Residents and business owners urge council not to terminate Quality Record Service as contract discussion moved to closed session

Brent Lopez, who was introduced by the city secretary as the owner of Quality Record Service, told the council he did not understand why his contract was again under scrutiny and raised an allegation that a council member had been offered money to steer the contract to another company. "There's been a council member council member Sanco that's been offered, the amount of money to put another company on location," he said, describing the claim as hearsay but warning of legal action if his business is removed from the city's list of vendors.

Lopez told the council he has regularly provided free towing for city police and that, over the past two years, he performed roughly $6,500 worth of services at no charge. "I've proven myself enough to the city," he said, urging the council to explain why the matter was again before them. Other residents and business owners offered similar support: Sherry Fortin, who identified herself as an Arcola resident and local business owner, said Quality Record Service had helped her food truck and that the company "has done tremendous things" for local businesses. "If it's not broke, don't fix it," she said.

Mike Stein, another community speaker, noted the company has served the city since the 1980s and questioned whether the move to change vendors was personal or discriminatory. Former or current seat-holder Fred Burton emphasized the company's proximity and responsiveness, saying the towing yard is about "0.3 miles" away and raising operational concerns if the city chose a different vendor.

After public comment, Council Member Evelyn Jones moved and Council Member Greg Abar seconded that discussion of the Quality Record Service contract be held in executive session for consultation with the city attorney and for personnel matters; the motion passed. The council did not take a public vote on termination during the meeting.

Why it matters: The contract at issue provides towing and related services relied on by the police department and other city functions. Multiple speakers linked responsiveness and low local travel times to public-safety benefits; one speaker alleged impropriety without presenting documentary evidence. The council's decision to move the matter to executive session means any personnel- or attorney-advised action will be discussed behind closed doors under the Texas statutory exceptions cited by the council.

What happens next: The council recessed for executive session under the cited Texas Government Code provisions; any final action or notice to Quality Record Service will be taken after that closed deliberation and must be announced in public minutes or at a subsequent public meeting.