During a recent government meeting in San Angelo, public comments highlighted serious allegations of corruption involving the city’s municipal government and its handling of a significant grant for renovations at the Cactus Hotel, owned by local businessman Lee Pfluger. Zane White, a resident, accused the city’s Planning and Development Services Department, along with city managers Daniel Valenzuela and Theresa James, of facilitating illegal construction projects and misleading the San Angelo Design and Historical Review Commission (DHRC).

White claimed that the DHRC was misinformed about the appropriateness of replacing existing awnings with metal ones, leading to the approval of a $75,000 grant from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (Tiers) board. He asserted that this grant was fraudulently obtained and called for the board to demand a legitimate application process for the funding, warning that failure to do so would implicate them in theft from taxpayers.

Another speaker, Jamal Schumper, suggested the establishment of a business incubator program at a local church to promote food entrepreneurship, while expressing concerns about the potential for predatory practices in future Tiers funding proposals. Schumper echoed White's sentiments regarding the need for transparency and integrity within the city council and its departments.

The meeting underscored growing public scrutiny of local government actions and the importance of accountability in the management of public funds. The council is set to consider the minutes from a previous meeting as they continue to navigate these pressing issues.