Jeff Taylor For Galveston City Council District 2

10/02/2026

Progress takes time, and sometimes the wait can make you feel like the skeletons in these photos! But don’t give up hope. There is good work happening in District 2.

The garden renovation at Shykatz with its community fridge, the restored Rosenberg fountain, historic restoration work, street improvements and cleanup along Broadway all deserve recognition. There is also preparation for future drain cleaning. Some improvements are finished, others are underway, and more are being planned.

Thank you to the neighbors and businesses making improvements and to everyone planning the next steps. A special thank-you goes to our City workers, who keep this island running every day, in all kinds of weather.

All of this work matters because it helps keep our neighborhoods livable and improves the quality of life for the people who call them home. I appreciate everyone doing their part.

09/26/2026

District 2, this is our opportunity to help shape Galveston’s future.

The City is updating Galveston’s Comprehensive Plan. This plan will guide decisions about land use, economic development, transportation, disaster planning, resilience and other priorities affecting our growth and development over the next decade and beyond.

There are three ways to participate:

1. Attend Community Workshop #2 on Thursday, October 15, from 3–7 p.m. at the Historic Galveston Water & Electric Light Community Center, 715 30th Street.

Residents can review the results of the first workshop, share their priorities for Galveston’s growth and help guide the City’s approach to resilience and the Comprehensive Plan. Everyone is welcome, and there will be activities for the whole family.

2. Share your input online:

https://engage.asakurarobinson.com/Galveston-Our-Future

3. Use the City’s meeting-in-a-box materials to host a smaller discussion with your neighbors, organization or community group and submit the group’s feedback.

I hope District 2 participates and makes its voice heard. The best plan will be one shaped by the people who live here.

ESPAÑOL

Distrito 2, esta es nuestra oportunidad de ayudar a definir el futuro de Galveston.

La Ciudad está actualizando el Plan Integral de Galveston. Este plan orientará decisiones sobre el uso del suelo, el desarrollo económico, el transporte, la preparación ante desastres, la resiliencia y otras prioridades que afectarán nuestro crecimiento y desarrollo durante la próxima década y más allá.

Hay tres maneras de participar:

1. Asista al Taller Comunitario #2 el jueves 15 de octubre, de 3:00 a 7:00 p. m., en el Historic Galveston Water & Electric Light Community Center, 715 30th Street.

Los residentes podrán conocer los resultados del primer taller, compartir sus prioridades para el crecimiento de Galveston y ayudar a orientar la resiliencia y el Plan Integral. Todos son bienvenidos y habrá actividades para toda la familia.

2. Comparta sus comentarios por internet:

https://engage.asakurarobinson.com/Galveston-Our-Future

3. Utilice los materiales que ofrece la Ciudad para organizar una conversación con sus vecinos, organización o grupo comunitario y enviar los comentarios del grupo.

Espero que el Distrito 2 participe y haga escuchar su voz. El mejor plan será el que construyamos con las personas que viven aquí.

09/20/2026

Thank you to all our City employees — our crews, our supervisors, our department heads and City Management. We have some of the best equipped and best trained people in the State of Texas, and that includes GPD, GFD, EMS and Emergency Management. Watching them go out to assist other municipalities and support state and federal agencies is something to be proud of, and we are just as grateful when other agencies come to our aid.

That reputation is part of why we were selected to host a national three-day conference on Neighborhood Economic Development and Resiliency. Galveston has lived through these events. We have learned from other communities, we have gotten better because of it, and we have a number of recognized experts right here on the Island.

This past Council workshop and meeting were short and direct — no major conflicts — and the chamber was still nearly full. That says something. Thank you for coming out even when there was no fight on the agenda.

Council approved the Sachs on Seawall development. What stood out was the cooperation between the community and the developer. That is how this is supposed to work, and it does not happen on its own.

Congratulations to every Islander appointed to our Boards and Commissions. The most interest this round came for the Planning Commission and the Wharves Board. If you were not selected, please stay in it — we need you in the room.

Coming before the Planning Commission, and eventually to Council, is the application to abandon the block of Avenue P between 21st and 20th. I hear you loud and clear. I have a clear picture of the concerns from Islanders and from those of you who live in District 2, and I will keep listening as this works its way through the process.

Please be safe as you get out and enjoy everything the Island has going on. We occupy a special place, and it is humbling to serve you.

Jeff Taylor
(409) 502-9707

09/15/2026

Today was a powerful reminder that economic development begins with people and place.

