Council lets consultant Tommy Gonzalez���contract expire after public criticism

The Pecos City Council voted April 23 to let the professional services agreement for consultant Thomas "Tommy" Gonzalez expire April 30. Councilman Graham moved to let the contract run its course and Councilman Carrasco seconded; the motion carried by voice vote.

Nancy Anondo, a Reeves County business owner, urged the council during public comment not to renew Gonzalez, saying the consultant had produced "little to show" and alleging overlap between the city manager's hires and outside consultants. "A bad choice was made, which cost us way too much money," Anondo said, urging the council to "stop the bleeding" and to consider whether hiring practices had favored associates.

Council members discussed transparency questions raised during the public comment period and recorded the termination-of-renewal motion on the meeting minutes to make the council's position clear. City staff did not present a replacement plan at the meeting; the council made no immediate staffing appointments and directed that future contract and procurement questions follow the city's standard agenda process.

The vote was procedural and carried by voice; no roll-call tally was announced. City staff said they would return to the council with any follow-up procurement or staffing items that result from the contract ending.

The council's action does not, in itself, constitute a finding of wrongdoing by any individual. It records the decision not to continue the consultant relationship beyond April 30 and leaves open normal follow-up steps such as audits, reviews of deliverables, or proposals for alternative support if members request them.