The City of Jefferson operates as a Type A General Law form of Government and serves as the County Seat for Marion County, Texas. The City is districted into three Wards.
The City Council serves as the legislative and governing body of the city. The Council consists of a mayor and six City Council members (2 members per ward), that are elected to their respective offices for two-year terms by the qualified voters of the city. Each year, one council member is appointed to fill the role of mayor pro-tem by the City Council to serve during the absence of the mayor.
Citizens are encouraged to attend City Council meetings. The regularly scheduled Council meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month beginning at 5:30 PM, unless otherwise posted by the City Secretary.
The meetings are held at 305 E. Austin St. Jefferson, Tx 75657.
The deadline to submit a request for an item to be placed on the agenda, containing all documentation for consideration and that does NOT require city attorney or planning and zoning review, is 2 (two) Friday’s before the regularly scheduled meeting. Items requiring planning and zoning review need to be turned in 2 (two) Wednesday’s before the regular city council meeting. Items requiring attorney review will need to be turned in as soon as all documentation is complete and ready to be reviewed by the city attorney. Attorney review items may need additional time for review, therefore, may not be placed on the most recent upcoming agenda.
Meeting agendas are posted at 102 N. Polk St. Jefferson, TX 75657. Effective October 1, 2025, all meeting Notices will be posted at 305 E. Austin St. , Jefferson, TX 75657 and will no longer be posted at 102 N. Polk St. Additionally, meeting agendas are posted on the city website under the “News and Upcoming Events” tab.
(H.B. No. 1522: The Notice of a meeting of a governmental body must be posted in a place readily accessible to the general public at all times for at least three business days before the scheduled date of the meeting.)
2022 Updated Ward Map
Elected Officials
May 2025-2026 CITY COUNCIL
Patricia Finstrom, Mayor
Term Expires 2026
903-930-7400
pfinstrom@cityhallofjefferson.com
Hollis Shadden, Ward 1
Term Expires 2026
903-407-7887
hshadden@cityhallofjefferson.com
Bubba Haggard, Ward 1
Term Expires 2027
903-918-2989
charles.haggard@gmail.com
bhaggard@cityhallofjefferson.com
Paul Keith, Ward 2
Term Expires 2026
318-455-3437
pkeith@cityhallofjefferson.com
Kimberly Parsons, Ward 2
Term Expires 2026 (Appointed to fill 2027 term)
318-455-3437
kparsons@cityhallofjefferson.com
April Taylor Johnson, Ward 3
Term Expires 2026
903-930-8309
atjohnson@cityhallofjefferson.com
Douglas Thompson, Ward 3
Term Expires 2027
972-658-0572
dthompson@cityhallofjefferson.com
CITY HALL OFFICES
305 E. Austin St.
Jefferson, Tx 75657
Phone: 903-665-3922
Fax: 903-665-1002
Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm Closed from 1-2pm for lunch
2025 Holiday Schedule-Office Hours-Payment Information updated 11-19-24
Temporary City Hall Offices located at 305 E. Austin St. Jefferson, TX 75657: To make a utility payment in person or overnight drop, submission of building permits, sign permits, walking tour permits, amusement ride permits, alcohol permits, event applications, general questions on water, sewer, streets, and/or city cemetery lots.
Vendor Permits: Please Contact the Jefferson Police Department: 903-665-2432
Overnight Drop Box for Utility Payments: Place in drop box located at 305 E. Austin Street (Visitor Center: GREEN door at west end of building).