Running for Office

Qualifications (Article III, Section 3.02, City Charter)

On the date of the election, each of the council members and mayor shall:

  1. Be a registered voter of the City.
  2. Have resided in the City for at least twelve (12) months preceding the election at which they are candidates.
  3. Continue residency in the City during the term of office.
  4. Not hold more than one public elective office.
  5. Not hold an appointed office of the City excluding boards, committees, and commissions.
  6. Be at least 21 years of age.
  7. Not have been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court.
  8. Not have been convicted, whether final for appeal purposes or not, of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities.

A member of the Council ceasing to possess any of the qualifications specified in this section or any other section of the Charter, or convicted of a felony while in office, shall immediately forfeit his office.

Application

In accordance with State Law, the City Secretary's Office will accept applications from qualified persons interested in running for City Council during the "filing period".

Filing Period

State law identified the filing period as:

  • The first day to file an application for a place on the ballot - 108th day before the election.
  • The last day to file an application for a place on the ballot - 78th day before the election.

During the "filing period", qualified persons may file as a candidate between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the City Secretary's Office at City Hall, 3805 Adam Grubb.


Next Election

May 4, 2024, General Election - City Council Places 1, 3, 5 and 7

  • The first day to file an application for a place on the ballot - January 17, 2024
  • The last day to file an application for a place on the ballot - February 16, 2024

Future Elections

Mayor and Council Places 2, 4 and 6 will next be elected in May during odd-numbered years (first Saturday in May).

  • May 3, 2025
  • May 1, 2027
  • May 5, 2029

Council Places 1, 3, 5 and 7 will next be elected in May during even-numbered years (first Saturday in May).

  • May 2, 2026
  • May 6, 2028
  • May 4, 2030
General Duties and Powers of Council (Article III, Section 3.12, City Charter)

All powers of the City and the determination of all matters of policy shall be vested in the City Council. Except where in conflict with and otherwise expressly provided by this Charter, the City Council shall have all powers authorized to be exercised by the City Council by State law, provided, however, that the City Council shall have no authority to exercise those powers which are expressly conferred upon other city officers by this Charter. Without limitation of the foregoing and among the other powers that may be exercised by the Council, the following are hereby enumerated for greater certainty:

  1. Appoint and remove the City Manager;
  2. Appoint and remove the Municipal Judge(s) of the Municipal Court;
  3. Appoint and remove the City Attorney;
  4. Establish administrative departments;
  5. Adopt the budget of the City;
  6. By majority vote, collectively inquire into the conduct of any office, department or agency of the City and make investigations as to the municipal affairs;
  7. Establish the boundaries of the City;
  8. Provide for Planning and Zoning Commission and a Board of Adjustment and other boards and commission as deemed necessary and appoint members of all such boards and commissions. Such boards and commissions retain all powers possessed before the adoption of this Charter and those conferred and created by the Charter, by City ordinance or by other law;
  9. Fix and regulate rates and charges for all utilities and public services; and
  10. Authorize the issuance of bonds by ordinance.
Meetings

The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month for regular meetings. The meetings are normally held at the Council Chambers located at 3805 Adam Grubb. All other meetings are called as deemed necessary. Agendas are posted on the bulletin board outside the City Hall building at 3805 Adam Grubb for public inspection as well as on the city website.

Except as provided by State Law, all meetings shall be open to the public. Also, they shall be held and notice given in accordance with State Law.

Current Elected Officials
NameTitlePlaceTerm Expires
Walter BowenMayor 5/2025
Jim SmithCouncil15/2024
Geoffrey WhiteCouncil25/2025
Sue WengerCouncil35/2024
Coy PenningtonCouncil45/2025
Sherrie Kubala WatkinsMayor Pro Tem, Council55/2024
Gary StuardCouncil65/2025
Jerry CoxCouncil75/2024

Contact

Political Subdivision Contact Information:

Holly Fimbres, Election Administrator (City of Lake Worth)
3805 Adam Grubb
Lake Worth Texas 76135
Phone: (817) 237-1211 ext. 105

Email

City of Lake Worth Contracts Election Services with Tarrant County Elections:

Clint Ludwig, Tarrant County Elections Administrator
2700 Premier Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
Phone: (817) 831-8683
TDD: (817) 759-7801

Email