The signatures on a petition that call for a City of Kingsville charter amendment election to change city government representation to a sevenmember, single district city commission have been verified, and the petition will be presented at the city commission at next meeting on July 26.

The proposed charter amendment would eliminate the election of a mayor by the people.

Representatives of the Kingsville Law Enforcement Association submitted the petition with more than the 560 signatures necessary for an election.

Edna Lopez, Kingsville city secretary, confirmed Wednesday the group turned in a petition with 675 signatures on June 25.

Of those signatures, 54 could not be confirmed as valid.

Lopez explained that in order to initiate a petition, five people must sign it.

The notification of circulation of the petition was presented on Jan. 6, 2010.

If the charter amendment is approved by voters, the city would be divided into seven districts with a city commission member elected from each district.

The seven elected city commissioners would then elect a mayor and mayor pro tem.

Tamera Meyers Blackstock, president of the Kingsville Law Enforcement Association, said the reason the association started the petition drive was because of concerns heard from citizens.

“Too many complaints, concerns, suggestions, ideas and communication have been dismissed by some city leaders,” she said.

“Areas in the community feel there is no representation for them and the districts allow those areas opportunity to be represented by someone who truly understands their needs and concerns, ” Blackstock said.

“The endeavor is a positive move towards the future of Kingsville,” she said. “This has not been a recall or witch hunt event and those currently in leadership roles will continue to have the opportunity to serve in the future, it will be for their district,” she said.

She added that once they are divided into seven districts that whoever wins will select the mayor. “Seven of the best people choose the best,” Blackstock said.

Blackstock said citizens helped with the circulation of the petition. “This is an opportunity for all of Kingsville to be represented.” She also emphasized that this was the original petition and nothing had changed.

Jesse Amador, KLEA vice-president, said Wednesday single district representation would be a benefit as a whole and create fairness.

“Each district is going to have its own representation to address the needs of that neighborhood, be it flooding or anything else,” Amador said. “As it is now three commissioners live in the same area.”

Initially, the KLEA wanted enough signatures to have been placed in the city election ballot in May. “We did not rush it and decided more voters would turn out in November,” said Blackstock.

She also praised Lopez for her cooperation. “I think the city has been very professional in handling our endeavors,” Blackstock said.

The first election of the seven-member city commission members would be held in 2012. Three of the members would serve a two-year term and four of the members would serve three-year terms determined by a drawing.

After that, all city commission members would serve threeyear terms with commissioners elected in staggered terms.

In order to qualify for election to the office, city commission candidates would be required to live in their respective districts for 12 months in order to qualify for election to the office.

All seven members would be required to vote on all issues that come before the city commission unless there was a conflict of interest involving one or more city commissioners. Currently, the mayor and four city commissioners run at large every two years. The top four receiving the most votes are elected. Voters also elect the mayor. The city commissioners elect the mayor pro-tem. The city commissioner with the highest votes is traditionally selected as the mayor pro-tem.

As in any charter amendment changing the way voter choose their city representatives would have to comply with state and federal laws.

The next procedure after the verification of the names that will presented to the city commissioners June 26 would be to prepare a resolution to call for an election for the charter amendment proposal set for the Nov. 2 uniform election, according to Courtney Alvarez, City of Kingsville attorney.

The Nov. 2 election is referred to a general and uniform election where federal, state, and local officers are elected, according to Kleberg County Clerk Leo Alarcon. He also explained the role of the Department of Justice in local elections.

“Once the resolution is passed by the city commission, the city officials will have to submit the resolution for preclearance to the Department of Justice to have the election during the uniform Nov. 2, election,” Alarcon said.

“The Kingsville city charter regarding how the city council and mayor are elected has not changed since 1916,” Blackstock stated. “While some people may be resistant change, we need to move forward.”