City of Pasadena, Texas, Petitioner v. Richard Smith, Respondent

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that the independent hearing examiner exceeded his jurisdiction by issuing a summary decision without evidence, that the term “arbitration panel” in §143.057(j) includes a hearing examiner, that municipalities may appeal such decisions to a district court, and that the City of Pasadena filed its appeal within the applicable ten‑day deadline. Accordingly, the Court reversed the Court of Appeals and remanded for further proceedings.