News Flash

The City Council recently approved an ordinance to hold a special election on May 1, 2021, to submit proposed changes to the City Charter to Missouri City voters. The proposed changes include the following: 

1. Amend Section 3.05 – Delete the provision allowing the mayor to act as chief administrative officer of the city until a city manager is appointed.
2. Amend Section 3.05 – Require the election of the mayor pro tem at the second meeting in December of every year and establish a one-year term for such position.
3. Amend Section 4.01 – Require Council’s advice and consent instead of concurrence for the appointment, suspension, and removal of directors.
4. Amend Section 4.01 – Expressly authorize the use of an employment contract for the employment of the city manager and require such contract and salary terms to be authorized by the Council.
5. Amend Section 6.01 – Extend the terms of the city council positions from two (2) to three (3) years.
6. Add Section 6.01.F – Limit council service to twelve (12) consecutive years, after which a minimum two-year, sit-out period would be required before serving on the City Council.
7. Amend Section 9.04.D – Change the amount of time the city manager may transfer unencumbered funds from 60 to 90 days after the end of any given fiscal year.
8. Amend Section 9.10 – Clarify that bids are only required for competitive bond sales.
9. Amend Section 11.13 – Change the appointment month of Charter Review Commissioners from July to January.       

The proposed amendments include changes that could impact the tenure of elected officials on the City Council of the City of Missouri City. If proposed Amendment E is adopted, beginning with the November 2021 general election, the four (4) district Councilmembers’ terms will increase from two (2) years to three (3) years, with elections being held every third year. 

If proposed Amendment E is adopted, beginning with the November 2022 general election, the mayor’s term and the terms for the two councilmembers-at large will increase from two (2) years to three (3) years, with elections being held every third year. 

Proposed Amendment F would prevent any elected official from serving longer than 12 consecutive years on City Council. After serving for 12 consecutive years, a minimum two-year period would be required before they would be able to run again. 

The proposed changes to the Charter came out of the 2020 Charter Review Commission. Five City residents worked for six months, issuing a final report on Dec. 21, 2020. The last changes to the Charter occurred about four years ago. To read the comprehensive list of proposed Charter revisions that will appear on the May 1, 2021 ballot, visit  https://bit.ly/38wMLB1.

For more updates, please watch the City website: www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and Nextdoor, watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T) or download the MCTX Mobile app (available for free in Google Play and the Apple app store).