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Lewisville council authorizes investigation into censure of Councilman Matt Wilder
Summary
On March 12, 2026 the Town of Lewisville council voted to authorize an investigation to determine whether there is probable cause to pursue censure of Councilman Matt Wilder after an incident at a March 5 agenda briefing and subsequent social‑media posts. The vote to investigate passed 6–0 with one abstention.
The Town of Lewisville council voted March 12 to authorize an investigation into whether Councilman Matt Wilder should be censured, after Mayor Billy Carter described an episode at a March 5 agenda briefing where Wilder became agitated, left the table and, the mayor said, "stormed the room" and later sat in the audience.
Mayor Billy Carter told the council that during the earlier briefing Mr. Wilder "stormed the room, threw his paycheck on the table" and made several public statements on social media that gave the impression he was speaking for the town. Carter said the conduct may have violated the town’s code of ethics and asked the council to authorize an inquiry into whether there is probable cause to hold a censure hearing.
Councilman Matt Wilder denied wrongdoing in his remarks to the council. "This is nothing more than manufactured outrage," Wilder said, arguing he did not use profanity or touch anyone and that his frustration stemmed from what he described as an inflated cost estimate presented for a proposed community pool. "I let my temper get the best of me," he said, adding he was not ready to take a vote on a pool and that he intended to continue posting on Facebook to advocate for his positions.
Other council members described differing reactions to the March 5 briefing. Some said the behavior observed did not clearly meet the threshold for censure; others said staff and members of the public appeared alarmed and that the town must protect public trust and respectful conduct. Town Attorney Al Andrews reviewed the code of ethics process: introduction of the matter, an investigation to determine probable cause, a possible public hearing to provide due‑process protections, and a final vote on whether to issue a censure.
Council Member Fred Franklin moved to authorize an investigation; Council Member Brady Allen seconded. The motion carried with six council members voting in favor and one abstention. The attorney said the investigation can be performed by the town attorney or an outside entity and that findings would be reported publicly; a separate vote would be required to hold a hearing if probable cause is found.
The investigation authorized March 12 will focus on whether violations of the Lewisville code of ethics occurred; no hearing date was set. The process outlined by the town attorney includes opportunities for the accused member to respond before any formal censure is placed on the record.
What happens next: an investigator will gather evidence and prepare findings for the council. If the council finds probable cause, it would vote on whether to hold a public hearing; only after that hearing could a censure be formally adopted.
