In the wake of the San Antonio City Council's approval of six Charter Amendment propositions for the November ballot, D6 Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda has aired her concerns about the process and the missed opportunities for public engagement.

During her statement from the dais before the final vote Havrda criticized the Charter Review Commission's process for not adequately considering public input despite taxpayer money funding meetings intended for that purpose, "Taxpayer money was spent organizing meetings where the amendments were discussed, where the public was told their concerns and ideas should be voiced," Havrda stated, noting that although the public did participate their ideas were not truly considered, this was a missed opportunity and also that the meetings lacked the robust discussion found in the City of San Antonio's budget process with meetings in every district and opportunities for input which have been conducted effectively in the past.

Havrda outlined her stance on the need for greater transparency in government and the obligation of leaders to make difficult decisions, saying, "Representative government is clumsy by nature and slow by design. There must be a commitment to transparency if it’s going to work for everyone," acknowledging that the Council fell short in the process by not fully including public perspectives; she further emphasized that the City of San Antonio deserves better.

Referring to two charter amendments she had proposed – to add elected members to the CPS Energy and SAWS boards, and another to change the way the City Attorney is appointed – Havrda underscored her commitment to trust, accountability, and transparency, elements she felt were lacking in the current amendment proposals, "The idea was transparency. The case was made, and the shot was taken; it was done because there was not a public opportunity to do it before, and because there is still plenty of time to discuss new ideas," she articulately reiterated the timeframe and scope for debate on the proposed amendments, highlighting the level of engagement from city employees and public advocates like Alana Trevino, as mentioned by the City of San Antonio.

While acknowledging some positive aspects of the proposed amendments, including changes in city manager pay and terms as well as the modernization of the charter’s language, Havrda pointed out the disconnection between the amendments and the citizens of San Antonio, concluding, "There was a chance to make the process work for everyone. There was an opportunity to be transparent. And we fell short," as she called for a process that serves the entire community, as per the City of San Antonio.