The Charter Commission desired to create a Charter which maximizes local control over City governance, minimizes changes to existing structure, and creates new opportunities for local control.
Major Provisions-General
Form of Governance: City Council-Manager
Powers of the City: All powers and rights of “self-government and home rule that exist now or may be granted to municipalities by the Constitution and State of Texas”
Major Provisions-City Council
City Council Composition – same as current
- Mayor and five City Council Members
- Mayor elected at large
- City Council Members elected at large but by Place
Terms – same as current
Vacancies – same as current
- 1 vacancy – appointment by Council or special election
- 2 or more vacancies – special election
Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tempore – same as current
- Mayor may participate in discussion
- Mayor only votes in event of a tie
Meetings and Quorum - same as current
Passage of Ordinances
- Some minor administrative procedural differences relative to processing
- If Mayor disagrees with an Ordinance, Mayor may file a statement of written objections requesting Council reconsider the vote on the ordinance - new
Investigations
- City Council may “initiate an investigation into the affairs of the city and the conduct of any city department, office, or agency” - new
- City Council may only “deal with City Officers and employees solely through the City Manager” – consistent with existing City Ethics Ordinance
Major Provisions-Departmental Services
Establishes office of City Manager
- Responsibilities similar to and consistent with those currently authorized by City Council for the City Administrator
- Responsible for “administration of the affairs of the City”
- Council appoints and may be removed by a vote of the majority of the full City Council
Establishes Municipal Court
Establishes City Attorney
Other offices as determined upon a recommendation of City Manager and approval of the City Council – same as current process
Major Provisions-Nominations and Elections
Provisions consistent with current practices and procedures
- Must be in accordance with State Law – same as current
- Elections decided by who gets the most votes – same as current
- Elected official takes office after canvass and upon taking the oath of office – same as current process
Major Provisions-Recall, Initiative, and Referendum
Recall, Initiative, and Referendum are new authority granted to citizens. These provisions are not available to General Law Cities. See "What is Recall, Initiative, and Referendum?" for detailed information.
General and Legal Provisions and Transitional Provisions
Standard legal provisions on severability and wording interpretations
Disaster Clause – new
- Provides details for the handling of a disaster situation in which “a legal quorum of the City Council cannot otherwise be assembled due to multiple deaths or injuries”
Transitional Provisions
- Charter effective upon adoption by the voters
- All elected officers continue to fill those offices
- All ordinances remain in effect