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Florence council imposes spending restrictions on Police Chief Wayne Thompson
Summary
After executive sessions, the Florence City Council voted to impose disciplinary measures short of termination on Police Chief Wayne Thompson, revoking autonomous spending authority, requiring approvals for expenditures, and creating a subcommittee to finalize details.
The Florence City Council on Jan. 20, 2026, imposed disciplinary measures short of termination on Police Chief Wayne Thompson.
Council Member Mary Jane Swope moved the disciplinary motion in open session at 10:38 p.m.; Alderman Forrest Hyde seconded. The council voted to: (1) immediately revoke the chief’s autonomous spending authority, (2) require written approval from the mayor or city administrator for any expenditure up to $2,000, (3) require prior written City Council approval for other expenditures, (4) specify that the restrictions apply to expenditures from any funding source including the forfeiture fund, and (5) create a subcommittee to finalize the disciplinary details and return recommendations to the full council for approval. The motion carried with 'none opposed' recorded in the minutes.
The mayor later clarified the subcommittee will consist of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem and Alderman Forrest Hyde. The minutes say the disciplinary measures were imposed after multiple closed executive-session discussions under Texas Government Code Sec. 551.074 and a separate attorney conference under Sec. 551.071. The minutes do not list additional factual findings or a detailed timeline for implementation.
The meeting adjourned at 10:41 p.m.
