9 city charter changes on ballot for Fort Worth voters in May

Fort Worth residents will have 15 total propositions on the May 2 ballot.

The city called for a bond package of $845 million, which will help fund capital projects and will not raise the current tax levy, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

Those will be listed Proposition A to F on the ballot. In addition, Propositions G to O will be listed to make changes to the city charter.

Zooming in

A city charter is a foundational legal document that serves as a city's government structure, operating procedure and powers. The city of Fort Worth established its charter in 1924, according to city documents.

During a council work session on Feb. 3, Assistant City Attorney Gavin Midgley said the propositions are conforming changes to align with state law, either election law or election-code related.

Other propositions are to clarify the duties of the city manager’s office, he said. The propositions are as follows:

Proposition G

This is a pay raise for council members and the mayor. Currently, the council receives $25,000 a year, while the mayor receives $29,000. The change, if approved, would increase the pay to $50,000 for the council and $60,000 for the mayor. If passed, the new salaries would take effect Oct. 1.

Fort Worth currently has the lowest pay for council and mayor among major cities in Texas, according to a presentation from Dec. 2.

According to previous reporting, voters denied pay raises for the council and mayor in 2016 and 2022.

Proposition H and Proposition I

Proposition H would remove a provision that allowed department directors to demand a hearing in front of the council if they are removed from office but before their removal becomes official, aligning with the process of at-will employment. Proposition I eliminates the special hearing rights for council-appointed officials, such as city manager, attorney, secretary and auditor, according to the city website.

“This is just really aligning the charter with the power and the authority the city manager already has over personnel,” Mayor Mattie Parker said in a Feb. 10 council meeting.

Proposition J

The proposition allows for the city budget to be adopted at the same meeting as the budget hearing, which is allowed under state law, according to a city news release.

Proposition K

This removes the requirement of public utilities to submit an annual report to the city since that information is readily available online.

Proposition L

Each grant of privilege for use of city streets could be approved without an ordinance being required if this proposition is passed. It allows staff to administratively approve applications that meet city code.

Proposition M

This proposition creates flexibility in abolishing and reorganizing city departments by eliminating the requirement for ordinances to be adopted by the council. It provides the power to the city manager for reorganizational changes consistent with the council-manager form of government, according to a Feb. 3 presentation.

Proposition N

The proposition eliminates a conflict with state law regarding the timelines of special elections to fill vacancies. State election rules limit when a special election may be ordered.

Proposition O

Under this proposition, appropriately detailed documentation must support payment of a claim, regardless of whether that documentation is considered a “purchase order.”

What else?

Early voting in Fort Worth for the charter updates will run from April 20-28. Election day is May 2.