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Council directs ballot question to remove Killeen's resign‑to‑run requirement
Summary
After debate, the council voted to direct staff to place a proposed charter change on the ballot that would remove the city’s current resign‑to‑run requirement so that council members would not automatically forfeit their seats when filing for another office; council action passed unanimously in the meeting record.
The council considered committee recommendations to revise the city’s resign‑to‑run provision. Under current charter language, a mayor or council member who files for certain other in‑city offices must vacate the office immediately; the committee recommended narrowing the resign‑to‑run rule so it would apply only to candidates seeking offices outside the city and not when a council member runs for mayor (or vice versa).
Members debated the fairness and practical consequences of both approaches. Opponents of the resign‑to‑run rule said it disadvantages ordinary residents who cannot afford to risk employment and that it can chill candidacy by working‑class residents; proponents argued the rule prevents misuse of incumbency and the free exposure officeholders get in their official role.
Following discussion, the council adopted a motion of direction to pursue charter language removing the automatic resign‑to‑run requirement so that a council member would not be required to resign simply for filing for another office; the action was recorded in the meeting as carrying unanimously. Staff will prepare redline language and ballot materials if the council moves the item forward for voter approval.
