An Open Records Request revealed documents previously held outside the public eye proving that there were no financial improprieties at Visit Bastrop. And, City Manager Sylvia Carrillo knew it!

On Monday, January 29, 2024 prior to the first Ethics Commission hearing, Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo admitted in writing that it was “hard to show if anything is “wrong” when the existing policies allow it”. This was in reference to the allegations of financial wrong-doing at Visit Bastrop from 2020-2023.

John Kirkland repeated those false financial wrong-doing allegations in his January 18, 2024 ethics complaint and April 2024 recall petition even though he had to have known at the time that they were false.

In December 2023, investigating attorney Sarah Glaser issued a report that stated “The Mayor denied any knowledge of misuse of public funds and my investigation to date uncovered no evidence otherwise.”

In John Kirkland’s January 18, 2024 ethics complaint against Mayor Nelson, he stated under oath “a minimum of 51 occurrences of discussions regarding spending for meals, travel, and entertainment, some of which are already proven to be an improper use of public funds“. (emphasis added) Based on now available documents, that wasn’t true.

Former Visit Bastrop board chair, Kerry Fossler, recused herself from a May 16, 2024 vote that had to do with Visit Bastrop business while she was chair. Council member Kevin Plunkett served as board vice-chair in 2020 and 2021, two years that were included in the investigations. As a board member during those years, Plunkett should have recused himself from any votes regarding this issue, but he didn’t.

Ask yourself:

• Why Kirkland so desperately wanted Mayor Nelson gone that he was willing to see more than $137,000 in taxpayers funds used for that purpose;
• Why Plunkett didn’t recuse himself from votes where he had a direct, or at least perceived, conflict of interest;
• Why the Kirkland-led Council majority refused to investigate the financial concerns laid out by Councilwoman Cheryl Lee in a 42 page report;
• Why a re-write of the City of Bastrop development code is being rushed for adoption.