‘No Action’ Taken By Council Concerning Proposed City Charter Changes

The Amarillo City Council chose to take no action during Tuesday morning’s Special Meeting at City Hall.

The 10-member City Charter Review Committee, along with Dennis Hawkins of the firm Baker Tilly, met with the council to offer its recommended proposals and take questions from the council. The committee – chaired by former councilwoman and mayoral candidate Freda Powell – was convened just over one month ago to flesh-out needed changes to the Amarillo city charter with the hope of having them ready for the November 5 ballot.

Councilmembers Les Simpson and Tom Scherlen also served on the committee as observers.

Changes such as term length for the mayor and council members, staggered terms, verbiage concerning the ability to have an elected official removed, and expanding the council from 5 to 7 members were presented for discussion.

The result of today’s meeting is that many would prefer to allow the public to view the proposals and offer input before a decision is made.