{"id":768135,"date":"2026-05-02T12:21:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T12:21:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/768135\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T12:21:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T12:21:16","slug":"fort-worth-voters-weigh-council-salary-raises-city-manager-authority-in-charter-election","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/768135\/","title":{"rendered":"Fort Worth voters weigh council salary raises, city manager authority in charter election"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"&quot;byline&quot;\">by Drew Shaw, Fort Worth Report <br \/>May 2, 2026<\/p>\n<p>Fort Worth voters will weigh nine amendments to the city charter today, including changes to provide pay raises for council members and shift authority within City Hall.<\/p>\n<p>Polls are open on May 2 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarrantcountytx.gov\/content\/dam\/main\/elections\/2026\/en26\/locations\/EN26_Vote_Center_Locations.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">these locations across Tarrant County<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Proposed changes include doubling the salaries of mayor and council members, allowing the city manager to make certain changes to departments without a City Council vote, and streamlining several internal processes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The charter serves as the playbook for a city\u2019s government structure as well as setting out the powers and responsibilities of its elected officials. Municipalities can call a charter election once every two years to ask residents to authorize or reject amendments.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fort Worth\u2019s next chance to change the charter will be in 2028.<br \/>About 1.7% of the city\u2019s registered voters cast ballots in person during early voting, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarrantcountytx.gov\/en\/elections\/current-election-information.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tarrant County elections office<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Get your election results from the Report<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll be reporting the unofficial results of tonight\u2019s elections on this story as they start coming in at 7 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Find our coverage of more items on Tarrant County\u2019s ballots at our <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/election-central\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Elections Central<\/a>, and make sure you\u2019re signed up for our <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/signup\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">news alerts<\/a> to have the live results mailed directly to your inbox.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s on the ballot?<\/p>\n<p>Find detailed reporting on each proposition at the links below, or visit the Report\u2019s voting guide.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/?p=489850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition G<\/a>: To approximately double the mayor\u2019s and council members\u2019 salaries from $29,000 and $25,000, respectively, to $60,000 and $50,000.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/04\/fort-worth-asks-voters-to-remove-city-leaderships-right-to-public-hearing-before-firing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition H<\/a>: Removes department heads\u2019 right to demand a written statement and a public hearing if fired by the city manager.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/04\/fort-worth-asks-voters-to-remove-city-leaderships-right-to-public-hearing-before-firing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition I<\/a>: Removes council-appointed staff\u2019s right to demand a written statement and a public hearing if fired by City Council.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/?p=489850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition J<\/a>: Allows City Council members to approve the city\u2019s annual budget at the same meeting as their public hearing on the document.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/13\/fort-worth-seeks-to-streamline-trash-public-service-requirements-with-may-charter-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition K<\/a>: Removes requirements for public service corporations to submit annual reports to the city.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/13\/fort-worth-seeks-to-streamline-trash-public-service-requirements-with-may-charter-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition L<\/a>: Removes a requirement for City Council to vote on whether businesses like trash collectors can use city streets to operate. Staff would instead have authority.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/01\/fort-worth-city-manager-would-have-more-authority-under-charter-amendment-on-may-ballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition M<\/a>: Allows the city manager to create, abolish and reorganize city departments without a vote from council, as long as those departments are not among the six required by the charter.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/04\/fort-worth-asks-voters-to-remove-city-leaderships-right-to-public-hearing-before-firing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition N<\/a>: Changes city election timelines to align with updated state laws.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/13\/fort-worth-charter-election-asks-to-update-language-on-documenting-payment-claims\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Proposition O<\/a>: Updates the language officials use to document payment claims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>One proposed amendment would <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/?p=489850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">about double the mayor\u2019s and council members\u2019 salaries<\/a> from $29,000 and $25,000, respectively, to $60,000 and $50,000. If approved, the raises would go into effect in October, at the start of the 2027 fiscal year.