BANGS, Texas — The Bangs City Council appointed Dennis Farris as the city’s interim police chief Monday night after deciding not to enter an agreement with Public Safety Solutions to hire a police chief. The decision came after a three-hour, 10-minute meeting that concluded with an executive session.
Farris received unanimous approval from the three council members in attendance: Mayor Pro Tem Carrol Wells, Eric Bishop and Danny Marney. He has more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience and 1,200 hours of continuing education.
Farris worked for the Austin Police Department from 1990 through 2015 in various roles. Since 2013, he has worked for T&M Protection as a personal protection officer. The source reported that he has received more than 45 commendations, won the Dispute Resolution Centers’ 1999 Peacemaker of the Year award and is serving as president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association through November 2027.
Farris, who lives in Leander, will serve under a month-to-month 1099 contract paying $1,500 per week. The contract automatically renews without requiring additional council consent. He will also receive housing and automotive allowances. Bishop said Farris was not interested in the full-time police chief position.
Staffing changes approved
After the executive session, the council ratified Billy Jordan’s employment as public works director. Jordan will work part time, 20 hours per week, at $23.54 per hour.
The council also approved Michelle Meadows’ full-time employment at City Hall. Meadows will work 40 hours per week at $17 per hour and assist with clerical duties. Interim City Administrator Stephanie Jester said Meadows will replace two former employees.
The council accepted the resignations of Shayla Barnham and David Wallace, both from the public works department. Wallace’s resignation was accepted earlier in the meeting, while Barnham’s was handled after the executive session.
Water rate remains unchanged; hotel tax ordinance considered
For the 2026-27 fiscal year, Bangs will keep the same water rate used during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The council also authorized City Attorney Pat Chesser to begin preparing an ordinance for a 5% hotel occupancy tax applying to eligible businesses.
The city approved a Financial Review and Audit Readiness Proposal from McGee, Davis & Pond Bookkeeping Advisors. The work is expected to cost between $800 and $1,000 and is intended to help prepare for the upcoming audit.
The Bangs Municipal Development District’s zero-balance budget for 2026-27 was approved with $42,600 in expenses and $42,600 in revenue.
Council members invited CR Reality and a potential buyer to attend a future meeting and provide information about a possible purchase of Stephens Station and plans for the property. The council also voted to return approximately $8,500 in Christmas decorations bought by the city in March and delivered Aug. 17.
Financial pressure and future agenda items
The council spent more than an hour reviewing bills before approving them, many individually. Jester told the council that money from the city’s water fund would be transferred to the general fund to pay water-related bills because the general fund did not have enough money to cover all 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.
Among the largest approved payments were $47,396.84 to Kansas State Bank Government Finance Department for three vehicle leases; $30,342.81 to Apsco for fire hydrants; $22,619.98 to the Brown County Water Improvement District for water purchases; $19,704.59 to Gexa Energy for electricity; and $18,707.59 to County Waste Services for waste removal.
Other payments included $14,560 to Lydick Hooks for roof repairs, $8,118.18 to Zack Burkett Co. for two truckloads 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 and $5,000 to Core & Main for water meters.
The city also approved payments for operational assistance, vehicle repairs, wastewater treatment equipment, utilities, postage, legal services and other expenses. A group of 20 bills below $5,000 each was approved together, along with 18 bills dated Aug. 24.
Jester reported that the city had refunded $8,982.53 to residents who were affected by erroneous water disconnects and related fees.
Budget-amendment discussions for 2025-26 were tabled. Future agendas may include rescinding a resolution adopted Aug. 11, 2025, that allowed Flock Safety automatic license-plate-reader cameras within the city limits. The council may also consider opting out of a Usio contract for mailing and postage costs associated with monthly water bills.