Bastrop, Tx–Tuesday the Bastrop City Council hammered out details of changes to the city charter which will go before voters in a November election, chiefly making council terms three years long instead of the current two.
The change was recommended earlier this year by a charter review committee headed by Council Member Ken Kesselus. The study panel was named by the mayor and other council members.
The council, however, declined to ask voters to consider adding two additional members to the city governing board, saying there appears to be little public support for such a measure now.
As currently proposed, the charter change would limit the mayor and council members to two consecutive three-year terms. Those officers would be forced to wait a year before seeking re-election.
The Texas Constitution will force additional changes in current city election rules if voters endorse three-year council terms, said city attorney J.C. Brown. The chief change will require that council members and the mayor be elected by majority vote instead of the plurality currently required. That could force run-off elections in some cases, said Brown.
In a related measure the council agreed to ask voters to decide if a sitting council member should be required to resign in order to run for the mayor’s seat. At the same time a mayor would be required to step aside in order to seek a council seat.
Other charter changes to go before voters include changing the title of the presiding officers of the Planning and Zoning commission from “chairman” and “vice chairman” to “chair” and “vice chair.” The mayor would also become the city’s “chief presiding officer” instead of the city’s “chief executive officer.”
How about a charter amendment stating “The City of Bastrop shall not give tax abatements, incentives and other government services, to any private entity locating in the City of Bastrop.”
The combined debt of the City of Bastrop, Bastrop ISD and the County of Bastrop is (Aug 09 figures) $509,000,000.00. Some of Bastrop’s elite are proposing adding another $444,000,000 on top of that by encouraging voters to institute the AUSTIN Community College TAXING District in Bastrop. Given this data is a year old – Let’s just say YOU who live in the City of Bastrop will owe a staggering BILLION DOLLARS. Wow, you have come along way folks. Not paying attention to the deeds of the elected misfits has consequences. Who will be better off incurring this debt load? You the taxpayer?
City of Bastrop Taxpayers need to get on the phone, email, letters, pony express and etc., and tell the City Council they work for YOU and not Buc-ee’s or any other developer. When will you all get some guts and stop this insane spending?
Sounds like the Council wants everything to stay the same. The citizens can initiate a Charter change with a petition. Maybe the community needs to show them just how many folks want 7 council members and Districts.