Bandera EDC rebuts claims about Buck Creek property as council reviews multiple grant awards and project updates

Leaders of the Bandera Economic Development Corporation disputed statements in a resignation letter that suggested the EDC had gifted or transferred Buck (also referred to as Love) Creek property to the city.

Manny Longoria, introduced himself as "president of the EDC" and said the board had not made any gift or sale of the property and that the EDC was in a brainstorming phase to find uses that would generate tax revenue. "The EDC has not made any gift or sale of the properties located off of Love Creek," Longoria said, asking that the factual record be corrected and that communication with council remain open.

EDC members said delays in action were caused in part by repeated quorum problems at EDC meetings and by a recent change in outside counsel, which required the EDC to solicit new legal proposals. Several speakers emphasized the distinction between opinion and fact and urged the council to avoid presuming legal violations without confirming details.

Separately, staff provided a grants update. Council was told the Drinking Water Revolving Fund award of $2,700,000 has been approved and that engineering plans exist and can be shared with business owners and council members. A newly awarded grant (noted as awarded on Nov. 17) will require an advanced funding agreement and a kickoff meeting with the administering organization (TechStop) before funds are disbursed. Councilors discussed a previous LCRA community grant opportunity the city did not receive and recommended pursuing smaller, targeted awards in future cycles.

Council members also questioned a $13,000,000 figure that appeared in a spreadsheet under a line for wastewater treatment plant relocation; staff did not confirm whether that number represented the amount requested from a funder or the project's total cost and said they would follow up with the source and provide clarification.