May 13, 2026 Special Council Meeting Canvass Election

[1. Call to Order]

[00:00:08]

>> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN AND WELCOME TO A HAVE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL.

TODAY IS MAY 13, 2026. CONDUCTING TONIGHT'S MAYOR PRO

TEM, MIKE BRITTON >> WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND WITH ME. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, WE JUST WANT TO PAUSE AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TONIGHT.

WE THANK YOU, FATHER FOR THESE THREE THAT ARE COMING ON BOARD THE COUNCIL. WE PRAY FOR CARTER AND PRAY FOR CHRIS, WE PRAY FOR BYRON AND FATHER WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THEM WISDOM. WE KNOW THE WISEST MAN, SOLOMON DIDN'T EARN WISDOM AND DIDN'T WORK FOR WISDOM BUT ASKED YOU FOR WISDOM. WE ASK YOU FOR THAT AS WELL.

FATHER WE PRAY TO GIVE THEM WISDOM, DISCERNMENT.

I SAY THE SAME PRAYER FOR ALL OF US ON THE DAIS.

GIVE US THE WISDOM TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS AND DO THE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL CITIZENS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS EVENING FATHER.

WE THANK YOU FOR THE CEREMONY AND PRAY YOUR BLESS OUR TIME TONIGHT. WE ASK IN YOUR NAME.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STAND SAYS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE. WITH LIBERTY AND JUST FOR ALL.

[2. Citizens’ Input]

THE FIRST ITEM IS CITIZENS INPUT.

COMMENTS WILL BE TAKEN ON ANY TO TOPIC. I HAVE ONE REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM FOR MISS DEBRA SHINDER. YOU KNOW THE DRILL AND STATE YOUR NAME AND CITY OF RESIDENCE FOR ME.

>> I'M THE ONLY ONE? DEBRA SHINDER, MY CURRENT RESIDENCE IS IN HEATH, TEXAS. BUT I'M STILL A TAXPAYER AND OWN A HOME IN ROWLETT. JUST WANTED TO COME HERE TONIGHT TO SAY TO THOSE COUNCILMEMBERS, THOSE PEOPLE SITTING ON THE DAIS WITH WHOM I SERVED WHO WILL WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING AND FIND YOURSELVES BEING REGULAR, ORDINARY CITIZENS AGAIN.

I WANT TO ASSURE YOU, THERE'S LIFE AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT'S PRETTY WONDERFUL.

SO. I KNOW THAT THREE YEARS IS A LONG, LONG THREE YEARS BUT IT ALSO GOES BY IN A FLASH.

AND I WANT TO SOME OF YOU, I HAVE HAD DISAGREEMENTS WITH.

SOME OF THEM PRETTY BIG DISAGREEMENTS BUT I WANT TO SAY, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. BECAUSE WE SEE AND EVERY ELECTION VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO STAND UP AND PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE. WILLING TO TAKE ON THIS JOB.

I ALSO WANT TO SAY TO THOSE SHINY NEW COUNCILMEMBERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE SWORN IN TONIGHT, GOOD LUCK.

AND ANYBODY WHO TAKES ON THIS ROLE IN ANY CITY TODAY IS GOING TO NEED ALL THE LUCK THEY CAN GET.

YOU KNOW, IT'S, BIG JOB, IT'S A HUGE JOB AND RESPONSIBILITY.

IT CAN TURN INTO A FULL TIME JOB IF YOU LET IT REALLY EASILY.

