Storyline · 16 events · Nov 3, 2020 – May 3, 2025
The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025)
In April 2024 the City Council placed a possible charter amendment election on its agenda. In May it hired Baker Tilly US, LLP to advise on charter revisions and created a Charter Review Citizens Committee, which met five times and in July 2024 recommended changes to recall procedures, council terms and vacancies, council size and residency, and the City Manager's hiring authority. After reworking the proposals over three meetings, the council voted 3-2 on August 13, 2024 (Ord. 8144) to put four charter amendments on the November 5, 2024 ballot as Propositions B through E, alongside a citizen-initiated ordinance on abortion (Proposition A, not a charter amendment). Voters rejected Propositions B (a seven-member council), C (four-year staggered terms) and D (recall procedures) and approved Proposition E (filling vacancies and a "resign to run" provision). The council canvassed the results on November 15, 2024 and codified Proposition E by ordinance in January 2025. The mayor and four council places were elected to two-year terms again in May 2025.
A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines
Where the story starts depends on the framing
- The 2024 charter review and the November 2024 election (first council agenda item on a charter amendment election): starts with Council lists a possible charter amendment election as a discussion item (Apr 9, 2024)
- Charter amendments on council terms since the November 2020 charter election: starts with November 2020 charter election: voters approve a meeting-schedule amendment and reject four-year terms (Nov 3, 2020)
· Precursor
November 2020 charter election: voters approve a meeting-schedule amendment and reject four-year terms
According to the 2024 Charter Review Citizens Committee report, Amarillo voters on November 3, 2020 approved Charter Proposition C, which changed Article V, Section 12(a) so the council meets at least 24 times a year, and rejected Proposition B, which would have provided four-year staggered terms, by a margin of 6.7%. The report says the 1913 charter had been amended nine times, the 2020 amendment being the most recent, and that the Texas Constitution bars amending a city charter more often than every two years.[1][2]
- ✓ Verified
The Charter Review Citizens Committee report states that on November 3, 2020 Amarillo voters approved Charter Amendment Proposition C (council meets at least 24 times per calendar year, Article V, Section 12(a)) and that Proposition B, which would have provided four-year staggered terms (Article V, Section 2), failed by a margin of 6.7%. [1]
- Prop b 2020 margin
- 6.7%
- ✓ Verified
Ginger Nelson, Mayor: NewsChannel10 reported in November 2020 that the meeting-frequency amendment passed and quoted Mayor Ginger Nelson: "We need to stop meeting and start working." [2]
- ✓ Verified
The committee report states that the Amarillo City Charter was adopted in November 1913 and had been amended nine times by voters, and that the Texas Constitution (Article 11, Section 5) bars altering a city charter more often than every two years, with failed ballot measures not counting; it concluded that the charter could next be submitted to voters on November 5, 2024. [1]
· Origin
Council lists a possible charter amendment election as a discussion item
The April 9, 2024 regular meeting agenda listed "Possible Charter amendment election" among the discussion items; the minutes record that it was discussed, with no vote. NewsChannel10 reported that City leaders were starting an effort to rewrite the charter, that the City Secretary said changes would need to be detailed by August to reach the November ballot, and that the election could cost $70,000 to $100,000. The April 23, 2024 agenda listed "Charter amendment election process" as a discussion item.[3][4][5]
- ✓ Verified
Stephanie Coggins, City Secretary: NewsChannel10 reported on April 9, 2024 that City Secretary Stephanie Coggins said charter changes would need to be detailed by August to reach the November ballot and that the election could cost $70,000 to $100,000 (an estimate). [5]
- Cost low
- $70,000
- Cost high
- $100,000
· Related development
Council holds a charter review workshop facilitated by Baker Tilly
At a May 9, 2024 work session facilitated by Baker Tilly US, LLP, the council and senior staff discussed the City Charter and the Governance and Ends Policy; no vote was taken. The committee report later said the council set out its suggestions for charter updates on that date and directed the committee to examine increasing the number of councilmembers, moving to four-year and possibly staggered terms, making recall easier to initiate, and having the council appoint the City Attorney.[6][1]
Baker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
According to the committee report, the council set out its suggestions on May 9, 2024 and directed the committee to examine four topics: increasing the number of councilmembers; increasing mayor and council terms from two years to four and considering staggered terms; modifying the recall process to make it easier for the community to initiate a recall; and having the City Attorney appointed by the council. [1][6]
· Related development
Council awards a $49,975 charter consulting agreement to Baker Tilly
On the consent agenda, approved 5-0, the council awarded Baker Tilly US, LLP a $49,975 consulting agreement for advisory services on charter revisions and Governance and Ends Policy changes, funded from the City Council's working budget. On June 11, 2024 the council voted 5-0 to add $9,120 so a consultant could attend all charter review committee meetings in person, for a total of $59,095.[7][8]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes SimpsonBaker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The council approved on its May 14, 2024 consent agenda (5-0) a consulting agreement with Baker Tilly US, LLP for $49,975 for advisory services on charter revisions and Governance and Ends Policy changes, funded from the City Council's working budget. On June 11, 2024 it voted 5-0 (motion Simpson, second Tipps) to add $9,120 so a consultant could attend all charter review committee meetings in person, bringing the total to $59,095. [7][8]
- Original award
- $49,975
- Change order 1
- $9,120
- Total after june
- $59,095
· Related development
Charter Review Citizens Committee meets five times
A Charter Review Citizens Committee of 10 residents nominated by the mayor and council members, plus Councilmembers Les Simpson and Tom Scherlen as non-voting members, held its first meeting on May 30, 2024 and met on Thursdays through June 27, supported by the City Manager's office, City Secretary, City Attorney and Baker Tilly.[1]
Les SimpsonTom ScherlenBaker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The committee report lists 10 committee members, two nominated by the mayor and by each councilmember, plus Councilmembers Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson as non-voting council representatives, and says the committee met each Thursday from May 30 to June 27, 2024, with the City Secretary as primary staff support and the City Attorney or special counsel at all meetings. [1]
· Related development
Charter committee presents four proposed amendments; council takes no vote
At a July 16, 2024 special meeting, Baker Tilly presented the committee's July 11 report: four proposed charter amendments (recall procedures; four-year staggered terms with term limits and new vacancy rules; a seven-member council with three residency-based places; and council consultation before the City Manager hires executive staff), two Governance and Ends Policy additions, and a finding that the City Attorney should continue to report to the City Manager. The council took no vote and asked the consultant to explore further options, including splitting the council-size and residency proposal.[9][1][10][11]
Cole StanleyBaker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The committee's report (transmitted July 11, 2024) recommended four charter amendments in priority order: (A) recall petitions to require signatures equal to 30% of votes cast in the officer's election instead of 30% of registered voters with one-fifth certifying they voted for the officer, with 60 days instead of 30 to gather signatures; (B) staggered four-year terms, a limit of two full terms, special elections for vacancies with more than 12 months left, and a "resign to run" provision; (C) a council of a mayor and six councilmembers, all elected citywide, with three places requiring residence in a geographic area and a districting commission every ten years from 2031; and (D) requiring the City Manager to consult the council before offering employment to unclassified executive-level employees. It also recommended two Governance and Ends Policy additions and no change to the City Attorney's appointment by the City Manager. [1]
- ✓ Verified
The July 16, 2024 special meeting minutes record the committee recommendations being presented by Dennis Hawkins of Baker Tilly with no action taken. NewsChannel10 reported that the council opted not to vote to put the proposals on the November ballot in favor of getting public input. [9][10]
- ✓ Verified
Dennis Hawkins, Baker Tilly: The Amarillo Tribune quoted Dennis Hawkins of Baker Tilly on the recall proposal: "The committee felt that 30% of registered voters was a very high bar to reach, and also it is impossible to verify whether or not people voted for the office holder." [11]
- ✓ Verified
Cole Stanley, Mayor: The Amarillo Tribune reported that Mayor Cole Stanley had suggested at the May 9 session that the mayor's term remain two years (the committee recommended four years for all elected officials), and that at the July 16 meeting he asked Baker Tilly to consult outside legal counsel about splitting the council-size proposal so voters could vote separately on expanding the council and on the residency requirement. [11]
