What is a Home Rule City and why does Willow Park want to be one.
- WPC Staff
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 1
• Summary: Willow Park is a Type A City, which is ruled by State Law. A Home Rule City is ruled by the Citizen's Law. Mayor Palmer made good on a campaign promise to give control of the City to Willow Park Citizens. Mayor Palmer introduced an agenda item to start the process of replacing the current Type A Municipal City of Willow Park with a Home Rule City.
• Latest Update: updated 01 July 2025; posted 11 June 2025
• Tags: #CityServices #Mayor
• Note: Willow Park Civics is about Willow Park but is NOT associated with or managed by the City of Willow Park.
What is a Home Rule City and why does Willow Park want to be one.
"A home rule city may do anything authorized by its charter that is not specifically prohibited or preempted by the Texas Constitution or state or federal law. A general law city... may only exercise those powers that are specifically granted or implied by statute." Alphabet Soup: Types of Texas Cities, Texas Municipal League [1]
In other words, a Type A City, which Willow Park is, is ruled by State Law. A Home Rule City is ruled by the Citizen's Law.
During the 10 June 2025 Council Meeting [2], Mayor Palmer made good on a campaign promise to give control of the City to Willow Park Citizens. Mayor Palmer introduced an agenda item to start the process of replacing the current Type A Municipal City of Willow Park with a Willow Park Home Rule City.
Over 40 Willow Park Citizens attended to take their seats at the table -- seats promised by Mayor Palmer -- and were pleased when Mayor Palmer announced, at the beginning of the Agenda Item, that Citizens would be welcomed to ask questions after City Attorney Pat Chesser gave his presentation.
Chesser gave an excellent but lengthy presentation about State Law Cities -- specifically a "Type A City" -- and a Citizen Ruled, "Home Rule City." [in .pdf and on the Facebook Video at time stamp 9:53]
In addition, the Mayor made a "Call for Citizen Participation" [3] to start the process of establishing Home Rule in Willow Park.
Willow Park Civics Sources and Resources
[1]Â Alphabet Soup: Types of Texas Cities, Texas Municipal League
[2] 10 June 2025 Council Meeting, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 06 June 2025
Agenda Item 2. Discussion / Action: Home Rule vs. General Law; Process of City of Willow Park becoming Home Rule including appointing a Charter Committee.
• Background: City Attorney Pat Chesser and Mayor Palmer will lead a discussion on Home Rule Communities vs. General Law Cities and will take questions from the Council and citizens.
• Exhibits: Staff Memo_Home Rule Discussion.pdf
[3] Announcement from Mayor Palmer - Historic Call For Citizen Participation From Mayor Palmer, Willow Park Civics Blog, posted 07 June 2025
 "You know how personal it feels when decisions affect you - especially without your voice being heard. That's why we need you at the City Council meeting this Tuesday at 6:00 PM. We're deciding between remaining a Class A City or becoming a Home Rule City — and your input matters more than ever," Mayor Palmer. Details in linked blog.