Title
Consider an ordinance calling a Charter Amendment Election on May 7, 2022.
Summary
DATE: February 1, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Holli Clements, Deputy City Attorney
SUBJECT: Calling a Charter Amendment Election on May 7, 2022
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 and two public hearings to solicit citizen input on proposed changes. The proposed revisions are as follows:
Sec. 6 & 7: replace annexation provisions inconsistent with state law with provisions that provide for annexation in accordance with state law;
Sec. 8: repeal the requirement to obtain preclearance approval under the Voting Rights Act that is no longer required under federal law prior to amendments of existing district boundaries becoming effective;
Sec. 24: change monthly compensation from $100 to $250 for each Councilmember and $200 to $350 for the Mayor;
Sec. 28: remove the provision that allows the City Manager, if removed at any time after six months from appointment, to demand written charges and a public hearing prior to the date on which final removal shall take effect;
Sec. 34: provide for a special meeting following an election for the purpose of qualifying newly elected Councilmembers;
Sec. 38: require a public hearing for any ordinance imposing or increasing a fine or fee;
Sec. 39: allow individual councilmembers to inquire into the conduct of any office, department, agency or offic...
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