Runoff For Mansfield Mayor On December 8, 2020
In the November election Mansfield voters had seven propositions to vote on, creating a lengthy ballot. All seven of the propositions were amendments to the Mansfield Home Rule Charter, needed to update the charter. There will be a runoff election on December 8 for Mayor of Mansfield between Michael Evans and Brent Newsom.
Mr. Evans released a video on his campaign Facebook page saying “zero negativity” will be tolerated as they continue to campaign for Mayor. At the time of publication, Mr. Newsom had not released or published a statement on his campaign page.
There’s also a runoff for Mansfield City Council Place 2 with Scot Bowman vs. Tamera Bounds. Early voting will start November 23, December 4 with Election Day on December 8, 2020.
Mr. Bowman posted this on his campaign Facebook page, “You’ve probably heard, there was no clear winner for Mansfield City Council Place 2 in Tuesday’s election. The top two finishers, myself and Tamera Bounds, will be heading to the December 8th runoff election. Early voting opens the Monday before Thanksgiving (11/23). Specifics on dates, times and locations will be available later. I hope those that supported me in the November 3 election will continue their support and come vote for me again in this runoff election. I appreciate each and everyone of you who have come out to show your support. If you would like to help in this runoff election please send me a message.”
Ms. Bounds shared the following on Facebook, “First, I want to take a moment to thank all that ran a great Campaign! We all worked very hard and often together to make sure the voters were informed and had what they needed to vote. This is part of our wonderful democracy process that gives us a voice to choose! I feel like in some way, it was participating in historical moments that blazed a path no one has gone through before! And it was a journey I will not forget!
I want to thank all of you that came out to vote in the heat, cold and rain to show your support for me! I especially loved talking to everyone of you that I met! My volunteers were phenomenal and their dedication was unwavering, even when the weather was intolerable! Last night’s numbers for City Council Place 2 blew me away and is very encouraging. I came in with a total of 10,108 votes or 42.96% of total votes, y’all!!! I feel Blessed!! Thank You! Thank You!
However, the citizens of Mansfield are not yet done. Now, I go to a run off with my opponent, Scot Bowman, who came in with 31.71% of total votes.
I will need everyone of you that support and believe in me to be the right choice for Mansfield City Council Place 2 to come back to the polls and vote for me again! I need that same enthusiasm and support to continue to be the fuel to drive my race!”
Proposition A- Passed
Results 64.28% Voted For Prop A, 35.72% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to delete matters contrary to or superseded by state law with regard to qualifications for candidates for City Council, the Department of Taxation and amending the Charter by deleting Subsection 3.02(c) and Section 9.15 and revising Section 12.12?
The City of Mansfield Charter has sections that are contrary to what has been approved by the state legislature. Since these sections are superseded by state law, this proposition would remove them from the city charter. Those sections and changes include:
- Section 3.02 on qualifications of the Mayor and City Council would remove 3.02(c) the phrase “And shall not be indebted to the City” so that no one who owes back taxes or any other debt to the City would be prohibited from being qualified to serve on the City Council.
- Section 9.15 on the establishment of a Department of Taxation would be eliminated.
- Section 12.12 on amending the city charter would be revised to match the current Texas statute addressing this issue.
Proposition B-Passed
Results 56.44% Voted for Prop B, 43.56% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to delete the procedure for appointing the Mayor Pro Tem, thereby allowing the Council to establish the procedure by revising Subsection 3.06(b)?
Section 3.06(b) of the charter provides a procedure for appointing a Mayor Pro-Tem for the City Council. The proposition would remove references to when the Mayor Pro-Tem would be elected by City Council and how long they would serve, allowing the City Council to establish the procedure as part of the Procedural Rules of Council.
Proposition C- Passed
Results 64.94% Voted for Prop C, 35.06% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to require one reading for the approval of all ordinances save and except ordinances changing a zoning classification or approving a planned development zoning, which shall require at least two readings by revising Section 3.13(c)?
Currently Section 3.13(c) of the charter requires three readings of an ordinance to be considered and approved before the City Council. The proposition would require one reading on ordinances except zoning changes which would require at least two readings, with a possible third and final reading should the City Council vote to approve a third reading.
Proposition D- Passed
Results 56.89% Voted for Prop D, 43.11% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that the City Manager may be removed by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the City Council instead of five (5) by revising Subsection 6.01(b)?
Section 6.01(b) of the charter currently requires at least five members of City Council vote to suspend or remove the City Manager from their duties. This proposition would require at least four members of Council.
Proposition E- Passed
Results 68.31% Voted for Prop E, 31.69% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to establish the duties of the City Secretary, provide that the City Council appoint the City Attorney and the City Secretary, and may remove each by an affirmative vote of four (4) members by adding Section 6.03 and revising Section 8.05?
Section 6.03 would be a new section under Article VI (Administrative Services) that would have the City Council, appoint the City Secretary, who is currently hired by the City Manager. Section 8.05 currently requires the City Manager to appoint the City Attorney. This proposition would have the City Attorney appointed by the Council.
Proposition F- Passed
Results 55.45% Voted for Prop F, 44.55% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to require members of the Planning and Zoning Commission be residents, but need not own property in Mansfield and to delete the requirement that a member resign their position before running for City Council by revising Section 10.01?
Currently Section 10.01 requires that members of the Planning and Zoning Commission not only be residents but also own real property in the city. This proposition would amend the charter to require that residents who do not own real property in the city may serve on the commission. It would also delete the requirement that any P&Z commissioner seeking to run for City Council must resign their position before running.
Prop G- Passed
Results 72.02% Voted for Prop G, 27.98% Against
Shall the Mansfield Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that a quorum of the City Council shall be four (4) Council Members, that three (3) members shall be required to call a special meeting or to approve an emergency ordinance by revising Sections 3.09 and 3.14?
Section 3.09 currently allows for City Council meetings to be held on the call of the Mayor or four members of the Council. It also dictates that five members of Council must be present to constitute a quorum. The proposition would amend that requirement to three members of Council can call a meeting, and also that four members of Council would constitute a quorum. Section 3.14 in regards to emergency ordinances currently requires an affirmative vote of four members of Council to adopt an emergency ordinance. The proposition would amend the charter to allow for an affirmative vote of three members of Council to adopt an emergency ordinance.
*These are unofficial results as posted by the City of Mansfield*
View the PDF here Nov. 3, 2020 Unofficial Tabulation
