Meetings set to explain charter options on ballot

The decision to leave Willow Park as a general-law city or make a change to home-rule will be put before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot. In the meantime, as a way to inform citizens about what they will be voting on, a series of three sessions have been scheduled.

Each meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Willow Park Baptist Church, 777 Crown Pointe Blvd. The first meeting was happening at press time on Oct. 8, followed by subsequent gatherings on Oct. 13 and Oct. 22. 

Willow Park City Manager Toni Fisher noted these meetings are not sanctioned by the city and are being held by the now defunct Home Rule Charter Commission that was disbanded by City Council after submitting its draft charter months ago. She said city officials are prohibited from speaking on the matter now that it is being put before the public.

The city also sent a copy of the proposed charter to every eligible voter through the mail to study before going to the polls.

Home-rule push

A push to change Willow Park to a home-rule city began following the election of Teresa Palmer as mayor in 2025. It is also driven by Willow Park having a population of more than 7,700, according to World Population Review.

In Texas, cities with less than 5,000 in population must operate under general law, with powers strictly limited by state statute. Once a city reaches more than 5,000 in population it becomes eligible for home rule status, allowing for more broad self-governing powers.

These include the ability to pass any regulation or ordinance not specifically prohibited by the state or federal constitution and laws. A home-rule city can do anything authorized by its charter, which is voted on by the citizens (hence, the upcoming election) that falls within state and federal guidelines.

However, an increase in qualification does not mean a city has to automatically switch to home rule. 

Other differences

Other basic differences between Willow Park’s current status and the proposed change include:

• The mayor having a vote on every agenda item. Currently, the mayor can only vote to break a tie, which isn’t often given the council has five members.
• Increasing the council from five to six members. At first, the sixth member would be appointed by council and mayor, with the seat coming up for election for terms hereafter.
• Increasing mayoral and council terms from two years to three years. There are also no term limits.
• The ability of citizens to remove officials through recall elections. General-law cities have no right of recall without filing a petition in the district and having a trial. Under home rule, citizens can propose an ordinance or force the council to reconsider or repeal an ordinance. Each requires a petition signed by the lesser of 30 percent of those who voted in the last city election or 10 percent of the city’s registered voters. 
• Creating an independent board of ethics under home rule. 

An electronic version of the proposed charter may be found on the Willow Park City website at https://www.willowparktx.gov/.

Infrastructure debt also in front of voters

Willow Park voters will also decide whether or not to approve $10.11 million in certificates of obligation for water, sewer, street, and drainage work. A story about that will appear in next week’s issue of The Community News.