The City of Ballinger was Established in 1886 by the Santa Fe Railroad and today Ballinger is a Home Rule Municipal Government

"We the citizens of Ballinger, Texas, in order to establish a Home Rule Municipal Government, provide for the future progress of our city and obtain more fully the benefits of local self-government do hereby adopt this Home Rule Charter in accordance with the statutes of the State of Texas".

The city's Home Rule Charter was adopted at an election held on April 2, 1963.