At the conclusion of Thursday's regular meeting the Leander City Council accepted a letter of resignation from Mayor Christine DeLisle and adopted an ordinance ordering a special called election to fill the unexpired mayoral term.

The council voted unanimously to accept the mayor's resignation and then, later in the meeting, approved an ordinance that establishes the procedures, precincts, polling places, and early voting dates for a special election to choose a successor for the remainder of the term. The ordinance also directs city staff to publish the statutory notices and take the administrative steps necessary to hold the election.

The councilapproved motion did not specify exact election dates during the public discussion recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the ordinance adoption; the ordinance text included standard provisions for notice, polling locations and early voting consistent with Texas election law and the city secretary's administration of the ballot. Council members and staff said the city secretary's office would coordinate the official election schedule and public information.

The council action followed Mayor DeLisle's remarks earlier in the evening and a public recognition section; the mayor's resignation and the vote to call a special election were taken in open session. The vote to adopt the election ordinance was unanimous.

What happens next: city staff will publish legal notice for the special election and set the early voting schedule, precincts and polling places as required by state law and the city's ordinance. The council did not appoint an interim mayor at Thursday's meeting; Mayor Pro Tem Nicole Thompson presided over the remainder of the agenda after the council accepted the resignation.