Title
Receive a quarterly update regarding the Charter Review Committee.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch City Charter is the City’s governing document that establishes the structure, powers, and functions of municipal government. It outlines the roles of the City Council, Mayor, and City Manager, and provides the legal framework for how the City operates, adopts policies, and delivers services.
The Charter Review Committee for the City of Farmers Branch is an advisory body responsible for reviewing the City Charter and recommending amendments. The Charter requires the Committee to be convened at least once every five years, though it may be reestablished as often as every two years in accordance with State law.
On November 18, 2025, Resolution No. 2025-225 was approved, reinstating the Charter Review Committee and appointing 22 members, with Cristal Retana serving as Chair and David Koch serving as Vice-Chair. Two members of the Committee have resigned, Jaime Rivas and Carol Dingman.
The Charter Review Committee has met on December 17, 2025, and January 21, February 18, and March 18, 2026, and is reviewing the City Charter by article and section to identify and develop recommendations for potential amendments. In addition to reviewing the City Charter as a whole, the City Council has provided a list of recommended topics of discussion for the Committee to consider.
DISCUSSION:
At the request of Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Neal, staff will provide a quarterly update regarding the Committee’s progress.
The following recommendations for amendments to be placed on the ballot have been approved by the Committee:
• Article I, Section 1.07: Recommend simplifying language for better clarity.
• Article II, Section 2.06: Add language giving the City Council the power, by a super majority vote, to appoint or remove the City Attorney, with the Mayor having the power to vote.
• Article II, Section 2.12: Change of language stating the Municipal Court Judge may be removed by the City Council at will.
Other items reviewed by the Committee that will not be placed on the ballot:
• Recommend that the City Council amend the Code of Ethics related to Council decorum, including decorum related to frivolous ethics complaints.
• Recommend that rules regarding communication with City staff be discussed and established in coordination with the City Manager.
• Amend the Code of Ethics to add mandatory annual training for the City Council.
• Establish an independent Ethics Committee utilizing already established authority in the City’s Code of Ordinances.
• Establish rules for adding an agenda item utilizing the Council’s Rules of Procedure
Upcoming discussions that are yet undecided:
• Discussion regarding adding an at-large member of Council.
• Discussion regarding moving general elections to November.
• Discussion regarding posting City audits on the City’s website.
• Discussion regarding requiring a supermajority vote when only three members of Council are present.
• Discussion regarding abstentions.
• Discussion regarding potential penalties for a Councilmember who resigns mid-term.
• Discussion regarding requiring the creation of a Committee whose purpose would be to discuss transit services in the City prior to the end of the six-year period in which withdrawal can be reconsidered.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A
DISTRICT:
Citywide
POSSIBLE COUNCIL ACTION:
N/A
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation