Special City Council Meeting - December 19, 2025: Resolution to Change Election Date to November Odd-Year Uniform Date
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Special City Council Meeting - December 19, 2025: Resolution to Change Election Date to November Odd-Year Uniform Date
The Killeen City Council held a special meeting on December 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM to consider Resolution RS-25-193, which would change the city's general elections from the May uniform election date to the November uniform election date in odd-numbered years, as authorized by Senate Bill 1494. The deadline for such a decision is December 31, 2025. After public testimony and council discussion, the council adopted an amended version (Option 3) by a 7-0 vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Ricky Williams: Expressed support for moving elections to November to increase turnout, but recommended implementation after the May 2026 election to avoid disrupting the current cycle.
- Otetiani: Supported a uniform election date to streamline the voting process and encourage participation.
- Kristen Wright (Founder, Killeen Creators): Strongly supported the change, citing three reasons: cost savings (hundreds of thousands of dollars), increased voter access for disenfranchised residents, and more equitable representation. She noted that May elections in Killeen have had turnout below 1% of the population.
- Guff Kysen: Supported moving to November but recommended Option 3 (delaying implementation until after May 2026). He criticized the timing of the meeting and questioned why the item was not brought up earlier.
- Brandy L. Elbert: Supported moving elections to November after the May 2026 election, citing the May 2025 turnout of only 1.92% of the population (3,994 votes out of ~160,616) and potential cost savings of $47,595.
- Unnamed senior citizen: Opposed the change, stating that young people do not vote and that the decision should favor senior citizens.
- Cameron Cochrane: Opposed the resolution, arguing that changing the election date requires a charter amendment voted on by the people, not a council resolution. He cited Killeen City Charter Sections 94 and 149.
- Mr. Fernino: Strongly opposed, accusing the council of poor planning and holding the meeting at a time designed to limit public attendance. He argued Option 4 (no change) was best and criticized the potential for extended terms.
- Kim Wickerson: Supported moving elections to November to increase turnout and reduce barriers for working families, seniors, and military households.
- Dennis Faulkner (Precinct Committeeman, West Side Conservative Coalition): Supported moving to November but urged minimal impact, recommending Option 3 to stay within the city charter and avoid term extensions.
- Louis Minor: Supported the change, noting that November elections allow countywide voting and would improve turnout (8,501 voters in November vs. 3,095 in last May election).
- Mr. Davison: Opposed the change, calling it "left-handed politics" and stating that the voters should decide.
- Mr. Blair: Expressed skepticism, saying the only justifications are cost savings or that voters are not smart; he opposed changing before the May election.
- Salon Chummel: Supported moving to November odd-year elections, citing cost savings, increased turnout, and the risk of waiting another 10+ years for a similar opportunity.
- Amelia Raybroker: Supported the resolution, noting benefits for military families, cost savings, and higher turnout in November odd-year elections.
- Mrs. Wheelbanks: Opposed Option 2 (immediate change with term extensions) and supported Option 3 or 4, arguing that extending terms by 18 months for at-large members and 6 months for district members undermines democracy.
- Mr. Wheelbanks: Opposed Option 2, criticizing the rushed process and lack of charter review. He argued that SB 1494 was designed for Dallas and does not fit Killeen's staggered terms.
- McKella Gray (Mikhail Gray): Strongly supported Option 2, stating that democracy works best with higher turnout and that the change is about people, not officeholders.
Discussion Items
- City Attorney Clemens presented background and four options:
- Option 1: Keep even-year elections in May, move odd-year elections to November (still two different dates).
- Option 2: Move all elections to November odd-numbered years, eliminating staggered terms and extending current terms via holdover (at-large members extended 18 months, district members 6 months).
- Option 3: Same as Option 2 but delayed to a future odd-year (e.g., 2027 or 2029), allowing time for a charter review and election, and preserving the May 2026 election.
- Option 4: No change.
- The attorney noted that SB 1494 was written for cities like Dallas with only odd-year elections, so Killeen's staggered system creates complications. She recommended a future charter review if any option is adopted.
- Council members discussed the implications:
- Councilman Segarra asked about the effect on KISD and CTC; the attorney could not confirm the impact on CTC.
- Councilman Solomon questioned whether a charter review should come first, but noted the Dec 31 deadline.
- Councilman Adams made an initial motion for Option 2.
- Mayor Pro Tem Adams then moved to amend the motion to Option 3 (conduct May 2026 election, move all subsequent elections to November beginning 2027).
- Councilwoman Gonzalez confirmed that term extensions under Option 2 are authorized by state law and temporary. She noted that nationwide odd-year November elections see 5–25% turnout increases.
- Councilman Alvarez clarified that under Option 3, at-large members elected in May 2026 would have a shortened term (re-election in Nov 2027), while district members would see a 6-month extension via holdover.
- The amendment to Option 3 passed 6-1 (Councilwoman Cobb opposed). The final amended motion then passed 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution adopted as amended (Option 3): The city will conduct the May 2026 election as scheduled. Thereafter, all general elections for mayor and council members will be held on the November uniform election date in odd-numbered years, beginning November 2027. Elections in even-numbered years will be eliminated.
- Next steps: The council recommends a future charter review and election to align the city charter with the new election schedule. If a charter amendment fails, the resolution will still supersede the charter unless the council repeals it before 2027.
- Votes: Amendment to Option 3 passed 6-1; final resolution passed 7-0.
Meeting Transcript
Councilman Kendrick, can you hear me? Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Yes, yes, Mayor. I can hear the good afternoon. It's 13, I mean it's one o'clock. The meeting is now called to order. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor move to approve the agenda is present. Councilmember Avarez. Mayor, I'll second that motion. All in favor, yes, all opposed, no. You up can councilman Kendrick, is that yes? Okay. Six to zero that the record show, Councilwoman McCobb is not present. We will have citizen comments. The first person is Ricky Williams. You will have three minutes. Good afternoon, sir. Well, you were the last one to turn it in here. So Magley on the top. Mix that up next time. Yes, sir. Well, good afternoon, Council and Mayor. Uh today we have the opportunity to do collectively between your citizens and yourself something that will benefit uh the citizens. By moving these elections to November, you know, it gives an opportunity uh to graft on higher elections, which allows um for a greater turnout, greater citizen participation as elected officials. Uh you would want to feel that you have a mandate. That mandate is given to you by increasing the number of citizens that actually have the opportunity um to come out and cast their ballot. Uh there are some issues we know that surround this in making this change um that need to be addressed. Um whether it's uh extending uh at the back end of this, for example. Um I would say that it is appropriate um to pass the resolution um with implementation to come, meaning not to focus on changing the upcoming election in May, since we are already at that cycle. Um that should go on. And then after that, uh in future elections down the road, we understand that you know, potentially there may be someone who has to be extended in order to get this thing to align properly. So if that is an option, um that is the option that I would as a citizen feel comfortable with uh having uh put in place. That is all. Thank you. Good afternoon, you have three minutes. Good afternoon, Madam Mayor and esteemed council members. My name is Otetiani, which is Cherokee for Master Orator, so I'm quite honored to live out my name here. Um I have one moment, please. God dogged it. I'm good. Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the value of a uniform election date. I've been on the earth over six decades, traveling extensively and never calling any place home. I've lived in clean seven of those sixty some years, and I call Colleen home. The spirit and diversity of Colleen and Bell County is engaging. So much so that I exercised my right to vote. I cast my ballot.
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