GROVES, Texas — After weeks of debate Groves City Council took action Monday night when they voted 4-1 to kick former president Rhonda Dugas off the city's economic development corporation. A position which she has held for four years.
Leaders say their decision came amidst mounting community pressure after many were upset about Dugas' behavior during a recent EDC meeting.
However, officials say that Dugas will keep a seat on the council.
A conflict that left members of Groves EDC divided finally came to a head during a council meeting Monday night.
"It's something we thought long and really hard about. Ultimately we wanted to do what was right for the EDC and the citizens," said Mayor Chris Borne.
Borne says in a 4-1 Vote members officially decided to remove Dugas with a 4-1 vote.
"It was a kangaroo court, it was a violation of my freedom of speech, my civil rights," said Dugas.
The decision has left Dugas frustrated. She says it all started when a Groves business owner submitted an application to the EDC to be reimbursed thousands of dollars for new signs, landscaping and security upgrades.
"The number on the invoices did not add up. I asked her specifically did you put sales tax in the items and she said yes, Then I said we can't do that," said Dugas.
Dugas says that she asked the owner to resubmit the invoices but she never did. However, Borne says that isn't true.
"They were emailed at 2 a.m. the day of the meeting," said Borne.
He says that left members with not enough time to prepare for that September 23 meeting.
"The idea that no one else on the board needed to look at the documents because she wanted them to take her word for it is an issues in itself,"
The meeting reached a breaking after a heated exchange between Dugas and another member Sidney Badon.
"I have apologized for my part," said Dugas.
Borne says Badon has since resigned.
Mayor Borne says that the business's application will be reviewed by the to see if anymore funds are owed. He also says that they will work on replacing those vacant EDC seats after the November election.