Cedar Park: May 1 General And Special Election Projected Unofficial Results

Press release from the City of Cedar Park:

May 01, 2021

Projected results of the Cedar Park City Council Election and amendments to the City Charter are in. Click here for Williamson County unofficial Election Day results. Click here for Travis County unofficial Election Day results. All election results are unofficial until canvassed at a later date.

City Council Places One, Three and Five

Jim Penniman-Morin is projected to win Place One over Dorian Chavez.

Penniman-Morin said, “City government makes a huge impact on our quality of life and the future of our community, so it’s encouraging to see more people making their voices heard. The more people follow and participate in their City government, the better our City is going to be.”

Anne Duffy, who also serves as Mayor Pro Tem, is projected to win her third term on Place Three over Claudia Chavez.

Duffy said, “I’m excited that the citizens of Cedar Park put their trust in me for another term and I look forward to working with a positive, forward-thinking, Cedar Park-centric Council.”

Kevin Harris is projected to win Place Five over Collin Klein.

Harris said, “I’m excited that the people of Cedar Park are giving me the opportunity to continue to serve, in a new capacity, the city I’ve been a part of for more than 20 years.”

City Charter Amendments (Propositions A-E)

In addition to the three City Council positions, there were five City Charter Amendments on the ballot:

Proposition A – Terms of Service
This amendment would change the terms of office for the Mayor and Councilmembers from two (2) years to three (3) years. The proposed amendment would not extend any current Mayor or Councilmember’s term of office. As proposed, the transition to three (3) year terms would commence at the next general election following the adoption of this Proposition A (May 2022). At that election, two (2) positions would be elected to three (3) year terms and two (2) positions would be elected to two (2) year terms. In the following general election (May 2023), three (3) positions would be elected to three (3) year terms. And in the next election (May 2024), the last two (2) positions would be elected to three (3) year terms.* Proposition A is projected to fail, as of 11 p.m. on 5/1/21.

Proposition B – City Manager Signature Authority
This amendment would clarify the City Manager’s authority to sign agreements, instruments, and documents either as delegated by the Council or as necessary in the prudent administration of City operations in accordance with the annual budget and City Charter. Proposition B is projected to pass.

Proposition C – Filing of Vacancies
This amendment would authorize an appointment to fill a vacancy on the Council for the remainder of an unexpired term of 12 months or less. If three (3) year terms are adopted, state law generally requires a special election to fill a vacancy within 120 days, absent specific authorization to appoint for relatively short unexpired terms of 12 months or less. Regardless, state law does not authorize appointment to fill a vacancy of more than 12 months, so a special election would be required.** Proposition C is projected to pass.

Proposition D – Prohibitions: Disclosure of Privileged or Confidential Information
This amendment would protect, in addition to attorney-client privileged communications, confidentiality of sensitive information that has been discussed in closed executive session pursuant to state law. This provision currently applies only to the City Council, but by the proposed amendment it would be extended to City Boards, Commissions, committees, and task forces, and would provide for necessary exceptions. Proposition D is projected to fail.

Proposition E – Filing for Office; Resign to Run
This amendment would provide for automatic and immediate resignation by a Mayor or Councilmember upon their filing or candidacy for any public office other than of the Cedar Park City Council, instead of requiring resignation at least forty-five (45) days prior to the election. Proposition E is projected to pass.

*NOTE: Pursuant to state law, with three (3) year terms, vacancies on the Council must be filled by special election absent specific authorization to appoint for the remainder of an unexpired term of 12 months or less (see Proposition C). Regardless, state law does not authorize appointment to fill a vacancy of more than 12 months, so a special election would be required. Because state law requires this special election within 120 days of the vacancy, it may not occur on a uniform election date – potentially leaving the City responsible for the full cost of administering the election.

**NOTE: Proposition C only asks whether the Council should be authorized to fill vacancies of 12 months or less by appointment (instead of requiring a special election).

The projected winning propositions become effective upon canvassing of election results. City Council Members will be sworn into office at a City Council Meeting Ceremony to take place after the election results are canvassed. The dates for election results canvassing and the Swearing-In Ceremony are to-be-announced.

This press release was produced by the City of Cedar Park. The views expressed are the author's own.