McKinney, TX — A group of McKinney residents is seeking to recall four of the city’s seven council members, including Mayor Bill Cox, following a contentious City Council meeting earlier this month over approval of a mosque site plan.
Organizers cited a “loss of public confidence” in the officials’ ability to represent residents, according to filings submitted to the city.
The recall effort followed the council’s unanimous approval of a site plan submitted by the McKinney Islamic Association for a proposed sanctuary, gym and classroom building.
Mayor Cox said the council’s vote was based on whether the project complied with established city development requirements, not on religion or ideology. City staff determined the site plan met those requirements.
Recall organizers say their concerns extend beyond the mosque project and include city spending, transparency, infrastructure, airport expansion and plans for a new amphitheater.
What Happens Next
Under McKinney’s city charter, organizers have 45 days from filing to return completed petitions, setting a deadline of 5 p.m. Sept. 26.
The group must collect approximately 5,800 signatures from registered McKinney voters — equal to at least 30% of the votes cast in the city’s last regular municipal election — to trigger a recall election.
If enough valid signatures are submitted, voters would ultimately decide at the ballot box whether the targeted officials should be removed from office.