· Related development
Consultant presents alternative charter proposals requested by councilmembers
At the July 23, 2024 regular meeting, Baker Tilly presented the committee's recommendations and "alternative proposals as requested by City Councilmembers" as a discussion item, with no vote. The Amarillo Tribune later reported that the consultant had split two measures into six proposed propositions and that the council dropped two from consideration.[12][13]
Baker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The Amarillo Tribune reported that after July 16 Baker Tilly split two measures and proposed six propositions at the July 23 meeting, and that the council eliminated two: the separate staggered-terms proposition, and the proposition adding a district residency requirement for three council places, which it moved to "the next possible opportunity." The July 23 minutes record only that Baker Tilly presented the item. [13][12]
· Related development
Council revises and passes on first reading the ordinance calling the charter election
At an August 2, 2024 special meeting the council considered the first reading of Ordinance 8144, ordering a November 5, 2024 charter amendment election. In 5-0 votes it struck "Measure E and Proposition E" (in the draft, the residency-based council places and districting commission), moved the recall measure to follow the council-term extension, postponed "G" until the next charter election, and adopted the ordinance as modified. A motion by Mayor Stanley to move the recall process died for lack of a second.[14][15]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes SimpsonBaker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The draft of Ordinance 8144 in the August 2, 2024 agenda packet listed five propositions: A (recall procedures), B (a mayor plus six councilmembers), C (four-year terms from the May 2025 election, staggered by ordinance), D (vacancies and "resign to run") and E (three councilmembers elected subject to residency in geographic places, with a districting commission from 2031). The committee's City Manager hiring proposal was not among them. [15]
- ✓ Verified
The August 2, 2024 minutes record four 5-0 votes: to strike "Measure E and Proposition E" (Tipps, second Craft); to relocate the recall process to follow the extension of council terms (Stanley, second Craft); to postpone "G" until the next charter election (Stanley, second Tipps); and to adopt the ordinance as modified (Craft, second Scherlen). A motion by Stanley to move the recall process to letter F died for lack of a second, and an earlier motion of his to strike F was withdrawn. The minutes do not describe what items F and G contained. [14]
· Starting point
Council orders the charter election with Propositions B-E, 3-2
On second reading, the council amended Ordinance 8144 to make Proposition C's four-year terms "effective with the next regularly scheduled municipal election to be held in May 2025, with the terms staggered as established by ordinance." A motion by Councilmember Simpson to put only Propositions C, D and E on the ballot, removing Proposition B, failed 2-3 (Craft and Simpson for; Stanley, Tipps and Scherlen against). The ordinance as amended then passed 3-2, with Craft and Simpson voting no. The staff memo estimated the election cost at $100,000 to $150,000 from the general fund.[16][17][18]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson
- ✓ Verified
On August 13, 2024 the council amended Ordinance 8144 to add to Proposition C "effective with the next regularly scheduled municipal election to be held in May 2025, with the terms staggered as established by ordinance." A motion to place Propositions C, D and E on the ballot without B (Simpson, second Craft) failed 2-3, with Craft and Simpson for and Stanley, Tipps and Scherlen against. The ordinance as amended (Scherlen, second Tipps) passed 3-2, with Stanley, Tipps and Scherlen for and Craft and Simpson against. [16]
- ✓ Verified
Les Simpson, Councilmember Place 4: The Amarillo Tribune reported that the council discussed whether expanding the council under Proposition B could expose the City to litigation seeking single-member districts under the Voting Rights Act, and quoted Councilmember Les Simpson: "All I'm saying is that I don't feel comfortable moving forward with this, not that I'm against adding two members, but until we get the chance to delve into this a little more." [18]
- ✓ Verified
The staff memo for Ordinance 8144 estimated the charter election would cost $100,000 to $150,000 from general fund revenues, as an unbudgeted special election; the memo for the Proposition A resolution estimated $90,000 to $120,000. Both are estimates. [17]
- Charter cost low
- $100,000
