Texas Constitution
The state framework above municipal government, including home-rule authority.
Official Texas source ↗INDEPENDENT CIVIC EDUCATION • GATESVILLE, TEXAS
City Hall should not require a law degree.
Read Gatesville's Charter, understand Texas open-government law, learn who has authority, and find the official source behind every answer.
QUICK FIND
What are you trying to figure out?
THE FOUNDATION
Four things every resident should know
Gatesville Home Rule Charter
The city's local constitution: structure, powers, council, city manager and resident powers.
Read full Charter ↗Texas home-rule law ↗Open Meetings Act
Government Code Chapter 551: notice, quorum, public meetings, closed sessions, records and public testimony.
Official Chapter 551 ↗AG training & certificate ↗Public Information Act
Government Code Chapter 552: your right to request, inspect and obtain public information, subject to lawful exceptions.
Official Chapter 552 ↗AG training & certificate ↗FOLLOW THE AUTHORITY
Who actually has the power?
Gatesville's Charter describes a council-managed government. Policy power rests with the elected council, while the city manager is responsible to council for administration and execution of the laws.
Charter §1.01, official text ↗AT CITY HALL
Resident quick rights
Speak at an open meeting
Texas Government Code §551.007 governs public testimony at meetings of governmental bodies and protects criticism concerning acts, omissions, policies, procedures, programs or services.
Show me the law ↗Record an open meeting
Texas law addresses a person's right to record all or part of an open meeting, subject to reasonable rules about location and manner.
§551.023 ↗Ask for public information
The Public Information Act establishes a process to request existing public information from governmental bodies. Exceptions and procedures can apply.
Texas AG public resources ↗PUBLIC RECORDS
Build a focused records request
Specific requests are easier to process. This tool creates a starting draft. Review dates, custodians and record types before sending.
Your draft
WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG
Start with the official resource.
Texas Attorney General Open GovernmentTraining, handbooks, PIA rulings, complaints and cost guidance.
Open Government Hotline512-478-6736
Toll-free 877-673-6839
City of GatesvilleCity agendas, departments and local government information.Toll-free 877-673-6839