Title
Discussion regarding potential City of Pflugerville elections to be held on November 3, 2020.
Summary
This item has been included on the agenda at the request of Mayor Gonzales and Mayor Pro Tem Peña.
In addition to the bond election ordered by the City Council earlier this year to be held in May 2020 and then postponed to November 3, 2020, the City orders a General Election each year for positions on the City Council. This year's General Election will be to elect for the positions of Council Place 2, Council Place 4 and Council Place 6. The first day to file as a candidate will be July 18, 2020 (City Secretary's Office will open at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20, 2020.) The last day to file as a candidate is August 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Candidate information is available on the city website at: https://www.pflugervilletx.gov/city-government/city-secretary-s-office-/election-information-informacion-de-la-elecci/candidates-candidatos
Per the City Charter Section 5.01, the City Council by resolution may order a special election to fill vacancies on the city council and for bond issues, ordinances, charter amendments, recall, initiative or referendum, or other purposes deemed appropriate by the Council.
City Charter Section 11.10 provides that the City Charter may be amended in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and City Charter Section 11.11 sets a process for the appointment of a Charter Review Commission to review the City Charter and bring forward any proposed propositions to the City Council for a Charter amendment election. Per the City Charter, the City Council will appoint a Charter Review Commission the first regular meeting in November of this year. Each Councilmember appoints two members and the Mayor appoints three members to the Charter Review Commission with any additional members appointed by a majority vote of the City Council. The Charter Review Commission appointed this November will serve at least six months with any proposed amendments usually brought forward to the voters in November 2021.
If the City Council deems it appropriate to bring forward propositions to the voters for possible amendment of the City Charter in November 2020 and amendment is approved by the voters, any further amendment of the City Charter would need to be delayed for two years. Per the Texas Constitution, Article 11, Section 5, no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.
Prior City Council Action
On February 11, 2020, the City Council approved Resolution No. 1752-20-02-11-0702 ordering a special bond election to be held on May 2, 2020.
On April 2, 2020, the City Council approved Resolution No.1756-20-04-02-0715 postponing the special bond election to November 3, 2020.
Deadline for City Council Action
The deadline to order a general election or special election for November 3, 2020 is August 17, 2020.
Funding Expected: Revenue __ Expenditure X N/A __
Budgeted Item: Yes X No __ N/A __
Amount: $35,000
1295 Form Required? Yes __ No X
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required __ Date Completed: ___________
The City of Pflugerville includes funding in the budget each year for elections. The current estimated cost for holding an election is $35,000.
Supporting documents attached:
Resolution No. 1752-20-02-11-0702
Resolution No. 1756-20-04-02-0715
City Charter Section 11.11 Charter Review
Recommended Action
Discuss only.