Fort Worth council approves resolution authorizing city votes for named TAD candidate; member abstains

The Fort Worth City Council on Thursday approved a resolution authorizing the city to cast its votes for a named TAD candidate and to treat any later-determined change in the city—s entitled vote total as included in that authorization.

The action followed public comment alleging problems with vote-reporting software and with prior notice to trustees and candidates. Daniel Bennett, a speaker at the meeting, said the chief appraiser had "acknowledged" software problems and that data would be transferred to a spreadsheet so future vote totals would be printed from a supplemental report. "She sent an email, an email on September 18," Bennett said, referring to a prior exchange about the issue.

Bennett also said a candidate he identified as Syeda "saved your school district" by helping secure voting rights after meetings scheduled on the 28th and 29th would have otherwise jeopardized the district—s ability to vote. He said he contacted a trustee, Michael Ryan, who in turn contacted the board chair, Martinez, and that the meetings were rescheduled to protect the district—s voting rights. Eric Crile, another speaker, said he had spoken with counsel earlier and was present to answer questions when the resolution was considered.

Councilman Allen Blaylock recused himself from the discussion and vote, saying, "due to my role on the TAD board, out of an abundance of caution, I'll be abstaining from this conversation and vote." Council member Andrew Flores moved to approve the item (listed in the record as 25-5518) with the following modification: "If it is later determined that the city of Fort Worth is entitled to a different number of votes than 281, this resolution will be considered to be authorizing the casting of all such votes for the named candidate." The motion was seconded by Council member Matt Crane and the presiding officer announced that the motion carried.

The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally showing how each council member voted; the transcript records Blaylock—s abstention and states only that the motion carried. After the vote the mayor announced the council would convene into executive session and recited multiple Texas Government Code sections authorizing legal consultation, deliberation on real property, economic development negotiations, security, and personnel matters.

Public commenters raised concerns about the mechanics and notice of prior vote reporting but the council took formal action only on the resolution on the agenda. No additional direction to staff or further motions on the topics raised during public comment were recorded in the public portion of the meeting.

The council then adjourned the public session and entered executive session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.087, 551.076, 551.089 and 551.074.