Denton City Council is considering an ordinance that would require elected officials to publicly disclose private meetings with real estate developers, a policy that a Spectrum News review found no other major city in Texas has adopted. The rule would apply to council members, Planning and Zoning Commission members, and city council candidates, with a vote expected in December.

Mayor Pro Tem Nicholas Stevens said the proposal has majority support among those involved in drafting it. He framed the idea simply: disclose who you talked to, what it was about, and why. Supporters argue the measure would restore public trust as development spreads across North Texas, where zoning fights have grown heated enough to spark recall efforts against two Dallas council members.

For Waxahachie residents, the debate hits close to home. Ellis County’s rapid growth means local officials regularly make decisions about subdivisions, commercial projects, and land use that shape neighborhoods for decades. Whether Denton’s approach becomes a model for other cities may depend on that December vote. Would you want Waxahachie to adopt a similar disclosure rule? Let us know in the comments.