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Bastrop council directs staff to draft exit plan as it weighs future of Economic Development Corporation
Summary
After a staff presentation on the BEDC’s authority, finances and project ideas, councilors directed staff to produce an exit/transition plan and financial scenarios to decide whether to keep, repurpose or dissolve the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation.
The Bastrop City Council and the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation on Tuesday directed city staff to prepare an exit plan and fiscal scenarios for the BEDC so elected officials can decide whether to continue the EDC, repurpose it for community projects, or transition its taxing authority.
City Manager Sylvia opened the workshop by saying staff needed “specific direction” on the future of the BEDC and warned the two bodies were at “a turning point.” The council and board heard staff account for outstanding BEDC obligations of roughly $4–5 million and a larger reserve balance; staff asked council whether new incentives should continue or whether remaining EDC revenue should be repurposed to other uses.
Sylvia told the group the EDC “operates as the city's economic arm” and has authorities — including reimbursing site work — that cities cannot exercise directly. She cited a prior reimbursement to Accutronic as an example of how land-in-lieu deals and reimbursements have been used to recruit employers.
Mayor Pro Tem Kirkland framed the choice around efficiency and local priorities, arguing the city could transfer EDC tax proceeds to a different district or purpose to relieve the general fund. “I just see this as about efficiency,” Kirkland said, pressing staff to show the numbers and the short- and long-term tradeoffs of any transition.
Councilors asked staff for cost comparisons for community projects proposed by the BEDC (see separate articles) and for a timeline tied to election logistics. Staff advised that ordinances for a May election would be due in winter and recommended planning backward from the intended ballot date. Sylvia summarized direction from council: return with an exit plan and detailed numbers for council review.
The meeting included a formal appointment under resolution R-2025-186 naming board leadership; members unanimously raised hands to appoint Mr. Blake as chair and Mr. McCool as vice chair. The BEDC meeting adjourned after the direction to staff.
