Fire Fighters & Police Civil Service Proposition No. 1 Headlines City Election

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

City of Eagle Pass registered voters will be going to the election polls on Saturday, May 9, 2015, for the Municipal Election to cast their ballots on the Eagle Pass Fire Fighters and Police Officers Municipal Service Proposition No. 1, two City Council positions, and two proposed Amendments to the City Charter.

The Eagle Pass Fire Fighters and Police Officers Municipal Civil Service Proposition No. 1 is the most important item on the May 9th ballot seeking to establish a municipal civil service under state law. The purpose of the proposition is to secure an efficient fire and police departments who are free from political influence from City Council, City Administration, or any other third party. If approved by local voters, no tax increases will be necessary unlike other city projects. The municipal civil service, if approved by voters, will establish local procedures for hiring and promotions within the fire and police departments as well as establish minimum standards for attracting and retaining quality city employees instead of training them and losing them to other cities. Most importantly, the Eagle Pass Fire Fighters and Police Officers Civil Service would be operated by a three person Commission of local citizens appointed by the City Administration without compensation or pay.

Under Proposition One and pursuant to Section143.004 of the Texas Local Government Code
Civil Service for Fire Fighters and Police Officers, adoption of the fire fighters’ and police officers’ civil service law, voters will either vote for or against on the election ballot.

To read the Fire Fighter and Police Officer Civil Service law in its entirety you can go to www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/LG/htm/LG.143.html.

Proposition No.2 involves the amending of Section 3-3 of the City Charter changing the manner and timing to fill a vacancy for Mayor or City Council.
When amended, Section 3-3 would read as follows; Vacancies in the council other than mayor arising from any cause with 364 days or less remaining in the term shall be filled by majority vote of the remaining members for the unexpired term only and provided the successor shall possess all qualifications required for the office. Vacancies in the council other than mayor arising from any cause with 365 days or more remaining in the term shall be filled by special election and, where necessary, by a run-off election, in the same manner as provided for in this Charter for the regular election of a councilmember. Such special election shall be held on the next authorized uniform election date that occurs before the regular election and that allows enough time to hold the election in the manner required by law. The city council may appoint a person to serve as a council member on a temporary basis during the period between the creation of the vacancy and the special election. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the mayor, the remaining council members shall elect from among themselves, by majority vote, a person to serve as mayor for the unexpired term not to exceed 364 days. If no selection is made among the members of the city council, the city council may appoint a person to serve as mayor for the unexpired term not to exceed 364 days. If vacancy occurs in the office of the mayor and the unexpired term is equal to or exceeds 365 days, it must be filled by majority vote of the qualified voters at a special election called for such purpose within one hundred twenty (120) days after such vacancy or vacancies occur.

Eagle Pass voters will also have to vote either for or against proposition No.2 as well.

Under Proposition No.3 voters will have to decide if they choose to amend Section 3-12 of the Eagle Pass City Charter adding a paragraph to allow the City Council to select a City Auditor that reports to the City Council.

When amended Section 3-12 would read as follows:There shall be a city auditor who shall be appointed by the City Council and serve at the pleasure of the city council. The auditor shall report to the city council and have such duties, responsibilities, and staff as determined by ordinance including the responsibility to conduct, or cause to be conducted, financial, performance, investigative, and other audits following generally accepted government auditing standards. The city auditor shall assist the city council in establishing accountability and in improving city system and service delivery.

This Special Election is being held in conjunction with the City Officers General Election.

Under the City Officers General Election there are two Eagle Pass City Council positions, including City Council Member Place 1 with incumbent City Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez running unopposed and City Council Member Place 3 has two candidates with local educator and businesswoman Yolanda P. Ramon and local real estate developer Paco Mondragon seeking this position.

Eagle Pass City Secretary Imelda Rodriguez reminds Eagle Pass voters that the Multi-Purpose Center will be opened on Saturday, May 9, 2015, from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M on election-day.

Eagle Pass taxpayers are encouraged to participate in the City Election and make their voice be heard by casting their ballot for the candidates, City Charter Amendments, and Fire Fighters and Police Civil Service Proposition of their choice.

During May 9, 2015 you can log on to the Eagle Pass Business Journal website, facebook, and twitter sites for final election results at the conclusion of the vote tabulation process.