The City of Breckenridge is a Home Rule City with a
Council-Manager form of government
The concept of home rule is the right of citizens at the grassroots level to manage their own affairs with minimum interference from the state. Home rule assumes that governmental problems should be solved at the lowest possible level, closest to the people. To that end, the City of Breckenridge has a City Charter that citizens had (and have for future changes) to weigh in on through a vote.
Home rule cities look to the state to tell them what they are prohibited from doing, rather than for specific grants of authority to undertake particular functions.
Under the city manager plan, the council serves as the legislative body. The council sets policy, it approves the budget and sets the tax rate, and it determines the size of the payroll and the extent and cost of municipal services. In short, the council is the final authority on all of the many policy decisions that determine the scope and functions of the city government.
The mayor and councilmember’s have no administrative duties under the city manager plan. They have vested the administration and day-to-day operations to the city manager, who is responsible for directing the workforce and programs of the city in accordance with ordinances, rules, and regulations adopted by the council. The typical city manager in Texas is appointed for an indefinite term and is subject to dismissal by the council at any time except as otherwise prohibited by law. He or she is designated as the chief executive and administrative officer of the city and is accountable to the council for the proper conduct of all municipal operations.
*Excerpt from TML Publication, Handbook for Mayors and Councilmembers (2022)
Boards and Commissions
Elections
Candidate Information
It is the responsibility and honor of the City Secretary's Office to conduct and oversee the City Council election process for the City of Breckenridge. Elections are conducted annually on the Uniform Election Day in May (the first Saturday in May.)
However, Texas Election laws regarding campaign finances and legal matters limit the role of the City Secretary’s Office to accepting and filing the various candidate applications, affidavits and statements and noting the date of filing.
The required election forms and instruction guides are provided on this site for your convenience. Please note that all election records and campaign reports are considered Open Records and will be viewed as such by newspaper/media reporters and opponents.
Please, do not hesitate to call or visit the City Secretary's Office if you are in need of assistance. After-hour appointments are available if necessary.
Reporting, Contributions & Expenditures
Questions regarding reporting procedures, contributions and expenditures are to be directed to the Texas Ethics Commission at (512) 463-5800 or (800) 325-8506
Election Law
Questions regarding election law are to be directed to the Secretary of State at (512) 463-5650 or (800) 252-8683
Mayor and Council Qualifications (as specified in the City Charter)
- Be a United States Citizen.
- Be 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at the election or on the date of appointment, as applicable;
- Have not been determined by a final judgment of a court exercising probate jurisdiction to be: totally mentally incapacitated or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote.
- Have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities;
- Have resided continuously in the State for 12 months and in the territory from which the office is elected for 6 months immediately preceding the date of the filing deadline; mayor candidates must have 1 year residence.
- Be a registered voter in the territory from which the office is elected as of the date of the filing deadline for a candidate’s place on the ballot.
Current Office Holders
Register to Vote
Economic Development
Several years ago the citizens of the City of Breckenridge voted to dedicate a 1/2 cent of the
sales tax the city collects to promote economic development in alignment with the Development Corporation Act of 1979 (read more here).
Below is an excerpt from the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation's website. Click on the tab to the left to go directly to their website.
Municipal Court
Contact Information
Steve Spoon, Judge
Stephens County Courthouse
200 West Walker
Breckenridge, TX 76424
Ph. # 254-559-2160
Fax # 254-559-1127
Melissa Vick Municipal Court Clerk Hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday |
The Municipal Court and its' staff are dedicated and committed to promoting the highest standards in customer service, upholding the integrity of the court and serving the citizens of Breckenridge in a courteous, efficient and professional manner. The Municipal Court is dedicated to principles of fair and impartial justice while maintaining the public’s and law enforcement’s trust and confidence.
Municipal Court OverviewMunicipal Courts are the judicial branch of city government. In addition, the Municipal Court is part of the state judicial system. Municipal Courts hear Class C Misdemeanor criminal cases, including traffic violations, for which the maximum fine, upon conviction, does not exceed $500, and for which no jail sentence may be assessed. They also hear cases involving violation of city ordinances, which may have fines up to $2,000 for certain offenses.
When you receive a citation, the options you have to resolve your case can vary depending on many different factors including but not limited to: the type of violation, the severity of the violation, the age of the defendant, etc. The first thing you will need to do is enter a plea on or before your appearance date. Once you enter a plea, you may be scheduled for a court date, or you may have the option of disposing of the case without appearing in open court. If your situation allows you to resolve the matter without appearing in open court, you may pay the fine, provide proof for expired violations or insurance matters, or you may be eligible for an alternative sentencing option such as deferred disposition (deferred adjudication), or a driving safety course.
PLEASE NOTE: The Breckenridge Municipal Court does NOT handle DBAs, vehicle registrations, title transfers, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses or divorces. You will need to contact your County Court to handle those types of cases. For driver’s license renewals, surcharge information, driving permits, etc., you will need to contact a DPS Office.
Innocent Until Proven GuiltyUnder our American system of justice, all persons are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On a plea of not guilty, a trial is held and the State is required to prove what it charges in the complaint, "beyond a reasonable doubt," before a guilty verdict can be reached.
Accident CasesThe Municipal Court has no jurisdiction over damages caused by an auto accident. Settlement of damages is a matter for a civil court to decide.
Presiding Judge/Alternate Judge Information:The Honorable Steve Spoon is the Presiding Judge over the court.
Please note that Municipal Court is now held at the Stephens County Court House,
200 West Walker, Breckenridge, TX 76424
“Nothing contained herein is intended to be nor should be construed as legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The information on this site is compiled and made available as a public service by the Breckenridge Municipal Court. However, neither the Court nor the City of Breckenridge makes any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information herein, and is not responsible for errors or omissions, or for results obtained from the use of this information.”
DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM (DRP)The Driver Responsibility Program through DPS has been repealed. Effective September 1, 2019, all DRP surcharge suspensions will end. Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding this repeal. If you have further questions, please contact Department of Public Safety at DRPRepeal@dps.texas.govSupporting Documents
