Leif Kertis Q&A: Council Place 4 candidate outlines city priorities, infrastructure vision

Yahoo

22-04-2025

Editor's note: The Amarillo Globe-News is running several Q&As involving Amarillo city candidates ahead of the upcoming May 3 election, with early voting starting April 22. Look for more of these questionnaires in the Globe-News and online at amarillo.com.
Leif Kertis, a business owner and former regional finance manager, is running for Amarillo City Council Place 4. With a background in construction, corporate finance, and community ministry, Kertis says his campaign is focused on practical solutions to modernize infrastructure, increase transparency, and make Amarillo a more inclusive and economically thriving city. In this Q&A — edited for clarity and length — Kertis outlines his priorities for the city and how he plans to deliver results for underserved communities.
Q: What infrastructure projects would you prioritize, and how would you fund them without overburdening taxpayers?
A: We need to stop neglecting historically underserved neighborhoods like North Heights and Eastridge. Residential infrastructure in those areas has been overlooked for too long. The elephant in the room is the wastewater treatment plant — it needed to be addressed yesterday. Funding will have to be creative: federal and state grants, public-private partnerships, and the MUD (Municipal Utility District) program are all tools we need to use. These projects have to move forward without putting the entire burden on local taxpayers.
Q: How would you support police and fire departments, especially after recent pay increases?
A: The council did a good job getting our first responders closer to where they need to be, but we can't play catch-up every year. We're still short about 30 officers. We need to think long-term — what does recruitment and retention look like five years from now? That starts with supporting leadership, improving facilities, and showing that the city stands behind these departments. I'll be out there at recruitment events, shaking hands with potential recruits, and making sure they know they have support at the council level.
Q: What's your strategy to attract businesses while supporting local growth, especially in underserved areas?
A: First, we need to get the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) back in order and make sure it's operating with accountability. Amarillo is the true gateway to the West — and to the rest of the U.S. We should be attracting logistics and manufacturing companies naturally. But economic development has to include the people already here. If companies like Amazon are benefiting from tax abatements, they should help improve infrastructure in neighborhoods where their employees live. That's where public-private partnerships come in.
Q: Given Amarillo's reliance on the Ogallala Aquifer, what water strategies would you support?
A: Water reclamation needs to be a major component of our wastewater plant expansion. Can we use reclaimed water for agriculture to ease strain on the aquifer? What hybrids and xeriscaping techniques make sense for our region? We're in a desert — green lawns shouldn't be the default. This will take collaboration with the groundwater district and long-term planning, not just quick fixes.
Q: How would you ensure government transparency and responsiveness to the public?
A: We need to be more available. I'd follow Councilmember Scherlen's model by holding regular town halls in off weeks. I also support publishing simple 'vote justifications' online — just a few sentences on why a council member voted for or against an issue. It's not about writing legal briefs, just accountability. And we need more active community boards to inform council decisions before they hit the agenda.
Q: What's your stance on the Civic Center and how would you address the public divide?
A: I used to work in sports entertainment with the Amarillo Venom and have firsthand experience with the Civic Center. The public wasn't properly informed last time, and too many unrelated items were bundled together. We need a modern facility, but it can't come at the sole expense of taxpayers. A private partnership model could allow a promoter to lease and operate the venue, easing the city's burden while bringing in better events. The Civic Center can be a revenue generator, not a loss leader.
Q: How would you balance affordable housing needs with Amarillo's rapid growth?
A: We have to modernize our infrastructure first. If we can't get utilities to the 18K zone or other areas, developers won't build here. I also want developers to understand the pulse of the city — don't drop luxury housing in areas where it'll displace long-time residents. We also need to partner with tax assessors to stop massive jumps in property valuations. Housing affordability isn't just about rents and mortgages — it's about taxes too.
Q: What's your plan to better connect with areas like North Heights and Eastridge?
A: I'll be out there — meeting people, listening, and not just as a council member, but as a fellow Amarilloan. These communities need real engagement, not token gestures. Many don't even know they qualify for resources like SBA loans or Enterprise Center support. We need to fix that and ensure local entrepreneurs have a fair shot.
Q: How would you approach the city budget while ensuring essential services remain funded?
A: We need to move to a zero-based or incentive-based budget model. Every department should justify every expense. I've managed a $250 million corporate budget — this isn't new to me. But cutting for the sake of cutting is harmful. We need intelligent analysis, transparency, and community involvement in the budget process. People need to understand where their money is going — and they deserve answers when something doesn't add up.
Q: What's your long-term vision for Amarillo, and how will you define success after two years?
A: Success is a thriving Amarillo where all communities — north, south, east, and west — see progress. Where infrastructure is up to date, AEDC is reformed and attracting the right businesses, and where public safety departments are focused on retention instead of scrambling to fill vacancies. Within two years, I want outdated city codes cleaned up and policies that reflect today's Amarillo, not the past. I'm running because I want my daughter—and everyone's kids—to have a reason to stay here and thrive.
Kertis moved to Amarillo in 2008, originally from Allen, Texas. He holds three degrees from West Texas A&M — criminal justice, an MBA, and a master's in finance and economics — and is currently pursuing a master's in Christian studies from Denver Seminary. His business ventures include a construction firm, a consulting agency, and a sports entertainment company. He also teaches finance and life skills through ministry programs at First Baptist Church and the Christian Job Corps.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo City Council Place 4 candidate Leif Kertis Q&A priorities