YOU ARE ELECTED TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL IMPACT THE LIVES OF A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME AFTER YOU HAVE LEFT THE COUNCIL. YOU KNOW AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE COGNIZANT OF THE IMPACT OF THOSE DECISIONS THAT YOU MAKE. AND YOU WON'T ALWAYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION AND THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN YOU WILL SECOND GUESS YOUR DECISIONS. THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN YOU ARE SO FRUSTRATED. THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN YOU ARE SO EXHAUSTED BUT THERE ALSO WILL BE THE DAYS WHEN A CITIZEN SAYS THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTEN TO GO ME AND ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JUST BEING THERE AND YOU KNOW THANK YOU FOR

[00:05:02]

AND SO. GOOD LUCK AND TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE LEAVING WHO ARE STAYING, THOSE WHO ARE STAYING PROBABLY NEED IT MORE AND TO THOSE COMING ON TO THE COUNCIL TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE ANYONE ELSE FROM THE

[3.A. Consider action to adopt a resolution canvassing the results of the General Election held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for the election of Councilmembers Places 1, 3, and 5.]

>> CITY COUNCIL ELECTED FOR PLACES 1, THREE AND FIVE HELD ON SATURDAY MAY SECOND, 2026. THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE AS FOLLOWS PLACE ONE CHRIS KIZZIAR 55.4 % OF THE VOTE.

BETSY WHITE. 44.6 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

PLACE 3, BYRON FASSETT, RECEIVED THAT'S WRONG -- SORRY.

1166 VOTES, 53.14% OF THE VOTE. SCOTT HART RECEIVED 1028 VOTES WHICH IS 46.86 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.

AND PLACE 5, ROBERT VAN BLUMEN DAL RECEIVED 27.23% OF THE VOTE AND CARTER HOLSTON RECEIVED 1606 VOTE, 72.77% OF THE VOTE.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. THE CITY CHARTER REQUIRES ALL CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MAYOR OR COUNCILMEMBER SHALL BE ELECTED BY MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL THE VOTES CAST.

THEREFORE, CHRIS KIZZIAR IS ELECTED TO PLACE ONE.

BYRON FASSETT PLACE THREE AND CARTER HOLSTON DUAL ELECTED TO PLACE MEMBER 5. THESE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE

ELECTION. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

COUNCIL WILL THAT BE THE CASE, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ENTERTAIN THE CANVASSING OF THE MOTION.

HOW DO WE CLEAR THE MOTIONS HERE DEBBIE? LET'S DO A HAND MOTION. THERE WE GO.

I HAVE A MOTION BY MR. REAVES. >> YES, MAYOR I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE RESULTS OF GENERAL ELECTION SATURDAY MAY SECOND FOR ELECTION OF COUNCILMEMBERS, PLACES ONE 3 AND FIVE.

>> MOTION AND SECOND TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.

ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT.

LET'S CALL THE VOTE PLEASE. THAT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[4.A. Recognition of outgoing Councilmembers Jonathan Reaves and Elise Bowers, and Mayor Pro Tem Michael Schupp.]

COUNCILMEMBER REAVES, IF YOU COULD JOIN ME ON THE PODIUM OR IF YOU HAVE FAMILY HERE. THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

AND WE ARE JOINED TODAY BY OUR OWN STATE REPRESENTATIVE, RHETTA BOWERS, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TO CELEBRATE WITH US.

WELL, JONATHAN, JONATHAN, JONATHAN, FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK.

JONATHAN HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE ASSET TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND TO THE CITY OF ROWLETT. FROM THE START OF HIS SERVICE IN 2023, I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY IMPRESSED BY HIS INTELLIGENCE, JUDGMENT AND CHARACTER. ANYONE THAT KNOWS JONATHAN KNOW THAT IS SURPASSED BY HIS SENSE OF HUMOR.

HE HAS BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF OUR RESIDENTS HAS APPROACHED CITY BUSINESS WITH A COLLABORATIVE ATTITUDE.

ALWAYS LISTENING CAREFULLY AND MOVING IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS FORWARD. HE'S ALSO SERVED WITH THE ANIMAL

[00:10:02]

THAT KIND OF SERVICE ISN'T ALWAYS VISIBLE TO THE LOCAL PUBLIC AND MATTERS DEEPLY IN GETTING THINGS DONE.

