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October 2, 2025
Bandera City Council members consider Bandera Livery proposal
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Bandera City Council members have plans underway to form a committee regarding a full-time facility to safely hitch horses in a secure area downtown.
Diana Walters, representing the Bandera Equine Posse, proposed The Bandera Livery, so vistors to the historic district could shop, eat and visit on foot, while their horses would securely rest in a shaded, gated area, with access to water.
Recommending the former, city-owned Cedar Street Hangar, equidistant between Main and 11th streets, Walters said the facility would be open dawn to dusk, following the City Park hours. Walters requested approval to lease the site for $1 per year, for seven years.
“I think it’s a great idea. I think we need it. I think it would benefit the town,” Mayor Denise Griffin said, while also expressing some concern about the city’s liability, and suggesting the possibility of working with the Economic Development Corporation on the matter.
Council members tabled a vote, pending the formation of a committee and further review by City Attorney Matt Grove.
In other business, council members approved four to one amended bylaws for the EDC, despite Council Member Debbie Breen’s request for more time to review the changes, which she said she had not received ahead of the meeting.
“How are we supposed to vote on them if we have not read them,” Breen asked.
Grove said the bylaws were updated to reflect current code, such as limits and public hearing requirements, and the requirement that any EDC expenditure exceeding $10,000 would need City Council approval. Interim City Administrator Jill Shelton Dickerson said the EDC board members had approved the changes.
~ Council passed a resolution formally opposing the proposed Howard-To-Solstice transmission line project.
~ Council approved an ordinance requiring City Treasurer Allyson Wright report to and be supervised by the mayor and City Council, as opposed to Dickerson, who is Wright’s mother.
“This wasn’t a legal issue. This was more to alleviate concerns…taking away any concerns of nepotism,” Council Member Tony Battle said.
Grove said because Dickerson is interim, should she cease to serve as city administrator, the ordinance can be changed back. Further, in the event a new city treasurer is hired, the ordinance could be changed, placing the position again under the city administrator’s supervision.
Diana Walters, representing the Bandera Equine Posse, proposed The Bandera Livery, so vistors to the historic district could shop, eat and visit on foot, while their horses would securely rest in a shaded, gated area, with access to water.
Recommending the former, city-owned Cedar Street Hangar, equidistant between Main and 11th streets, Walters said the facility would be open dawn to dusk, following the City Park hours. Walters requested approval to lease the site for $1 per year, for seven years.
“I think it’s a great idea. I think we need it. I think it would benefit the town,” Mayor Denise Griffin said, while also expressing some concern about the city’s liability, and suggesting the possibility of working with the Economic Development Corporation on the matter.
Council members tabled a vote, pending the formation of a committee and further review by City Attorney Matt Grove.
In other business, council members approved four to one amended bylaws for the EDC, despite Council Member Debbie Breen’s request for more time to review the changes, which she said she had not received ahead of the meeting.
“How are we supposed to vote on them if we have not read them,” Breen asked.
Grove said the bylaws were updated to reflect current code, such as limits and public hearing requirements, and the requirement that any EDC expenditure exceeding $10,000 would need City Council approval. Interim City Administrator Jill Shelton Dickerson said the EDC board members had approved the changes.
~ Council passed a resolution formally opposing the proposed Howard-To-Solstice transmission line project.
~ Council approved an ordinance requiring City Treasurer Allyson Wright report to and be supervised by the mayor and City Council, as opposed to Dickerson, who is Wright’s mother.
“This wasn’t a legal issue. This was more to alleviate concerns…taking away any concerns of nepotism,” Council Member Tony Battle said.
Grove said because Dickerson is interim, should she cease to serve as city administrator, the ordinance can be changed back. Further, in the event a new city treasurer is hired, the ordinance could be changed, placing the position again under the city administrator’s supervision.