Conroe - Montgomery Edition | October 2025

Conroe charter changes head to November ballot From the cover

What else?

The full impact

Other proposed charter amendments

Among the proposed amendments are changes to quorum rules, debt limits and recall petitions. Proposition C addresses how many council members must be present to conduct city busi- ness. Currently, the charter counts the mayor toward a quorum, though the mayor mainly votes only to break ties. Scott said the change would eliminate confusion and ensure that “three council members—or two members and the mayor—can- not meet privately to deliberate city matters.” Proposition O would limit the city’s ability to take on debt without voter approval. Scott said the goal is to “prevent some of the bad spending decisions made in the past,” giving residents a direct say on large financial commitments. Per the proposed amendment, exceptions are for neces- sary infrastructure costs. Proposition K would alter how citizens can recall elected officials. The current charter requires signatures from 10% of registered voters. The amendment would raise that threshold to 15%,

When Conroe voters decide Nov. 4 whether to approve the 15 charter amendments to the city charter, it will be the first update since 2014. The changes range from procedural clarifications to a possible restructuring of city government. Scott said the amendments aim to reflect Conroe’s growth and streamline efforts. “Staff may be actively working on a project or issue, only to be diverted by ... council members pursuing their own priorities,” he said. “This can result in the disruption of day-to-day operations, as staff must shift focus to accommodate what one member deems most important at that moment.” Proposition A would shift Conroe to a council–manager system, which Scott said “maintains accountability while promoting streamlined governance.” “By contrast, the Council/Manager form of government offers a more efficient and effective approach,” he said. Under the model, the city manager acts as chief executive officer, carrying out council’s policies and overseeing departments, while council sets policy. If approved, amendments take effect once results are canvassed, Scott said. If some fail, council can consider them again in future elections, though state law already applies to some provisions. Explaining Prop A Voters will decide whether Conroe should shift from its current council-city administrator model to a council–city manager form of government.

The November ballot will include 15 propositions (A–O). Among them:

City boards: Proposition G specifies members of city boards and commissions shall be nominated by the mayor or a council member. Officials’ compensation: Proposition H would limit the mayor’s and council members’ compensation to no more than $400/month and no more than $300/month, respectively. Emergency management: Proposition J specifies that in times of disaster, the mayor shall serve as the emergency management director.

SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

calculated from the last general city election, per the proposed charter amendment. “The issues at stake go beyond routine govern- ment business,” council member David Hairel said. “They are decisions that will chart the city’s governance path for years to come.”

Diving in deeper

in July. After reviewing suggestions, the council advanced 15 amendments out of 17 to the Novem- ber ballot during an Aug. 14 council meeting. The two proposed amendments that did not reach the ballot would’ve changed rules around term lengths and limits, and where the mayor and council members could have physical offices. “The citizens were very engaged in the process which was truly encouraging,” Scott said. However, resident Tanya Maddux with Conroe, Vote No, a grassroots citizen group, said the town halls were “conducted in a way that limited public participation, with minimal notice and inconve- nient scheduling.”

Conroe’s charter, first adopted in 1965, was last amended in 2014. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, the city had about 56,207 residents. Today, Conroe’s population exceeds 110,000. Since 1992, the only charter revision came in 2014, when voters approved four-year terms for council members and the municipal court judge. Unlike this year’s effort, that process did not involve town halls, Scott said. In March, Mayor Duke Coon raised questions about the city’s definition of quorum. The issue prompted Coon to consult Texas Attorney Gen- eral Ken Paxton. Council ultimately voted to let citizens decide. To engage residents, the city held two town halls

Current

Proposed

• Conroe City Council sets

policy and often directs staff on specific tasks. administrator supports council decisions and acts on council’s request. • Day-to-day operations are • The city influenced more directly by City Council input.

policy only; it does not directly manage staff or departments. • A professional city manager , hired by council, acts as the chief executive officer of the city. • The city manager oversees daily operations, manages staff and ensures policies are carried out consistently.

Timeline of charter events

1999: Charter election (failed): held to make the municipal court judge an appointed position

July 28: Second and final town hall held

1960

2025

1965: Charter created

1992: Charter election (failed): held to change to council–manager

July 17: First town hall held to discuss the current charter amendment process

1971: Ordinance created the city administration position in the charter, not an election

May 10, 2014: Charter election (passed): held to amend term limits

Aug. 14: Council approved sending 15 proposed charter amendments to voters

Nov. 4: Election Day

SOURCE: CITY OF CONROE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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