<\/p>\n<p>This will be the third time the City Council has asked voters for a raise since 2016. Residents have shot down Fort Worth\u2019s two previous attempts.<\/p>\n<p>Another proposition seeks to <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/04\/01\/fort-worth-city-manager-would-have-more-authority-under-charter-amendment-on-may-ballot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">give the city manager the power<\/a> to create, abolish and consolidate departments without a council vote, as long as those areas are not required by city charter. Currently, only the council can create, discontinue or combine departments.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0131-CityCouncilWorksession-MC-09-2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"(Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)\" class=\"wp-image-468824\"\/>City Manager Jay Chapa and Mayor Mattie Parker watch a presentation at a Fort Worth City Council work session March 31, 2026. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n<p>City staff have argued that the change would increase City Hall\u2019s efficiency while still retaining the council\u2019s authority over the city manager, whom they hire. This proposition, among several others, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DXhkUsWCdTu\/?igsh=djFuNDMxYjNlNzdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">drawn criticism<\/a> from local progressive groups and the Tarrant County Democratic Party for the autonomy it gives to the unelected city manager.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Tarrant County Republican Party has not made any official recommendations for the charter election.<\/p>\n<p>The amendments would appear lower on residents\u2019 ballots, below the city\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/01\/27\/fort-worth-plans-to-devote-5m-more-to-affordable-housing-after-feedback-from-residents-council-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">$845 million bond proposal<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This spring\u2019s ballot also will include at least one <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/02\/02\/first-time-candidates-file-to-fill-fort-worth-city-council-district-10-seat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">City Council seat<\/a> as Alan Blaylock steps down to <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2025\/10\/27\/mercy-culture-pastor-texas-rep-nate-schatzline-joining-trumps-national-faith-board\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">run for a seat in the Texas House<\/a> representing Fort Worth.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Editor\u2019s note: This story will be updated with election results throughout the evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/05\/02\/fort-worth-voters-weigh-council-salary-raises-city-manager-authority-in-charter-election\/mailto:drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org<\/a>or <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/shawlings601\" rel=\"nofollow\">@shawlings601<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy <a href=\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/about\/fort-worth-report-editorial-independence-policy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This &lt;a target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; href=&#8221;https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/05\/02\/fort-worth-voters-weigh-council-salary-raises-city-manager-authority-in-charter-election\/&#8221;&gt;article&lt;\/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; href=&#8221;https:\/\/fortworthreport.org&#8221;&gt;Fort Worth Report&lt;\/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; href=&#8221;https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nd\/4.0\/&#8221;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&#8221;https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/cropped-favicon.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;quality=80&amp;amp;ssl=1&#8243; style=&#8221;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&#8221;&gt;<\/p>\n<p>&lt;img id=&#8221;republication-tracker-tool-source&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=522100&amp;amp;ga4=2820184429&#8243; style=&#8221;width:1px;height:1px;&#8221;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &#8220;https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/2026\/05\/02\/fort-worth-voters-weigh-council-salary-raises-city-manager-authority-in-charter-election\/&#8221;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;\/script&gt; &lt;script id=&#8221;parsely-cfg&#8221; src=&#8221;\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/fortworthreport.org\/p.js&#8221;&gt;&lt;\/script&gt;<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"by Drew Shaw, Fort Worth Report May 2, 2026 Fort Worth voters will weigh nine amendments to the&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":768136,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5138],"tags":[5229,90,7371,291789,7372,289259,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969],"class_list":{"0":"post-768135","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fort-worth","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-elections","10":"tag-fort-worth","11":"tag-fort-worth-city-charter","12":"tag-fortworth","13":"tag-may-2-election","14":"tag-texas","15":"tag-tx","16":"tag-united-states","17":"tag-united-states-of-america","18":"tag-unitedstates","19":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","20":"tag-us","21":"tag-usa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116504961163082697","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=768135"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/768135\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/768136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=768135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=768135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=768135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}