JONATHAN, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOUR COMMITMENT AND GOOD HUMOR AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE CITY OF ROWLETT. YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED ON THIS COUNCIL AND WE WISH YOU THE BEST IN WHAT COMES NEXT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT YOU WITH A PLAQUE.

THAT'S FOR YOU. AND WE WILL ALSO HAVE WE REQUESTED AND THEY'RE IN PRODUCTION, I ONLY HAVE ONE OF THEM SO FAR. A STREET SIGN WITH YOUR NAME AND YEARS OF SERVICE. IT'S GOT REAVES ACROSS IT.

>> . I GETTING A STREET NAMED AFTER

ME? >> IF YOU WANTED THAT DONE, YEAH. A LITTLE TOO LATE MAN.

ABSOLUTELY. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IF YOU WANT TO SHARE WORDS OR REPRESENTATIVE BOWERS.

>> WELL, I HONESTLY DIDN'T REALIZE WE WERE DOING THIS TONIGHT. I WOULDN'T HAVE WORN JEANS AND MY WIFE WOULD HAVE SHOWN UP. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY OTHER THAN IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE HERE.

I LOVE THE CITY AND I LOVE ALL OF YOU.

LOVE THE RESIDENTS HERE IN ROWLETT AND REALLY MY WHOLE GOAL WAS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT MISS SHINDERS SAID TO MAKE ROWLETT BETTER AND IMPACT ROWLETT IN A POSITION DIRECTION THAT GOES OUT 40 YEARS FROM NOW. THERE'S THINGS I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY. I WASN'T ALWAYS PERFECT BUT I ALWAYS GAVE IT MY ALL. I ALWAYS TRIED HARD TO BE PREPARED AND TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION WITH THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD AT THE TIME. SO, IT'S BEEN A REAL HONOR.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU RESIDENTS FOR PUTTING TRUST IN ME, EVEN THOSE THAT DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME.

BACK IN THE ELECTION, MANY OF YOU I WOULD NEVER HAVE MET HAD I NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.

WHETHER WE HAD DISAGREEMENTS OR NOT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU'RE ALL FRIENDS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE FRIENDS GOING FORWARD.

I WISH THE NEW COUNCILMEMBERS. I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS.

I'M CONFIDENT YOU WILL BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE CITY AND TO THE RESIDENTS, THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING ENGAGED, INFORMED AND AGAIN REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY SO THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] FOERSZ

>> THIS IS JUST A FORMALITY. SOMETIMES LEADERS COME ALONG THAT YOU REALLY GET TO KNOW. SOMEBODY THAT LITERALLY IS YOU KNOW, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

BUT, YOU FIND COMMON GROUND AND THAT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND ALSO AS A MOTHER OF ONE OF YOUR SITTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, JOHN B BOWERS III, YOU EXTENDED YOUR HAND TO HIM. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU WRAPPED YOUR ARM AROUND AND SAID, HEY MAN COME ON IN AND WANTED TO SHOW THEM THE ROPES. MAYBE WE DAY WE WILL GET THAT COFFEE WE HAVE BEEN PROMISING EACH

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> I KNOW HE TRIED TO SNEAK BACK UP TO THE DAIS AND HIS TIME

[00:15:03]

SO, ELISA HAS BEEN TO SAY SHE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY.

ELISA HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND THE PEOPLE THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EVERY DAY.

THE CITY STAFF. SHE BRINGS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TO THE COUNCIL BECAUSE SHE UNDERSTANDS THE CITY ON MULTIPLE SIDES. SHE SERVED ON STAFF SIDE, THE POLICY SIDE AND LIVED AS A LONG TIME RESIDENT HERE IN THE CITY AND WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE HAS MADE HER VOICE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT. ELISA NOT ONLY UNDERSTANDS WHAT DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE AND HOW THOSE EFFECT THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING THEM OUT AND THE PEOPLE WE ARE HERE

TO SERVE >> I TRULY VALUED HER HONESTY AND PERSPECTIVE. GOOD GOVERNANCE REQUIRES PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO SPEAK CANDIDLY AND ELISA HAS DONE THAT WITH GRACE. I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL SHE STEPPED UP TO RUN AND THE TIME SHE'S GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL AND GRATEFUL TO THE WAY SHE'S SERVED ROWLETT ELISA THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND CONGRATULATIONS ON A SECOND

RETIREMENT. >> WELL, DUDE, I WROTE A SPEECH. COME ON.

