We recommend in the race for Allen City Council, Place 5

Allen voters have a clear choice in the race for Place 5 on the City Council. Among the three candidates, Carl Clemencich is by far the most aligned with residents of this proud and tight-knit city.

Clemencich, a certified public accountant, has been participating in the community since the 1990s. He served two consecutive council terms from 2017 to 2023, overlapping a bit with the Place 5 incumbent, Dave Shafer. Clemencich, 63, said he disagrees with Shafer on several policy areas and that he grew worried the city was losing its long-term vision.

Shafer, 41, a licensed private investigator, arrived in office in 2021 with the backing of the conservative group We the People Allen as a proponent of the no-new-revenue tax rate. The council passed a NNR rate in 2021, and Shafer begrudgingly accepted a slightly higher rate than NNR in 2022. He again accepted a rate higher than NNR last year, saying that it was necessary for public safety.

Clemencich said the city had to defer hiring and road repairs because of the NNR push. Allen already has the second-lowest property tax rate among major cities in Collin County despite having a smaller commercial tax base than peer cities.

On some issues, Shafer has split from the rest of the council. He was the lone vote against city spending on designing a trailhead and installing shade structures in some parks. He also opposed the creation of a community engagement board recommended by a diversity, equity and inclusion task force.

Clemencich and Shafer agreed on the need to rein in the city’s savings account to keep it from growing too much. Shafer, however, is more skeptical of city spending that is not on public safety or what he deems necessary infrastructure. For example, he worries the city parks department is too big.

We appreciate Shafer’s vigilance of taxpayer dollars, but we think his rigid philosophy on city budgeting will make it difficult for Allen to maintain the quality of the amenities it provides.

Clemencich said the city should follow its strategic plan and invest in the infrastructure and services that residents expect, including parks. He’s the better choice for voters.

Also running is Zeeshan Naseh, 49, a tech executive.

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