Charter election divides Fort Worth council

The vote at Tuesday’s Fort Worth City Council meeting was heavily in favor of a May 7 election on 11 city charter amendments, including adding two more members to the council, but that masks a deep divide.

On increasing the number of council members to 10 plus the mayor (the “10-1” plan) from the current eight plus the mayor (the “8-1”) plan, four members spoke against change. Only two spoke in favor.

Dennis Shingleton, Jungus Jordan, W.B. “Zim” Zimmerman and Cary Moon objected to the notion that Hispanics would be better represented on a larger council. Jordan said he’ll tell constituents about his objections during the buildup to the election.

Gyna Bivens and Sal Espino spoke on behalf of the increase, saying it would mean more opportunity for Hispanics to be elected to the council.

Mayor Betsy Price took a neutral “let the voters decide” position. Kelly Allen Gray and Ann Zadeh did not speak.

The head count shows there will be no council leadership on this proposal. It will be an uphill battle for groups that have pushed for the 10-1 plan.

Other proposed amendments drew little comment. Moon pushed for individual council votes on each one, but he failed.

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Charter election divides Fort Worth council."