Coppell council names Don Carroll mayor pro tem for one-year term

The Coppell City Council appointed Council Member Don Carroll as mayor pro tem on May 13, following a nomination from the outgoing mayor pro tem and a second from a fellow council member.

The nomination came from the outgoing mayor pro tem, who said Don Carroll was the most qualified and longest-serving member who had not yet held the role. Council Member Prem Kumar seconded the nomination. The motion passed by voice vote with all members present recorded in favor.

The mayor pro tem position, the council said during earlier discussion, is selected at the council's discretion and is required by Section 3.05 of the city's Home Rule Charter to be an existing, sitting city council member. Council members noted the post generally lasts one year and that the council typically follows locally established guidelines when making the selection. The council's vote was announced as: "Walker, Hina, Hessa Smith, Carol Nevills, Premkumar, Matthew Hill in favor. None opposed. Motion carries."

Council members who spoke before and during the nomination praised the nominee's steady leadership and experience. The outgoing mayor pro tem thanked the council for the opportunity to serve and said the role had been an honor. Carroll will assume the duties of mayor pro tem immediately and will fill in for the mayor as needed under the charter's provisions.

The council did not attach additional conditions to the appointment; no competing nominations were recorded and no formal amendments to the charter or council rules were proposed at the meeting.

The appointment followed earlier council discussion about the selection process and eligibility for mayor pro tem, during which the council reiterated that the charter requires the appointee be a current council member and that the usual term is one year.