RIGHT. ABSOLUTELY.

SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HERE.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

I HAVE ENJOYED KNOWING ALL OF YOU.

98% OF THE TIME. NO.

WE HAVE HAD DISAGREEMENTS BUT WE HAVE ENDURED AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT. I WANT TO CLOSE MY TIME WITH THE THINGS THAT MATTER THE MOST TO ME TO SAY PUBLICLY.

THE PEOPLE WHO COME THROUGH THESE DOORS TO SPEAK AT THE PODIUM, TO FILE AN APPLICATION, TO SIT IN THESE CHAIRS AND WAIT FOR AN AGENDA ITEM THAT EFFECTS THEIR HOME, OR THEIR BUSINESS OR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY DESERVE OUR FULL ATTENTION AND OUR GENUINE RESPECT EVERY TIME.

ZONING APPLICATIONS, VARIANCE REQUESTS, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS, THESE ARE NOT ABSTRACTIONS, THEY ARE SOMEONE'S LIFE'S SAVINGS. THEY ARE SOMEONE'S BUSINESS AND SOMEONE'S BACKYARD AND THEY ARE SOMEONE'S STREET.

THE PEOPLE NAVIGATING THESE PROCESSES ARE ADULTS DEALING WITH COMPLICATED COMPETING INTERESTS IN REAL CONSEQUENCES THEY DESERVE TO BE TREATED ACCORDINGLY.

MY ASK TO THE INCOMING COUNCIL IS SIMPLE.

ENDURE. ENDURE THE COMPLEXITY.

ENDURE THE DISCOMPORT OF COMPETING INTERESTS.

SIT WITH IT LONG ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU BEFORE YOU DECIDE. THE PUBLIC IS NOT AN INTERRUPTION. THEY ARE THE REASON WE ARE HERE.

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN TRUE OF ROWLETT.

75 YEARS AGO, ORDINARY PEOPLE NEIGHBORS CAME TOGETHER AND DECIDING TO BUILD SOMETHING. THEIR VERY FIRST ACT AS A AN ORGANIZED ACT WAS FOR A BOND. FOR A WATER TOWER SO FAMILIES NO LONGER HAD TO CARRY WATER BY HAND FROM A WELL TO THEIR HOME.

IMAGINE THAT. IMAGINE WHAT THAT MEANT IN THEIR LIVES. THAT IS WHAT GOVERNMENT IS FOR.

THIS IS WHAT THAT SEAT IS FOR. REAL PEOPLE, REAL PROBLEMS, BUT REAL SOLUTIONS THAT ARE BUILT TOGETHER.

IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR IN MY LIFE TO SERVE THE NEIGHBORS OF ROWLETT. I LEAVE WITH DEEP FAITH IN THIS CITY'S FUTURE. AND I HOPE THIS COUNCIL WILL HONOR THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY BY REMEMBERING WHO BUILT THIS PLACE

[00:20:02]

[APPLAUSE] >> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU FOLLOW THAT, AND I DIDN'T WRITE A SPEECH OR I DIDN'T CHECK WITH CHATGPT OR ANYBODY ELSE, CLAUDE OR GEMINI TO TALK TONIGHT.

AND MAKE REMARKS HERE. WELL, I HAVE BEEN KNOWING YOU FOR A LONG TIME. AND YOU KNOW, LAST NIGHT Y'ALL I DID ONE OF THESE IN GARLAND AS WELL.

