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Resident urges change at DeSoto City Hall, criticizes budget decisions and municipal court during public comment
Summary
At the April 1 meeting, Bernadine Harrison used her public‑comment time to criticize recent council actions, question a $50,000 payment to a private school, and call for new leadership at city hall and in the municipal court.
Bernadine (Bernie) Dean Harrison addressed the DeSoto City Council during the citizen appearances portion of the April 1 meeting to criticize recent council conduct and budget choices and to urge voters to elect new members.
Harrison identified herself as a DeSoto resident of 29 years and criticized what she described as council conflicts and spending decisions. "I am very unhappy with giving $50,000 to a private school when we're broke in the public school," Harrison said. She also raised concerns about what she characterized as conflicts of interest among council members and criticized the municipal court judge for issuing tickets that she said hurt people who cannot afford them.
Harrison said she intends to encourage voters to seek replacements for current officials in the upcoming May election. The city secretary read an additional submitted comment from Felicia K. Stanley opposing the truck purchase and certain budget items; Stanley’s comment was not presented in person because the comment card arrived after the item in question had been called.
The council chair reminded Harrison to address remarks to the entire council rather than to individuals. No council action resulted from the public comments; under the Texas Open Meetings Act staff may place speakers’ concerns on a future agenda for possible action.
