• It rewrites people’s reputations without their consent. A single exaggerated story can overshadow years of good character.
• It creates an atmosphere of suspicion. When people know others are talking behind their backs, they stop feeling safe being themselves.
• It fractures communities. Gossip draws lines, forms cliques, and pits people against each other — often over misunderstandings that could have been resolved with one honest conversation.
• It distracts from real issues. Energy that could go toward solving problems gets wasted on whispers and speculation.
• It invites more negativity. Once gossip becomes normal, kindness starts to feel optional, and that’s when a community’s culture really suffers.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE:

When managing a growing community, leading from the driver’s seat feels different than experiencing those same changes as a passenger. As your City Administrator, I step into the office every day carrying the responsibility for our collective progress, safety, and long-term direction.

In public service, it is natural for observers to feel a sense of discomfort with unfamiliar curves or unexpected bumps on the road to organizational change. When any part of our community experiences angst, the answer is never to push harder on the accelerator. Instead, true leadership means knowing when to slow down, pull over for a moment, and allowing everyone to regain their bearings. Taking an intentional pause to focus on trust does not mean we lose our way. When we move forward, we move forward together, united. My commitment is anchored to our "One City" initiative. If we take the time to listen, align our goals, and build consistency, we will build a resilient culture of mutual respect. A big part of building trust is celebrating the work that our departments handle every single day. Below is an update of the momentum and efforts accomplished across the Village this week.

• IT completed Microsoft account security procedures, handled Scalefusion MDM mobile applications, and fielded inquiries during an on-site audit from H-GAC. We also had a safe shutdown and complete restoration of the City Hall VOIP phone system and network servers to protect critical infrastructure ahead of a planned power disconnect, coordinating with Zultys to ensure seamless call routing.
• Tourism coordinated the logistics of an upcoming beach cleanup with the Family Life Church for June 16th, expecting a volunteer group of 15 students and multiple adults.
• We are working on improved public access in the form of a new online committee/board sign-up button, options to view pre-council agenda packets, and distributing community alerts regarding temporary closures and RO water system via Facebook and the website.
• The Finance Director compiled and presented fund-level financial statements (General, Special Revenue, and Utility funds) and budget-to-actual variance reports for the Tuesday City Council meeting.
• The Finance Department participated in the H-GAC audit for GLO Grant Contract E570 by compiled expenditure records and facilitated auditor reviews. They also conducted a policy review of the FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG) and TDEM grant terms to protect future federal and state reimbursement eligibility.
• The Building Official continues to manage the logistics for major electrical repairs at City Hall and preparing the staging area for structural deck demolition, which is scheduled for next week. A complex private road zoning and ownership dispute between neighboring landowners was resolved. A title and boundary review revealed the property sat just outside Village limits, allowing staff to successfully transition the case to appropriate Brazoria County departments.
• Code Enforcement partnered with Brazoria County Park Rangers and the Sheriff’s Department regarding a junked vessel that washed ashore on Quintana Beach after being ordered out of Village limits. Rangers tracked the vessel using the original code enforcement citation still attached to the hull.
• Staff achieved voluntary compliance on four major overgrown lots, saving city abatement funds and conducted a successful Certificate of Occupancy inspection on a new home construction, correcting municipal code violations prior to move-in.
• The utilities department handled an electrical equipment failure at the Oyster Water Plant. Staff utilized an on-site spare relay and worked with our vendors to restore operations swiftly, successfully avoiding any public water service interruptions.
• Utilities staff maintained the scheduled, continuous vacuum trailer operations across the wastewater system, completed monthly water line flushing routines, and kept water meter readings on schedule.
• The Utility Director continues to monitor the progress on the CDBG grant for the Seashell water line rehabilitation project, which is currently awaiting final HUD approval.
• Contractors are scheduled to break ground on the emergency Coast Guard water line rehabilitation project next Monday, weather permitting.
• Code Enforcement is compiling On-Site Sewage Facilities record-keeping files ahead of an upcoming state audit by TCEQ.
• Supervisor Ray Hausenfluck will be attending testing courses to secure his C-grade Groundwater license. We wish him luck!
• IT and HR are finalizing an updated AI and Cybersecurity training course to be distributed to all municipal employees next week.

Fair Winds & Following Seas,