I DO TRY TO SERVE EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.

I REALLY DO. BUT THIS ONE IS SPECIAL.

ROWLETT IS WHERE I LIVE. AND BREATHE.

AND HAVE REARED MY CHILDREN. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU CAME ON THE PARK BOARD AS A PARK ASSISTANT. IN THE OFFICE.

AND SITTING NEXT TO THE KILGORES LIKE I WASN'T EXPECTED I WOULD BE DOING ANY OF THIS I'M STANDING HERE DOING.

I WILL STOP AND LET THIS PROGRAM GOING ON BUT THIS IS IN RECOGNITION FOR YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING SUCH A STRONG VOICE SOUNDING BOARD AND HAVING SUCH COMPASSIONATE CONCERNS FOR CITIZENS IN ROWLETT AND YOUR

WORDS >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

>> HE WOULDN'T HAVE BROUGHT THAT GLASS OF WATER IF SHE KNEW HOW MUCH TO CARRY. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MAYOR PRO TEM, MICHAEL SCHUPP. CAREY, YOU WANT TO COME UP? SO LASTLY I WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER RECOGNIZE, EXCUSE ME, COUNCILMEMBER MICHAEL SCHUPP. MICHAEL HAS BEEN A STANCH SUPPORTER OF OUR GOLF COURSE AND PARKS EVEN BEFORE HE WAS ELECTED. HE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SEE OUR GOLF COURSE IMPROVED AND UPGRADED AS A COMPETITIVE COURSE IN OUR AREA. HE HAS FOUGHT HARD FOR THE CONTINUE AND FUTURE OF OUR NATURE TRAIL NAMED THE LONNIE CORNWELL NATURE TRAIL. ROWLETT HAS A SPECIAL PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS CAN HIKE, WALK THEIR DOG AND EXPERIENCE THE WOODS AND NATURAL BEAUTY THAT ARE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. MICHAEL HAS ALL BEEN KNOWN TO BE STRONG IN HIS POSITIONS. HE'S OPINIONATED, DIRECT AND HONEST. AND WHILE THAT KIND OF CANDOR IS NOT ALWAYS EASY, IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF PUBLIC SERVICE. MICHAEL HAS CONSISTENTLY SPOKEN FROM A PLACE OF CONVICTION AND NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO SAY WHAT IS RIGHT. COUNCILMEMBER SCHUPP TOOK UP THE ROLE ON SERVING ON THE FINANCING HOUSING CORPORATION AND I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER.

IT'S THANKLESS SERVICE THAT MAKES ROWLETT GREAT.

MICHAEL THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOUR HONESTLY AND ADVOCACY AND YOUR DEDICATION TO THE CITY.

WE WISH I THE BEST AND I HOPE YOU GET TO STAND MORE TIME ON THE LINKS. SO THANK YOU.

THAT'S FOR YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT.

I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO CONGRATULATE OUR THROUGH NEW CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND I KNOW THEY WILL BE THE BEST.

THEY WILL BE WONDERFUL REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT. IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE CITIZENS OF ROWLETT FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS.

I LEAVE KNOWING WE ACCOMPLISHED GREAT THINGS I'M CERTAIN MORE GREAT THINGS ARE IN OUR FUTURE. IN MY TIME ON COUNCIL, I HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY A SINGLE PRINCIPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT AND ALL CITIZENS. IT'S OFTEN BEEN DIFFICULT TO DO AND PROUD I'M ABLE TO FOLLOW THE PRINCIPLE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE

[00:25:05]

FINALLY I WANT TO THANK MY WIFE CARY FOR STANDING BY ME IF ARE THIS JOURNEY. I LOOK FORWARD TO FINALLY BEGIN MY RETIREMENT AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH MY WIFE AND FAMILY.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> MAYOR PRO TEM. >> FORMER.

>> WELL. YEAH.

I GUESS YOU'RE RIGHT. WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK WITH YOU ON ANYTHING.

