City Council

About

The City Council is the legislative and policy-making body of the City of Abilene, a home-rule city, operating under the authority of the city charter, adopted in 1962. The council enacts legislation, adopts the budget, sets the tax rate, determines policies, approves the Mayor’s appointment of the City Manager, City Secretary, City Attorney, Municipal Court Judge, and all Boards and Commissions members.

Six City Councilors represent each of six places in the city (three north of South 1st Street and three south of South 1st) but are elected and serve at-large, representing all the citizens of Abilene. Councilors serve staggered three-year terms with two members up for reelection each year.

Rules of Procedure

The City Council operates under the following Rules of Procedure (PDF).

Term Limits

The Mayor is also elected at large and also serves a three-year term. There are no term limits for either the Council or the Mayor.

Setting Policies

The Council receives information from the following groups to decide issues and set policy:

Decisions and advice from City Boards and Commissions
Inquiries and information from citizens
Professional advisers/consultants as needed
Recommendations from City staff based upon study and analysis

Elections

The Mayor and Members of the City Council shall be elected at-large. Such term for Council members shall be on a three-year staggered basis and the Mayor shall also serve for a term of three years. The Mayor and each Councilmember shall receive compensation at a rate of one ($1) dollar per year of service. (Section 6 and 8, Charter)

The regular election to places on the Council shall be held on the first Saturday in May of each year.

Runoff Election

A runoff election required to be held as a result of an election held on the first Saturday in May of each year shall be held not earlier than the 20th day or later than the 45th day after the date of the final canvass of the first election. (Section 2025, Texas Election Code)

Additional Information

View more information about elections.

Qualifications

At least 21 years of age
A citizen and qualified voter of the State of Texas and the City
The Mayor may be a resident of any part of the City
Neither the Mayor nor any member of the Council shall hold any other office or employment under City Government while a member of the Council, nor hold any other paid employment under City Government within two years thereafter unless such employment be an elective office
Residence requirements shall be effective only as of the date of the election of each member of the Council, but a member of the Council or the Mayor ceasing to reside in the City shall immediately forfeit office
Shall have resided within the City for at least 12 months preceding election day
Three members of Council shall be residents of the City north of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company mainline, and three shall be residents of the City south of the Texas and Pacific Railroad Company mainline

Meetings

2nd and 4th Thursdays during the months of January - September
1st and 3rd Thursdays during the months of November - December
For the month of October, regular meetings will be held at either the 1st or 3rd Thursday of the month, or the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, depending on the meeting date of the Texas Municipal League’s Annual Meeting.
Meetings are held at 8:30 am unless otherwise noted.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
555 Walnut Street
Abilene, TX 79601
At times, the Mayor and City Council meet in a special session to discuss urgent matters.
Watch meetings live & on demand