Fourteen proposed changes to Stafford's Home Rule Charter moved closer to the ballot Wednesday after the City Council took up an ordinance calling a special election at its Aug. 5 meeting.

The charter election ordinance was the headline item on a 15-item agenda that also included a new cyber incident response plan, a license plate reader agreement, a Stafford Economic Development Corporation-funded park construction project and an amendment to the city's solid waste contract with Green for Life Environmental.

The council met at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2610 South Main St. Vote outcomes were not available at publication time.

Charter amendments head toward ballot

The proposed charter overhaul has been months in the making. A seven-member Charter Review Commission chaired by Greg Holsapple met from October 2025 through June 2026, reviewing the city's governing document and voting unanimously on March 19 to send 14 recommended amendments to the council.

The amendments cover mayoral duties and compensation, Mayor Pro Tem selection by seniority, a one-year post-service employment ban for elected officials, quarterly financial reconciliation by the Finance Director, auditor rotation, restrictions on transfers from restricted funds including hotel occupancy tax and SEDC revenues, drainage infrastructure additions, franchise holder repair obligations and a new independent ethics board.

The council and commission held a joint meeting July 13 to review the recommendations. The City of Stafford confirmed on its official X account on July 14 that the council reviewed, considered and voted on recommended charter changes at that session.

Stafford voters last amended the charter at a special election on May 12, 2012. The specific ballot date for the upcoming election was not listed in the published agenda packet.

Cybersecurity and public safety

On the consent agenda, the council considered a resolution adopting a Cyber Incident Response Plan for city information systems, networks and data. IT Director Ryan Young developed the plan as part of the city's five-year technology plan, according to his July 15 memo to Mayor Ken Mathew and the council.

The city paid $18,500 for a network penetration test in January and conducted a tabletop exercise simulating a cyber attack before the plan was drafted. The plan aligns with federal NIST and CISA cybersecurity frameworks. Christopher Lariscy, a certified information systems security professional, authored it.

Also on the consent agenda: a resolution approving a license plate reader agreement with the East Fort Bend County Development Authority. Terms were not detailed in the published packet.

Park project and solid waste contract

The council held a public hearing on a resolution to approve an SEDC-funded project for construction and improvement of public park facilities. The project's dollar amount, location and scope were not specified in available agenda materials.

The SEDC Capital Projects fund held $14.8 million in investments as of June 30, part of a total city investment portfolio of $51.2 million that earned $1.48 million in interest income for the period, according to a report prepared by Chief Financial Officer Alka Shah.

The council also considered Amendment No. 1 to its solid waste contract with GFL. Specific terms were not detailed in the packet.

No-property-tax model underpins spending

Stafford has maintained zero city property tax since 1995, relying on sales tax, hotel occupancy tax and SEDC revenues. The agenda was dense. Mayor Mathew reaffirmed that commitment in his January 2025 State of the City address: "There is no urgency for reimposing the Property Tax... Let me also say 'count me also as a No Vote for Property Tax.'"

Other items on the Aug. 5 agenda included traffic calming devices in Missouri City Estates, brought by Councilmember William Bostic Jr.; road issues on Cravens Road and occupancy permits, both brought by Councilmember Wen Guerra; and a proclamation honoring Jack Jebbia.

City Secretary Roxanne Benitez certified and posted the agenda on July 30. Residents can view the full packet on the city's meeting portal.