- Charter cost high
- $150,000
- Prop a cost low
- $90,000
- Prop a cost high
- $120,000
- ✓ Verified
Ordinance 8144 provides that the effective date of any approved proposition "shall be as set by City Council, no sooner than 30 days after the canvass of the election," to allow republication of the amended charter and amendment of affected ordinances and policies. [17]
- ✓ Verified
Proposition B, "Enlarge the number of City Council members from four to six Council members and a Mayor," would amend Article V, Sections 1 and 5(a) so the elective officers are a mayor plus six councilmembers (Places One through Six), each elected by a majority of the registered voters within the city. [17][19]
- ✓ Verified
Proposition C, "Extend City Council member terms of office," would amend Article V, Section 2 to change the terms of the mayor and each councilmember from two years to four years, effective with the May 2025 municipal election, with the terms staggered as established by ordinance. [17][19]
- ✓ Verified
Proposition D, "Mayor and City Council recall process," would amend Article II, Section 24 to lower the signatures needed to call a recall election from 30% of the city's registered voters (with one-fifth certifying they voted for the officer in the last election) to 30% of the votes cast in the election at which the officer was elected; extend the time to file recall petitions from 30 to 60 days after the required affidavit; give the City Secretary 21 days to verify signatures; and bar recall petitions within six months after an officer takes office, within six months of the end of the term, or within six months after a recall election for that officer. [17][20]
- ✓ Verified
Proposition E, "Adoption of a method to fill a City Council vacancy," would repeal and replace Article V, Section 3: a councilmember vacancy with fewer than 12 months left would be filled by council appointment, a mayoral vacancy with fewer than 12 months left would be filled by the council appointing a councilmember, other vacancies would go to a special election within 120 days, and a "resign to run" provision would make a mayor's or councilmember's office vacant if the holder announces a candidacy for another office with more than 12 months and 30 days left in the term. [17][19]
· Context
Council orders a vote on a citizen-initiated abortion ordinance as Proposition A, 4-1
At the same meeting the council adopted Resolution 08-13-24-2, ordering a special election on a citizen-initiated ordinance titled "Ordinance Outlawing Abortion, Declaring Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn," which became Proposition A on the same November 5 ballot. Proposition A was not a charter amendment. The staff memo said the initiative process began December 29, 2023 and that ordering the election was ministerial under Article II, Section 23 of the Charter. The council amended the ballot wording from "establishing a criminal offense" to "and making it unlawful" and adopted the resolution 4-1, Councilmember Craft voting no.[16][17][13]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson
- ✓ Verified
The staff memo for Resolution 08-13-24-2 states that the initiative process began December 29, 2023, that the City Secretary validated the initiating committee's proposed ordinance, and that ordering the election at the committee's request was a ministerial step under Article II, Section 23 of the Charter. The council amended the ballot wording from "establishing a criminal offense" to "and making it unlawful" and adopted the resolution 4-1 (Scherlen, second Tipps), with Councilmember Craft voting no. [17][16]
- ✓ Verified
Stephanie Coggins, City Secretary: The Amarillo Tribune reported that a petition for the ordinance was submitted in April 2024 with more than 10,000 signatures, about 6,500 of which the City Secretary validated; that the council voted down the proposed ordinances on June 11, 2024; and quoted City Secretary Stephanie Coggins: "the power really lies with the citizens on this initiative and referendum process." [13]
· Related development
Council approves a second Baker Tilly addendum, bringing the contract to $87,218.57
The council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Baker Tilly agreement, $28,123.57, to cover "significant revisions to the Charter Review Committee amendment recommendations, including the ordinance," for a total award of $87,218.57 from the City Council working budget. The item was pulled from the consent agenda at Councilmember Craft's request and passed 3-0, with Craft and Simpson abstaining.[21]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes SimpsonBaker Tilly
- ✓ Verified
The City check register lists 4 payments totaling $60,063.80 to Baker Tilly US LLP (February 15 to July 15, 2024) and 4 payments totaling $63,536.77 to Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP (August 5 to October 18, 2024). The register does not tie payments to projects, so these totals may include work other than the charter review. [22]
