Whitehouse residents to vote on city charter amendments

Whitehouse – This November, Whitehouse residents will consider eight proposed amendments to the City Charter as part of a Special Election. 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.

“These propositions are about updating and clarifying our Charter so that it serves the City well into the future,” said Whitehouse Mayor James Wansley. “The Commission worked hard to review each provision carefully, and we are grateful for their commitment to ensuring our Charter is clear, consistent, and practical.”

The proposed changes are intended to better align the Charter with state law and improve the efficiency of City operations. They update how the City Secretary is appointed, ensure that candidate qualifications for Mayor and City Council match state standards, provide the City Council with greater flexibility in managing staffing matters, and clarify how many petition signatures are required for recalls, initiatives, or referendums.

“It’s healthy for any organization to pause and ask how we can do things better,” Whitehouse City Manager Leslie Black said. “Reviewing the Charter gives us that chance, so we can keep making city government work smarter for our community,” she continued.

A full voter guide, including explanations of each proposition and a chart comparing the current Charter language to the proposed changes, is available on the City of Whitehouse website, whitehousetx.org.