With the Texas Legislature convening in January 2025, Highland Village council members unanimously approved items to include as the city’s legislative priorities during their regular meeting Nov. 12.

The specifics

During the meeting, City Manager Paul Stevens summarized the legislative items, which include:

• Opposing the prohibition of minimum lot sizes in single family zoned areas
• Opposing the right to build accessory dwelling units with no restrictions
• The desire to maintain certificates of obligation as a viable financing mechanism
• Opposing the legislation to increase current appraisal caps
• Increase public school basic allotment per student funding amount to keep up with inflation
• Maintain the right for cities to use firms such as the Texas Municipal League to help stay informed on critical legislative issues
• Maintain the right to have elections in May as opposed to being on November ballots along with federal and state elections

A closer look

Stevens said what typically happens when there are legislative concerns involving the city, officials meet with the city’s legislative team to discuss those items.

Officials also can interact with state legislators in Austin during Denton County Days. Should an item reach a critical point, Stevens said there is an option for city officials to go before a state legislative committee.

Quote of note

“We do stay very active and in touch with our legislative members to make sure they are hearing our voice and make sure that they are following and tracking the progress of bills for us,” Stevens said.