Live Oak, Texas — Edmund Phillips was reappointed and sworn in as the City of Live Oak municipal court judge during the council meeting on Oct. 14, 2025. The council read the city charter sections that govern municipal courts and administered the oath of office in a public ceremony.

The council discussed the appointment under city charter language read into the record. A staff member recited that "Section 6.04" establishes the municipal court and that "Section 6.05" sets the term at two years and that judges "serve at the will of the council" and preside over the municipal court of record for Class C misdemeanor cases, including traffic and ordinance violations. The oath was administered in open session and concluded with the phrase "so help me God," which the judge also referenced in his remarks.

After the oath, Judge Edmund Phillips thanked the council and city staff. "I'd just like to thank city council and the mayor for, again, appointing me as the judge here. It's been a real honor and privilege to be here," Phillips said. He commended the police department and court staff for their support and singled out court personnel both longstanding and new by name. He noted his appreciation that the city permits the religious phrase in the oath: "I'm very proud of the city of Live Oak because they still allow me to use in my oaths, so help me God," he said.

The council did not record a roll-call vote for the appointment in the transcript; the charter language read during the item frames the term length and duties. The council completed the oath in open session and the judge offered brief observations about court operations and staff contributions, including mentioning the municipal court administrator and a newly hired staff member, Heidi Cemento.

Background and context: The council read the relevant city charter sections on the record during the agenda item. The charter language in the meeting states a two-year term for municipal judges and that judges preside over the municipal court of record handling Class C misdemeanors, traffic offenses and ordinance violations. Judge Phillips mentioned he has served in the position for more than two decades during his remarks.

The council continued with other agenda items after the oath. No further formal action related to the municipal court appointment was recorded in the meeting transcript.