Charter Amendment Workshop Topics

Article VI.  Officers

Section 2.  Terms of office

Current

The mayor and each council member shall serve a term of two (2) years and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Discussion

term of two (2) years and no more than 3 consecutive terms

term of three (3) years no more than 4 consecutive terms

Section 3.  Vacancies

Current

Vacancies in the office of mayor or council shall be filled by a special election for the remainder of the unexpired term as provided by this charter

Discussion

Vacancies of more than six (6) months in the office of mayor or council shall be filled by a special election for the remainder of the unexpired term as provided by this charter or Texas law. For vacancies of mayor or council of less than six (6) months, the vacancy shall be filled by council appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 4.  Qualifications

Current

The mayor and each council member shall be residents of the City of Mount Pleasant and have the qualifications of electors therein. The mayor, council members, and officers and employees shall not hold any other public office of emolument; and shall not be interested in the benefits of emoluments of any contract, job, work, or service for the city, or interested in the sale to the city of any supplies, equipment, material or articles purchased. Any officer or employee of the city, who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required, shall forfeit his office or position.

Discussion

The mayor and each council member shall be a bona fide resident of the City of Mount Pleasant for at least six (6) months as required by the Texas Election Code and have the qualifications of electors therein. The City Council may adopt an ordinance requiring documentation for candidates and officeholders to prove they meet residency requirements. The mayor, council members, and officers and employees shall not hold any other public office of emolument in violation of Texas Constitution; and shall not be interested in the benefits of emoluments of any contract, job, work or service for the city, or interested in the sale to the city of any supplies, equipment, material or articles purchased.  Any officer or employee of the city, who shall cease to possess any of the qualifications herein required, shall forfeit his office or position.

Section 12.  Salary of elective officers

Current

The monthly salary of the mayor shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) and the monthly salary of each council member shall not exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

Discussion

The monthly salary of the mayor shall not exceed six hundred dollars ($600.00) and the monthly salary of each council member shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Section 15.  Duties of mayor

Current

The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, but shall not vote except to break a tie, and shall be recognized as head of the city government for all purposes. At its first regular meeting after the city election each year, the council shall elect a mayor pro-tem who shall act as mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor. While acting in such capacity, the mayor pro-tem shall not vote except to break a tie. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, the mayor pro-tem shall become mayor until the next mayoral election, whether a regular election or a special election, at which election a mayor shall be elected to fill the unexpired term, if any.

Discussion

The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council, and vote on all matters, and shall be recognized as head of the city government for all purposes. At its first regular meeting after the city election each year, the council shall elect a mayor pro-tem who shall act as mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor. While acting in such capacity, the mayor pro-tem shall vote on all matters. In the event of a vacancy in the office of mayor, the mayor pro-tem shall become mayor until the next mayoral election, whether a regular election or a special election, at which election a mayor shall be elected to fill the unexpired term, if any.

Article XI. City Manager

Section 2.  Residence of city manager

Current

The city manager need not be a resident of the city at the time of appointment but shall maintain a residence inside the city while in office.

Discussion

The city manager need not be a resident of the city at the time of appointment but shall be a bona fide resident of the City of Mount Pleasant, within six (6) months after such appointment, and maintain a residence inside the city while in office.