About Victoria

Victoria Farrar-Myers, Ph.D., was first elected to Arlington City Council in 2016, and has served as Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore since 2018.  She is a dedicated civic leader, a highly respected educator, hands-on mentor, and a proud mom.  Committed to helping build our community in Arlington and holding an at-large City Council seat, Victoria represents the entire city with passion and a strong work ethic to ensure that the City of Arlington best serves its residents.

As the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college, Victoria continued on to earn her Ph.D. in Political Science. Victoria moved to Arlington in 1998 to teach at the University of Texas of Arlington, where she worked for sixteen years.  Both at UTA and at Southern Methodist University where she subsequently served as Senior Fellow & Director of the Tower Scholars Program, Victoria established herself as an award-winning teacher and a distinguished scholar. 

Throughout her career, Victoria has served in leadership roles successfully undertaking key initiatives.  For example, she spearheaded the UTA’s re-accreditation efforts, building a team from across the University to develop its plan to improve the quality of the educational experience of its students.  Also, while serving the Office of the President at UTA, Victoria helped develop and draft the University’s strategic plans.  At SMU, Victoria built up a new minor to one of the University’s featured programs known for mixing academic and real-world experiences in the study of public policy, and helped create relationships with donors to ensure the continued viability of the program.

Victoria is known for encouraging her students to be civically engaged and often challenged them to roll up their sleeves to make a difference.  She decided to take up that challenge herself and devoted herself to public service.  With the support of Jason, her husband, and Kyle, their son, Victoria continuously strives to help build a better Arlington.

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Among the many awards and recognitions that Victoria has garnered are:

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• Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executive in State and Local Government Participant (2018)

• Arlington Chamber of Commerce Women’s Alliance Rising Star Award (2017)

• Texas Municipal League Certificate of Achievement (2016-2019, awarded annually)

• National Finalist, Citizen Service Before Self Honors, The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation (2012)

• Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, The University of Texas System (2012)

• President’s Award, Junior League of Arlington (2012)

• Academy of Distinguished Teachers, UT Arlington (2011)

• Faculty Member of the Year Award, Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (2007)

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Click here to download Victoria's professional bio

Victoria on City Council

Victoria strives to make sure the “needs” of the City and its residents are met with high quality service, and that the “wants” serve a viable and useful role within our City without unnecessarily draining valuable City resources.  She focuses not only on the decisions that the City Council makes, but the process by which those decisions get made.  She thoroughly evaluates the policy matters before the Council, actively seeks out input from citizens and others throughout the City (e.g., through Walk-and-Talk town halls, innovative programming, and one-on-one meetings), and thoughtfully considers all viewpoints to ensure that her decisions are well-reasoned and well-informed. 

In her time on City Council, Victoria has demonstrated her leadership in the areas of human services and the human capital aspects of economic development.  Her vision led to the creation of Arlington’s first-ever Child Care Summit, which brought together local childcare providers and community partners to discuss strategies to increase the quality of and access to childcare for Arlington’s most vulnerable families, an issue that touches on the workforce of today and the future.  She also serves as Chair of the Tarrant and Parker Counties Continuum of Care, and ensures that Arlington has a prominent voice in the counties’ efforts to create innovative partnerships with all sectors to fight homelessness. 

Victoria also combines a strong business-minded approach with a skilled understanding of the policymaking process, particularly in the role as Chair of the City’s Municipal Policy Committee.  Her devotion to small business development, for example, has led to an ongoing developers’ working group to streamline and to improve ordinances governing the development of new construction in our city.  Victoria also advocated for a city pilot project by providing a grant to the Center for Transforming Lives “Idea to Income” small business cohort and development program.  As another example of Victoria’s efforts in this area, Victoria worked with a diverse group of hotel companies, tourism industry officials, engineers, and developers to create a clear set of standards to ensure the construction of quality hotels in Arlington.

