City Council
| Job description | The Council is the city’s governing body. Term is two years. |
| Duties | Enacts city laws and ordinances Determines city policies Adopts city budget Appoints city manager to administer city government |
| Annual salary | Unpaid; reimbursed for official city expenses. |
| Meetings | Council meetings twice monthly; special meetings called as needed. |
Place 1 Candidates
Candidate Campaign Links What is your top priority if elected to this office? Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Racquel Buffin Belle No information available; contact the Forest Hill City Secretary at 817-568-3000 or use the contact form at http://www.foresthilltx.org/contact_us/index.html to request contact information.
Cameron Wafer (incumbent) Email: cwafer@foresthilltx.org
817-733-5240
Place 2 Candidates
Candidate Campaign Links What is your top priority if elected to this office? Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Eric Robinson No information available; contact the Forest Hill City Secretary at 817-568-3000 or use the contact form at http://www.foresthilltx.org/contact_us/index.html to request contact information.
Carlie Jones (incumbent) Email: cjones@foresthilltx.org
817-751-0805
Place 3 Candidates
Candidate Campaign Links What is your top priority if elected to this office? Why are you the best qualified candidate for this office?
Sonya Coleman No information available; contact the Forest Hill City Secretary at 817-568-3000 or use the contact form at http://www.foresthilltx.org/contact_us/index.html to request contact information.
Michielle Benson (incumbent)
Email: mbenson@foresthilltx.org
817-751-2701
The City of Forest Hill is in desperate need of a Quality Grocery Store. We must provide a transparent approachable accountable city government for the citizens of Forest Hill. Reconfigure the existing city government and design of a user friendly accessible city web page that uses technology to lighten the work load of the staff. Lack of Cultural, Artistic, Youth and Family Services. Use the Hotel Occupancy Tax as is outlined by the State, this will allow for programming and for the development of a Cultural/artistic & youth/family center. Limited Services for Senior Citizens. Develop a commission of Senior Services that will be the voice of the seniors assuring their needs are met. My experiences in research, evaluation, business management and development, cultural and educational programming and municipal government are strength’s in my tool belt. Experiences in leadership roles in a major metropolitan church and within the FWISD makes my skill set unique to serve on the City Council. Although, I list myself as a political outsider, I am no stranger to the role of the position that I am seeking election nor to the needs of the community in which I live, work and play. I consider myself a passionate leader dedicated to providing a transparent approachable working government for the citizens of Forest Hill. I am a person who investigates and seeks advice before making a decision. An independent thinker I do not mind if I am the only person to vote either for or against an issue as long as I am voting in concert with the voice of the citizens that I represent. My education and life experiences are not limited to the State of Texas and therefore I have a world view of most issues. Those things I have not experienced myself, I have enough friends, acquaintances and colleagues around the world in whom to seek guidance.
Gerald Joubert No information available; contact the Forest Hill City Secretary at 817-568-3000 or use the contact form at http://www.foresthilltx.org/contact_us/index.html to request contact information.
Proposition A
Ballot Proposition The reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in the City of Forest Hill, Texas at the rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets. The tax expires on the fourth anniversary of the date of this election unless the imposition of the tax is reauthorized.
If I vote FOR The tax rate stays the same. The fund to repair and maintain city streets would continue to be available.
If I vote AGAINST This tax would expire and the tax rate in Forest Hill would decrease by one fourth of one percent. This would eliminate the funds available for street maintenance and repair.
Tax Consequences If this proposition fails, the tax rate would decrease by .25%.
What is a sales and use tax? This is the formal name for a sales tax. Individuals pay sales taxes on most goods and services in Texas.
What is the current sales tax rate? The base rate for the Texas sales tax is 6.25%. However, local government agencies (cities, counties, special purpose districts and transit authorities) can hold elections to increase the sales tax in their area. By law, the maximum sales tax rate (including state and local sales taxes) in Forest Hill is 8.25%.
To find out what the sales tax rate is where you live, use the Sales Tax and Use Locator.
