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DeSoto council orders May 2 election, approves consent agenda with budget amendments
Summary
On Feb. 17 the DeSoto City Council voted unanimously to order a May 2, 2026 general election for council Places 2 and 4 and approved a consent agenda that included multiple budget amendments, consulting work and grant-related appropriations.
The DeSoto City Council on Feb. 17 approved an ordinance ordering a general election to be held May 2, 2026, to elect council members for Place 2 and Place 4 and authorized related actions including designation of polling places and execution of a joint election agreement with the Dallas County Elections Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Crystal Chisholm moved to approve the ordinance; Council member Deborah North seconded. The council carried the motion by unanimous hand vote.
Why it matters: setting the election date and authorizing the county agreement begins local preparations for candidate filings, polling logistics and public notice; council members also used the consent process to clear several budget adjustments that affect city operations this fiscal year.
During the consent portion of the agenda the council approved minutes from its Feb. 3 meeting, a proclamation for National School Counseling Week and several ordinances amending the adopted FY25-26 budget. The amendments included: consultant services with Baker Tilly related to the city's strategic plan; recognition and appropriation of a Federal Highway Administration reimbursement tied to a development services study; a $15,000 appropriation tied to recent BLT (business leadership training) invoices; funding for human resources professional services related to a predictive-index platform; use of Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds in the police department to cover subscription invoices for Flock Safety camera services; and appropriations in the police department seized fund for renovations to the police records area.
Council member Deborah North asked to pull the proposed update to the city's facility-naming policy for questions. City staff (identified in the record as Elliott) said the revised approach envisions a digital honor display using a TV on a spine wall called "Arc Connect" that would present names and recognize honorees in a digital format; staff said an updated list of "peak performers" would be resubmitted to council for approval to ensure no one was omitted. The consent agenda subsequently passed as presented.
No public debate or amendments were recorded on the election ordinance or the consent items; council votes were recorded as unanimous. The meeting adjourned at about 7:11 p.m.
What’s next: The election ordinance authorizes staff to finalize polling locations and execute the joint election agreement with Dallas County; further details and candidate deadlines will be set through the election administration process.