Victoria's Platform

BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY

City government cannot provide the solution to all societal problems.  Therefore, as a leader within the community I strive to use the convening power of my office to shine light on problems and to work with businesses, non-profits, faith-based groups, educational institutions, and other interested parties to find solutions to difficult problems.  I try to honor the important responsibility that comes with serving as an at-large member of the City Council.  While on Council, for example, I have:

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• Promoted public-private programming to improve the quality and access to childcare to develop the workforce for today and tomorrow, and to seek solutions for homelessness and housing quality.

• Worked with neighborhood associations and leaders to encourage neighbors to join together to help improve their neighborhood and to address areas of concern that the city can address.

• Sought better connections with educational institutions in our city, such as fostering youth engagement in city government through internships, and creating research connections with UTA and TCC Southeast that enhance city initiatives.

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FOCUSING ON OUR COMMUNITY'S STREETS AND TRANSPORTATION

As a special part of building our community, we must remember that roadways are the web that connects our citizens.  As our city grows, there needs to be ongoing commitment to repair and rebuild our city’s streets.  On City Council, I have supported key efforts to identify and address areas that need improvement, and during my time on Council:

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• We have improved the quality of roads throughout the city, already cutting the percentage of roads in most need of repair by over half into single digits, and have developed plans to continue repairs and to ease traffic burdens. 

• I have supported initiatives for innovative solutions to provide and to expand transportation options throughout the city.

• I take into account the potential effects on traffic and congestion that any decision the Council makes may have, including meeting with all stakeholders and personally visiting affected areas to gain first-hand knowledge.

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PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY

Arlington is one of the 50 largest cities in the nation. In order to maintain and improve our level of service, we need to continue to support and properly equip our police and fire personnel.  These departments do an outstanding job with the current resources they have. As your City Council member, I have worked to ensure that our fire and police have the resources they need to better serve you, such as:

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• Equipping police with body cameras to assist law enforcement and to promote transparency.

• Working to provide fire fighters with vehicles and other equipment necessary to meet the growing and diverse needs of our community.

• Going on ride-alongs with police and fire to see first-hand the situations they face on a daily basis and to get their input on how to help them protect Arlington’s citizens.

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ADVANCING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

As someone who believes in cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit, I have worked with small business owners and leaders in the business community to identify ways to further promote a culture supporting small businesses in Arlington.  Through hosting discussions with affected parties and key city departments, we have improved communication between business owners and city personnel.  My efforts in this area include:

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• Streamlining the administrative framework to open a new business, leading to the creation of a portal to assist businesses to understand and to navigate the process for obtaining city licenses to open their establishments.

• Promoting the success of our city’s small businesses, such as attending groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, grand openings, special events, and other celebrations that highlight the impact businesses have on our city.

• Leading the effort to balance necessary city ordinances with legitimate concerns of business owners affected by the ordinances to find practical, forward-looking solutions.

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RESPONSIBLY MANAGING YOUR CITY TAXES

As your City Council member, I will continue to work to ensure that our tax base grows so your taxes stay low and our city services continue to be fully funded.  By expanding our tourism, industrial, and commercial tax base and increasing jobs, we can better fund city services taking the burden off residential taxes.  Using your taxpayer dollars responsibly is one of my priorities as shown by:

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• Voting to reduce the City’s ad valorem tax rate each year on Council.

• Actively immersing myself in the city’s budgeting process, including participating in Budget Town Halls and other forums, to ensure that the city gets the best value for its expenditures.

• Supporting initiatives to reinvest in our city and that provide a return on the city’s investment through increased economic activity that benefit Arlington’s residents.

