|
|
Post by mikesnyder on Jan 9, 2023 19:39:15 GMT
I've asked for an agenda item regarding the City Council discussing and possibly acting on adopting a Resolution defining "residency" as it pertains to the Hutto Charter as well as that of the City Manager. We have a couple of business/land owners who may fall into the vague "residency" as we have talked about and they have shared interest in running for Hutto City Council coming up.
I'm not thinking that this is the intent of "residency" and that we could easily define it for what I think all of Hutto citizens intend for it to be.
That said, you all know that I always like a good conversation on things like this and would love to hear other's opinions. There might be a contingent on City Council who think that a business owner should be able to run for office if they use their business as their "residency". If so, I'd like to hear your thoughts as they are taxpayers.
|
|
|
|
Post by petergordonplace4 on Jan 10, 2023 21:05:48 GMT
I would welcome a discussion and possible action to define residency until such time it can be added to the Charter. Some criteria I can think of could be:
1. The address listed on their voter registration
2. The address listed on their TX driver license
3. The address of their homesteaded property (if a homeowner or multiple homeowner).
|
|
|
|
Post by Randal Clark Place 3 on Jan 11, 2023 16:47:55 GMT
Section 5.02 of the city charter already makes it clear that ETJ or business owners are not eligible. It defines you must be registered voter of the City which ETJ or Business owners only owning business property inside Hutto are unable to do. The charter further defines that a candidate must have resided inside the corporate limits of the city for the preceding 12 months as well as be at least 18. The registered voter list is controlled by the county and a file of it is also kept by the office the City Secretary. At the State level, additional rules also apply to Home Rule cities stating we can make age limits up to 21 and that you can't require property ownership as an ability to run for office. HB 484 also defines that being a registered voter of the incorporated limits is a State Law as well therefore your concerns raised are already covered as they are forbidden already by charter and State Law. Lastly, as I understand it you can't control voting rules by ordinance only by Charter and State Law. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by mikesnyder on Jan 18, 2023 20:51:44 GMT
So, a person can register to vote and use the address of their business. The charter talking about "residing" in the city limits is the issue. What is the definition of "reside"?? Until we define residency, a person can easily claim residency.
I also don't think 5.02 is clear. A business owner living in Oregon can legally be registered to vote in Hutto if they own property in Hutto, and after that, it's all based on what "residing" means. Which, right now, we say that you can live in another city and still "reside" in Hutto.
|
|
