Title
Consider an ordinance calling a Charter Amendment Election on November 3, 2026.
Body
DATE: August 4, 2026
TO: Kent Cagle, Interim City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Calling a Charter Amendment Election on November 3, 2026.
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The charter is the fundamental governing document of a home-rule city in Texas. The City of Killeen originally adopted its home-rule charter in 1949 and it has been amended various times since then, most recently in 2022. The Charter may only be amended every two years and by majority vote at an election.
On January 20, 2026, the City Council created a charter review committee to review the City Charter and provide Council with recommended amendments to the Charter with an anticipated November 2026 election date. Over the past several months, Council has reviewed all eleven recommendations and provided proposed changes to various sections. The proposed revisions are as follows:
Sections 22 & 93
Move regular elections for mayor and all councilmembers to the November uniform election date during odd-numbered years.
Section 22
Repeal the requirement that a member of the City Council resign and vacate his/her position upon filling to run for a different office on the City Council.
Section 26
Require that any vacancy on the City Council be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the City Council and to allow for a special election to fill the vacancies should a quorum of the City Council no longer exist
Sections 103 & 104
Change the number of days in which the City Secretary must certify a petition for initiative or referendum, and in which a petitioner may amend a deficient petition, from 10 days to 30 days.
Sections 106 & 107
Prohibit the City Council from adopting any initiated ordinance that is inconsistent with state law or from submitting such an ordinance to the electors.
Sections 111 & 112
Require that a petitioner allege incompetence, official misconduct, or malfeasance in office in an affidavit seeking the recall of an elected official.
Section 112
Change the number of days in which the City Secretary must provide petition blanks in response to a submitted recall affidavit from 1 day to 5 days.
Section 112
Require that a person filing a recall affidavit for a district councilmember live within the district in which the council member represents.
Per state law, the last day to call a November 2026 election is August 17, 2026. If approved, the Charter election will be held November 3, 2026, to coincide with various Bell County and State of Texas elections.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
N/A
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
N/A
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conform to local and state law.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the revenue/expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The City of Killeen will contract with Bell County to administer the election. Bell County has indicated that the total estimated cost for the November 3 election cannot be determined at this time. Costs of the election will be prorated among all participants.
City staff estimates the City’s portion of the cost to be $21,000.
Is this a one-time or recurring revenue/expenditure?
This is a one-time expenditure.
Is this revenue/expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funds are available in the General Fund, City Secretary, Election Expenses account 100-55620-150-152-000000.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this revenue/expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Based on Council’s direction, Staff recommends that the City Council call a Charter election for November 3, 2026, on the proposed amendments.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Legal
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Ordinance
Proposed Charter Revisions
Presentation