Loading...
Item 4CItem 4C M E M O R A N D U M February 27, 2024 To: Alison Ortowski, City Manager From: Amy Shelley, City Secretary Subject: Resolution No. 24-008, certifying unopposed candidates for the May 4, 2024, General and Special Elections Action Requested: Approve Resolution No. 24-008, certifying unopposed candidates for the May 4, 2024, General and Special Elections Background Information: On January 16, 2024, the City Council approved Resolution No. 24- 001, ordering the May 4, 2024, General Election to determine the positions of Mayor and City Council Place 2, and Special Election to fill a vacancy for City Council Place 3. The filing period for the 2024 General Election began January 17, 2024, and ended February 16, 2024. The City Secretary received one application each for Mayor and Council Places 2 and 3. These actions result in an uncontested election. The Election Code provides for the authority of the Governing Body to cancel an election if the candidates in each race are unopposed. As the authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared, the City Secretary shall certify in writing that the candidates are unopposed for the election scheduled to be held on May 4, 20234. The certification has been incorporated into Resolution No. 24-008. The unopposed candidates are: Mayor Shawn McCaskill Term: 2027 City Council, Place 2 Randy Robbins Term: 2027 City Council, Place 3 Frances Scharli Fill vacancy: 2025 Following receipt of certification and pursuant to Subchapter C of Chapter 2 of the Election Code, the Council may declare each unopposed candidate elected to office. A companion item, Item 4D, is the official order cancelling the May 4, 2024, General Election. Also pursuant to Subchapter C of Chapter 2 of the Election Code, the unopposed candidates will be issued their certificates of election and will be sworn into office on May 7, 2024. Financial Considerations: Funds for elections are included in the City Secretary’s Office budget. Strategic Link: Strategic Focus Areas: Partnerships & Volunteerism and Performance Management & Service Delivery Citizen Input/ Board Review: None Legal Review: Resolution was provided to legal counsel for review. Alternatives: None Supporting Documents: Resolution No. 24-008 Certification of Unopposed Candidates Staff Recommendation: Approve Resolution No. 24-008 RESOLUTION NO. 24-008 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, RECEIVING THE CITY SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATION OF UNOPPOSED CANDIDATES FOR THE MAY 4, 2024 GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Southlake, Texas (“City”) is a home rule city acting under its charter adopted by the electorate pursuant to Article XI, Section 5 of the Texas Constitution and Chapter 9 of the Local Government Code; and, WHEREAS, the City of Southlake Charter provides that City Elections shall be held in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas; and WHEREAS, Section 3.004(b) of the Texas Election Code provides that the governing body of a municipality shall be the authority to order a General Election for the purposes of electing members to the governing body; and WHEREAS, the Council approved Resolution No. 24-001, ordering the May 4, 2024, General and Special Elections on January 16, 2024; and WHEREAS, the authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared shall certify in writing that a candidate is unopposed for election to an office if, were the election held, only the votes cast for that candidate in the election for that office may be counted. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT: Section 1. Certification of the City Secretary. As the authority responsible for having the official ballot prepared, the City Secretary hereby certifies that the following candidates are unopposed for election to office for the elections that were scheduled to be held on May 4, 2024: Office Candidate Term Mayor Shawn McCaskill Three years - 2027 City Council, Place 2 Randy Robbins Three years - 2027 City Council, Place 3 Frances Scharli Fill vacancy - 2025 Section 2. Posting of Cancelled Election. Notice of the cancelled election shall be posted as required by Chapter 2 of the Election Code. Section 3. Necessary Actions. The Mayor and the City Secretary, in consultation with the City Attorney, are hereby authorized and directed to take any and all actions necessary to comply with the provisions of the Election Code in carrying out and conducting the election, whether or not expressly authorized herein. Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall be effective upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED this 5th day of March 2024. CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS ____________________________ John Huffman Mayor ATTEST: ____________________________ Amy Shelley, TRMC City Secretary