Changes to Bee Cave’s city charter and political processes are on the way after residents voted on seven proposed amendments this election.
Updated 7:40 a.m. Nov. 6
Early and Election Day voting results show a majority of residents voted in favor of each of the amendments. Proposition G was the closest call, with 58.95% voting in favor and 41.05% against. With all 176 Travis County precincts reporting, early and Election Day voting results for each proposition are as follows:
- Proposition A: 2,534 for (68.88%), 1,145 against (31.12%)
- Proposition B: 2,685 for (72.31%), 1,028 against (27.69%)
- Proposition C: 2,714 for (75.54%), 879 against (24.46%)
- Proposition D: 2,916 for (80.91%), 688 against (19.09%)
- Proposition E: 2,892 for (80.22%), 713 against (19.78%)
- Proposition F: 2,763 for (77.74%), 791 against (22.26%)
- Proposition G: 2,200 for (58.95%), 1,532 against (41.05%)
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.
Overview
The seven propositions pertain primarily to Bee Cave’s operating procedures and political processes. All propositions result from the work of the city’s recently appointed Charter Review Committee, with the exception of Proposition G, which was put forward by citizen petition. Brief summaries of each of the propositions follows:
- Proposition A: Adds language to the charter clarifying the city’s ability to alter its boundaries by ordinance. Does not change the city’s power to annex or disannex land.
- Proposition B: Amends the current city charter to stipulate that the mayor and City Council, who are already entitled to be financially compensated by the city, must receive approval for any pay changes from voters.
- Proposition C: Allows mayor to be elected by plurality of votes, clarifies the mayor’s authority during a state of emergency, clarifies which city leaders have the power to perform certain actions when primary officials are not present.
- Proposition D: Adjusts city budget adoption rules to be consistent with state law.
- Proposition E: Adds notification requirements by and to the city, through implementation of an official city newspaper. Also clarifies liability notice of claim requirements against the city.
- Proposition F: Increases the amount of time the city has to certify a petition from five days to 20 days, clarifies state law, allows “non-substantive, form-based” revisions to the charter by ordinance.
- Proposition G: Requires voter approval for any sale, donation, lease, or purchase of city property. Requires City Council to discuss these actions in public, even when currently allowed in private sessions.
More information about each amendment proposition is available on the city of Bee Cave’s website.
The history
The propositions listed have been discussed by the Charter Review Committee since April.
Proposition G was put forward following a petition by Bee Cave Vote to Amend, signed by over 320 residents.
The petition was authored by resident Carrell Killebrew, who said it was put forward in an effort to increase transparency in city property transactions. This followed closed city discussions regarding a proposed Hwy. 71 access road and the ensuing legal battle between Bee Cave and resident groups who opposed the road’s construction.
"As a taxpayer, I would like to know why we're spending money before we're spending money, and if that's a piece of land, I'd love to know why we're selling it and who we're selling it to," Killebrew said to Community Impact in September. "In a closed session, there's absolutely no public visibility."
Following the petition, the city and other resident groups such as A Better Bee Cave have pushed back on the legality of such an amendment, and said it would impede the city’s ability to process land transactions.
Jennifer Richter, a resident of Hamilton Pool Road who has previously spoken against Proposition G, said that, if passed, the proposition could get in the way of creating important infrastructure, such as the access road off Hwy. 71, which would provide an accessible route to her home.
“I am a burn survivor and had first responders in my kitchen on the day of my accident contemplating if they needed to Life Flight me because of the traffic at that intersection," Richter said in a statement to Community Impact in September. "This area gridlocks every day with thousands of cars stuck in traffic without an alternative route."
Next steps
Bee Cave City Attorney Ryan Henry told Community Impact in September that if Proposition G were to pass, the city would then evaluate whether or not its implementation would be legally feasible.
“If language submitted by a citizen petition is passed by the voters of Bee Cave, the City Council, based on advice from the City Attorney, then evaluate the legality and enforceability,” Henry said.
