Council directs staff to form charter review committee for possible ballot measures in 2026

Taylor City Council received a presentation on the charter-amendment process and directed staff to work with outside counsel to form a charter review committee that would recommend potential charter amendments for a ballot in November 2026.

Attorney Charlie Zech (Tintin Navarro Rodriguez Bernal & Zech PC) reviewed Chapter 9 of the Texas Local Government Code and recommended a nine-member charter commission (commonly seven to nine members). Zech emphasized that a charter commission issues recommendations to the council, and council retains the authority to place proposed amendments on the ballot; proposed amendments that are adopted by voters take effect after the council records the result and the city files required certification with the secretary of state.

Resident Sarah Winters urged the council to ensure the committee is representative and the process is transparent, saying a charter “defines how power works in the city” and asking council to make “three commitments: keep the process open and accessible, build a committee that truly represents the whole community, and communicate clearly at every step.”

Council directed the city attorney and city manager to coordinate with outside counsel to prepare an appointment schedule and candidate process and return to council with recommendations for appointments and a timeline. Staff indicated work should proceed to have draft recommendations in time for the November 2026 election cycle; staff asked the council for direction about committee size and charge and said it will return with appointment options and a proposed schedule for deliberations and public hearings.