Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Baytown City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 4, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 4 · 1 seat

James FrancoIncumbentBaytown-born partner and chief financial officer of a construction firm. Has represented District 4 on the council.2sourced
Jamari GilbertLifelong Baytown resident, entrepreneur and coach. His site lists service on the Baytown Parks & Recreation Board and the Goose Creek CISD School Health Advisory Council.3sourced

City Council District 5 · 1 seat

City Council District 6 · 1 seat

Voters in each of the three districts choose one council member for a three-year term.

1 note on these statements

Votes shown here come from draft council minutes included in a city agenda packet; the minutes carry a DRAFT header. Draft City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2026 (in the Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 8, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Laura AlvaradoCouncil Member, District 12sourced Sarah GrahamCouncil Member, District 21sourced Kenrick GriffithCouncil Member, District 32sourced Charles JohnsonMayor, term ends 20272sourced

Start here

Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesExxonMobil Baytown Events Center, Property tax rate, Data center zoning Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Election Day

Tue, Nov 3, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center

Where it standsThe city is developing the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center, and council approved an architect agreement for it and the Sterling Municipal Library renovation in January 2026.

What's on the tableHow much to spend on and how to staff and finish the Events Center.

The city describes the project as an initiative aimed at transforming Baytown into a premier youth sports destination and a hub for tournaments, conferences, and concerts. City of Baytown
On Jan. 8, 2026, council approved an agreement with Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture for services on the Events Center and Sterling Municipal Library renovation, not to exceed $5,099,805, by a 6-1 vote with Kenrick Griffith opposed. Draft City Council minutes, Jan. 8, 2026 (in the Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Jan 8, 2026

Property tax rate

Where it standsThe city proposed a 2026 tax rate of $0.69803 per $100 valuation, above the no-new-revenue rate, with a council vote set for Sept. 10, 2026.

What's on the tableFuture property tax rates and the budgets they pay for.

The notice says the proposed rate is greater than the no-new-revenue tax rate, so the city is proposing to increase property taxes for the 2026 tax year. City of Baytown
The notice says the proposed rate is not greater than the voter-approval tax rate, so no election on the rate is required. City of Baytown

Data center zoning

Where it standsOn Sept. 24, 2026, council approved a code amendment allowing data centers only in Heavy Industrial zoning districts with a Special Use Permit.

What's on the tableWhat detailed standards to set for any data center proposed in Baytown.

Staff described the amendment as a restrictive interim step while the city continues developing more detailed standards. City of Baytown · Sep 25, 2026
The amendment adds a modern definition for data centers and clarifies that data centers are not office uses or data processing centers. City of Baytown · Sep 25, 2026

Business incentives

Where it standsOn Sept. 24, 2026, council approved a Chapter 380 economic development agreement with Palo Verde Partners Development, LLC for a project off North Alexander Drive.

What's on the tableWhich city-owned property and incentives to offer to attract commercial projects.

The agreement conveys about one acre appraised at about $229,000 in exchange for a minimum $2 million investment. City of Baytown · Sep 25, 2026
Staff said construction must begin within two years or the property reverts back to the city. City of Baytown · Sep 25, 2026

Short-term rentals

Where it standsIn December 2025 council approved a special use permit for a short-term rental in a Suburban Residential district, with conditions.

What's on the tableWhether and how to regulate short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods.

The permit at 5111 Ashwood Drive passed 5-1 with James Franco opposed and Sarah Graham absent. Draft City Council minutes, Dec. 11, 2025 (in the Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Dec 11, 2025
The motion approved the ordinance with the five requirements originally set, to include background screening and compliance with future regulations as developed. Draft City Council minutes, Dec. 11, 2025 (in the Feb. 12, 2026 agenda packet) · Dec 11, 2025

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Election DayCity of BaytownNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Laura Alvarado, Sarah Graham, Kenrick Griffith, Charles Johnson3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council has a mayor and six council members, one for each of Districts 1 through 6. City of Baytown
Each member elected or re-elected on Nov. 3, 2026 serves a three-year term from November 2026 to November 2029. City of Baytown
The mayor is listed among the city's elected officers, with a term that expires in 2027. City of Baytown · Aug 18, 2025

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