PILLAR: Fiscally Sound
AGENDA DATE: November 10, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): N/A
DEPARTMENT: City Secretary’s Office
PRIORITY: Government Efficiency
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an lnterlocal Agreement with Dallas County, Texas on behalf of the Dallas County Elections Department for assistance and services related to verifying four City petitions - Not to exceed $250,000.00 - Financing: General Fund
Body
BACKGROUND
On October 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026, our office received three notices of intentions for a recall and to amend the Dallas City Charter.
Under Chapter V, Section 1(3), the City Secretary generally has 30 days after filing to examine the petition and determine whether it contains the required number of qualified voter signatures. Texas Local Government Code, Sec. 9.004(a), states in part, “….The governing body shall submit a proposed charter amendment to the voters for their approval at an election if the submission is supported by a petition signed by a number of qualified voters of the municipality equal to at least five percent of the number of qualified voters of the municipality or 20,000, whichever number is the smaller.”
Texas Election Code, Sec. 277.003. VERIFYING SIGNATURES BY STATISTICAL SAMPLE, states, “If a petition contains more than 1,000 signatures, the city secretary or other authority responsible for verifying the signatures may use any reasonable statistical sampling method in determining whether the petition contains the required number of valid signatures, except that the sample may not be less than 25 percent of the total number of signatures appearing on the petition or 1,000, whichever is greater. If the signatures on a petition circulated on a statewide basis are to be verified by the secretary of state, the sample prescribed by Section 141.069 <http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/GetStatute.aspx?Code=EL&Value=141.069> applies to the petition rather than the sample prescribed by this section.”
This action authorizes the City to enter into a an interlocal agreement with the Dallas County Elections Department for assistance in verifying signatures on all petitions submitted, as prescribed under Chapter V, Section 1(3) of the Dallas City Charter and Section 9.004, of the Texas Local Government Code.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
This item has no prior action.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2027 |
FY 2028 |
Future Years |
|
General Fund |
$250,000.00 |
$0 |
$0 |