District B receives multiple applications
With the application deadline for city council positions coming to an end February 17, area city council groups have been searching for applicants.
The City of Levelland City Council has two council positions on the ballot: District B and District D.
For this year’s election, Council Members Mary Engledow and Michael Stueart’s positions will be up for re-election.
City Secretary Andrea Corley has informed the News-Press that Councilman Stueart has submitted his application for re-election for District D.
As of 12 p.m. Friday, Velvet Cardona and Max Ledesma have submitted their applications for District B. The City of Levelland would like to remind the community that any citizen residing in the mentioned districts during their election period are always encouraged to consider running for a council seat.
The Council seats are specific to the district that will be represented. In order to apply for a place on the ballot, potential candidates must provide proof that he or she is a registered voter in the district being represented.
In addition, only those citizens who are registered in the specific district can vote in the election.
Council Members are elected for a two-year term, so voters have an election for City Council in their district every other year.
Districts A&C elections are held in even numbered years and Districts B&D are held in odd numbered years.
From January 18 through February 17, candidates were encouraged to turn in applications for a place on the ballot for the May 6, general election.
Candidates were required to turn in Campaign Treasurer Appointment forms before or at the same time as the application for a spot on the ballot.
Additional dates for the election process are as follows: The January semi-annual Campaign Finance Report was due January 17.
Drawing for a place on the ballot, for contested races will be held February 23, at City Hall at 3 p.m.
That will be for districts that contain two or more individuals running in the same district.
If there is only one person running for the council chair in a particular district, there will be no election and the individuals will be sworn the following council meeting after the election results are revealed The 30th day before the Election Campaign Finance Report is due is April 6.
The last day to register to vote is April 6.
Early voting will begin at the Elections Office April 24.
The eighth day before the Election Campaign Finance Report is due is April 28.
Election Day is May 6, followed by the July Semiannual Campaign Finance Report being due July 14.
City Manager Andrea Corley explained that if there are no opposing candidates for each position, that position will not have to go through the election process.
“If there is only one candidate for a position, we will call the election final for that position and they will be sworn in, in May after election day,” explained Corley.
Additional information regarding council members and the role each elected official takes on is included within the charter that the city government must adhere too.
The governing and lawmaking body for the City of Levelland shall be the “City Council of the City of Levelland” and shall consist of a mayor and four council members.
The five persons holding such positions shall constitute the city council of the City of Levelland, shall be the only elective offices of the city, and shall be elected, hold office, and compensated.
Any qualified voter who resides within the City of Levelland, who is a citizen of the United States, and who meets the eligibility requirements of the laws of Texas shall have the right to seek election to the office of council member or Mayor.
In addition, anyone seeking election to the council member positions for District A, B, C or D must have resided within that district for six months prior to the first day on which candidates may submit application to be placed on the ballot for election.
Persons seeking election to the office of Mayor may have resided within the corporate limits of the City of Levelland for six months prior to the first day on which candidates may submit application to be placed on the ballot for election.
The boundaries of Districts A, B, C and D shall be as they have existed since February 27, 1985.
After each federal census, the city shall by resolution make adjustments in the boundaries of each District as are necessary to, ensure that each district has approximately equal population and ensure that the population of at least one district is predominantly composed of persons belonging to minority racial and ethnic groups.
The mayor shall receive a salary in an amount to be fixed by the city council, but which amount shall in no event be more than $50 per month or less than $25 per month.
Each councilman shall receive the sum five dollars for each meeting of the council attended by him, provided that no councilman shall receive a greater compensation than $25 per month.
The council holds at least one regular meeting in each month at a time fixed by it for such regular meetings and may hold as many additional meetings during the month as may be necessary for the transaction of the business of the city and its citizens.
The council may hold such special meetings as it deems necessary and appropriate. Special meetings are called by the city secretary upon request of the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem in the absence of the Mayor, City Manager, or a majority of the members of the council.
This packet contains all necessary forms needed to apply as a candidate, as well as information on campaign finance reporting, advertising and information on the City Charter as it relates to City Council Members.
Candidate forms supplied in the packet are always available on the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Ethics Commission websites.