January is the time when current local elected officials make decisions about filing again for office. The deadline for the decision is February 17, 2023. Many will make that call on day one, January 18, 2023, just a week and a half from today. However, they have until January 18 which is the final day state-wide to file for local elected office in Texas. Those who are considering running for office face the same time frame.
This article is limited to elected office for the Kennedale City Council and the Kennedale Board of Trustees (school board). There are other offices if you live in Tarrant County depending on your place of residence. For more information see Tarrant County Elections.
Local elected offices …
The Kennedale City Council has three council positions in the 2023 election cycle, while the Kennedale ISD has two positions. All of them are currently occupied. As stated above, the current holders have until February 18 to make the call to run again. Generally, they do.
Most potential candidates for offices, know this information and have been preparing to run for some time. It is not an easy decision. None of these offices are simple. It takes people who are willing to sacrifice a lot of personal time; who are capable of consuming and understanding huge amounts of information in short periods of time; who have at least a basic knowledge of the workings of the institution that they are attempting to help govern; who know the full scope of the duties and responsibilities of the office including the limitations; who have the ability to work with others; and, understand that once elected the holder of the office no longer represents just themselves but the community at large.
The places up for election and the current holder …
Kennedale City Council: Place 1, Rocky Gilley, appointed 2022; Place 3, Kenneth Micheals, appointed 2022; and, Place 5, James Connor III, elected 2021.
Kennedale ISD Board of Trustees: Place 6, – Darryl Owens, elected 2020; Place 7 – Felicia Moody, elected 2020.
More about these offices…
The City Council consists of six members — a Mayor and five Council members who are elected at-large and serve two-year terms. There are no term limits. The Mayor presides at meetings and is recognized as the head of the city government.
The Mayor has the right to vote only in the event of a tie but does have veto power. The City Council members elect one member as Mayor Pro Tem to preside over meetings in the Mayor’s absence. The Mayor Pro Tem retains the right to vote.
All powers of the city are vested in the City Council. The council exercises these powers to ensure the performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the city by law and the city’s own Home Rule Charter.
The council meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm.
For additional information visit the Kennedale City Council Governance webpage.
The Kennedale ISD Board of Trustees consists of seven members, elected to serve by the citizens of KISD, without compensation, to act as our district’s policy-making body. The term of office is three years. Trustees work with the Superintendent and staff to set the direction of the school district, with the education and well-being of the students as its primary focus.
School Board members not only represent the public but also translate the needs of the students into policies and goals and strategies that reflect the standards and values of the community as a whole. Following the election, the board elects a president, vice-president, and secretary to serve for a one-year term.
For additional info on the school board visit the KISD School Board webpage.
Still thinking …
Think you are still interested but are just now deciding? Do your homework. Ask yourself why and list your reasons. Call someone and or have a sit down to coffee with a person who is currently in the same/similar office or someone who has done this before and mine their knowledge and experience. Be realistic – look at who your supporters will be. If you are unknown, think again.
For more information on the how-to, went-to, and other requirements …
Click on the City of Kennedale’s current issue of the TownCenter Herald.
Click on the Kennedale ISD Elections webpage.
Overwhelmed by all of this, consider alternatives for your civic commitment with volunteer opportunities at Kennedale City Boards and Commissions.
