Council approves consent package, declares unopposed candidate elected and cancels special election

Fair Oaks Ranch City Council on Jan. 16 approved a five-item consent agenda and accepted the certificate of an unopposed candidate, declaring the special election to fill Council Place 6 unnecessary and cancelling the Feb. 25 contest.

The consent agenda approved included: approval of the Dec. 19, 2024 regular council meeting minutes; second reading of an ordinance amending the FY2024–25 budget; first reading of an ordinance to reduce the prima facie speed limit to 20 mph on Noble Ark Drive and Calcutta Drive; a resolution authorizing execution of an agreement with Avero LLC for an IT master plan; and approval of Council Member Stroup’s absence from the Dec. 19 meeting. Mayor Maxton called for the consent vote after no items were removed for separate consideration; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The council also received a certificate of unopposed candidacy for the special election to fill Council Place 6. City Secretary Christina Piccchio reported that Jonathan Swarick was the sole applicant for the seat and recommended the council declare him elected and cancel the Feb. 25 special election "in accordance with the election code," noting suggested motion language was provided in the meeting packet. A motion to accept the certificate and approve a resolution declaring the unopposed candidate elected carried on a voice vote.

Why it matters: the actions clear routine housekeeping and election logistics off the council docket and authorize staff to proceed with the city’s fiscal and operational documents as presented.

What the council approved: the consent package and the election cancellation mean the budget amendment will proceed to second-reading approval as already placed on the agenda, the traffic ordinance will advance on its first reading, the city may execute the Avero LLC IT master plan agreement, and Council Place 6 will be filled by the unopposed applicant without holding the special election.

Council members present at the vote included Mayor Maxton and six council members; no roll-call opposition was recorded in the transcript. The meeting packet referenced specific ordinance and resolution language; councilmembers directed no further edits on the consent items during the meeting.

Looking ahead: the council will continue regular agenda business at upcoming meetings and, where required, will return items (including the IT agreement and the budget ordinance) for further readings or formal execution once administratively complete.