Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
City of Seven Points Council Member LaJohnna Wells (from left), Mayor Keith Betts and council members Kevin Reynolds and Mary Wennerstrom disagree on a 2025-26 city budget during the Oct. 6 meeting.

SEVEN POINTS-The City of Seven Points held a special meeting Oct. 6 to address the yearly budget. Mayor Keith Betts read the agenda item as follows, “Review and consider Ordinance # 386 an ordinance providing for the adoption of a budget for the City of Seven Points, Texas, for the twelve (12) months beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026, appropriating money for each item of expenditure therein provided for; and for other purposes.”
Council member LaJohnna Wells read a prepared statement, “ I make a motion to approve the detailed budget that was presented to council tonight.” Betts said, “You have not been recognized, you need to sit down.” Wells responded with, “How am I making a motion and not be recognized?” Betts answered, “Because that is not even the budget we are talking about.” Wells continued, “I am going to finish my motion. I am making a motion to approve the detailed budget that Mary (Wennerstrom) made present today. Making sure to exclude from the budget all contracts, full-time positions and part-time positions, which have not been executed or approved by the city council. This would also exclude from the budget all contractual agreements or amendments or personal changes of lacking details minutes of the approved by council.” Holding up the budget that was in the council packet, Betts said, “You can’t eject something that is not even our budget. This is what has been advertised.” Wells said, “I have had legal counsel.” Betts reacted with, “I don’t care what you have had.” Council Member Valeri Bahm second the motion.
Betts said, “I might as well call the meeting. You did this last year. You can only vote on a budget that has been presented to the city. It has to be put online. So, we are not doing this.” Council Member Charles Longacre said, “How about we vote on the budget that is right here at hand, which has been presented to our citizens, because we have to figure out something to make this city work. If not then the whole thing is shut down and we all go about our business.” 
After a chaotic exchange of words, between the mayor, council and audience, the meeting concluded. The next budget meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.