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Municipal Judge Mike Towers speaks to Bandera City Council members.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
May 21, 2025
Bandera city administrator resigns, council to begin replacement search immediately
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council members yesterday unanimously approved the acceptance of City Administrator Stan Farmer’s resignation.
The job vacancy will be posted immediately, though council agreed the search should focus on candidates who are invested in the City of Bandera, and plan to stay.
“I’m worried about hiring another administrator from another county who's just moving through,” Council Member Debbie Breen said.
Farmer, who was hired in Bandera in November 2023, accepted a position as city manager in Converse. He said his last day in Bandera would be no later than June 13.
~ In other business, council members unanimously approved the appointment of Ilse Bailey for municipal prosecutor, pending approval of her contract, and Sharon Varner as associate municipal judge.
The city has been represented by Messer Fort for court prosections, however the law firm’s increased hourly rate of $350 has been too excessive to hold pretrials; the last was held in October last year. Bailey holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Houston, and has practiced law for more than 40 years. She currently serves as alternative municipal judge for the City of Shavano Park, as well as the City of Fredericksburg. Her compensation is set at $165 per hour.
Municipal Judge Mike Towers said Associate Municipal Judge Eino Zapata is entering retirement, and plans to travel outside of Bandera for at least half the year. Varner, currently Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 chief court clerk, will begin with the city after her retirement from the county on June 30. In the meantime, she will begin her training, Towers said.
~ After an executive session, council designated the city attorney to negotiate terms with Main Street Shop and Lofts/Bandera Best Western to open the hotel balconies for the holiday weekend.
The job vacancy will be posted immediately, though council agreed the search should focus on candidates who are invested in the City of Bandera, and plan to stay.
“I’m worried about hiring another administrator from another county who's just moving through,” Council Member Debbie Breen said.
Farmer, who was hired in Bandera in November 2023, accepted a position as city manager in Converse. He said his last day in Bandera would be no later than June 13.
~ In other business, council members unanimously approved the appointment of Ilse Bailey for municipal prosecutor, pending approval of her contract, and Sharon Varner as associate municipal judge.
The city has been represented by Messer Fort for court prosections, however the law firm’s increased hourly rate of $350 has been too excessive to hold pretrials; the last was held in October last year. Bailey holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Houston, and has practiced law for more than 40 years. She currently serves as alternative municipal judge for the City of Shavano Park, as well as the City of Fredericksburg. Her compensation is set at $165 per hour.
Municipal Judge Mike Towers said Associate Municipal Judge Eino Zapata is entering retirement, and plans to travel outside of Bandera for at least half the year. Varner, currently Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 chief court clerk, will begin with the city after her retirement from the county on June 30. In the meantime, she will begin her training, Towers said.
~ After an executive session, council designated the city attorney to negotiate terms with Main Street Shop and Lofts/Bandera Best Western to open the hotel balconies for the holiday weekend.