City Council drops to six voters for next six months
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

A six-member City Council will be governing the city of El Campo for the next six months.

With the resignation of Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Smith Tuesday (please see related story), city government is caught between the requirements of its charter and state law limiting when elections can be held.

The City Charter, its governing document, requires a vacant Council position be filled via a special election - one which must be held within 120 days of a resignation.

The state of Texas, however, only allows municipalities to hold elections in November or May - both of which violate the 120-day requirement.

The Charter does not allow for appointments. "I guess we will hold an election in May," City Manager John Steelman said Tuesday.

Until then, Council will have to operate with six members - creating the possibility of tied votes on disputed issues.

Council members will cast their votes, Steelman said, adding the process won't change with the empty

chair.

If a vote is tied, City Attorney Ronny Collins said, the measure in question will not proceed. It fails.

"I am not terribly concerned about going with six as far as the 3

3 tie possibility," Mayor Phillip Spenrath said. "In general, this Council has been very unified and works well in sharing ideas andaddressing all concerns. Recently, we have had a couple of very difficult agenda items that present diverse concerns, and sometimes potential dilemmas. I truly feel the six of us will continue to research and become highly informed on every issue, so that we continue to support one another in trying to reach a consensus that will benefit the good of all of our constituents."

Since Smith was El Campo's Mayor Pro Tem, Council is tentatively set to reorganize as a board during its Tuesday, Dec. 11 session.

Historically, the city mayor and mayor pro tem are at-large representatives, although there is no Charter language preventing a district seat holder from occupying the post.

In the city of El Campo, the mayor is the presiding officer among equals selected by Council peers. It is a largely ceremonial post.

The mayor pro tem is the Council member who presides over meetings when the mayor is unavailable.

The current at large representatives on Council are Spenrath and Kenneth Martin. District representatives are Gloria Harris in District 2, Robert Boone in District 1, freshman Council member Ed Erwin in District 4 and Anthony Collins in District 3.

Harris is the senior member of Council while Martin is a former mayor.