Title
HOLD a public hearing and discuss proposed charter amendments.
Summary
DATE: January 18, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, Deputy City Attorney
SUBJECT: Public Hearing on Proposed Charter Amendments
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 2018. The Charter may only be amended by popular vote at an election.
On August 17, 2021, City Council directed that a Council-led charter review be scheduled with an anticipated May 2022 municipal election date. Over the past several months, Council has reviewed all twelve articles of the charter, proposed changes to various sections, and held a townhall meeting to solicit citizen input on proposed changes. City Council further directed that two public hearings be held on January 11, 2022, and January 25, 2022. The last day to order a May 2022 election is February 18, 2022, per state law.
If a charter amendment election is ordered, the charter election will be May 7, 2022, to coincide with the general election for Mayor and Councilmembers at Large.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
After holding public hearings, the alternatives will be to order a charter election on proposed amendments, not order a charter election, or order a charter election on different or additional charter amendments.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends that City Council hold a public hearing at this time to gain additional public input and decide on February 8, 2022, whether to order a charter election on May 7, 2022, on proposed amendments with revisions as appropriate based on further input and discussion.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This item conforms to charter provisions as well as relevant provisions of the Texas Election Code.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
There is no fiscal impact associated with this public hearing.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
N/A
Is this expenditure budgeted?
N/A
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council hold a public hearing at this time and decide on February 8, 2022, whether to order a charter election on May 7, 2022, on proposed amendments with revisions as appropriate based on further input and discussion.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Proposed Charter Amendments