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Levelland charter-review committee hears plan to modernize decades-old provisions
Summary
An outside attorney told Levelland’s charter-review committee that parts of the city charter date back decades and conflict with state or federal law; he proposed revisions covering claims notice periods, hiring authority, utility contracts and election timing and said each change would be submitted separately to voters.
Slater Elza, an attorney who represents dozens of Texas cities and school districts, told Levelland’s charter-review committee on the first meeting that the city’s charter contains multiple outdated or inconsistent provisions and recommended a series of modernizing amendments.
“Elza said city charters are ‘the constitution of the city,’” he told the committee as he outlined why revisions are needed for a growing town. He urged transparency and outreach, saying the committee’s recommendations will go to the full council and each proposed change will appear as a separate ballot item so voters can approve provisions one by one.
Why it matters: Many charter clauses were written in the early 20th century, Elza said, and some conflict with current state or federal requirements on elections, municipal liabilities and procurement. Updating the charter, he said, would reduce legal ambiguity and give the city more operational flexibility while preserving essential public notice and oversight.
Key proposed areas
Claims and notice periods: Elza highlighted a damages provision that requires notice to the city secretary within 30 days before filing suit and…
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