Universal City — The Universal City City Council appointed former council member William Shelby to fill a vacant council seat for the unexpired 2025–2027 term after three separate motions during a special meeting that began at 6:30 p.m.

The council went into executive session at 6:32 p.m. pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.074 to deliberate the appointment and later returned to the open meeting to consider nominations and votes. Council members considered multiple candidates before selecting Shelby by formal motion and second; the council then completed the appointment process and indicated the new member would be sworn in on Tuesday night.

The question of who should fill the vacancy prompted split votes and extended discussion. A first motion to appoint Patrick Day, made during the public portion of the special meeting, failed on a roll call in which Council member Vaughn and Council member Uvalde voted yes and at least three other members voted no. A second nomination (candidate not clearly stated on the record) also failed in a separate roll call.

Supporters of Patrick Day argued his showing in a recent election merited consideration. As one council member summarized the point during debate, "Patrick got 36% of the people who went into polls pulled the lever for Patrick," and urged that result be weighed in the council's decision. Opponents pointed to guidance from an election official noting that three candidates had been listed as winners and one as a loser in that election cycle, and several council members said visibility and sustained engagement with constituents were factors in their opposition.

When the council took up a motion to appoint William Shelby, members who had worked with Shelby cited his prior eight years on the dais, experience with budget sessions and familiarity with city initiatives. One council member said, "I watched William for eight years on council," and described him as someone who asked questions that helped the public understand complex issues. Several members who opposed Shelby cited a previously proposed ordinance that was unpopular with some residents and expressed concern about intermember relations on the council, saying they wanted to reduce tension on the dais.

The meeting record shows at least three formal nomination-and-vote attempts before the council finalized its choice. Council members used roll-call voting for the motions; the transcript records specific yes/no votes for the first two motions and records that the third nomination resulted in appointment and a forthcoming swearing-in. The mayor announced the adjournment at 7:49 p.m.

The council opened the meeting with a quorum call, invocation and pledge of allegiance, noted there were no citizens signed up to speak during the public comment period, and said the appointment process was being conducted under state law authorizing executive-session deliberation on personnel matters. The council did not adopt additional policy or budgetary actions during the special meeting.

The appointment restores a full complement of council members for Universal City and places a former member with prior council experience back on the dais; members urged unsuccessful candidates to remain engaged and consider future service on boards, commissions or in future elections.