Council advances wastewater infrastructure plans after closed session
Following a heated debate over Bandera’s proposed sidewalk project with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the city council shifted its focus to infrastructure needs, unanimously authorizing City Administrator Toni Kunz to negotiate for property intended for a future wastewater treatment facility.
A series of miscommunications plagued the city’s debate over the Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) with TxDot, which was awarded to the city on Nov. 17, 2025.
While council members Debbie Breen, Tammy Morrow, and Deanna McCabe indicated they would support the sidewalk project, they raised concerns about the city's required 20% matching contribution of $598,400. Under the proposed agreement, the city would be required to pay $93,860 within 30 days of approval.
When Breen questioned how the city proposed to pay over half of a million dollars, Administrative Assistant Stephanie Biggs stated that the previous Economic Development Corporation (EDC) had agreed to fund the cost. But Kunz stated that was incorrect.
“It was the previous president who stated it was a possibility,” Kunz clarified. “But it never went forward.”
Council member Lynn Palmer then accused Andrea Jankoski, who attended the meeting and sits on the EDC board, of shaking her head during the debate over funding.
“They will not approve it, the president or whoever is shaking her head,” Palmer said.
Bulletin note: Kim McAleb is the president of the EDC.
Palmer also expressed her frustration at the possibility that the city would decline another grant, citing the city’s decision to cancel a contract with Flock Safety Systems on May 12, which would have been in part covered by the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority Grant.
“The cameras were canceled and that grant was canceled,” Palmer said. “So, that’s a mark against us. The city won’t ever be able to get a grant.”
After Palmer became increasingly heated during the discussion, Kunz asked Mayor Denise Griffin to intervene. Griffin warned Palmer to stop speaking within five seconds or risk being removed from the meeting.
Breen also questioned why the initial investment increased, citing that originally the city’s responsibility was $478,000, $120,400 less than the new cost.
Biggs stated the initial cost had been placed by her predecessor.
“I assumed that to be correct,” Biggs said. “When I found out it wasn’t I found the correct piece of paper.”
But that was not the only objection. For months, Morrow has been requesting the city to conduct a Town Hall to receive input from impacted businesses in the city before approving the investment.
“So, personally I am not willing to give up over half a million dollars without giving input that we’ve been asking for,” Morrow said.
McCabe agreed, stating that the city had only received input from two businesses, although Griffin stated they had received 5.
Ultimately, Kunz provided an option that most of the council agreed to. The resolution was tabled and the AFA with TxDot will be placed on EDC’s agenda for discussion on July 21.
Kunz also noted that the city has secured a representative from TxDOT to speak at a town hall meeting, though a date has not yet been scheduled.
The council later accepted the resignation of Eric Cothran, who served on the EDC board. Cothran cited scheduling inconsistencies.
“I do not feel that it’s fair to the citizens of Bandera and the rest of the board to continue to occupy a seat and not be able to make the meetings with my professional and personal schedule,” Cothran stated in an email to The Bulletin. “It was a very difficult decision and an absolute pleasure to work with the past and current board. I have no doubt that they will make the best decisions for the EDC and citizens of Bandera.”
In other business, the city approved a request from Zane Jackson with Cowboy Capital Classic to use Horseshoe Bend Disc Golf for a PDGA Disc Gold Tournament on Aug. 29; Approved a no match grant application between the city and the Water System Improvements from the Texas Water development Board – an amount that could be up to $10M and would tackle projects Public Works Director and Ardurra have identified, including improvements to the Wastewater treatment plant and emergency power backups; named key stakeholders for the Resilient Communities Grant, which included Bandera Independent School District President Gary Bitzkie and local business owner of Walker Prints Lori Walker; approved a $3,500 repair to the wastewater treatment plant; set a deadline of Aug. 30 for new legal counsel applicants for the city; and finally, authorized Kunz to negotiate for property intended for a future wastewater treatment facility following a meeting in closed session – a decision that sparked applause from the attendees.
The city tabled the following items due to inclement weather: E. Approval of the updated fee schedules for 2026-2027.
G. Discussion and possible action on the comptime policy for City employees.
J. Call for applications on the Planning and Zoning Commission board.
These items are expected to return to a future agenda.
Readers can view the proposed AFA agreement, maps detailing the planned sidewalk locations, and a copy of Cothran's resignation letter in the e-edition of this story.
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