A decision to hold Bastrop City Council work sessions more than 100 miles from the city has sparked backlash, with critics noting that the discussions touched on issues tied to residents' wallets, privacy, and the community's development.
Much of the criticism has focused on the agenda itself, which included topics such as data center policy, Flock cameras, the city budget, and the property tax rate.
What happened?
According to KVUE, the Bastrop City Council spent Thursday and Friday in Fredericksburg, Texas, for two work sessions. Fredericksburg is about 105 miles from Bastrop.
The agenda included legislative priorities, budget matters, data center policy, and Flock camera technology.
The out-of-town location drew complaints from critics who said it made it harder for Bastrop residents to attend or weigh in on issues that affect everyday life in the city.
State Representative Stan Gerdes, who represents Bastrop County, condemned the choice in a post on X.
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"The City of Bastrop is holding a City Council meeting hours away in Fredericksburg, making it nearly impossible for the people they represent to attend and participate," Gerdes said.
He added that the agenda involved "major issues like the city budget, property tax rate, legislative priorities, data center policy, and Flock camera technology—topics that directly affect Bastrop residents."
Why does it matter?
Even when no formal vote is taken, public work sessions can help shape the course of future decisions.
Data center policy can have lasting consequences for how a community develops, while Flock cameras often raise concerns about privacy, policing, and oversight.
Public meetings are meant to give people a fair opportunity to listen, ask questions, and hold elected officials accountable.
What's being done?
Gerdes said he intends to pursue legislation in response.
On X, Gerdes described the city council's move as "unacceptable" and said, "Public meetings should be accessible to the public."
He continued, "Moving them out of town undermines transparency and meaningful citizen participation ... I will be filing legislation to require that city council meetings be held in the city they represent so the public has a fair opportunity to attend, speak, and hold their elected officials accountable."
Bastrop Mayor Ishmael Harris said the sessions were a "working retreat," not a traditional council meeting.
He also said the council took no formal action and did not vote on the issues discussed.
"The purpose was to give us time for deeper discussion, ask questions, consider different options and better understand the decisions that will come before us," Harris said. "We now have an opportunity to reflect on those conversations, continue hearing from our residents and staff, and be better prepared when those matters come back before Council for action."
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