Recommended reading

“Preparation, I have often said, is rightly two-thirds of any venture.” - Amelia Earhart

City Government


The Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act require elected and appointed officials to receive training in Texas open government laws. To my knowledge this is the only required training for a city elected or appointed official.


There are many other documents that an official should become familiar with to adequately perform their duties. Several are listed below.


The Texas Municipal League, TML, is a great source for officials. They have articles, papers and other items that help explain the laws and assist city officials in almost every topic.

Finances

The revenues and expenses of the city obviously are key to every other responsibilty of a council member. Without proper financing, the goals and plans for the city cannot be acheived. 


The revenues are primarily generated by taxes, fees and in some cases grants. 

The list of documents is a start in understanding the financial obligations and oppotunities of the city.

CITY BUDGET (including SALES TAX, AD VALOREM TAX, FEES)

ANNUAL AUDIT

MAJOR EXPENSES AND CONTRACTS

Reserved

Reserved for Future Topic

Economic development

Economic Development Corporations are authourized and regulated by the state. they were formed for the primary purposes of job creation, job retention and job training.

water district

The city of Ranger purchases its water from the Eastland County Water District.  The ECWD serves both the city of Ranger and Eastland. It is managed by elected officials from these two cities. The operating revenues are genearted primarily by water sales to both cities.