2025 Special Election

2025 City of Whitehouse Special Election: City Charter Clean-Up Amendments

This November, Whitehouse residents will consider eight proposed amendments to the City Charter. Earlier this year, the City Council appointed a Charter Review Commission made up of Whitehouse citizens to review the Charter and recommend updates.

After a thorough review, the Commission recommended a series of amendments focused on:

  • Clarifying existing language
  • Aligning the Charter with state law
  • Providing flexibility for future City Councils to operate efficiently

The following summaries explain each proposition, what it would do if approved by voters, and the key takeaway of the change.

  • Proposition A

    • What it does: Makes the City Secretary an appointed staff position of the City Council.
    • Why this change: Creates a clear reporting option directly to the Council, ensuring staff can raise issues independently of the City Manager if needed.
    • Key takeaway: This does not create a new position; it clarifies the City Council’s authority over the existing City Secretary role.

  • Proposition B

    • What it does: Removes the Charter’s requirement that candidates for Mayor or City Council must be at least 21 years old.
    • Why this change: State law already sets eligibility requirements. This update eliminates unnecessary language.
    • Key takeaway: Candidate qualifications will follow state law without additional local restrictions.

  • Proposition C

    • What it does: Aligns candidate requirements for Mayor and City Council with state law.
    • Why this change: Ensures consistency between the City Charter and Texas law.
    • Key takeaway: Keeps candidate eligibility simple and consistent with state standards.

  • Proposition D

    • What it does: Removes the restriction that prevented former city employees from running for Mayor or City Council.
    • Why this change: State law does not mandate this restriction.
    • Key takeaway: Former city employees may run for office, with eligibility based on state law.

  • Proposition E

    • What it does: Removes the residency requirement for the City Manager.
    • Why this change: Gives the City Council more flexibility when hiring and negotiating contracts with City Manager candidates.
    • Key takeaway: Expands the potential applicant pool for City Manager.

  • Proposition F

    • What it does: Removes detailed rules for suspending or terminating the City Manager.
    • Why this change: Gives the City Council flexibility to take appropriate actions in employee management.
    • Key takeaway: Ensures the process for managing the City Manager can be tailored to the situation.

  • Proposition G

    • What it does: Removes Charter language about how the City Manager’s compensation is set.
    • Why this change: Allows the City Council to negotiate compensation terms directly with City Manager candidates.
    • Key takeaway: Provides flexibility in hiring and managing the City Manager.

  • Proposition H

    • What it does: Clarifies how to calculate the required number of petition signatures for initiatives, referendums, or recalls.
    • Why this change: The Charter currently requires “at least 10% of registered voters” but does not specify a date for that count. This amendment ties the requirement to the most recent state law election date.
    • Key takeaway: Provides a clear and consistent standard for petition requirements.

Charter Review Commission Members

Froncel Burns

City Council Member, Place 2

Camry Tharp

Whitehouse Resident

Casey Whittle

Superintendent, Whitehouse ISD

Cassie Hollenshead

Whitehouse Resident

Johnathan Bush

Whitehouse Youth Community Council

Commission Charge

  • Reviewing the City Charter
  • Working with the City Manager to determine whether any provisions required revision
  • Making recommendations to ensure compliance with the Charter
  • Proposing amendments to improve the Charter’s effective application to current conditions
  • Reporting its findings and proposed amendments to the City Council

The Charter Commission’s work is documented on our website, here.

The City appreciates the Commission’s work in reviewing the Charter and providing proposed amendments to clarify language, better align our Charter with state law, and give future City Councils flexibility to operate efficiently.