Case File 26-1154
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Discussion and possible action on an ordinance placing City Charter amendments on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, as requested by Council Members Carolyn Vaughn, Kaylynn Paxson, and Gil Hernandez: Election to: 1. increase city council terms to four years, 2. staggering council terms, 3. increase term limits, 4. creating council member at-large places 1, 2, and 3, 5. requiring at-large council member elections to be decided by majority vote, 6. requiring elections for unexpired terms more than 12 months, 7. increase city council members' salary to the equivalent of federal minimum wage for full-time employees and the mayor's salary to 25% above city council members' salary, 8. increase the number of registered voters required for a petition to initiate the removal process, 9. increase the required vote for removal of city council members to two-thirds of the council members holding office, and 10. authorizing a two-cent property tax for streets and roadway infrastructure
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Confirm election filing deadline for Corpus Christi charter votes
Why now: Council Member Cantu's July 28 motion tabled the propositions 'indefinitely,' not to a date certain, one week after Deputy City Attorney Buck Brice briefed Council on the 2020 Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee's proposed propositions 1-4 and next steps.
What to do: Council tabled all four charter propositions (Items 19-22) indefinitely on July 28 rather than approving ballot language, which likely forecloses this election cycle unless a new motion revives them — verify whether the county's deadline to certify charter amendment language for the next municipal election has already passed.
Act before: After municipal election ballot certification deadline passes
Ask why Corpus Christi tabled charter reform indefinitely
Why now: Council Member Cantu moved (seconded by Council Member Vaughn) to table Items 19-22 indefinitely on July 28, reversing the forward-looking tone of the July 21 briefing on the 2020 Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee.
What to do: On July 21 staff framed the four charter propositions around 'potential next steps,' then a week later Council killed them with an indefinite tabling motion and no stated reason on the record — pull Buck Brice's presentation materials and ask Council Member Cantu directly why the item was tabled outright rather than continued to a set date.
Act before: After records request response (typically 10 business days)
Target Cantu and Vaughn to revive Corpus Christi charter votes
Why now: Council Member Cantu moved and Council Member Vaughn seconded the July 28 vote to table Items 19-22 indefinitely, the specific procedural act now standing between these propositions and any future ballot placement.
What to do: Because Cantu's indefinite-tabling motion (seconded by Vaughn) killed Items 19-22 outright, reviving any of the four charter propositions now requires a fresh council motion — approach Cantu, Vaughn, or Mayor Guajardo before the next agenda cycle while the Ad Hoc Committee's July 21 groundwork is still recent.
Act before: After next hearing on this item
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Timeline
Deputy City Attorney Buck Brice presented information on the following topics: 2020 Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee; potential next steps; motion to include proposition 1 in a special election ordinance; motion to include proposition 2 in a special election ordinance; motion to include proposition 3 in a special election ordinance; motion to include proposition 4 in a special election ordinance; motion to include proposition 5 in a special election ordinance; motion to include proposition 6 in a special election ordinance; and motion to include proposition 7 in a special election ordinance. City Manager Peter Zanoni, Deputy City Attorney Brice, and City Secretary Rebecca Huerta responded to Council questions. Mayor Guajardo opened public comment. Susie Luna Saldana, Corpus Christi, TX and Isaiah Dallas, Agua Dulce, TX, spoke. Mayor Guajardo closed public comment. Council Member Paxson moved for the next council to create a committee to review proposed charter amendments, seconded by Council Member Roy. This Motion was passed and approved with the following vote:
Discussion and possible action on an ordinance placing City Charter amendments on the ballot for the November 3, 2026, as requested by Council Members Carolyn Vaughn, Kaylynn Paxson, and Gil Hernandez: Election to: 1. increase city council terms to four years, 2. staggering council terms, 3. increase term limits, 4. creating council member at-large places 1, 2, and 3, 5. requiring at-large council member elections to be decided by majority vote, 6. requiring elections for unexpired terms more than 12 months, 7. increase city council members' salary to the equivalent of federal minimum wage for full-time employees and the mayor's salary to 25% above city council members' salary, 8. increase the number of registered voters required for a petition to initiate the removal process, 9. increase the required vote for removal of city council members to two-thirds of the council members holding office, and 10. authorizing a two-cent property tax for streets and roadway infrastructure
Vote: 6 for, 3 against
table Items 19-22 until July 28, 2026
Single motion tabled Items 19 through 22 until July 28, 2026