Endorsements

Cameron & Sarabeth Atkins

Stan Agee

Ginger Baker

Robyn Barrere

Nathan Bassetto

Debbie & Terry Bertrand

Jock Bethune

Neelay Bhatt

Valerie Bindel

Leslie Johnston Birdow

Esteban & Heather Blanco

Daniel & Charna Blumberg

Charles & Leanna Brady

Ray & Pru Brett

Kelly Broadus

Steve Brooks

Tina Bullock

Joe & Doreen Bruner

Honorable Clint Burgess

Katy Burgess

William Busby

Jo Ann and John Byrne

Sandra Campbell

Gena Cannon

Derek Carter

O.K. Carter

Jennifer Cathcart

Amy & Spencer Cearnal

Chad Chadwick

Honorable Justin Chapa

Lee Anne Chenoweth

Joan Church

Anne Coker

David Conant

Honorable David & Tonya Cook

Benjamin Copeland

Brian Cotter

Ken & Trudy Cox

Tom & Diane Cravens Sharon Croxton

Kelly Curnutt

Larry Curry

Irene & John Dancer

Grace Darling

Donna Darovich

Bill & Carol Daley

Roger DeFrang

Michelle & Brian Deuell

Lauren Devaul

Honorable Mike Farhat

Dan Fernandez

Honorable Kimberly Fitzpatrick

Karen Flynn

Irene Forrester

Persis Ann Foster

Honorable Melody & Larry Fowler

Terry & Teresa Gaines

Coy & Tanis Garrett

Charlie Garza

Diane & Don Gatzke

Becky Nussbaum Gerro & Mike Gerro

Val & Linda Gibson

Heather Gilbert

George Gintole

Cynthia Golden

Honorable Raul & Kerry Gonzalez

Honorable Richard & Sylvia Greene

Mark Graves

B.J. Hall

Mojy & Julia Haddad

Delores Baldridge Hammond

Eliza Hatton

Brenda & Matt Hayes

Timi Tims Hazle

Andrew Harding

Jolanda & Randy Hendricks

Brandon & Gara Hill

Sally Hopper

Nikkie Hunter

Jane & Larry Hurley

Jessie Jackson

Lisa Jamieson

Mark Joeckel

Mike Johnston

Nina Jones

Jon & Kristi Kellam

Clay & Brandee Kelly

Robert Kimball

Kay King

Derrick Kinney

Donna Korman

Honorable Matt Krause

Blake & Lori Kretz

Christopher & Valerie Landry

Nelda Lawson

Sherry Lawyer

Reggie & Bridget Lewis

Connie & Bob Lorick

Matthew Loh

Sam & Rania Mahrouq

Jim & Trish Maibach

Mary Jean & Tim Maloney

Rattana Mao

Clete & Susie McAlister

Ethan McDaniel

Beth McHenry

Nancilu McClellan

Christopher McMurrough

Elizabeth McPherson

Victoria McWilliams

Van Della Menifee

Barbara & Jack Murphy

Cliff Mycoskie

Sheila Nagy

Barbara Nash

Honorable Andy & Julie Nguyen

Cathy Nordman

Gloria Norman

Judith Northup

Lynda Ray Nunez

Becky Orander

Betsy Oren

Giana Ortiz & Jake Fain

Beth & Joe Owens

Teresa Schmitt Pierce

Delores Pell

Gloria Peña

April & Chris Pettitt

Shirley Patterson

Jimmy & Sue Phillips

Andrea Powers

Dana Queenan

Ray Rafidi

Autumn Rose Reo

Jill Regina

Jim & Faye Reeder

Tina Rizzo

Pam Roach

Nancy Rowe

Leslie Rule

Judy & Brad Rupay

John Andrew Sanchez

David & Susie Sargent

Alan Saxe & Ruthie Brock

Jason & Sarah Shelton

Sandra Skinner

Ron Smith

Samuel Smith III

Ralph & Alice Sobel

Sue Stevens

James & Susan Spaniolo

Debbie Spell

Demi Stewart

Richmond & Reecia Stoglin

Suzanne & John Sweek

Mike Talambas

William & Michal Tincup

Paulette Tutor

Devon Thompson

Gary Trammell

David Tyler

Jan & Patrick Tyler

Carole Vines

Mark Vines

Kara Waddell

Tom & Suzy Ware

Tahj Walker

Sheriff Bill Waybourn

Anthony White

Kimberly Phillips White

Ron & Tammy Widup

Dorothy Wightman

Honorable David Woodruff

Honorable Bill Zedler

Amber Zuckerman

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