Jasper City Council Reviews JEDCO Structure in Workshop, Defers Final Decision

Jasper City Council members meet during the June 10, 2025 workshop and regular session at City Hall. Discussion surrounding the JEDCO board appointments dominated the evening, but no formal action was taken. Photo by Rita Shipp.

The Jasper City Council met Monday night for its regularly scheduled meeting, preceded by a lengthy workshop to continue discussions surrounding the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO). While council members made progress, final decisions about the board’s full restructuring were once again deferred.

“Unfortunately, yes,” said City Attorney William “Billy” Morian III when asked if the council would need yet another workshop before deciding. “I don’t think we’ve got anything to accomplish this workshop.”

City Attorney William “Billy” Morian III addresses the Jasper City Council during the June 10, 2025 City Council Meeting.

During the workshop, council discussed trimming down the current 17-member JEDCO board and replacing several long-serving members. Suggestions included allowing four to eight senior members to stay on while each council member would appoint two new members. However, no formal action was taken during the workshop, and it was noted that another session will be needed to finalize appointments.

In the regular meeting that followed, council members did vote to retain LeQuin Hilderbrand, Jenn Miranda, and Ronnie Sample on the JEDCO board. These members were previously appointed by council, and their roles were reaffirmed as legitimate. Plans to appoint additional board members are expected to continue at a future workshop, tentatively planned for later this month.

In related discussion, former mayor and current JEDCO board member Anderson Land provided a written statement to East Texas Banner, defending the board’s practices amid growing scrutiny. Land emphasized that all applicants are reviewed equally and projects are selected based on criteria—not favoritism. He noted successful efforts supported by JEDCO including Provalus, Gated Rental, Jewel Bistro, and the historical museum.

Other Agenda Highlights:

• Mayor Clark McLane was appointed to the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency board, replacing Anderson Land, who previously held the position as mayor.

• Four aging police patrol units were donated to the newly formed Jasper ISD Police Department, a decision supported by Chief Garrett Foster. The vehicles had already been in use by school resource officers. “We’re giving it to our neighbors, our teachers, and our kids,” Foster said. The motion passed with Councilman Bob Mayhar opposing, expressing concern over donating assets amid budget constraints.

  
  

“We have a revenue shortfall in the city and we have a budget coming up that we're going to have to figure out how to pay our bills without using a credit card,” he said. “I have a real issue of giving away assets that have monetary value... I think they should be either sold to the school at fair market value or put up for auction.”

• Robbie Peek, the city’s finance director, was appointed to the Jasper Fire Department Pension Board. Fire Chief Brandon Duckworth explained that under state requirements, one member from city leadership must serve on the board to review firefighter stipends and ensure compliance with department standards.

• The council approved a setback variance request at 903 Caldwell Street, allowing a three-foot encroachment into the required 10-foot side yard setback.

• The appeal regarding restroom sink placement at Son Asian Bistro was denied. The restaurant’s owner, Mr. Nguyen, appeared via Microsoft Teams to request a variance allowing sinks to be placed outside the restrooms in a hallway. After discussion, council members voted to uphold city code, requiring that handwashing facilities be located within each restroom.

• A contract between the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department and Beyond B Enterprises, LLC was approved. The agreement allows the company to recover funds from insurance providers for labor, equipment, and resources used during emergency calls. Beyond B operates on a contingency basis and will receive a 10% fee from successfully collected claims. The funds will benefit the fire department’s operational budget—not the city’s general fund.

While no final action was taken on JEDCO’s restructuring, another workshop is expected to be scheduled later this month to continue the process.

All council members were present during the meeting, though Councilman DeMarcus J. Holmes arrived after the workshop concluded.

The East Texas Banner will continue covering developments related to JEDCO appointments, as well as other key municipal issues shaping Jasper’s future.