Taylor’s first directly elected mayor in May could be a new face on the City Council, as current Mayor Dwayne Ariola recently announced he will not run for reelection.
In keeping with city practices at the time, Ariola was chosen as the city’s chief executive by his fellow council members, but a June 2024 voter-approved change to the city charter
taking effect in May will allow Taylor voters the chance to select a mayor themselves.
Ariola announced his decision not to run in a Nov. 28 social-media post, surprising some just two weeks after saying he would be campaigning.
“While celebrating my (deceased) father’s 85th birthday last week, I found myself doing some real soulsearching. I kept asking: ‘Why are you running again?’” Ariola said regarding his change-ofheart.
Ariola’s leadership on the dais comes during a time that has seen Taylor continue to grow from an agrarian, small-town Austin suburb to a bustling, high-tech center attracting Samsung Austin Semiconductor, Tesla operations, data centers and more.
Ariola was first elected to the council in 2017 as an at-large member and is now fulfilling his third three-year term. He has served as mayor since May 2024.
Born and raised in Taylor, Ariola joined the Navy in 1985 after graduating from Taylor High School. His career included serving on submarines in San Diego and Pearl Harbor. He worked as a submarine mechanic and helped design fastattack underwater vessels. When he retired in 2005, he was chief of boat on the USS Albany, which won the designation as the “Battle E” boat for the Atlantic fleet.
Ariola is employed as the area sales manager for Burkert Fluid Control Systems, which specializes in measurement and control technology for fluids and gases.
Vision for his successor
Ariola believes it is important the next mayor be either a Taylor native or someone with decades of history in the city. He suggests newcomers wanting to serve should start by joining a board, a commission or one of the city’s nonprofits to gain a sense of Taylor’s identity.
Ariola served on the Planning & Zoning Commission before being elected to the council. He is a longterm member of Taylor Kiwanis and American Legion Post 39 and is active in community service.
In addition to an in-depth understanding and commitment to Taylor, Ariola’s list of traits he believes a candidate needs to successfully lead the city
include:
• International experience • A strong educational foundation
• An understanding of international business, including tariffs
• Small-business ownership or entrepreneurial experience Ariola said there are people in Taylor who meet those criteria, and hints that some have already announced they may run.
“I think those (traits) are vital because there are so many moving parts for the next mayor’s position and so much time consumption. Their employer is going to have to have that flexibility with them unless they’re an independent contractor or something to that effect,” Ariola said. “This is not an (on-thejob training) position.
You’ve got to have the big picture before you can take on the Taylor mayor position from this point forward.”
In a good place
The mayor believes he is leaving the city in a good position, with council members possessing varied skills and backgrounds.
The only position up for election in May is the mayoral seat.
In the time before he leaves, Ariola hopes to bring the city’s new comprehensive plan close to completion. He has been wanting to update it since Samsung announced it would be building in Taylor in November 2021.
The plan was completed just before the city learned of Samsung’s decision to build its multibilliondollar foundry on the city’s southwest side, and though a few amendments were made the overall plan was not designed to fully accommodate the growth Samsung is bringing, he said.
“When Samsung signed we should have totally redone this and projected a plan for growth. Because we can’t allow Taylor to grow in (municipal utility districts) and those things that are off our tax roles,” he said. “The growth is coming and we need to work with the (Taylor Independent School District), with developers to get future firehouses, future schools.”
No regrets
Ariola said he has no regrets about his time in office and is excited about where Taylor and the council are headed. He believes he has left the groundwork to help future councils plan for Taylor’s ongoing success and keep everyone thinking about how the city should grow.
“The marching orders now are, let’s get a new comprehensive plan, a new affordable housing slash workforce housing plan and then after the citizens’ input – lots of it – a new land-development code,” he said.
Community reaction over Ariola’s decision to step down in May has been mixed.
Many recognize that he has led the city through a time of growth and sometimes dizzying development.
Others have said a change in city leadership may help place additional emphasis on social equality, lower taxes and non-partisanship at City Hall.
Ariola faced criticism earlier this year when he declined to support a proclamation during Pride Week observances, although local events went off as planned.
Candidates interested in running for mayor can pick up an application at City Hall, 400 Porter St. The filing period opens Jan. 14 and closes Feb. 13 to secure a place on the ballot.
Early voting is April 20-28. Election day is May 2.
