Title
Consider an ordinance canvassing the returns of the November 8, 2022 Special Election.
Summary
DATE: November 22, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli C. Clements, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Canvassing Returns from November 8, 2022 Special Election
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
On November 8, 2022, the City of Killeen participated in a joint election with Bell County to consider a proposition to eliminate enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses in the City of Killeen to include the following:
Prohibit Killeen police officers from issuing citations or making arrests for Class A or B misdemeanor possession of marijuana offenses except in limited circumstances, prohibit Class C citations for drug paraphernalia in lieu of a possession of marijuana charge, prohibit the use of city funds or personnel to perform testing to confirm whether a substance meets the legal definition of marijuana except in limited circumstances, prohibit Killeen police officers from considering the odor of marijuana or hemp to constitute probable cause for any search or seizure except in limited circumstances, require that Killeen police officers receive training on the ordinance, require that policies and procedures be updated in accordance with the ordinance, require regular open meetings with stakeholders to discuss practices related to the ordinance, provide that a violation of the ordinance may subject a Killeen police officer to discipline, and require a report within three months of adoption of the ordinance and annually thereafter to be submitted to City Council concerning implementation of the ordinance.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
There are no alternatives. State and local law requires the city council to canvass the election returns and declare the results.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
Adopting the ordinance conforms to state law and city charter requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expe...
Click here for full text