The Cleburne City Council discussed a proposed ordinance to prohibit camping on private property without the property owner’s written authorization and asked staff to draft an amendment for future consideration, while also urging a communitywide summit to coordinate services for people experiencing homelessness.

Chief Severance (police) told council officers have identified at least 19 unauthorized campsites inside city limits since 2020 and that the encampments "often lack proper sanitation, posing significant health and safety risks to both the occupants and the surrounding community." The chief said contacting property owners and securing permission to prosecute for trespassing can be time-consuming and that people often relocate before cases are completed, leaving debris that property owners must clean up.

Chief Severance said the proposed amendment would modify section 130.11 of the city code to address camping on private property without the owner’s authorization and noted existing tools already address camping in public places and parks, referencing Section 4805 of the Texas Penal Code and City Code section 98.030 for parks. He said violating the proposed ordinance would be a Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 and that "each day a violation occurs constitutes a separate offense."

Council members and staff emphasized the measure is intended to protect property owners and provide officers a clear enforcement tool, not to criminalize homelessness. Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) and other council members urged that any enforcement be paired with efforts to connect people to services. Councilmember John Warren and others asked how the city will handle people who are cited; staff and council members noted citations can escalate to court if unpaid and said the city needs a coordinated approach.

Council directed Chief Severance and staff to prepare an ordinance amendment for future council consideration and the mayor said he will convene a charity summit—replicating an earlier 2019 effort—to bring nonprofits and other stakeholders together to develop coordinated services. The mayor asked staff to set a date and report back so the council can hold a workshop in advance of budget work.

Members of council discussed the need for a local resource database and cited a regional example (Waxahachie) that uses shared information to identify recurring users of services and to coordinate referrals. Staff said findhelp.org and a local "green book" resource list are available to assist officers and residents seeking shelter and social services.

No ordinance vote occurred tonight; council took direction to return a draft ordinance and to pursue the charity summit.