Cedar Park To Stage Informational Open House On Upcoming Election

CEDAR PARK, TX — Poised for upcoming elections on May 5 — a general election and two special elections, the city is hosting an open house to learn about one of the propositions on the ballot.

The general election will have voters casting ballots for mayor and three council members. The special election will be for two propositions, one dealing with stormwater drainage and another dealing with charter amendments.

On Monday, April 23, residents can learn more both propositions on the upcoming ballot. The informational open house is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cedar Park Recreation Center, 1435 Main St. Those attending can come and go as they please.

Early Voting Dates are April 23 to May 1, 2018. For more information about Proposition A visit www.cedarparktexas.gov/PropA. To learn more about Propositions B-V, visit www.cedarparktexas.gov/PropsB-V.

Click here for an Informational Open House Printable Document [PDF]

On Tuesday, city officials released details on topics to be discussed:

Stormwater Drainage

• Proposition A – Stormwater Drainage – Redirect one-fourth of revenue (or 1/8 of one cent) from the Type A Sales Tax Fund to the City’s General Fund to provide revenue for stormwater drainage and related street repairs;

City Charter Amendments

• Proposition B – Vacancies – Amend Section 3.06 of the City Charter to require, within 90 days of approval of this proposition, Council’s adoption of a procedure for appointments to Council with a “freeze” provision voicing any procedural amendments adopted within the 90 days immediately preceding the vacancy;
• Proposition C – Vacancies – Amend Section 3.06 of the City Charter to disqualify an appointee from candidacy for any place on the City Council for the next general or special election following their appointment;
• Proposition D – Prohibitions: Interference with Administration – Amend Section 3.08 of the City Charter to clarify prohibition against interference with administration regarding appointment and removal of City staff (excepting the City Manager and City Attorney);
• Proposition E – Prohibitions: Attorney-Client Privilege – Amend Section 3.08 of the City Charter to expressly prohibit any member of the City Council from disclosing attorney-client privileged information without an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the City Council;
• Proposition F – Bonds for City Employees – Delete Section 3.15 of the City Charter because this risk is covered by the City’s existing errors and omissions and public employee dishonesty insurance policies, and bonded employees exempted from coverage;
• Proposition G – City Secretary – Amend Section 4.04 of the City Charter to clarify direction of the City Secretary by the City Manager instead of City Council;
• Proposition H – Public Safety – Amend Section 4.05 of the City Charter regarding the Police Department to contemplate Public Safety, generally, to include one or more departments (for example, police department, fire department);
• Proposition I – Eligibility: Residency – Amend Section 5.02 of the City Charter to require 12 months of continuous residency immediately preceding the date of the election in accordance with State law;
• Proposition J – Eligibility: City Employees - Amend Section 5.02 of the City Charter to delete the provision prohibiting employees from candidacy per State law;
• Proposition K – Eligibility: Resignation upon Candidacy for Other Office – Amend Section 5.02 of the City Charter to require a Councilmember’s resignation upon their filing for any other elective office except City Council;
• Proposition L – Petitions – Amend Section 6.04 of the City Charter to delete the provision requiring the City Secretary’s voiding of signatures as recommended by the Texas Secretary of State;
• Proposition M – Zoning Authority – Amend Sections 7.01 and 7.02 to require the City Council’s adoption of Comprehensive Plan and provide zoning authority per State law;
• Proposition N – Planning and Zoning Commission – Amend Sections 7.03 and 7.04 of the City Charter to delete redundancies in State law and/or the Cedar Park Code of Ordinances;
• Proposition O – Zoning Board of Adjustment – Amend Sections 7.05 and 7.06 of the City Charter to delete redundancies in State law and/or the Cedar Park Code of Ordinances;
• Proposition P – Power to Tax – Amend Section 9.01 to clarify the authority and responsibilities of the City, Council, and staff;
• Proposition Q – Tax Administration – Amend Amend Sections 9.02 through 9.04 of the City Charter to clarify the role of the county Tax Assessor/Collector in the assessment and levy of property taxes in accordance with State law;
• Proposition R – Tax Administration – Amend Sections 9.05 through 9.07 of the City Charter to delete provisions regarding payment and collection of property taxes in deference to State law;
• Proposition S – Tax Administration – Delete Section 9.08 of the City Charter in deference to State law providing for preemption of any Charter provision that conflicts with State law;
• Proposition T – Public Records – Amend Section 11.02 of the City Charter in deference to State law requiring maintenance and access to public records via the Public Information Act;
• Proposition U – Amend Section 11.17 of the City Charter to expressly follow State law and provide that all State law references shall be construed to include the governing provisions as now and hereafter amended; and
• Proposition V – Amend the City Charter throughout to replace gender-specific pronouns with gender-neutral pronouns.

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