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Council approves ordinance to call special election on six charter amendments
Summary
Council approved an ordinance to place six proposed amendments to the city charter on the May ballot, including changes on annexation, filling council vacancies, eminent domain language, term limits, unopposed candidates and sale of city‑owned utilities.
The council voted to place six proposed charter amendments before voters in May after a city attorney presentation explaining the language and election timing.
Daniel reviewed the ordinance and attachments, explaining each proposition's intent and how the ballot wording will be translated for the elections administrator. Proposition A would align annexation language with state law that now requires consent; another change would require filling council vacancies by special election when more than 12 months remain on the term, bringing the charter into compliance with state law. Other propositions: bring eminent domain language into alignment with Chapter 21 of the Property Code; remove a restriction on successive terms for mayor and council while keeping three‑year terms; add local authority to cancel an unopposed race in accordance with state law; and update the sale‑of‑city‑owned‑utilities section to cite the relevant Government Code provisions.
A council member moved to approve the ordinance and the motion passed unanimously. Daniel emphasized the changes are primarily to keep the charter consistent with state law and to avoid having to amend the charter after future legislative changes.
