Now nine years later, Zimmerman’s mayoral term will end this summer following the outcome of the May 3 election, where six candidates are vying for the role.
The results
During Zimmerman’s three terms as mayor—the maximum allowed by the city—he focused on five commitments he made on the campaign trail: public safety, infrastructure, economic development, redevelopment, and financial strength and transparency.
“I think we've done a good job of setting the vision, council was comfortable with the vision, staff executed the vision and here we are now—nine years later—and I think we're in a really good spot,” he said.
He said his biggest accomplishments include:
- Funding various law enforcement projects, including K-9 units and drones
- Rebuilding and enhancing infrastructure following several natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 and Winter Storm Uri in February 2021
- Bringing in various bioscience and pharmaceutical companies, and seeing hospital growth
- Working to acquire the Imperial District site
- Maintaining a tax rate of $0.35 per $100 property valuation
Zimmerman began his career in the home building industry, where he worked to create two companies, before diving deeper into his education in engineering, he said. He also spent two years in Libya working for a multinational engineering company.
Additionally, he has also served on a number of city and regional boards, including:
- Sugar Land’s Planning and Zoning Commission
- Texas Municipal League board of directors
- Houston-Galveston Area Council board of directors and Transportation Policy Council
- Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority
Offering input
As a new mayor steps in to lead the city, Zimmerman said he encourages the individual to get to know the staff and build relationships across the Houston region and beyond.
“This business is all about relationships,” he said. “It's about relationships in the region, relationships at the counties—Fort Bend County, Harris County. It's about relationships at the state level with the state reps [and] with the state senators. ... And of course, its relationships with staff and the city manager and other council members. It is complex; you just can't get around that.”
Additionally, Zimmerman said it’s important for the new mayor and council members to learn the city’s budgeting process, as it will be one of the first big projects ahead of council’s approval in September. He also emphasized the importance of understanding the zoning process as the city works to redevelop several key sites including Lake Pointe and the Imperial District.
What happens next?
Until his time as mayor is over, Zimmerman said he is focused on serving the citizens of Sugar Land. Although following the completion of his duties, he said he will focus on his work for Turner and Townsend, a project management company that focuses on school districts.
As for his political future, Zimmerman said he doesn’t have his eye on a government role, although if one were to present itself that would be a family decision to decide to run.
“Then we'll figure out—I'll be 72 this year in December—and at some point in time, I'm going to figure out retirement,” he said. “I'm not ready to go yet, but at some point.”
