Amarillo City Council is set to continue taking steps towards a potential charter amendment election in November.

According to the agenda for the council’s April 23rd meeting, “Charter amendment election process” is listed as a discussion item. Based on discussions by the council during their last meeting, the council is looking to hire a consulting firm and form a citizen committee to study the charter and propose amendments.

The Amarillo City Charter was first adopted in 1913 and was most recently amended by voters in 2020, when the number of required council meetings per year was reduced. Another item on the ballot would have expanded the term length of council members from 2 to 4 years, but that item was rejected by voters.

If a charter amendment election is called, it is likely to occur in November. The next opportunity would be in May, on the same ballot as the next city council election.

Eyes are also on a citizen petition seeking to implement various abortion-related restrictions that was initiated earlier this year. The signatures for that petition are due to the city on Thursday. Several city council members have expressed concerns about the specifics of the proposed ordinance. If the council declines to approve the ordinance, the petition’s organizers have the right to request the ordinance be placed on the ballot, which could mean the issue will be on the November ballot as well.