Title
Consider/Discuss Single-Member and At-Large District Composition under the McKinney Home Rule Charter
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: July 22, 2025
DEPARTMENT: Legal
CONTACT: Mark Houser, City Attorney
Gunnar Seaquist, Special Council
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Provide Direction to Staff and Legal Counsel
ITEM SUMMARY:
• In May 2025, the City Council asked staff to present an overview, including options, for amending the McKinney Home Rule Charter through a Charter election, to modify the current composition of Single-Member District members and At-Large members on the City Council. The current McKinney Charter provides for an At-Large Mayor, two (2) At-Large council members and four (4) Single-Member District members. Attorney Gunnar Seaquist (partner at Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta, LLP) and his firm have provided special counsel to the City Council on redistricting matters for many years. Mr. Seaquist will present the legal framework for City Council single-member districts, and he will provide guidance on the process for changing the McKinney Home Rule Charter, if desired.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• In Spring/Summer 2024, the City Council selected a 21-member Charter Commission to study certain sections of the McKinney Home Rule Charter, including those sections governing the composition of city council members. In its report, the Charter Commission did not recommend an election proposition; however, it recommended that further study be undertaken by the City Council in anticipation of the 2030 Census.
• The actual recommendation was, “The City Council further analyze, study, and evaluate changes to the current Council composition.”
• A Charter election was called and held on November 5, 2024, with four (4) propositions included
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A