Council tables loitering and panhandling ordinance after public pushback; city to revisit in January
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Summary
After significant public comment and questions from council about homelessness, disability and enforcement, Taylor City Council voted to delay consideration of ordinance 2025-33 amending loitering and panhandling until January 2026 for further community engagement and clarification.
Taylor City Council on Nov. 8, 2025, pulled and then voted to table ordinance 2025-33, a proposed amendment to Chapter 19 of the city code addressing loitering and panhandling, directing staff to return with the item in January 2026 after additional outreach and clarification.
Citizens who spoke during the meeting urged council to delay and seek more service-based responses rather than criminal penalties. Carrie Deanna, a District 1 resident, asked the council to “delay this, to look into more options,” and warned the ordinance could “impact people negatively” and increase litigation risk. Beth Rex and Nicole Ward also urged a pause, saying enforcement could financially and emotionally harm people experiencing homelessness and that the city should prioritize services and mental-health supports.
During discussion, Interim Police Chief Joseph Branson said officers already work regularly with local nonprofits and that enforcement of the draft ordinance would be “a tool” used only for intentional noncompliance, not for people in mental-health crises. Branson said the department has “some ability to transport” people when needed and described officers’ longstanding outreach to unsheltered residents. He told council the ordinance would “only come into use when non compliance is intentional.”
Council members acknowledged community concerns and asked staff to meet with stakeholders and business owners. Mayor Pro Tem Samir Smerek moved to delay further action so staff could do more outreach; the motion to table and to direct staff to bring the item back in January carried unanimously. The council’s formal direction was to return the ordinance for further discussion in January 2026 to allow additional public engagement and to provide details on services and enforcement mechanisms.
No final vote on the ordinance’s substance occurred; the item remains pending and will be re-noticed following staff’s outreach.
