Granite Shoals City Council candidate profiles

Granite Shoals residents will head to the polls for early voting April 20-28 and on Election Day, May 2, beginning May 2, to vote in a new Place 4 city councilor. The race will determine the replacement for outgoing Place 4 Councilor Steve Hougen, who is terming out. 

Incumbent Place 2 Councilor Mike Pfister and Place 6 Councilor Catherine Bell are both running unopposed.

Vying for the Place 4 seat are newcomers Mark Henshaw and Todd Sifleet.

For voting locations, visit here. 

For a sample ballot, visit here. 

Read on to get to know the candidates and where they stand. 

Editor’s note: Candidates were given a strict word count for their responses and their answers were cut short if they exceeded that limit. 

Candidate Background and Professional Experience

Mark Henshaw:

I grew up in West Texas and have been following my dad’s footsteps with a lifelong passion for nature, hunting, and fishing. Summer vacations on Lake LBJ were the highlight of my childhood in Midland, and even then I thought, “One day, this is where I want to be.”

Oilfield jobs in high school and college taught me the value of hard work. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1985, I became a real estate appraiser, earning my MAI designation and valuing commercial properties across the U.S. and internationally.

Mid-career, I shifted to financial reporting valuations, eventually founding a real…

Todd Sifleet:

After graduating from Georgia Tech I have spent my career at the intersection of technology and business. 

I started as a software engineer, worked my way into leadership, and eventually co-founded a tech company in Austin. 

I now own and run Smartfast Labs from Granite Shoals, a consulting firm that helps companies build and fix their engineering organizations. 

I’ve worked with startups and established businesses alike, and I bring that same practical, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset to everything I take on.

How long have you lived in Granite Shoals and your involvement in the community? 

Mark Henshaw:

My wife and I bought our retirement home in Granite Shoals in 2013 and moved from Houston permanently in May 2019. I made it a priority to meet as many neighbors as possible and discovered a wonderful community where people genuinely care for and help one another.

My involvement began with attending city council meetings on certain local issues. When the Wildlife Advisory Committee faced turmoil, my love for our white-tailed deer population led me to join. 

As Chairman for the 2025-2026 season, we successfully restored the deer management program with strong public input and community engagement, adjustments as necessary…

Todd Sifleet:

In the ~5 years I’ve been in Granite Shoals, I’ve genuinely fallen in love with this community. I take advantage of the lake as much as I can and I’m a strong supporter of our local and state parks – access to the outdoors is one of the best things about living here. 

I’m newer to the area than some folks, but I’ve been paying close attention to how the city is growing and what residents need, and I plan to be an engaged, accessible council member.

Why are you running for City Council?

Mark Henshaw:

I am running for Granite Shoals City Council because I love this community and believe the citizens deserve steady, transparent leadership during a time of growth and change. Over the past decade, our city has seen steady population increases as Austin’s suburbs expand, bringing both opportunity and pressure on our roads, utilities and small-town character.

In the past I watched as our city experienced financial controversies, budget shortfalls, in-fighting and staff turnover that eroded public trust. That is behind us now and I want to continue the work of the current city leadership that is restoring confidence that our tax dollars are being spent wisely on the things that matter most to residents: better streets, reliable water systems, well-maintained parks and strong public safety. 

With a background in commercial real estate valuation and building upon my involvement as Chairman of our very successful Wildlife Advisory Committee, I’m committed to putting…

Todd Sifleet:

I fell in love with Granite Shoals the moment I arrived. It has everything it needs to be a truly special community – a beautiful lake, room to grow, and a small-town character worth holding onto. 

But that character doesn’t take care of itself, especially with the growth we’re seeing across the region. I’m running because I want to make sure Granite Shoals grows in a way that works for everyone – full-time residents, local businesses, tourists, and lake house owners alike. My goal is a community where everyone feels welcome, and where the decisions we make today continue to help improve our community for decades to come.

What are your top three priorities if elected, and how do you plan to accomplish them?

Mark Henshaw:

My top three priorities are fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment and guided growth.

First, I will be an advocate for maximum transparency and accountability by supporting independent audits/reviews and both clear and frequent public reporting on budgets and policies. 

Second, I want to accelerate infrastructure upgrades. The city’s 2025-26 budget already targets water line replacements, road maintenance and capital projects; I will work with council to ensure these move forward efficiently by seeking to bring more work in-house, going after state and federal grants and maintaining a proactive streets department approach for our crumbling roads.

Third, I will be an advocate for smart growth through the comprehensive plan. By actively using resident survey input we can protect our small lakeside town character, improve parks and recreation, support tourism and manage development along key corridors without straining services. I’ll work collaboratively with fellow council members, staff, and the community to turn these…

Todd Sifleet:

My three priorities are commercial development on FM 1431, community development, and public safety.

On 1431, I want to see thoughtful development that brings in businesses serving residents and visitors, this is critical for our tax base. On community development, we need more places for people to gather, the kind of spots that give families a reason to put down roots here. On safety, I want to tackle the everyday concerns residents bring up, stray animals, disruptive gatherings, quality-of-life issues, by working closely with the city on practical, common-sense solutions. 

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the city right now, and how would you address it?

Mark Henshaw:

The biggest challenge facing Granite Shoals right now is balancing continued growth with fiscal stability and infrastructure needs while continuing to earn public trust. Our population has grown steadily over the past ten years, increasing demand on roads, water systems and public services. The recent adoption of a $14.6 million budget with targeted capital spending for streets, utilities, parks, and safety shows progress but we must stay proactive and vigilant.

I would address this by prioritizing transparent budgeting, regular public updates and independent oversight. I will push to fully implement the comprehensive plan as a roadmap for responsible growth, aggressively pursue grants for infrastructure and work to ensure capital projects like water line replacements and road repairs deliver real value. Most importantly, I will listen to residents and make decisions that protect our community’s quality of life for generations to come.

Todd Sifleet:

The biggest challenge is keeping up with growth. Granite Shoals and Marble Falls are right in the path of Austin’s expansion, and that’s not slowing down anytime soon. When handled poorly, fast growth strains infrastructure and chips away at what makes a place worth living in. Handled well, it builds the tax base we need to improve services and invest in the community. 

My engineering and business background means I know how to plan ahead rather than just react, looking at infrastructure needs, holding developers accountable, and making smart decisions about how and where we grow.

maci@thepicayune.com