular) Meeting. (Staff 32 recommends approval of the item.) 33 34 The minutes were presented for consideration. 35

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • movedpassed 5-02025-10-21

    Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item as presented.

Decisions during term (471)

Recorded while Traylor was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved5-0Oct 1, 2026

Zoning Amendment for Planned Development 22-25 (Akron Way Industrial)

approved5-0Oct 1, 2026

Conditional Use Permit for Auto Repair at 114 Industrial Drive

approved5-0Oct 1, 2026

Final Plat for The Cottages at Gateway Addition

approved5-0Oct 1, 2026

Site Plan for Clearwater Express Car Wash

approved1630Oct 1, 2026

Final Plat for 7 Brew Forney Addition

approved5-0Oct 1, 2026

Final Plat for Village at Gateway Block 4 Lots 5R1, 5R2, and 5R3 (EVO Entertainment)

approved1933Oct 1, 2026

Final Plat for Village at Gateway Lot 8D-1 Block 3 (Restaurant Pad)

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Fox Hollow Public Improvement District Maintenance Assessment

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Conditional Use Permit for Goodwill Donation Collection Center

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Sign Standards Amendment for Village at Gateway

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Zoning Definitions and Regulations for Automated Ice Machines

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Stricter Zoning Regulations for Data Centers

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Board and Commission Appointments

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Utility Billing Exemptions for Special Events

approved6-0Sep 15, 2026

Approval of Master Fee Schedule Updates

approvedSep 15, 2026

Approval of Minutes

approvedSep 15, 2026

Consent Agenda

approvedSep 10, 2026

Approval of the FEDC Minutes – August 13, 2026

approvedSep 10, 2026

Discuss and consider action on a broker representation agreement for FEDC-owned properties.

approved6-0Sep 3, 2026

Data Center Zoning Prohibition

Voting record (224)

192 yes14 no18 abstained

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesAug 18, 2026

Motion to (Re)Appoint Kara

Voted yesAug 18, 2026

Motion to (Re)Appoint Phillip Brugger

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Adoption of Ordinance No. 26-27 Calling a Bond Election

Moved to approve the bond election item.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item as presented.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to reappoint Alan McCuistion to the NTMWD, Seat 1, for the term as noted above.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Salgado moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Minutes as presented.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Council Member Schlensker moved to appoint Council Member Salgado as Mayor Pro Tem for a period of one year.

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Runoff Election Canvass

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Appointment

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Approval of May 19, 2026 Minutes

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Consent Agenda

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

NTMWD Board Appointment

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Construction Hours Ordinance

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Village at Gateway Preliminary Plat

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Village at Gateway Replat

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

State Infrastructure Bank Loan Application for FM 1641

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Interlocal Agreement with Talty SUD for Smurfit Kappa

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

Acquisition of Fixed Video Surveillance Equipment

AbstainedJun 2, 2026

Council Member Salgado moved to approve the item as presented.

AbstainedJun 2, 2026

Direct staff to gauge and coordinate legislative efforts with neighboring municipalities, including Terrell, Royse City, Rockwall, Sachse, Wylie, and Heath, as well as with the Texas Municipal League;

Voted yesMay 19, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesMay 19, 2026

Council Member Salgado moved to approve the item as presented.

Voted yesMay 19, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Minutes as presented.

Voted yesMay 12, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Helm moved to approve the item with the correction as reported by City Secretary Rios.

Voted yesMay 12, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item as presented with the correction reported by City Secretary Rios.

Voted yesMay 12, 2026

Approval of General Election Canvass Resolution No. 26-19

Voted yesMay 12, 2026

Approval of Runoff Election Resolution No. 26-20

Voted yesMay 5, 2026

Council Member Salgado moved to authorize staff to execute a change order and take all necessary action relating to the Ranch Road Extension Project.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to adopt the item as presented.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to Remove the Item from the Table.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Minutes as presented.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Schlensker moved to approve the item as presented.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Schlensker moved to deliberate the item in Executive Session.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Salgado moved to move the item from Executive Session back to open session.

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the item with the following amendment: Change the minimum setback of 1,000 feet to 5,000 feet from any property zoned in a residential district or used for resi

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Approval of Minutes

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Approval of Consent Agenda

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Donation Collection Center Zoning Ordinance

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Public Safety Facility and Fire Station #3 Task Orders

Voted yesApr 21, 2026

Data Center Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Voted yesApr 14, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Council Member Schlensker seconded the motion.

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Helm moved to approve the item as presented.

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

accept the explanation as presented

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Helm moved to adopt the item as presented.

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

Council Member Traylor moved to table the item to the April 21, 2026 Regular Meeting of the City Council.

Voted yesApr 7, 2026

Mayor Pro Tem Helm moved to Remove the Item from the Table.

AbstainedMar 17, 2026

Council Member Salgado moved to adopt the item as presented.

In the news (2)