YOU HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN OPEN MIND AND ALWAYS BEEN SO RESPECTFUL.

AND AGAIN, THIS IS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND RECOGNITION OF YOUR DEDICATED SERVICE IN LEADERSHIP AS A MEMBER OF THE CITY OF ROWLETT PLACE 5 ON THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY, 2026. THANK YOU FOR BEING A STRONG VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND JONATHAN AND ELISA, IS ELISA STILL HERE? THERE SHE IS.

OKAY. I WAS WORRIED SHE ALREADY LEFT.

THE WAY THAT SCHUPPS COME BACK TOO.

THE WAY THAT SCHUPP SAID FORMER SO FAST.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK PHOTO WITH ALL OF US.

[APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT.

[4.B. Conduct oath of office for newly elected Councilmember Places 1, 3, and 5.]

WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 4 B, WHICH IS ON CONDUCT THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR PLACE 1, 3 AND 5. WE HAVE JUDGE KILGORE AND I WOULD FIRST INVITE UP PLACE ONE, CHRIS KIZZIAR.

>> I GET THE MIC. NO.

DOWN THERE. OKAY.

>> YOU SHOULD KNOW I HAVE ASKED HIM TO SAY THIS VERY SLOWLY.

SO -- >> IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OUT OF THE OFFICE.

I CHRIS KIZZIAR. DO SOLEMNLY WEAR AND AFFIRM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE. THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.

THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

PLACE ONE. >> PLACE ONE.

FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT. >> FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WILL

TO THE BEST OF ABILITY. >> AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND,

>> THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND OF THE STATE. AND OF THE STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. >> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU.

SO CHRIS IF YOU WILL TAKE YOUR PLACE AT THE DAIS.

AND OUR DEPUTY CITY SECRETARY WILL PUT OUT NAME PLATES AND MOVE ON TO PLACE 3. MR. BYRON FASSETT.

>> OKAY. IN THE NAME OF AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OATH OF OFFICE.

I. >> STATE YOUR NAME.

>> BYRON FASSETT. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE, THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY

[00:30:05]

FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT. OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY

ABILITY >> AND WILL TO BEST OF MY ABILITY. PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND.

>> THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE

STATE SO HELP ME GOD. >> AND OF THE STATE, SO HELP ME GOD. CONGRATULATIONS.

ALL RIGHT AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST.

MR. CARTER HOLSTON FOR PLACE 5. >> IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. I.

>> STATE YOUR NAAR. >> -- STATE YOUR NAME.

>> CARTER HOLSTON. DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM.

>> THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY EXECUTE.

THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

>> PLACE 5, >> PLACE 5.

FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT. >> FOR THE CITY OF ROWLETT.

OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. >> OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND

WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY >> AND WILL TO THE BEST OF MY ABLE. PRESERVE, PROTECT AND DEFEND.

THE INSTITUTION, AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND OF THIS STATE. >> AND OF THIS STATE.

SO HELP ME GOD. >> SO HELP ME GOD.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU JUDGE KILGORE. AND I WANT TO INVITE ANY OF OUR NEWLY ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE REMARKS, YOU CAN STEP UP TO THE DAIS AND DO SO.

CHRIS. SORRY TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT.

IT'S KIND OF ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

YOU CAN SIT THERE AND DO IT TOO. SO HIT YOUR.

THERE YOU GO. >> NOW I'M ON MIC.

I ALWAYS GET THE FIRST ONE. IS THIS PLANNED BY THE WAY? ALL I WILL TELL YOU IS, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHO VOTED FOR ME.

OBVIOUSLY WE ARE COMING INTO A STRETCH THAT HAS BEEN QUITE A LITTLE MESSY RECENTLY. SO WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE THAT.

I WELCOME MY CURRENT NEW COUNCILMEMBERS.

I THINK THEY WILL DO GREAT WITH US AS WELL.

