Houston council delays response to Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report pending StanCOG investigation

The Houston City Council on July 14 voted to withhold a city response to the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report (Case No. 25-6C) about the Stanislaus Council of Governments until StanCOG completes an internal investigation and forensic audit. Mayor George Carr, who is a member of the StanCOG policy board, recommended the pause and the council approved his recommendation.

The council’s action follows the June release of the grand jury’s report alleging mismanagement at StanCOG. “I would recommend to this board not to respond to civil regulatory report until the second investigation is done, and the Stancoff policy board's report comes out and is reported back to the civil grand jury,” Carr said. He said StanCOG has opened an internal inquiry and will pursue a forensic audit of the allegations.

Why it matters: the civil grand jury report alleges misuse of public funds at StanCOG, an agency the City of Houston participates in through its council representation. Council members and members of the public raised concerns about large executive compensation figures reported in media coverage and in the grand jury report, and about ensuring accurate, transparent responses before the city issues any formal reply.

Details from the meeting: Carr told the council StanCOG “has 90 days to respond back to the civil grand jury. We're trying to get our our own investigation done within 60 days.” He said the policy board has created an ad hoc committee to work with investigators and that the executive director has been placed on paid administrative leave so investigators can, if needed, consult that person during the probe. City officials said the paid-leave amount reported in public sources reflected a percentage of the executive’s total compensation package, which includes salary, benefits and vehicle allowance.

Council discussion included questions about the reported paid-leave amount. One council member asked, “What I don't understand ... the decision for her to be paid $25,000 a month.” City officials responded that the $25,000 figure was derived from the executive’s overall compensation and the leave provisions in existing employment agreements, and that StanCOG’s counsel and policy board were handling the details.

Public comment: a resident urged caution and said some matters at StanCOG appeared to be covered up, while others urged the council to act more quickly. Mayor Carr and staff repeatedly emphasized that StanCOG is a separate, independent regional agency and that its formal response to the civil grand jury is the agency’s responsibility.

Outcome and next steps: the council formally acknowledged receipt of the grand jury report and voted to wait for StanCOG’s internal investigation and public report before deciding whether the city will submit its own response. No additional city action was taken at the meeting; staff said they will revisit the matter after StanCOG completes its review.