Jasper City Council Bans Game Rooms, Delays JEDCO Appointments, and Celebrates Launch of $1 Public Transit Program

Photos by Rita Shipp

The Jasper City Council met Monday evening, July 14, 2025, to address a range of issues including transportation, economic development, public safety, and local preservation efforts. All council members were present for the meeting.

The meeting's public comment portion offered two very different—but equally passionate—perspectives from residents.

First, a Jasper resident applauded the city’s upgrades to Sandy Creek Park, including its walking trails and new playground. He urged city leaders to keep up the momentum, asking for continued maintenance and pest control to ensure the area remains a safe, family-friendly space.

Next, a second speaker directly challenged the council’s recent actions concerning the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO). The speaker voiced concerns over the council's failure to follow the city attorney’s recommendation of holding a workshop before making board appointments, arguing the process lacked transparency and proper procedure.

The speaker proposed:

• Keeping three current board members.

• Appointing six new citizen members.

• Placing a temporary freeze on all JEDCO operations.

• Imposing a $25,000 spending cap for JEDCO without council approval.

• Launching a full forensic audit of the board’s financials and activities.

• They concluded with a stern warning that if changes weren’t made to rebuild public trust, a citizen-led recall petition may follow.

New $1 Public Transit Service Rolls Out in Jasper

In a bright spot for the city, Mr. Nixon, a representative affiliated with the SETRPC, introduced Jasper’s new SETRPC Public Transit Pilot Program—a curb-to-curb ride service that officially launched on July 7.

Operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., the service is open to all residents for just $1 per trip, supporting access to jobs, medical care, school, and grocery stores. The project is funded through a TxDOT Service Expansion Grant and is set to run through December 2026.

“This is for anyone in the city limits.” Nixon stated.

He explained that two vehicles are currently in operation, both lift-equipped and driven by local hires. Dispatchers are also based locally, and early feedback has been strong with over a dozen trips scheduled on the first service days.

City officials and council members voiced support, calling the launch a major step in improving accessibility and connecting residents across the community.

Game Room Ban Passes Unanimously

One of the evening’s most decisive actions came from Jasper Police Chief Garrett Foster, who presented a memorandum to ban game rooms and amusement redemption machines, such as eight-liners, within the city limits.

“These places may look harmless, but they attract crime and bring down the integrity of our neighborhoods,” Foster said.

With no hesitation, the council voted unanimously to pass the ban. The move was met with quiet nods of approval from attendees—many of whom have expressed frustration in recent years over game rooms linked to illicit activity.

Council Takes Action on Zoning, Historic Assessment, and City Property

• Approved a $23,900 agreement with Urbano Architects to conduct a comprehensive condition assessment of the Beaty Orton House, a historic structure located at 405 W. Houston St.

  The assessment will evaluate structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing needs to determine feasibility for future restoration.

  Greg Kelley, who presented the item, clarified that the city would use general fund dollars for the project, rather than Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds.

  
  

“We can’t use HOT funds on pre-restoration work,” Kelley explained, emphasizing the study is required before grant applications or preservation efforts can move forward.

• Approved a contract amendment with Kendig Keast Collaborative to continue updating the city’s zoning ordinance.

  Council Member Angel McCroskey, District 4 and Mayor Pro-Tem, asked to see the full contract and voiced concern about the amendment’s scope.

  
  

• Kelley clarified that the changes apply only to zoning and do not include subdivision regulations or unrelated planning work. After discussion, the council approved the amendment.

  
  

• Voted to re-advertise for sealed bids on the city-owned property at 210 Premier Drive.

  
  

• Kelley noted that this would be the third time the property is put out for bid, following two previous rounds with no offers. The council approved opening a new bid cycle to try attracting buyer interest.

With the game room ordinance now in effect, the city has enacted new restrictions aimed at curbing amusement machine operations within Jasper. The measure followed concerns presented by law enforcement regarding potential links to crime.

Meanwhile, JEDCO board appointments remain pending, with no formal action taken during this meeting. It is unclear when the council will revisit the topic.

The launch of Jasper’s new $1 public transit service marks a significant addition to the city’s infrastructure, offering expanded mobility for residents and early signs of growing interest. Council members also moved forward on zoning updates, historic site assessment, and city property management—signaling ongoing efforts to support long-term planning and public service improvements.