Municipal Offices

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Mayor

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Mayors manage the operations of their city, often recommending legislative actions and agendas to the city council or city board. Depending on the city’s structure, the Mayor’s responsibilities may include providing oversight of all departments and appointing department leadership, including police, fire, education, housing, and transportation; managing the city’s budget; presiding over council/board meetings; vetoing laws, if allowed by the city charter; appearing at ceremonial events and as a spokesperson for the community; and proposing solutions to address local issues. The mayor is elected by and represents voters all throughout the city. This is usually a part-time, paid position.

 

Candidates for mayor in most cities must be 18 years old, registered to vote in the city, a Texas resident for one year, and a resident of the city for six months. Mayoral candidates in some cities need to have been a resident of the city for one year. Home rule cities may have additional requirements. In most cities, the mayor serves a 2-year term, but in some cities the term may be 1, 3, or 4 years.

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City Councilor/Alderman/Commissioner

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As the city’s legislative body, the City Council, Board of Aldermen, or City Commission is responsible for the implementation of programs and services provided by the city, as well as hearing the concerns of local citizens. They decide on basic city policy and act as liaisons between the city and the general public. They also supervise administrative officers, make changes to local ordinances, set the city budget, and consider plans for future development in the city. The council member, alderman, or commissioner may be elected by and represent voters all throughout the city (serving at-large) or voters in a portion (district) of the city. This is usually a part-time, paid position.

 

Candidates for city office must be 18 years old, registered to vote in the city, a Texas resident for one year, and a resident of the city or district for six months. Some home rule cities may have additional requirements. Terms vary from 2 to 4 years, depending on the city.

 

 

School District Offices

 

School Board Member

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The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the school district and is responsible for the educational experience of all students in the local public schools within their independent school district (ISD). The school board hires and evaluates the district superintendent, sets district goals and policies, approves the annual budget, negotiates employee contracts, makes decisions about the curriculum and textbooks, and establishes district-wide policies. School board members or trustees may be elected by and represent voters all throughout the ISD (serving at-large) or in a portion (district) of the ISD. This is a part-time, unpaid position.

 

Candidates for school board must be 18 years old, registered to vote in the district in which they are running, a Texas resident for one year, and a resident of the district in which they are running for six months.