John Keating

Real Estate and Stock Market investor/Semi-retired

I have called Frisco home since 1999 and have had the honor of serving on your Frisco City Council since 2010. Once elected, I went to work on several of our city’s most important projects, including the Dallas Cowboys partnership at The Star, opening the National Soccer Hall of Fame with FC Dallas, renewing the NCAA Division 1 Football Championship contract with Frisco, opening the University of North Texas Frisco campus, building our new state-of-the-art library, and bringing the PGA Headquarters to Frisco. My leadership style allows me to move beyond positional bargaining to build and maintain strong, resilient relationships with key stakeholders. My goal is to balance Frisco’s high level of amenities with low tax rates by continuing to champion the success of our public-private partnerships. As we have demonstrated here in Frisco, corporate incentives translate into homestead exemptions. I served in the US Army for 13 years as a Senior Counterintelligence Agent, where I received the best leadership training in the world. In 1990, I was deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of “Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.” As a veteran, I bring the necessary skills and insights to develop creative solutions under tight constraints, with transparency. I will continue to practice forward thinking, forward leaning leadership principals, while working to keep Frisco an award-winning city, and the best place to live, work and raise a family. For my military and community service, I was awarded the “Congressional Veteran Commendation” by Congressman Sam Johnson in 2017 and was honored by Frito-Lay with the “Valor Leadership Award” in 2016 for my work with various Veteran organizations. I continue to serve my country by serving my community. In 2010 I was recognized by the Frisco ISD PTA with the "Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers Honorary Lifetime Membership Award" for my PTA volunteer work on behalf of local teachers and students from 2003 to 2010. I am the proud father of two sons, Zach and Ryan. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree at Towson University, and I am a graduate of the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Criminal Justice / Public Safety Ensure police, fire, and first responders have the staffing, training, and tools that keep Frisco among America’s safest cities. Housing Leverage corporate investment to sustain homestead relief and top-tier services without sacrificing fiscal prudence. Taxes / Budget Keep Frisco’s high level of amenities paired with low tax rates through disciplined budgeting and responsible, data-driven growth. Infrastructure / Transportation Deliver roads, utilities, and public facilities on time so mobility and quality of life stay competitive. Property Tax As I’m fond of saying, commercial incentives translate into Homestead exemptions, now at 20%. If you’re disabled or over 65, you also receive an additional $80,000 exemption and a tax freeze. We know our property valuations will increase dramatically, given the demand for single-family homes in Frisco. Those who have made a long-term investment in Frisco with the purchase of a home will benefit, while commercial development, including apartments, will continue to pay their fair share. I’m going to continue to work to keep your hard-earned dollars in your pocket, where they belong! I believe in streamlining government expenditures and identifying cost-saving measures to minimize the tax burden on residents while providing excellent city services. With smart investments and proper use of tax dollars, I have ensured our city has grown and thrived with responsible governance.