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Bastrop council removes 4-hour-per-week mayoral office-time limit, cites governance concerns
Summary
After extended debate about council-staff boundaries and council office access, Bastrop City Council amended Resolution R2025-113 to remove a four-hour-per-week limit on mayoral use of council office space and approved the amended resolution unanimously.
The Bastrop City Council debated and then amended a standing resolution on council restrictions to remove a four-hour-per-week limit on mayoral use of council office space.
City staff recounted the origin of the restrictions, citing past tensions and litigation tied to council-staff interactions; staff emphasized confidentiality and the need to avoid perceived direction to staff. Supporters of removing the four-hour limit argued the mayor needs flexible access to meet constituents and manage routine city business, with one council member saying the set limit could limit public access to elected officials. After discussion, Council Member Meyer moved to approve Resolution R2025-113 as amended to strike the four-hour-per-week language from section 3; council voted unanimously to pass the amendment.
City staff said logistics such as office scheduling and badge/security access would be managed administratively and that the office remains a shared resource; staff also recommended removing strict time caps to avoid repeated ad hoc amendments tied to individual office-holders.