Resources Forest Hill Adopted General Fund Budget 2017-2018
http://www.foresthilltx.org/Docs_downloads/finance/City%20of%20Forest%20Hill%20Budget%20for%20Fiscal%20Year%202018.pdf
Forest Hill Home Rule Charter/Code of Ordinances
https://library.municode.com/tx/forest_hill/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIHORUCH_ARTVIFIPR_S6.07AMSUBU
Forest Hill News March/April 2018 Page 5
http://www.foresthilltx.org/Docs_downloads/newsletters/FHN%20Layout%2003-2018_r.pdf
Proposition B
Ballot Proposition Shall Section 3.01, entitled “Number, Selection, Term,” and Section 3.04, entitled “Vacancy,” of the Charter be amended to change the term of office of the mayor and six (6) council members from two years to three years and, in order to comply with Article 11, Section 11 of the Texas Constitution when doing so, to provide that all vacancies in the office of mayor or council member shall be filled by special election, which is required by the Constitution for cities having terms of more than two years.
If I vote FOR
The Mayor and City Council members will be elected for three year terms instead of two year terms. If a vacancy occurs in any of these positions, a special election will be called to elect the new Mayor/City Council member .
If I vote AGAINST The Mayor and City Council members will continue to serve two year terms. If one or two vacancies occur, those positions will be filled until the next general election by persons elected by the majority of the remaining Council members. If more than two vacancies occur simultaneously, a special election will be called to fill the empty places.
Tax Consequences The City Council would be responsible for the cost of a special election to fill vacancies. There would be a slightly higher likelihood for special elections if this proposition passes, also slightly increasing the possibility of increased use of taxpayer funds to pay for them.
Proposition C
Ballot Proposition Shall paragraph (1) of Sec. 3.09, entitled “Prohihibition and Ethics”, of the Charter be amended to prohibit the holding of any other elected office during a council member’s term on council?
If I vote FOR If a City Council member is elected to another public office in Forest Hill, they will immediately forfeit their position on the city council. Council members will also be prohibited from being employed by the city during their term and continuing for one year after their term.
If I vote AGAINST The current rule will continue: “Except where authorized by law, no council member shall hold other city office or employment during the term for which he was elected to the City Council, and no former council member shall hold any compensated appointive city office or employment until one year after the expiration of the term for which he was elected to the City Council.”
Tax Consequences None.
Proposition D
Ballot Proposition Shall paragraph (A) of Sec. 5.03, entitled "City Attorney," of the Charter be amended to allow the City Council to appoint the City Attorney without requiring a consultation with the City Manager?
If I vote FOR The City Council will no longer need the blessing of the City Manager to appoint a City Attorney.
If I vote AGAINST The City Council will continue to be required to consult with the City Manager before appointing a City Attorney.
Tax Consequences None.
Proposition E
Ballot Proposition Shall Sec. 5.07, entitled "Finance Director," of the Charter be amended to have the City Finance Director appointed by the City Council?
If I vote FOR The City Council will be responsible for appointing the Finance Director, who will report to the City Manager.
If I vote AGAINST The Finance Director will continue to be appointed by the City Manager. The Finance Director will continue to report to the City Manager.
Tax Consequences None.
Proposition F
Ballot Proposition Shall Sec. 6.02, entitled "Submission of Budget and Budget Message,” and Section 4.04(e), entitled “Powers and Duties of the City Manager,” of the Charter be amended to require the City Manager to submit the budget for the ensuing fiscal year to the City Council on July 31st of each year?
If I vote FOR The deadline for the City Manager to submit the annual budget to the City Council will be July 31st.
If I vote AGAINST The deadline for the City Manager to submit the annual budget to the City Council will continue to be September 1st.
Tax Consequences None.
Proposition G
Ballot Proposition Shall Sec. 4.04(i), entitled "Powers and Duties of the City Manager,” of the Charter be amended to require the City Manager to keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the city?
If I vote FOR The language of this clause will change to make it mandatory for the City Manager to keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the city.
If I vote AGAINST The language of this clause will remain “He or she shall keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the city and make such recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the city as he or she deems desirable.”
Tax Consequences None.