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The Farmers Branch City Council voted unanimously to issue a public reprimand to Mayor Terry Lynne, directing him to refrain from direct communications with city staff following what the council described as an improper interaction.
The action came late in the evening Tuesday, April 7, after the council returned from executive session, with little public explanation of the specific incident that prompted the reprimand. The motion was made by Council Member Roger Neal.
Under the terms of the reprimand, Lynne is barred from all direct communications with city staff. In situations where the city manager is absent, a third party must be present when the mayor interacts with the deputy city manager. The council also recommended sensitivity training for the mayor and warned that any further incidents would trigger a public hearing by the city council.
Council member David Reid addressed city staff directly following the vote. "This is to the members of city staff who have been impacted by the inappropriate actions that have led to this action tonight," Reid said. "We appreciate your tolerance, patience, and professionalism. Our goal and desire is to not have any repeat of these events moving forward."
The details of the underlying incident were not disclosed publicly. Executive session proceedings in Texas are confidential under the Open Meetings Act, and the council offered no elaboration beyond the motion language when it returned to open session. The mayor did not respond publicly to the reprimand during the meeting.
City Manager Ben Williamson told the Herald, "Council may speak to staff, ask questions and get more information, 100%," but council may not direct staff. "Operational directions should go through me ... directly or indirectly."
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