Members of the public on Monday urged the City Council of the City of Bandera to retain the city marshal, and the council moved to go into closed session to consult with legal counsel and deliberate personnel matters related to the marshal.

The move to close part of the meeting came after multiple residents, civic association representatives and the city’s marshal-selection committee member spoke in support of “Nancy,” describing her as a professional who has served the community. The presiding official announced the council would meet in closed session “pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.071 to consult with legal counsel regarding any legal questions related to options available to the council for removal of office” and “pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.074 . . . to deliberate the employment, evaluation, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee to wit the city marshal,” and noted the marshal may request a public hearing on the matter.

“Bandera has benefited from Nancy,” said Jeannie Williams, who told the council she works with Nancy “with the federal CAP program” and asked why the marshal was being targeted for removal.

Dawn Phillips identified herself as a board member of the Ranchers and Landowners Association of Texas, whose headquarters she said are in Bandera, and said Marshall DeForster had been on the group’s board and performed professionally during that time.

Amy Asher told the council she had filed a formal complaint regarding a deputy’s conduct after her child reported suicidal thoughts and alleged mistreatment. “I was never told anything,” Asher said, describing interactions with the marshal’s investigation and asserting the alleged failure to report could carry criminal penalties under state law; she said she filed the complaint and remains dissatisfied with follow-up.

Christopher Dion said he had found “nothing but professional” conduct from Nancy since she arrived in Bandera, noting his own background in the military and law enforcement and describing Nancy as supportive of community events.

Cindy Coffey, who said she was the city representative chosen by the city council to help select the marshal, described the hiring and vetting process: the selection committee interviewed multiple candidates, conducted background checks and chose the marshal after a second interview and corroborating references. Coffey said the marshal took a pay cut to accept the position and agreed to a multiyear term to help stabilize the department.

Before public comments began the presiding official explained meeting rules: visitors would have a 30-minute visitors-to-be-heard period, those with similar views should consider appointing a spokesperson, the building occupancy is limited to 66 for fire safety, and attendees who disrupted the meeting could be escorted out after a warning.

After public comment, the council announced it would go into closed session first to consult with counsel and then to deliberate personnel matters regarding the marshal. The presiding official asked whether the marshal desired the personnel discussion to be held in open session or closed session; the council voted to proceed into closed session.

The council’s announcement cited Texas Government Code §551.071 and §551.074. No formal vote on removal was taken in open session during the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript.