(a) 
The city council is composed of the mayor and five (5) council members. The city council places are hereby numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The mayor shall hold office for a term of three years. All council members shall serve a three-year staggered term.
(b) 
Council member places 1, 3, and 5 shall be elected every three years at odd-numbered years. Council member places 2 and 4 shall be elected every three years on even-numbered years. The mayor shall be elected every three years on even-numbered years during the general election.
Editor’s note–Section 13, Proposition A, proposed by Ord. 20-O-04 and approved at a special election held November 2020, provided that the term of office for elected officers of the city be changed to three years. The proposition did not specifically amend the Code of Ordinances. Subsequently, Ord. 2023-O-014 amended the above section to read as herein set out.
(Ordinance 1999-12-13-09 adopted 12/13/1999; 2009 Code, sec. 1.03.001; Ordinance 20-O-04 adopted 1/27/2020; Ordinance 2023-O-014 adopted 5/10/2023)
(a) 
Specified powers of the mayor.
The city hereby adopts an enumeration of specific powers that may be exercised by the mayor:
(1) 
The mayor is the presiding officer of the city council meetings, and, except in elections, may only vote in the event of a tie vote. This power does not include primary responsibility for establishing the agenda for the city.
(2) 
The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city. The mayor shall actively ensure that the laws and ordinances of the city are properly carried out.
(3) 
The mayor serves as the budget officer for the city council, and the city council delegates the routine, clerical aspects of the budget management (preparation in compliance with state law, management, and monitoring) to the city manager, as directed by the mayor.
(4) 
The mayor has the express powers to declare a local state of disaster and as the emergency management director for the city has statutory powers and duties during an emergency.
(5) 
The mayor may administer oaths of office (i.e., swearing-in ceremonies).
(6) 
The mayor may sign contracts, deeds, easements, bonds and other documents as directed or authorized by the city council.
(7) 
The mayor may call a special council meeting, at the mayor's discretion, or a special meeting may be called at the request of three council members.
(8) 
The mayor may exercise all duties conferred on him/her by the Texas Constitution, statute, city ordinance, city resolution, or other applicable law.
(b) 
Express limitations on the powers of the mayor.
The following are an enumeration of specific limitations on powers that may be exercised by the mayor.
(1) 
The mayor, with requisite approval of the city council, may hire and make appointments to vacant Assistant City Manager (ACM), officer, and department head positions of the city, other than vacancies on the city council, and in accordance with state law.
(2) 
The mayor may not take adverse employment actions against officers or employees of the city, or against public service providers hired by the city, without the express written consent of the city council. The mayor may not hire and fire without the prior approval, and direction, of the city council.
(3) 
The mayor may not direct any officers or employees of the city, including the city engineer or city attorney, to act contrary to the directions of the city council.
(Ordinance 11-O-10 adopted 6/13/2011; 2009 Code, sec. 1.03.002; Ordinance 20-O-63 adopted 12/7/2020; Ordinance 2024-O-026 adopted 7/24/2024)
(a) 
Except as provided in subsection (b), below, the mayor serving a term beginning at or after the May 2, 2020 general election shall receive compensation of $40,000.00 per year.
(b) 
The mayor serving a term beginning on or after January 1, 2025, shall receive compensation of $18,000.00 per year.
(c) 
The councilmembers serving a term beginning at or after the May 2, 2020 general election shall receive compensation of $12,000.00 per year.
(Ordinance 17-O-12 adopted 5/8/2017; Ordinance 19-O-74 adopted 12/9/2019; Ordinance 2024-O-015 adopted 4/24/2024