Freeport council establishes police, firefighters civil service commission; confirmations postponed to executive session

Freeport’s City Council voted Dec. 29 to establish a three-member Police Officers and Firefighters Civil Service Commission under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143, moving the city toward implementing a voter-approved civil service system for sworn police officers and firefighters.

The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-3014 on a 4-0 vote after a joint presentation from city chiefs and a legal overview by attorney Chris Duncan. The council then heard the city manager’s recommended appointments but recessed into executive session for attorney consultation before voting on confirmations, postponing formal appointment action.

The commission is required by statute to administer hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions and appeals for covered employees. Attorney Chris Duncan told council that the city manager must appoint commission members within 60 days of the election outcome and that the full civil service system must be implemented by Oct. 31, 2026. "If the employee goes through the whole process and has their hearing with [the] civil service commission, and they're unhappy with the ruling ... they can file a lawsuit in district court,"…