Mayor Mary Cole and City Attorney Darren Coker said January that Pearland’s charter review process has begun and that a seven‑member commission will meet publicly to evaluate whether the city charter needs changes.

"A charter is essentially... a constitution for your city," City Attorney Darren Coker said, explaining that Pearland became eligible for a charter after reaching 5,000 residents and adopted a home‑rule charter decades ago. He said the review cycle moved from every four years to every six years and that 2025 marks the sixth‑year review.

Coker said the charter review commission was expanded from five to seven members to match the council size. Unlike earlier practice, the city opened the appointment process to public applications so council could evaluate candidates like other advisory boards. The commission is advisory; it will spend roughly six months reviewing the charter, identify recommended changes and present them to the council, which would then place amendments before Pearland voters.

Coker noted the commission is an advisory body and that some—but not all—open‑meetings provisions differ for advisory groups. The city nevertheless posts agendas and encourages public attendance. Mayor Cole said two appointees previously served on the 2019 commission and that historical continuity will help the group’s work.

Members of the public may attend commission meetings and the city plans an initial organizational meeting shortly after appointment to establish the commission’s work plan and schedule. Any changes that the commission recommends must ultimately be approved by Pearland voters under the home‑rule charter process.