What is a City Charter?

Home Rule cities must write and adopt a Charter. The Charter is akin to a municipal constitution that is written and adopted by an election of the citizens.  The Charter defines and limits the powers, duties and responsibility of local government based on local preferences and desires.  It defines the form of local government and establishes organizational provisions.  The citizens determine the necessary controls over their city government such as elections, referendums, initiatives and recall, and define the procedures to amend the Charter.  Essentially, the Charter describes and defines local government based on local preferences and controls as opposed to general laws written by the Texas legislature.

First adopted in May, 2013, it is required that the Town Council appoint a citizen's committee to review and recommend any changes to the Charter every 5 years.

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1. What is Home Rule?
2. What is a City Charter?