BANGS – A three-hour, 10-minute meeting Monday night concluded after an executive session, where the Bangs City Council opted not to enter into an agreement with Public Safety Solutions to hire a police chief and instead appointed Dennis Farris as interim police chief.

Farris – who received unanimous approval from the three Council members in attendance, Mayor Pro Tem Carrol Wells, Eric Bishop and Danny Marney – has served in law enforcement for more than 30 years with 1,200 hours of continued education.

Farris spent 1990 through 2015 employed by the Austin Police Department in various roles, and since 2013 Farris has worked for T&M Protection as a Personal Protection Officer. Farris is subject to more than 45 commendations, was the recipient of the Dispute Resolution Centers 1999 Peacemaker of the Year award, and is currently serving as Austin Police Retired Officers Association president through November 2027.

Through a 1099 contract, Farris will be paid $1,500 a week on a month-to-month agreement, with the contract auto-renewing without Council’s required consent. Farris will also receive a housing and automotive allowance.

Bishop informed those in attendance Farris, a current resident of Leander, was not interested in the full-time police chief position.

Also after the executive session, Council ratified the employment of Billy Jordan as public works director, though he will work in a part-time capacity – 20 hours per week at $23.54 per hour.

Michelle Meadows was hired to work in City Hall on a full-time basis, 40 hours per week at $17 per hour, to assist with various clerical duties. Interim City Administrator Stephanie Jester stated Meadows will be replacing two former employees.

Council also accepted the resignation of Shayla Barnham with the public works department. Prior to the executive session, Council also accepted the resignation of David Wallace, also in the public works department.

Earlier in the meeting, the Council approved the same water rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year as the current water rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Council also approved a motion to permit City Attorney Pat Chesser to engage in crafting an ordinance providing for a 5% hotel occupancy tax for all businesses that are applicable.

At an estimated cost between $800-$,1000, Council approved a Financial Review and Audit Readiness Proposal from McGee, Davis & Pond Bookkeeping Advisors to assist in preparations for the upcoming audit.

The Council approved the Bangs Municipal Development District’s zero balance budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year – $42,600 in expenses and $42,600 in revenue.

Council invited to CR Reality, and the potential buyer, to attend a future meeting and present information regarding the possible purchase of Stephens Station and intentions for the property.

Council voted to return approximately $8,500 in Christmas decorations purchased by the City in March of this year that were delivered on Aug. 17.

Council approved Jester, Wells and City Secretary Velma Liendo as authorized representatives and signatories with TexSTAR and BOK Financial.

With Jester as the only current notary within City Hall, Council also OKed Liendo to regain her notary commission, which is expected to cost less than $500.

All 2025-26 budget amendment discussions were tabled Monday night.

The meeting began with the Council spending more than an hour going through bills, which were then approved – many on an individual basis – for payment.

Jester informed the Council that money from the City’s water fund would be moved over into the general fund to pay for water related bills, as there currently wasn’t enough money in the general fund to cover all the costs.

“We have $242,000 worth of bills here, and there’s a total of $611,753.15 in all our banking accounts, but some of those are reserves,” Jester said.

A list of the bills paid from Monday night include:

• $47,396.84 to Kansas State Bank Government Finance Department for 3 vehicle leases
• $30,342.81 to Apsco for fire hydrants
• $22,619.98 to the Brown County Water Improvement District for water purchase
• $19,704.59 to Gexa Energy for electricity
• $18,707.59 to County Waste Services for waste removal
• $14,560 to Lydick Hooks for roof repairs
• $8,118.18 to Zack Burkett Co. for 2 truck loads of asphalt
• $7,162.32 to the City of Brownwood for dispatch services
• $6,628.50 to the Bangs EDC for sales tax
• $6,597.81 to Hunter Generator Service
• $5,000 to Core & Main for water meters
• $5,000 to Jacobs and Martin for operational assistance
• $4,943 to Car Corral Garage for repairs on a Ford F-350
• $4,445 to Jurgensen Pump for a wastewater treatment plant bar screen
• $4,296.29 to Accurate Air for ice machine, other repairs
• $4,105.94 to Bovey Cochran PLLC to conclude attorney’s contract
• $3,060.55 to WEX Bank
• $2,067.68 to NAPA Auto Parts for repairs
• $1,443.66 to Usio for mailing and postage costs for monthly water bills
• $1,367.64 to Texas Child Support Disbursement Unit
• $618.42 AT&T Mobility
• $596.76 to Kirbo’s Office Systems
• $454.40 to TMN Enterprises
• $376.51 to Frontier Communications
• $244.00 to DSHS Central Lab
• $77.91 to COMPdata
• $46.95 to AAC for security services

Also, a group of 20 bills less than $5,000 each were approved all together, as well as a stack of 18 bills all dated Aug. 24.

During the reports portion of the meeting, Jester informed the Council and those in attendance that the City had refunded to citizens $8,982.53 in erroneous water disconnects and associated fees.

Items that will appear a future agenda, per Council discussion, will be rescinding a resolution adopted by the Council on Aug. 11, 2025 allowing Flock Safety automatic license plate reader cameras within the city limits, as well as possibly opting out of a contract with Usio for mailing and postage costs for monthly water bills.