The Shallowater City Council

POWERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

All powers of the city and the determination of all matters of policy shall be vested in the council. Without limitation of the foregoing, and among the other powers that may be exercised by the council, the following are hereby enumerated for greater certainty:

•  To appoint and remove the City Administrator.
• To establish other administrative departments and distribute the work of divisions and to abolish or consolidate said departments and divisions.
• Adopt the budget of the City of Shallowater.
• Inquire into the conduct of any officers, departments or agency of the city and make investigations as to
  municipal affairs.
• To appoint the necessary commissions and boards to assist the council in the performance of its duties and responsibilities, such powers subject to the restrictions of this charter and the laws of the State of Texas.
• Adopt plats.
• Adopt and modify the official map of the city.
• Authorize the issuance of bonds by a bond ordinance.
• Adopt and modify the zoning plan and the building code of the City.
• Provide for an independent yearly audit.
• Fix salaries and compensation of non-elective city offices and employees.
• Compromise and settle any and all claims and lawsuits of every kind and character in favor of or against the City.

VACANCIES

A vacancy occurring in the council, including the office of mayor, shall be filled by a person having the qualifications of an elective official of the city and selected in the following manner: If a single vacancy occurs and the council member's seat which is vacated has less than one year remaining, then the council may appoint a successor to serve the remainder of the term. If the position that is vacated has more than one year remaining, then the council shall appoint a successor to serve until the next regular city election at which time the position will be placed on the ballot for the unexpired term. If two or more vacancies occur at one time, a special election shall be called by the remaining members of the council in accordance with the Election Code to fill the vacancies for the unexpired terms.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL

The city council shall hold at least one regular meeting in each month, at a time to be fixed by it for such regular meetings, and may hold as many additional regular or emergency meetings during the month as may be necessary for the transaction of the business of the city and its citizens. All meetings of the City Council must be conducted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, as amended, or successor statute.

VOTING POWERS OF THE COUNCIL

In all matters of consideration before the city council, equal voting powers are hereby bestowed upon the mayor and each council member. The mayor shall vote on each issue along with the council members and a majority vote of the city council shall determine the outcome of the question.
City Council regular meetings are held on 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00p.m. Agendas and minutes are posted on website under Agendas & Minutes.

City of Shallowater Government

The City of Shallowater is a Type A General Law city, governed locally by an elected City Council consisting of a Mayor and five Aldermen.

The City of Shallowater has a Mayor-Council Structure

• The mayor is the ceremonial head of government and presides over the council or board of aldermen meetings.
• The council sets meetings.
• The council sets policy.
• Broad administrative authority is vested with the mayor and members of the council with an administrator and designated department heads appointed by the mayor and council.

Basic Services Provided

The basic services provided by the city are as follows:

• Public Safety: police, fire, and ambulance service
• Utilities: water and sewer, and trash collection
• Land Use: planning, zoning, code enforcement, and other regulatory activities
• Transportation: street maintenance
• Recreation/Culture: Young City Park and Splash Pad
• Legal: ordinances protecting the public health, safety, and welfare of the City of Shallowater

2024 City of Shallowater Elected Official Election

Starting Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 – 2024 Election Candidate Packets may be picked up from the Shallowater City Hall located at 801 Avenue G, Shallowater, Texas, 79363, between the hours of 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. Monday -Friday and must be returned to the same address to the attention of the City Secretary by end of business Friday, February 16th, 2024.

2024 Candidate Packet

CAMPAIGN SIGNAGE

Temporary, unlighted political signs supporting an announced candidate, a party, or an issue shall be allowed in any district and placed in any yard for a period of thirty (30) days prior to any election, and shall be removed within ten (10) days after the election or run-off election to which the sign pertains or after the termination of candidacy, whichever occurs first. No sign shall be erected without the permission of the owner. No such sign shall have a height of more than three (3) feet above grade, and the combined area of all political signs on a property shall not exceed four (4) square feet for every forty (40) lineal feet of property frontage or fraction thereof.