AND GIVE A BIG THANKS FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL HERE.

WE HAVE A BIG JOB AHEAD OF US AND I THINK THAT WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT TACKLING THESE PROBLEMS WE HAVE GOING ON NOW.

I WILL CONFIDENT WITH THE BUNCH WE WILL ALL SOLVE THESE WITHIN REASON. HOW ABOUT THAT? BUT, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE VOTE.

THANK YOU FOR THE CONFIDENCE AS WELL.

AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU.

[APPLAUSE] >> BYRON.

>> HE'S A FAST LEARNER WITH THE MIC BUTTON.

>> YEAH, I WILL KEEP IT OFF MOST THE TIME.

I WANT TO THANK JUST LIKE CHRIS, EVERYBODY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AND I DO LOOK AT IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY AND A PRIVILEGE TO DO THIS. I WANT TO THANK ALL THAT VOTED FOR ME AND THE ONES THAT DON'T. I REALLY WANT TO WORK TO EARN THAT VOTE. MY LIFE IS THE GLASS IS ALWAYS HALF FULL. I LOVE THIS CITY AND HAVE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY IN FRONT OF US.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND BEING OPEN TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ME AND MEET WITH ME ANY TIME OR ANY PLACE.

THANK YOU. >> AND CARTER.

>> THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. WELL, LOOKING OUT I SEE SO MANY FRIENDLY FACES AND I OWE A DEBT OF THE GRATITUDE TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. FOR PUTTING UP YARD SIGNS.

I KEEP TAKING THEM OUT AND THEY KEEP POPPING UP AT NIGHT TIME.

MY CAMPAIGN MANAGER IS HERE, HUDSON ASHLEY.

THERE'S MY CAMPAIGN MANAGER. BOY, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK.

BUT, COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT SO MANY FRIENDS HELPING OUT TRYING TO MAKE OUR CITY BETTER.

AND I CLOSED ONE OF FORUMS WITH THIS, I HAD A LONG CAREER, A GREAT CAREER, WONDERFUL TIME, AND I DECIDED ABOUT MIDTERM HOW WOULD I MEASURE MYSELF? AND I CAME UP WITH THREE THINGS.

ONE, DID I OPERATE WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ETHICS AND HONESTLY AND INTEGRITY? TWO, DID I MAKE THINGS BETTER? AND THREE, DID I DO ANY HARM? AND SO, THOSE ARE THE THREE

[00:35:01]

AND THINGS KIND OF SHIFT TONIGHT WHERE WE DID A LOT OF TALKING ON THE CAMPAIGN AND NOW WE DO LISTENING.

THANK YOU FOR CITIZENS OF ROWLETT.

I TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND IT'S AN HONOR TO SERVE.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

>> ALL RIGHT FOLKS, WITH THAT, WE HAVE A RECEPTION IN THE LOBBY YOU CAN -- REPRESENTATIVE BOWERS.

THERE'S NOT MANY PEOPLE IN THE ROOM THAT WILL RAISE A HAND AND

I WILL STOP FOR. >> I'M SORRY, SIR.

I DO HAVE A PRESENTATION FOR THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL IF THEY COULD COME FORWARD REAL QUICK AND I PROMISE I AM MAKE IT

QUICK. >> WANT TO START WITH PLACE

ONE? >> I THINK SO.

BECAUSE I THINK I'M BETWEEN AS THEY SAY IN THE CHURCH.

I'M BETWEEN THIS AND LUNCH OR THE RECEPTION SO I DON'T WANT TO

HOLD US UP. >> RHETTA, DO YOU

>> PERFECT. THANK YOU.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BREAK THIS. WELL, YEAH.

GUYS, COME UP. YEAH.

PLEASE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE. YOU KNOW, WELL, IT'S THE TRUTH RIGHT. OKAY.

YES. SO, Y'ALL TWO HAVE A LOT OF GUYS. I WANT TO SAY THAT IN ROWLETT.

