Editors Note: Thomas Hyslip is co-owner/editor of the Tega Cay Sun. In an attempt to remove any conflicts, all “Meet the Candidate” questions and articles have been managed by Patrick Byrne, co-owner/editor of the Tega Cay Sun. In the spirt of fairness afforded to all candidates running for Tega Cay city office, Dr. Hyslip’s answers are provided below.
As part of our continuing effort to bring relevant local news to our readers, we’ve proactively reached out to the candidates running for Tega Cay Mayor and City Council. We’ve furnished them with a series of questions designed to provide the answers you need in order to decide on the candidates who will occupy the available seats.
Leading up to the election on Tuesday, November 4, we will feature one of the candidates along with their responses to a list of questions. We will not manipulate their answers in any way, we’ll simply provide them to you, our readers. This will allow you to make an informed choice. The order in which they’ll be featured was determined by response time to our inquiry.
Today, we’ll feature Thomas Hyslip, Candidate for City Council.
Please refer to the following article for the list of additional candidates: https://tegacaysun.com/2025/09/06/york-county-municipal-elections-who-is-running/
Please state your name:
Thomas Hyslip
Please state your occupation:
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Department of Criminology, University of South Florida
How long have you lived in Tega Cay?
Five years
What do you believe is the role of the City Council in our community?
The City Council’s role is to represent residents by setting policy, providing fiscal oversight, and ensuring that the City’s operations align with community priorities. Council members are responsible for maintaining Tega Cay’s financial health, supporting essential services like public safety and infrastructure, and preserving the quality of life that makes our city such a desirable place to live. Council should act as good stewards of taxpayer dollars, make data-driven decisions, and ensure transparent communication with residents.
What skills and experience do you have that you believe would be beneficial to you as a Council member?
My 27 years of service in the U.S. Army and federal law enforcement taught me the importance of leadership, accountability, and integrity—values that directly apply to public service. Professionally, I led national cybercrime investigations and managed teams across multiple states and countries, developing strong analytical and problem-
solving skills.
As a current member of City Council, I have used those skills to strengthen Tega Cay’s financial position, reduce debt, and prepare for the loss of impact fee funding without raising taxes. I also bring expertise in strategic planning, policy development, and collaborative decision-making, which have proven essential in addressing our city’s growth and infrastructure needs.
What previous community involvement have you had in Tega Cay or another city?
In Tega Cay, I have served on City Council for the past four years and as Vice Commander of the Tega Cay Veterans Association. I also created the city’s annual Veterans Day Dinner Celebration, which brings together residents to honor local veterans and celebrate their service.
Beyond my Council role, I have taken an active part in projects that enhance the community’s quality of life. I led the effort to raise funds for new water fountains along our walking trails and at Catawba Park, promoting recreation, health, and sustainability for residents and visitors alike.
In addition, I served for three years as a Board Member for York County Crime Stoppers, where I provided free cybercrime investigations and undercover cyber operations to more than 100 local law enforcement officers across York County. This work helped support ongoing criminal investigations and strengthened collaboration
between law enforcement and the community.
Before moving to Tega Cay, I served on the Technology Advisory Board for the Town of Wake Forest, where I helped guide technology and infrastructure initiatives to improve municipal operations and public access.
During my time on Council, I also initiated the Council Chats program to promote direct resident engagement, supported outdoor movie nights and community events, and helped bring Google Fiber to Tega Cay—the first city in South Carolina to receive it. I’ve also identified and supported grant programs for parks and infrastructure improvements through the Catawba Council of Governments.
Throughout my career and community involvement, I have focused on collaboration, accountability, and service—values that guide how I approach leadership and decision- making for Tega Cay.
What do you see as top priorities for the City and why?
Our top priorities should be:
1. Fiscal Stewardship – Continue managing the budget responsibly, paying down debt, and preparing for future financial changes without burdening taxpayers.
2. Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvement – Address aging roads, stormwater systems, and facilities to ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Public Safety and Quality of Life – Maintain our city’s status as the safest in South Carolina by supporting police recruitment and retention while also investing in recreation, parks, and community programs that strengthen neighborhood connections.
These priorities ensure Tega Cay remains a strong, safe, and financially sound community for years to come.
What do you believe are the three (3) greatest strengths of the City of Tega Cay?
1. Strong Sense of Community – Our residents are engaged, supportive, and committed to making Tega Cay a great place to live.
2. Excellent Public Safety and Services – Our police, fire, and public works departments consistently perform at a high level and maintain public trust.
3. Natural Beauty and Recreation – Our lakefront location, trail system, and parks provide unmatched opportunities for outdoor recreation and community gathering.
Does your interest in serving on the City Council stem from a personal interest or goal?
My interest stems from a commitment to public service. I view serving on City Council as an opportunity to give back to a community that has given so much to my family. My goal is to continue ensuring that Tega Cay remains financially secure, environmentally responsible, and family-friendly.
Is there something in particular you hope to accomplish while serving on the City Council, and why is serving on the Council important to you? Please elaborate.
I hope to continue strengthening Tega Cay’s financial stability, invest in infrastructure improvements, and support our first responders. Fiscal responsibility will remain a top priority. I am committed to ensuring that the City continues operating within its means, paying down existing debt, and preparing for future financial changes, particularly the loss of impact fee revenue—without raising taxes. Maintaining this financial discipline allows us to invest strategically in the projects that matter most to our residents. A major focus will also be upgrading and maintaining our city’s aging infrastructure. This includes roads, stormwater systems, and public facilities that require consistent attention to ensure long-term reliability.
Finally, I will continue to prioritize public safety and support for our police department and first responders. By ensuring that they have the resources, training, and compensation they need, we can maintain Tega Cay’s position as one of the safest cities in South Carolina. Strong public safety builds community confidence and preserves the quality of life that makes Tega Cay such a desirable place to live.
Ultimately, my goal is to ensure that every decision made by Council reflects long-term thinking, transparency, and accountability—values that strengthen public trust and ensure that Tega Cay remains a community we are all proud to call home.
