The Killeen City Council is one step closer to having enough members to vote on city matters.
Filing for special and regular May elections opened Monday.
Tonight candidates got a special briefing on what will happen leading up until then, and some city staff say they can't wait for election day.
It's routine for the Killeen City Council to brief candidates on election timelines, but this time it's a roadmap to normalcy.
Council hasn't had enough members to vote since five of them were recalled in November for their involvement in the $750 thousand buy-out of former city manager Connie Green.
Now Interim City Manager Glenn Morrison is looking forward to having new ones voted in on May 12.
"When we have zoning cases, and there's other things that we're not able to react to, those items will begin to stack up, and so there will be plenty of work to do once they are seated, said Morrison.
So far, eleven property zoning requests have gone unanswered, because council can't vote.
They can't add or change ordinances or make budget amendments either.
"As a city government, part of that is the governing body, and so not to have a full seated governing body right now is obviously a challenge," said City of Killeen Director of Public Communication Hilary Shine.
She also says she's counting down the days until election day.
"All of this is exciting. It's obviously building up, considering we haven't had a city council for a while," she said.
Mayor Timothy Hancock says he's happy with the way Morrison and city staff have picked up the slack in the meantime.
"We've continued to work and provide services, and we've been really fortunate up to this time that there haven't been any major incidents that caused any concern," Hancock said.
With nine people already filing for the six open positions in the first few days, Morrison says he's counting on many more by the March 5, deadline.
"I expect a full slate of candidates, which is great for everybody," said Morrison.
Early voting will be from April 30, to May 8.
After the May 12, election, and Killeen will have a full council as early as May 15, when the votes are canvassed, and by May 22, at the latest.
Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com
Photographer: Chris Buford
