After a nearly two-hour public hearing where citizens voice nothing but opposition, the city's charter review committee made it clear that adding two at-large council seats and extending the mayor's term length will not be considered moving forward.
James Arnold, chairman of the committee, said after the public hearing on Tuesday that these topics are "off the table." Arnold said the 1983 U.S. District Court ruling for Jones v. The City of Lubbock, the lawsuit aimed at enhancing diversity on the Lubbock City Council, prevents the city from making these types of changes.
The committee quashed any rumor that it would be recommending these changes to the Lubbock City Council, who will ultimately have the final say.