Kennedale council declines interim appointment to Place 4, will leave decision to voters

The Kennedale City Council announced after an executive session that it will not appoint a replacement to Council Seat Place 4 and will allow voters to decide the seat at the upcoming election. Mayor Brad Horton reported the outcome to the council in open session, saying the council "will not be appointed at this time due being so close to the next election. We're gonna let the people vote on it." The statement followed a closed deliberation held under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071 (consultation with counsel) and 551.074 (personnel matters), which the council cited when moving into executive session earlier in the meeting. No motion or formal vote to appoint a candidate was taken in open session; the council's action was an announcement of direction following the closed deliberation. The decision means the seat will remain vacant until the election rather than being filled by council appointment. Council members did not identify or appoint an interim representative during the meeting; they indicated the matter will be resolved by the regular electoral process.