ROWLETT COUNCIL IS ALL MALE. IT'S OKAY.

IT'S OKAY. I'M GOING TO KEEP THEM HONEST.

SO, BUT, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT WAS SAID ABOUT FORMER COUNCILMEMBER JONATHAN REAVES IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR. SO, IT'S HARD WORK.

WHAT EACH OF YOU SAID WAS BEAUTIFUL TO YOU COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS KIZZIAR. THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. I AM SO ENCOURAGED AND PROUD OF YOU IN PARTICULAR IN THIS CASE BECAUSE IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE, ONE FOR ALL THREE OF YOU TO PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BALLOT, AND RUN A CLEAN RACE. BUT, REALLY TO GET UP AND DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO NOT, BE ON THE GOOD SIDE OF THAT.

BUT NO. HEY.

I HAVE BEEN THERE. >> I GET IT.

>> APPRECIATE IT. >> SO, TO EACH OF YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS KIZZIAR, IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ELECTION AND SWEARING INTO THE ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL PLACE ONE ON THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY 2026 AND PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY INVESTED IN ME.

I HAVE HERE UNTO SET MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE AT AUSTIN TEXAS, ON THE 13TH DAY OF MAY IN THE YEAR OF 2026.

RHETTA ANN BOWERS AND I'M SO PROUD.

FOR BYRON FASSETT. THIS IS IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ELECTION AND SWEARING IN TO THE COUNCIL PLACE THREE ON THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY, 2026. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING

WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU.

AND TO CARTER HOLSTON, IT'S AN HONOR TO DO THIS FOR YOU.

I KNOW THAT GISD TRUSTEE LARRY BLICK INTRODUCED US.

I HAD THAT HAPPEN IN GARLAND TOO, THERE WAS A SORT OF PASSING OF THE TORCH AND I LOVE THAT WHEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED OR CONTINUE TO SERVE CAN PASS THAT TORCH AND INTRODUCE ME TO LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU. THIS IS IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR ELECTION AND SWEARING IN OF ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL PLACE 5 ON THE 13TH DAY OF MAY, 2026. [APPLAUSE]

>> LET'S GET -- OKAY. CAN YOU GUYS SCOOT DOWN.

I HATE TO BOSS YOU AROUND. JUST BECAUSE THE PODIUM.

YES. THANK YOU RHETTA.

>> AS I MENTIONED, THERE'S A RECEPTION.

ONE MORE THING OCCURRED TO ME AND WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THE FAMILY COME UP DURING THE OATHS OF OFFICE AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM.

THE FAMILIES WHO STAND BEHIND THESE COUNCILMEMBERS AND SUPPORT THEM LISTEN TO THEM, GRIEVE WHEN THEY COME HOME.

[00:40:02]

THEY ARE AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

IF YOU ARE A FAMILY MEMBER OF ONE OUR NEWLY-ELECTED COUNCILMEMBERS, COULD I ASK YOU TO STAND SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU PLEASE. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU ALL. YOU HAVE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ROLES. MAYBE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAN SITTING UP HERE BECAUSE YOU GET TO HEAR BOTH SIDES OF IT ANY TIME YOU'RE AT A STORE OR JUST SHOPPING.

YOU ARE NOW THE SPOUSE OF A ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL MEMBER.

AND YOU WILL GET ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT COME ALONG WITH THAT. SO, BRACE YOURSELVES.

IT'S NOT JUST YOUR SPOUSE THAT SIGNED UP TO RUN.

WITH THAT, AGAIN WE DO HAVE A RECEPTION OUT IN THE LOBBY.

WE INVITE YOU TO STICK AROUND AND RECOGNIZE ALL OF THOSE BOTH OUT GOING AND INCOMING COUNCILMEMBERS AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS YOUR NEW ROWLETT CITY COUNCIL.

[APPLAUSE] AND WITH THAT,

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.