City Council Holds Special Meeting to Approve Bill Richardson's Resignation

SAN ANGELO, TX - This morning, the City Council held a special meeting before its strategic planning meeting to accept former SMD 1 Councilman Bill Richardson's resignation. This resignation comes in the aftermath of criticism after Richardson posted what some considered to be racial comments on Facebook.

This morning's meeting was brief. The Council, however, voted to accept Richardson's resignation that went into effect last Saturday. Initially, the Council had planned to appoint someone to fill the SMD 1 chair, but was unable to do so because of "a section of the Texas Constitution that says we cannot appoint for longer than a year," said Mayor Morrison.

"[Mr. Richardson's] was two years plus," he noted.

In addition to the Texas Constitution, the City charter states that council must take action within 30 days. Therefore, Council has decided to add the election for SMD 1 to the May 6 election. Anyone wishing to run will join the current candidates for SMD 2, 4, and 6, as well as for Mayor.

Mayor Morrison added, "There is time, and we have authority from the state. This is something that we will approve at Tuesday's city council meeting." 

Until May 6, the City will have a six-seat city council. Should the council arrive at a 3:3 tie on any kind of vote, Mayor Morrison assures the public that council "can always bring back [items] for a vote when [the council] has seven members."  

"We need a strong board, and, after the election, we will have one," he said.  

For those interested in serving on the SMD 1 City Council seat, the application period is scheduled to open on March 6. SMD 1 encompasses the areas in Bentwood, near the lake, as well as a section near Goodfellow Air Force Base. District 1 also has an estimated 15,000 residents, similar to district 2, 3, and 5.