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Council receives timeline for possible charter review; next eligible election set for November 2026
Summary
City Manager Jeff Jenkins briefed the Taylor City Council on steps for a potential charter review and election. Because the city adopted charter changes in 2024, state rules require a two-year gap; Mr. Jenkins said the next possible charter election date is November 2026. The council voted to receive the update unanimously.
City Manager Jeff Jenkins briefed Taylor City Council on April 24, 2025 about a possible charter review process and a timeline for a future charter election. Jenkins said state timing rules tied to the city's 2024 charter amendment mean the next possible charter election would be in November 2026.
Why this matters: a charter review can change the city's governing document (its home-rule charter) and therefore affect council structure, election timing, and other municipal authorities. Council members discussed committee composition, timing relative to the next council seated after the May election, and statutory constraints such as resign-to-run rules.
Presentation and recommended steps Mr. Jenkins reviewed the charter's history (originally adopted April 6, 1914; amended multiple times, including 2020 and 2024) and recommended a timeline if the council chooses to form a charter-review committee: appoint a committee in late 2025, hold committee meetings January'April 2026 to study and draft proposals, present committee recommendations to council in May'June 2026, finalize ballot language in summer 2026 and call an election by mid-August 2026 so the statutory calendar can be met for a November 2026 vote. He estimated a special-election cost in the range of $15,000 if a standalone special election were required but noted aligning with other scheduled elections could affect costs.
Legal and procedural cautions Mr. Jenkins noted several state-level issues the committee should consider, including pending legislative discussion about moving local elections to November (from May) and proposals that would require supermajority thresholds for certain charter changes. He also reviewed the "resign-to-run" rule: a council member who has more than one year and 30 days remaining in a term when they file for another office generally must resign the seat to run. Jenkins walked through how the timing could affect current seats depending on when terms end and when potential candidates file.
Council discussion and direction Several council members said they prefer that the next (post-election) council appoint committee members so the group reflects the council that will govern during the review period. Councilmember Garcia suggested the committee examine attendance requirements for council members and review recent rushed amendments to ensure future amendments are deliberate.
Motion and vote Mayor Pro Tem Samaritan moved to receive the update as presented; Councilwoman Cobb seconded. The council voted unanimously to receive the report (5-0).
Ending The council took no further action and directed staff to proceed as needed if the council later decides to appoint a charter-review committee and pursue amendments. Any final charter language and decision to place items on a ballot would require later council action and adherence to state election statutes.
