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Council approves resolution authorizing county contract for November election and reviews ballot wording
Summary
Pecos council approved Resolution 25-08-08-R authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Reeves County (Rudy's County) for the November election; staff noted Texas law requires ballot wording that includes the phrase "tax increase" even for reauthorizations, and council asked staff to amend the exhibit accordingly for clarity.
The Pecos City Council approved Resolution 25-08-08-R on Aug. 28 authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with Reeves County election officials for the November election. The resolution includes an exhibit containing the ballot wording for two propositions the city will place before voters.
City staff and the city manager explained that recent legislative changes and Secretary-of-State guidance require ballot language to include phrasing that may read as a "tax increase" even when the item is a reauthorization of an existing sales tax; staff recommended amending the exhibit to reflect that statutory wording to avoid confusion.
Staff presented an estimate from county election officials of $8,029.62 for election-related services, noting the estimate is provisional because the county must tally staffing and supply needs to provide a final invoice. Council voted to approve the resolution as presented; staff said they would amend Exhibit A to make the legislative-required wording explicit in local communications.
Councilmembers urged robust public information to explain the measures are reauthorizations and not necessarily a new tax increase, and encouraged turnout for the election.
