Kristin Stevens appointed new mayor pro tem for Round Rock

Place 5 Round Rock City Council member Kristin Stevens will fill the role of mayor pro tem, Mayor Craig Morgan said during a packet briefing June 11.

The details

Former Place 3 City Council member Matthew Baker, who previously served in the position, did not seek reelection this year, leaving the role vacant. Stevens was reelected to her second term on City Council in the May election.

“I have been proud to call Round Rock my home for over 40 years and honored to help lead this community through some critical decisions over the last few years,” Stevens said during her election campaign in a news release. “Round Rock is a special place because of its people. I want to continue to make Round Rock a place where people want to live, work and raise their families.”

Explaining the role

According to Texas local government code, the mayor pro tem assumes mayoral duties if the mayor is absent or unable to perform those duties.

As outlined in the code, the mayor—as the chief executive officer of the municipality—is responsible for ensuring the enforcement of laws and ordinances. The mayor also oversees subordinate municipal officers and addresses any misconduct.

Additional duties include providing council members with relevant information and recommendations for municipal decisions. The mayor also has the authority to administer oaths of office and can take actions to maintain public order.