Issues 

Water & Sewer Infrastructure Transparency

Water & Sewer Infrastructure Transparency

At the September 23, 2025, City Council meeting, I requested progress updates tied directly to the recent water and sewer rate increase. That request is reflected in the official council minutes.

Since then, as of 3/1/2026 I have reviewed publicly available information on the City’s website and other public sources. At this time, I have not found clearly labeled public progress reports outlining what upgrades have been completed, what is underway, or what timelines residents can expect.

Infrastructure investment is necessary.
Accountability is equally necessary.

Residents deserve to see:
• What projects are funded by the rate increase
• What milestones have been reached
• What comes next

Internal updates to Council are important. Public updates to residents are essential.

Strong infrastructure and strong transparency go hand in hand.

— Leo Corona
Candidate for Mayor, Gatesville

Economic Growth & Community Character

While economic growth brings opportunity, many residents are concerned about the pace of change—and how it might affect our small-town character and quality of life.

 

National Register Historic District Q & A

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Safety & Essential Resources

Community safety, drug prevention, and access to essential resources remain top priorities for our families. I am committed to tackling these challenges head-on and working together to build a safer, healthier, and stronger Gatesville for all.

Preparedness & Resilience

We must also ensure that Gatesville is better prepared and more resilient. That means working closely with Coryell County officials to equip the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department with the tools, training, and resources they need to protect our residents and infrastructure.

Addressing Aging Infrastructure

Our city's aging infrastructure is a serious issue that can't be ignored. If we keep kicking the can down the road, we’ll face costly consequences—steep rate hikes and missed opportunities for growth. My promise to you is simple: I will lead with transparency, keep you informed, and tackle these challenges head-on.

Sidewalks, accessibility, and utility placement are all core infrastructure issues—just like roads, drainage, and water lines.

I raised this issue as a citizen during a City Council meeting because I saw a clear safety concern—sidewalks along Main Street being blocked by utility poles and lines, making them difficult or impossible to use.

This is more than a one-time concern.
It’s an infrastructure issue, and infrastructure is about safety, accessibility, and how people move through our community every day.

 

Leo Corona Downtown Gatesville

Leadership & Action

Throughout my career, I've held roles of immense responsibility—from leading Soldiers across the globe, to managing multimillion-dollar operations, training future leaders, and ensuring safety under the most challenging conditions. Today, I have a new mission: to serve as your next Mayor.

When projects or decisions like this come forward, I believe it’s important that the public can clearly see:

  • What is being proposed

  • What information is available

  • How discussions take place and how decisions are reached

In our council–manager form of government, those discussions are meant to happen openly, in a setting the public can follow.

My approach has been to stay actively engaged as a citizen—attending meetings, reviewing publicly available information, and following agenda items—while asking questions when something isn’t clear.

That same approach is how I will continue to serve in the Mayor’s role: supporting a process that is open, informed, and clearly communicated so residents can follow it.