Richardson council moves mayor pro tem selection into closed session, elects Ken Hutchenrider

The Richardson City Council voted to move its mayor pro tem selection process into executive session and, after private deliberations, elected Councilman Ken Hutchenrider as mayor pro tem for the 2025–27 council term.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and a staff presentation that outlined the office’s duties under the city charter and the council’s rules of order. City Manager Don Magner reviewed the charter language noting the council “select 1 of its members as mayor pro tem” and that the mayor pro tem “will perform the duties of the mayor in case of the absence or inability of the mayor to perform said duties.” He also summarized recommended qualifications the council should consider, including knowledge of meeting procedures, understanding of local and regional issues, effective communication, and the ability to fill in for the mayor on short notice.

Residents who spoke during the public-comment portion urged a visible, public selection process. Patricia Griffin of District 4 told the council she wanted an “open discussion about how you define the role of Mayor Pro Tem.” Paul Nichols urged making the deliberations public, saying there is “an opportunity here to strike a really strong message … in terms of making the pro tem discussions open to the public rather than doing that in seclusion.” Jenny Laughlin said the role is “not just a ceremonial thing” and that residents are “invested” in how the council chooses the mayor pro tem.

Council debate centered on two competing goals: openness and candid deliberation. Several members said they supported public procedures up to a point — including allowing candidates to announce and make short statements in the open — while others said the frank, private discussion that an executive session allows would produce clearer, more candid evaluation of candidates.

Council members agreed on several procedural details for how speeches and questioning would be handled if the selection took place publicly: a three-minute opening statement for candidates, a period of council questions after all candidates spoke, and a brief closing statement (the council discussed one minute as a possible limit). The council also discussed options for ordering candidate remarks and whether experience should be an explicit criterion.

When the council voted on whether to move item 7, the mayor pro tem selection, into executive session, the motion (made by Councilman Ken Hutchenrider and seconded by Councilman Dan Barrios) passed 4–3. After private deliberation the council reconvened and moved to the formal election. Councilman Corcoran moved to elect “Ken Hunter” (as recorded on the motion) and Councilman Barrios seconded; the motion carried and the mayor announced, “Congratulations, Ken. Mayor Pro Tem, Hutchenrider.”

Councilwoman Jennifer Justice spoke in the open-session discussion that followed the election, saying she supported Hutchenrider but also expressing disappointment that the council “had an ability to advance our commitment to diversity today, and we’ve not done that.” Other council members praised the quality of the candidates and the tenor of the deliberations.

Separately, the council voted 7–0 to continue a public hearing on zoning file 2504 — a request to amend a planned development at 3051 Research Drive to accommodate an outdoor drone delivery distribution center — to June 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. Earlier in the meeting the council approved minutes of prior meetings (the vote on minutes was recorded as 6–0 with one member absent).

The mayor pro tem serves as the council’s temporary presiding officer when the mayor is unavailable and may represent the city on ceremonial occasions or speak on behalf of the mayor and council as requested. Council members said they expect Hutchenrider to fill that role and to work with the mayor and city staff going forward.

The council also read into the record statutory references governing executive sessions during the discussion: the city charter (section 3.03) and Texas Government Code provisions cited by staff, including section 551.074 regarding personnel matters. The council’s decision to hold candidate deliberations in executive session means much of the private discussion is not part of the public record, though members explained their votes and some rationales in open session after the decision was final.