- Baker tilly us total
- $60,064
- Baker tilly us payments
- 4
- Baker tilly advisory total
- $63,537
- Baker tilly advisory payments
- 4
- ✓ Verified
On August 27, 2024 the council approved Amendment No. 2 to the Baker Tilly agreement, $28,123.57, "to address significant revisions to the Charter Review Committee amendment recommendations, including the ordinance, per direction given by the City Council during their July 16th special meeting," bringing the total award to $87,218.57 (City Council working budget). The motion (Scherlen, second Tipps) passed 3-0, with Craft and Simpson abstaining. [21]
- Amendment 2
- $28,124
- Total award
- $87,219
· Related development
Council shortens the Proposition D ballot language and rewrites Proposition A's
Ordinance 8149 condensed the ballot text of Proposition D (recall) after the Potter and Randall County election administrators said it was too long for paper and electronic ballots; it passed 5-0 on first reading August 27 and on the September 10 consent agenda. On September 10 the council also voted 5-0 for Resolution 09-10-24-1, choosing "option #3" ballot language for Proposition A, with both county election administrators present.[21][20][23]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson
- ✓ Verified
The staff memo for Ordinance 8149 said the Randall and Potter County election administrators identified challenges fitting the Proposition D ballot language onto paper mail ballots and electronic voting machines. The ordinance replaced the latter part of the Proposition D text with "to provide for a validation period and notice to the elected officer and City Council with corresponding recall limitations." It passed 5-0 on first reading August 27, 2024 (Craft, second Simpson) and on second reading on the September 10, 2024 consent agenda, also 5-0. [20][21][23]
- ✓ Verified
On September 10, 2024 the council voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution 09-10-24-1 amending the Proposition A ballot language with "option #3," with the Randall and Potter County election administrators present to answer questions. [23]
· Peak
Voters reject Propositions B, C and D and approve Proposition E
In the November 5, 2024 special election, held jointly with the general election in Potter and Randall counties, voters rejected the seven-member council (B), four-year staggered terms (C) and the recall changes (D), and approved the vacancy and "resign to run" amendment (E). The citizen-initiated abortion ordinance (A) was also rejected. On the City's unofficial election-night count, Proposition C had 60.54% against and Proposition D 50.74% against; Proposition E had 55.05% for.[24][25][26][27]
- ✓ Verified
In a NewsChannel10 explainer, a West Texas A&M University political science professor said a larger council could allow subcommittees and more representation for a growing city, that it "might lead to single member districts" ("We don't know"), and that a larger body could make consensus harder. [28]
- ✓ Verified
In NewsChannel10 explainers, the same professor said four-year terms could produce more experienced council members, raised the question "would the current sitting city council members just give themselves two more years without voting for them?", and said of Proposition D: "They're trying to make it easier to do a recall, particularly if they extend the terms." [29][30]
- ✓ Verified
The City's final unofficial results (10:06 p.m., November 5, 2024) were: Proposition A 27,544 for (40.54%), 40,392 against (59.46%); B 31,541 for (47.57%), 34,764 against (52.43%); C 26,118 for (39.46%), 40,078 against (60.54%); D 31,410 for (49.26%), 32,355 against (50.74%); E 34,643 for (55.05%), 28,287 against (44.95%). The page noted results were not final until canvassed by the council. [24][27]
- Prop a for
- 27,544
- Prop a against
- 40,392
- Prop b for
- 31,541
- Prop b against
- 34,764
- Prop b against
- 52.43%
- Prop c for
- 26,118
- Prop c against
- 40,078
- Prop c against
- 60.54%
- Prop d for
- 31,410
- Prop d against
- 32,355
- Prop d against
- 50.74%
- Prop e for
- 34,643
- Prop e against
- 28,287
- Prop e for
- 55.05%
- ✓ Verified
The counties' official reports give, for the City propositions: Potter County — A 9,602 for / 14,969 against; B 12,222 / 11,638; C 9,579 / 14,233; D 11,437 / 11,432; E 12,576 / 9,994. Randall County — A 17,977 / 25,473; B 19,370 / 23,155; C 16,584 / 25,882; D 20,025 / 20,951; E 22,128 / 18,313. Proposition B had a majority for it in Potter County (51.22%) and against it in Randall County; Proposition D had 5 more votes for than against in Potter County. [25][26]
- Potter b for
- 51.22%
- Potter d margin votes
- 5
- ✓ Verified
Citywide totals for the charter propositions differ slightly between the City's election-night unofficial count and the sum of the two counties' official reports; both show B, C and D failing and E passing.
