Public urges larger affordable-housing investment as charter amendments and council pay rise face scrutiny
Loading...
Summary
Speakers praised an increase in affordable-housing bond funding but called it insufficient and urged stronger measures; public also raised concerns about charter amendments (quorum, council pay) and a proposal to give the city manager expanded departmental powers.
Anne Zeta, representing Community Design Fort Worth, told the council she supports including Proposition D—affordable housing improvements—on the 2026 bond and welcomed an increase from $5 million to $10 million but said the amount is still far short of the $100 million target set in the council’s 2023 housing strategic plan. "We need bold sustained investment in affordable housing," Zeta said, and asked councilmembers to consider the plan’s five-year goals when setting funding levels.
EJ Carrion told councilmembers he supports higher council salaries to enable broader candidate pools and reduce the need for outside employment but raised a separate governance concern: language in a charter amendment that would let the city manager create, abolish or consolidate departments without council vote. Carrion said that change concentrates administrative authority and urged caution.
Bob Willoughby and other speakers criticized perceived lack of transparency around amendments and petition thresholds, urging recall procedures and term-limit considerations. The consent agenda, which included grant acceptances and other routine approvals, passed after public comment.
The public record in the meeting shows strong support for affordable-housing investment and a mix of support and concern about charter changes. Councilmembers did not adopt final changes during the recorded public comments; speakers urged further engagement and clearer descriptions of proposed charter language and ballot items.
