03 Charter Review Com Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The city council shall have the power under the provisions of state law to levy, assess, and collect an annual tax upon taxable property within the city to the maximum provided by the constitution and general laws of the State of Texas and to provide for the collection of delinquent taxes through lien and enforcement procedures in the manner provided by state law. D For D Against 50. Amend Section 93, "Municipal elections," to provide that the regular municipal election shall be held on the uniform election date provided by state law that occurs in or about May of each year, so that the first sentence reads as follows: The regular election for the choice of members of the council as provided in Section 16 of this Charter shall be held each year on the uniform election date provided by state law that occurs in or about May. D For D Against 51. Amend Section 95, "How to get name on ballot," to make the charter consistent with state law in regard to the time that a candidate for city council must make application to be on the ballot so that the section shall read: Any qualified person may have his name placed on the official ballot as a candidate for council member at any election held for the purpose of electing council members by filing with the city clerk, no later than the time provided by state law, a sworn application in the form provided by the State of Texas, and shall meet all the requirements set forth by this Charter and by state law as it may, from time to time, be amended. D For D Against 52. Amend Section 96, "Council ballots," to make it consistent with state law with regard to how names of candidates are printed on the ballot, so that the section shall read: The names of all candidates for the council as hereinbefore provided, except such as may have withdrawn, died or become ineligible, shall be printed on the official ballots without party designations, in accordance with the Texas Election Code. If two or more candidates have the same surnames, or have names so similar that it is likely to cause confusion each of those candidates may have printed on the ballot a brief distinguishing description or title, not to exceed four words, following the candidate's name. The description or title may only refer to the candidate's place of residence or present or former profession, occupation, or position. However, the description or title may not refer to a public office. The order of the names on the ballot, the form of the ballot, and the deadline for having the ballots printed shall be accomplished in compliance with state law. 14