Missouri City residents could see charter amendments on the ballot in the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

Missouri City City Council heard a presentation from the 2024 Charter Review Commission recommending approval of 16 amendments to the city’s charter at a special meeting May 6.

What you need to know

Charter amendments must be approved by City Council to be placed on the next election cycle ballot, where the public will make the determination if the change will be made, City Attorney E. Joyce Iyamu said.

Council may add additional charter changes, modify recommendations or decide no changes should be made to the charter as of this time, Iyamu said. The Missouri City charter must be considered every four years, with no changes earlier than two years after a revised charter.


A closer look

According to the 2024 Charter Review Commission’s final report, a number of the commission’s proposed changes could affect City Council meetings and procedures, including:
  • Changing the time frame for electing the mayor pro tem from the second meeting in December to any meeting between Nov. 15 and Dec. 1
  • Requiring City Council to hold at least two meetings per month for 10 months per calendar year and at least one meeting in the remaining two months rather than two every month to allow flexibility
  • Increasing the number of council members required to offer an ordinance from one to two members
  • Deleting language requiring an election and six-month waiting period for City Council compensation changes
  • Allowing a former City Council member to be chosen as city manager or acting city manager after one year of leaving office
Other proposed changes include changes to city manager procedures, including the appointment, suspension or removal of department directors; changes to personnel rules; and changes to who can sign city checks, according to the final report.

How we got here

On Jan. 2, Missouri City City Council appointed these five residents to serve on the 2024 Charter Review Commission:
  • Peter Cruickshank
  • Jeremy Davis, chair
  • Ketan Inamdar, vice chair
  • Mark Kramer
  • Mark Rubal
The commission met Jan. 22, Feb. 28, March 25 and April 22 in open public meetings to determine their recommendations, according to agenda documents.


What happens next?

Missouri City City Council must determine what proposed charter changes, if any, they would like to add to the ballot by Aug. 19, which is the final day the city can order an election.

If charter amendments are added to the ballot, they will be decided upon by community members in the Nov. 5 election.