Franklin voters will soon elect a new mayor.

On the ballot is the city school board chairman John Schroer, taking on the incumbent Tom Miller.

Schroer, who’s a retired real estate developer, says people aren’t happy with how the growing city has handled development issues like access to water. Franklin has consistently placed summer water restrictions because of low levels in the Harpeth River.

“We are reactive to development instead of proactive. And we’re not, what I like to say, getting out in front of the development curve. We’re behind it.”

Schroer says as mayor he would push to get all of the city’s water from the Cumberland River.

Miller says the city needs to control its own destiny and not rely solely on outside water sources. He agrees that the city has not always been proactive toward development. But instead of water, Miller says traffic congestion is the main concern.

“One of the things I’m proposing to deal with that issue is that Franklin annex into the city all of its urban growth boundary that has not already been developed.”

Miller says expanding the city limits will allow his administration to control growth and traffic patterns.

On the ballot but debatably not in the race is David “none-of-the-above” Gatchell who says he won’t take the position of mayor but call for another election. Four of the at-large aldermen seats are also up for grabs in this election.

Early voting starts Wednesday. Election Day is October 23rd.