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Brookshire council hires special counsel, names city secretary after executive session
Summary
After a closed executive session March 27, the Brookshire City Council voted to engage outside legal counsel, acknowledged the return of Stephanie Green under counsel advice and approved hiring Ms. Connor as permanent city secretary.
After a closed executive session on March 27, the Brookshire City Council voted to engage outside special counsel and to make a permanent appointment in the city secretary’s office.
Mayor Pro Tem Richards said the council had discussed the status of Stephanie Green and that “Miss Green was brought back under the advice of counsel.” The council then voted to hire an outside law firm and subsequently approved a motion to make Ms. Connor the permanent city secretary.
Why it matters: The votes follow an extended personnel dispute that included investigations, pay reductions and public criticism. Former city employee Stephanie Green told the council she believes she was forced out and described months of investigations, write-ups and a cut to her pay that she said significantly affected her livelihood. “I welcomed the investigation,” Green told the council. “I wanted the investigation simply to clear my name.”
What the council did - The council moved to hire an outside law firm to serve as special counsel to supplement the city’s existing legal representation. The motion named Denton Navarro Rocha Brunell & Zack as the special counsel the council sought to engage and directed staff to place engagement documents on the agenda for formal authorization. - The council approved a subsequent resolution (listed in the meeting as Resolution No. 1496) authorizing the mayor to execute an engagement letter with Denton Navarro Rocha Brunell & Zack. - The council approved a motion to hire Ms. Connor as permanent city secretary.
Council members described additional background during the open-session report after executive session. A council member said the city had previously hired an independent investigator at public expense and that the investigation did not substantiate allegations against Green. The council discussion referenced an earlier $17,000 probe and a separate invoice the former employee cited of about $30,000 for an outside investigation she said was performed by a firm associated with the county party chair.
How the votes were recorded: The transcript records voice votes and repeated “Aye” responses after motions. Individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the public transcript; the meeting minutes should show the formal roll-call if required.
What speakers said - Mayor Pro Tem Richards summarized the executive-session outcome and the council’s decision to engage outside counsel and address the personnel matters raised in closed session. - Stephanie Green, a former city employee, described her separation from employment as forced, said she had requested investigations to clear her name and detailed pay cuts and write-ups she received while she was employed.
Next steps and context - The council added a resolution to the agenda to authorize the mayor to execute the engagement letter with the named firm. Attorney Zach, appearing for the firm by phone, recommended adopting a written resolution to formalize the engagement and identify the specific attorneys who will represent the city. - The council indicated the hired special counsel will handle multiple matters beyond the Green personnel matter.
Ending: The council returned to open session at about 8:18 p.m. and took the actions above; staff will publish the formal minutes and any executed engagement letter as part of the city’s records.
