Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, all powers conferred
on the City shall be vested in a body to be known as “The City
Council” and shall be exercised by the City Council.
The City Council shall be composed of a Mayor and six (6) Councilmembers.
Four (4) Councilmembers shall be designated as “ward Councilmembers,”
each of whom shall be elected only by the qualified voters residing
in the ward from which each such ward Councilmember is elected. Each
ward Councilmember shall reside in the ward to which such Councilmember
is elected to represent. Two (2) Councilmembers shall be designated
“Councilmembers-at-large;” and the Mayor and Councilmembers-at-large
shall be elected by all the qualified voters of the City. At the general
election in 2004, the Mayor and at-large Councilmembers shall be elected
to one (1) year terms. Thereafter, the Mayor and all Councilmembers
shall be elected for two (2) year terms.
(Amended 9/16/2003)
Candidates for election and appointment to City Council shall
be at least 21 years of age and otherwise meet all state qualifications
for office.
(Amended 4/5/1986; 5/1/2021; 11/7/2023)
Salaries of Mayor and Council members shall be set by ordinance
but may not be increased in the current term of the Mayor or Councilmembers
enacting such ordinance.
(Amended 4/5/1986)
The Mayor shall preside at meetings of the City Council. He
shall be known as the official head of the City Government but shall
have no regular administrative duties.
The City Council shall elect one of its members as Mayor Pro
Tempore for a one (1) year term. The Mayor Pro Tempore shall perform
the duties of the Mayor in case of the absence or inability of the
Mayor to perform the duties of his office, and, if a vacancy occurs,
shall become Mayor for the unexpired term. If the Mayor Pro Tempore
is unwilling to assume the duties of Mayor in the event of a vacancy
in that office, then the City Council shall appoint a Mayor Pro Tempore
from its membership.
(Amended 5/2/1998)
A vacancy in a ward position, whether filled by the City Council
or by election, shall be filled by a resident of the ward in which
the vacancy occurred. Vacancies in the City Council where the same
do not exceed two (2) at any one time shall be filled by a majority
of the remaining members of the City Council and the person elected
shall serve for the unexpired term only. When more than two (2) vacancies
occur, a special election shall be called to elect their successors
to fill their unexpired terms; provided, however, if such vacancies
occur within ninety (90) days prior to a general election, then no
special election shall be called. But in that event, the remaining
members of the City Council shall by a majority vote fill such vacancies
and the person so elected shall serve only until the next general
City election when such vacancies shall be filled. If four (4) or
more vacancies occur within ninety (90) days of a general election,
then, and in that event, a special election shall be called to fill
the vacancies and the persons so elected shall serve only until the
next general City election when such vacancies shall be filled.
(Amended 4/5/1986)
The City Council shall hold such monthly meetings as necessary
to efficiently conduct the affairs of the City. The City Council shall
set the date and time of its regular meetings by resolution. Special
meetings of the City Council shall be called by the City Clerk, at
the request of the Mayor, City Manager or four (4) members of the
City Council. Four (4) or more members of the City Council shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business. All meetings of the City
Council shall be held in a public place in the City of Beaumont. Meetings
of the City Council shall be held in accordance with the laws of the
State of Texas which require meetings of public bodies to be open
to the public.
(Amended 4/5/1986; 11/7/2023)
The City Council shall determine its own rules and order of
business. It shall keep a true and correct journal of all of its proceedings
which said journal shall be open at all times to public inspection.
The City Council shall appoint a City Manager who shall be the
chief administrative and executive officer of the City.
The City Council shall appoint a City Clerk and prescribe the
duties and compensation of said officer and provide him with such
assistance as it may deem necessary. He shall hold office during the
pleasure of the Council.
Prior to the end of each fiscal year, the City Council shall
designate one or more qualified public accountants who shall make
an independent audit of accounts and other evidence of financial transactions
of the City government for the fiscal year for which appointed, and
shall submit their report to the City Council. Said report shall be
posted on the City’s website. Special audits shall be made when
deemed necessary by the City Council. The original reports of the
City auditors shall be kept among the permanent records of the City.
No auditor or firm of auditors shall serve as auditor for the City
of Beaumont for more than four (4) successive years.
(Amended 4/5/1986; 5/1/2021)
The City Council or any person or committee appointed by it
shall have power to inquire into the conduct of any department, office,
agency or officer of the City; to make investigations as to City affairs
and for that purpose may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths and
compel the production of books, papers and other evidence material
to said inquiry. The City Council shall provide by ordinance penalties
for contempt in refusing to obey any such subpoena or failure to produce
books, papers, and other evidence, and shall have the power to punish
any such content [contempt] in a manner provided by ordinance.