The Bandera Economic Development Corp., with newly appointed members Andrea Jankoski, Diane Walters and Nancy De Foster present and new members Gay Guillot and Eric Cothran absent, discussed issues surrounding a $28,135 expenditure to the Frontier Times Museum at its April 21 meeting.
The board also named Kim McAleb as president.
Questions about the expenditure date back to August 2025, when the board received an application from museum staff requesting funding.
The item was not placed on an EDC agenda until Dec. 2, according to former board member Laura Devenport.
Speaking during the meeting’s second public hearing, Devenport outlined several concerns with how the process was handled.
“First off, I am not opposed to giving them funding,” Devenport said, noting she previously approved a $27,000 expenditure to the museum while serving on the board. “I do have some objections about the procedure which haven’t been followed.”
Devenport said no presentation was given by museum staff and no representative was present to answer questions about how the $28,135 would be used.
She also noted the item was presented by Patricia “Hooter” McMullan, which she said could present a conflict of interest because McMullan’s spouse serves on the museum’s board.
She further said state requirements for expenditures exceeding $10,000 were not met.
Those requirements include a 60-day waiting period and two public hearings, ideally advertised in local newspapers.
Devenport emphasized she supports the museum and said her concerns were focused on transparency and public perception.
Responding to concerns about the timing of the hearings, McMullan said the April 21 meeting was the first available opportunity to hold the second public hearing.
The previous board — including former president Manny Longoria and members Eric Cothran and Bethany Tankersley — requested the return of a check issued to the museum on Dec. 3, 2025, one day after the funding was approved.
The funds were returned to the EDC pending completion of required procedures. The public hearing closed after Devenport, the only speaker, addressed the board.
The EDC also appointed officers: McAleb as president, Walters as vice president, De Foster as temporary treasurer and Jankoski as secretary.
De Foster said she accepted the treasurer role on a temporary basis due to time constraints.
The treasurer position was previously held by City Treasurer Allyson Wright, who resigned from the EDC in February.
City Administrator Jill Dickerson also stepped down as acting secretary and administrative assistant. McMullan thanked both for their “invaluable service.”
The board is expected to consider adding an administrative assistant at a future meeting.
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