Brookshire mayoral leadership is an all-in-the-family sitiuation
The Brookshire mayoral leadership might be described as a family affair after Mayor Darrell Branch’s wife, Position 3 Alderwoman Kim Branch, was selected mayor pro tem Thursday night.
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Brookshire mayoral leadership is an all-in-the-family sitiuation
The Brookshire mayoral leadership might be described as a family affair after Mayor Darrell Branch’s wife, Position 3 Alderwoman Kim Branch, was selected mayor pro tem Thursday night.
Selecting a mayor pro tem is typically a simple exercise in Texas municipal government. Following the municipal election and appropriate swearing-in ceremonies, the mayor selects a mayor pro tem. The appointment is subject to council approval.
Justin Pruitt, the Brookshire city attorney, said the mayor pro tem appointment is for one year.
“There is no other provision related to that office,” Pruitt said, adding that the mayor pro tem serves in the absence of the mayor if the mayor is physically absent or incapable of performing his duties.
On Thursday, Position 2 Alderman Lyndon Stamps nominated Position 5 Alderman Jeremiah Hill for the role. Hill is one of two new council members elected last month, along with Position 4 Alderwoman Amanda Neuendorf. She seconded Hill’s nomination.
Hill, for his part, said he wasn’t even asked if he wanted the job.
The matter appeared ready for a vote when Kim Branch expressed her concerns with Hill’s relatively short council experience.
“Not that Mr. Hill is not familiar with what’s been going on in the city for a while, but he’s new to the council, not even a month old, and we’re going to put him in charge of the mayor pro tem,” Kim Branch said. “That’s my only debate.”
The mayor asked if there were other nominees. Position 1 Alderman Monique Taylor nominated Kim Branch.
There was a short hesitation around the council table.
“It would be ugly to second the nomination for myself,” Kim Branch said. “If you have your minds made up, we can move forward.”
Pruitt said an alderman could nominate himself or herself. He said an alderman could second a nomination for himself or herself.
The matter went to a vote. Hill abstained. The vote was deadlocked at two each.
Kim Branch was the last to vote. She said it was very ugly she had to vote for herself.
“Here you are, and you have to break the tie,” Kim Branch told the mayor. “I don’t think that’s fair to you or the rest of the council.”
But he did break it by voting for his wife.
“I hated to put him in this situation,” Kim Branch said after the meeting.
Keywords
Brookshire City Council, mayor pro tem