Reported value 1[24]
- B for
- 31,541
- B against
- 34,764
- C for
- 26,118
- C against
- 40,078
- D for
- 31,410
- D against
- 32,355
- E for
- 34,643
- E against
- 28,287
City of Amarillo final unofficial results, 10:06 p.m. November 5, 2024.
- B for
- 31,592
- B against
- 34,793
- C for
- 26,163
- C against
- 40,115
- D for
- 31,462
- D against
- 32,383
- E for
- 34,704
- E against
- 28,307
Sum of the Potter County official cumulative report (run 11/20/2024) and the Randall County official City of Amarillo canvass (run 11/13/2024); percentages against: B 52.41%, C 60.53%, D 50.72%; E 55.08% for.
- ✓ Verified
The Amarillo Pioneer: The Amarillo Pioneer reported final percentages of 52.41% against Proposition B, 60.53% against C and 50.72% against D, with D failing by 921 votes. [31]
· Resolution
Council canvasses the November 5 special election results
At a special meeting, the council adopted Resolution 11-15-24-1 canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the five-proposition special election, 4-0, with Councilmember Craft absent. The agenda packet for the item included no attachments with the vote totals.[32][33]
Cole StanleyDon TippsTom ScherlenLes SimpsonJosh Craft
- ✓ Verified
On November 15, 2024 the council adopted Resolution 11-15-24-1, canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the November 5 special election, 4-0 (Scherlen, second Simpson), with Councilmember Craft absent. The agenda memo said the City had five propositions on the ballot and listed no attachments. [32][33]
- Unverified
The text of Resolution 11-15-24-1 with the canvassed vote totals was not found in the fetched agenda packet or minutes; the City's November 2024 election page links to the election orders but not to the canvass resolution. [33]
· Resolution
Council adopts Ordinance 8174 codifying Proposition E
Ordinance 8174, amending the Municipal Code to codify the voter-approved amendment to Charter Article V, Section 3 (Proposition E), passed 5-0 on first reading December 10, 2024 and on the January 14, 2025 consent agenda, also 5-0.[34][35]
Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson
- ✓ Verified
Ordinance 8174, amending the Municipal Code to codify the amendment to Charter Article V, Section 3 "passed by voters as 'Proposition E'," passed 5-0 on first reading December 10, 2024 (Simpson, second Scherlen) and as item 8.D of the January 14, 2025 consent agenda, approved 5-0. [34][35]
· Resolution
Mayor and all four council places are on the May 2025 ballot for two-year terms
The City's page for the May 3, 2025 general election lists the Mayor and Councilmember Places One through Four as up for election "for a two-year term," the term length that Proposition C would have changed to four years.[36]
- ✓ Verified
The City lists the Mayor and Councilmember Places One through Four as up for election on May 3, 2025 "for a two-year term." [36]
Related storylines: Moving Amarillo City Hall into the renovated Amarillo Hardware building (2016-2025)Amarillo city manager turnover (2015-2026)The citizen-initiated "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance and Proposition A (2023-2026)