I was honored to join today’s Neighborhood Economics Community Economic Development Tour and welcome visitors from Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore and California to Galveston.

We visited the Nia Cultural Center and the Absolute Equality mural during the Black Heritage tour, then spent time at historic Reedy Chapel. Everywhere we went, I met incredible people with a deep commitment to their communities and thoughtful ideas about creating opportunity while preserving the history and character that make each place special.

Thank you to everyone who shared their time, experience and vision with us. Galveston was proud to welcome you.

09/12/2026

It was a privilege to attend the Williams Borden Neighborhood Association meeting at Shrimp N Stuff on Saturday morning, September 12. Council Member Lewis and I shared our districts’ priorities, and Mayor Listowski outlined his priorities for the city.

A common theme was keeping our vibrant island’s services funded while keeping tax rates low. We also discussed the Council’s no-new-revenue budget approach. The estimated increase in a homeowner’s city tax bill is about $19 a year per $100,000 of property value.

When asked what motivated me to run for City Council, my answer was simple: I have been in public service for 57 years. I am built for service and driven by community.

For me, service means giving back, helping people navigate problems, restoring hope, and improving lives. It means safe neighborhoods, infrastructure that works, managed growth, keeping families and children on the island and in our schools, and supporting our local businesses. These priorities help build a safer, cleaner, thriving community for islanders and visitors alike.

As we wrapped up the 90-minute meeting, we encouraged residents to stay involved and let us know what matters to them. Please participate in the comprehensive plan process, share your ideas, and contact your district’s council member with questions and concerns. Your input helps guide our work.

09/06/2026

It's no wonder our island welcomes about 9 million visitors a year.

From the magnificent beauty of the Gulf to the legacy of McGuire-Dent, the artistry on our community stage, and this majestic mural taking shape, Galveston gives us so much to be grateful for.

What a blessing it is to be a Galvestonian.

08/30/2026

08/29/2026

Good Saturday afternoon
It was really exciting to see so many folks come and participate in the community Comprehensive Plan public engagement. Am glad you had the opportunity to speak with the consultants and interact with city staff. Community engagement is very important to the success of this Comp Plan. Thank you for participating .

08/21/2026

Look at what is being accomplished at the corner of 22nd Street and Avenue K. In the first photo, you can see there was no wheelchair access. Now there will be.

Through a City of Galveston program, the City provided the labor and the Galveston Historical Foundation provided the materials to make this sidewalk in front of a GHF property ADA-accessible.

I appreciate this kind of practical partnership and the people doing the work. Improvements like this help make our neighborhoods safer and easier to navigate for everyone.

It’s all about working together for a better Galveston.

08/20/2026

Absolutely great news for our island. We are so blessed to have such positive policies and strong leadership. Let us continue making sound, forward thinking policies.

Two credit agencies evaluated the City of Galveston’s financial standing and assigned high ratings, signifying confidence in the city’s stability and opening the door to better interest rates.

The City is preparing to issue approximately $9.44 million in public improvement bonds for the construction of Fire Station 2, a bond voters approved in November 2025. As part of that process, the city sought ratings from credit agencies. After reviewing the city’s finances, Fitch Ratings assigned Galveston a ‘AA+’ score and Moody’s Ratings assigned a ‘Aa3’, both among the highest ratings the agencies assign.

Financial rating agencies assess the city’s ability to repay debt, the current debt levels and pension obligations, the budgetary performance and stability, governance practices and management, and the city’s economic conditions. The resulting credit rating helps determine the interest rate for a city to borrow money by issuing bonds. By receiving one of the highest credit rating scores, the City of Galveston will benefit from favorable interest rates when it needs to seek bonds to pay for widescale infrastructure projects.

“One of my main priorities as city manager has been strengthening the city’s budget and financial policies, as well as building a reserve that can help the city in times of natural disasters,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “The scores from the ratings agencies validate those efforts and put us in a good position as we prepare to seek bonds for the construction of Fire Station 2.”

In the announcements, the agencies noted the strengths of Galveston’s economy, anchored by tourism, health care, maritime industries, and the Port of Galveston, which ranks as the nation’s fourth-busiest cruise port. Ongoing investments in these sectors, along with strong financial oversight, provide the foundation for the City’s long-term stability. Another reason cited was the city’s tenured management team and strong financial policies leading to reserves of around 30 percent of revenue in recent years.

The agencies considered the island’s outsized environmental risks for storms and a lower median household income relative to other cities as potential liabilities and weaknesses. For more information, please see the Fitch Ratings announcement here and the Moody’s Rating announcement here.