Money Mystery in Flatonia

Flatonia City Secretary Placed on Paid Leave Pending “Review”

The Flatonia City Council confirmed a decision by the City Manager to place City Secretary Melissa Brunner on 30 days paid leave pending a “review of the circumstances,” according to City Manager Sarah Novo.

Council confirmed the decision in a special meeting held on Tuesday, June 23. The effective date of Brunner’s suspension was June 16.

Tuesday’s meeting also included a discussion about a $171,582.09 credit from LCRA to the City that was paid in 2019.

“We discussed some issues in regard to where the money was placed,” Novo told the Record in an interview on Wednesday.

The discussion took place during a closed-door executive session.

Novo said LCRA often provides an annual credit to its wholesale electric customers, such as the City of Flatonia.

The Record asked Novo whether the discussion about the LCRA credit was related to the Council’s decision to place Brunner on paid leave. Novo responded, “I can’t elaborate on that in order to maintain the integrity of this process.”

The Council’s vote to place Brunner on leave was unanimous. The Council also temporarily transferred the duties of the City Secretary to Novo.

“The Council provided direction last night to confirm the suspension for 30 days effective June 16,” Novo said. “Presumptively that would be until June 16, and that is renewable after an informal review of the circumstances, if needed.”