The Keene City Council voted on Dec. 4 to amend the city manager’s employment contract to include a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment retroactive to Nov. 1, 2025.

The action came after the council convened an executive session at 8:39 p.m. to consult with the city attorney and discuss personnel matters, specifically the city manager’s contract. The council reconvened in open session at 9:51 p.m. and then moved the contract change to the floor; the motion carried without recorded opposition.

Mayor (presiding officer) brought the motion to the council in open session: “Do I have a motion council to approve the city manager's contract with 1 change to add a 3% retroactive cola raise beginning 11/01/2025?” Following a second, council members voted to approve the amendment.

City Manager Jonathan Seitz, who was the subject of the personnel discussion, thanked the council after the vote. “God bless it. Thank you, Council,” he said during the meeting.

The council did not release further details about contract length or additional compensation changes during the public session. The vote followed the council’s stated adherence to Texas open‑meetings rules that allow confidential attorney‑client consultations and personnel deliberations in executive session, after which formal action may be taken in public.

Next steps: the council did not announce further follow‑up on the city manager contract beyond recording the approved amendment. The matter will be reflected in the next posted meeting minutes and the city’s publicly available contract records.