"We Work for Citizens, Not Staff": Outgoing Councilman's Parting Shot
Cibolo City Council welcomed two new members on January 13, but the most memorable moment came from someone on his way out.
The Changing of the Guard
Councilman Joel Hicks and Robert Mahoney said goodbye after years of service [04:35-10:28], making way for Summer Marie Brown and Marissa Allen Patterson, who were sworn in as the new council members [11:38-14:14].
The ceremony meant a 26-minute recess for family photos [14:39-28:01]. Standard stuff.
But before he left, Hicks delivered a parting message that every council member — past, present, and future — should remember:
"We work for the citizens, not for the staff." [09:44-09:58]
Why That Matters
It's an easy line to applaud. Everyone nods. Of course elected officials work for the people, not city employees.
But in practice, the line between "serving citizens" and "following staff recommendations" gets blurry fast.
Here's how it usually goes:
- Staff prepares agenda items. City Manager, department heads, attorneys draft proposals.
- Staff presents recommendations. "We recommend approval of this contract/ordinance/expenditure."
- Council votes. Often 6-0, sometimes with minimal discussion.
The problem: Staff has institutional knowledge, expertise, and continuity. Councilmembers serve part-time, get elected every few years, and rely heavily on staff for information.
The risk: Council becomes a rubber stamp. Staff recommendations become automatic approvals. Citizens' concerns get filtered through staff before reaching council.
When "Following Staff" Goes Wrong
Example 1: The FM 3009 Overpass (Schertz)
City staff recommended supporting TxDOT's $130M overpass plan. Councilmember Hayward talked to residents and business owners who would be hurt by the design. He pulled the item for discussion, forcing a real debate [Schertz, Feb 3, 2026].
If council had just followed staff's recommendation, that vote would have been 6-0 on the consent agenda with zero discussion.
Example 2: The Investment Advisor (Cibolo)
Staff recommended renewing Valley View Consulting's contract, touting CD gains. No councilmember asked about net returns after fees or why $8.2M sits in low-yield cash. Vote: Unanimous, minimal discussion [Cibolo, Jan 13, 2026].
That's "following staff." Hicks is saying: Don't do that.
What "Working for Citizens" Actually Means
1. Read the damn packet.
Don't rely on staff summaries. Read contracts, budgets, reports yourself.
2. Ask hard questions.
"Why?" "What's the alternative?" "What does this cost residents?" "Who benefits?"
3. Talk to residents before voting.
Hayward talked to FM 3009 business owners. That's how you learn what staff reports don't tell you.
4. Be willing to say no to staff.
Just because staff recommends it doesn't mean it's the right decision.
5. Represent the people who elected you, not the people who work for you.
City employees are professionals doing their jobs. But they're not elected. You are.
Hicks' Legacy
Joel Hicks is now running for Guadalupe County Commissioner, Precinct 4 [33:56-34:08]. He announced that during public comment at the same meeting.
His parting shot to the council wasn't a throwaway line — it was a warning to the people replacing him.
Will the new council heed it?
We'll know by watching how they vote. If Brown and Patterson ask tough questions, pull consent items for discussion, and push back on staff recommendations when residents raise concerns, Hicks' message landed.
If they rubber-stamp staff proposals and vote 6-0 on everything, his warning was ignored.
What It Means for You
If you're a Cibolo resident:
Pay attention to how the new council operates. Do they ask questions? Do they represent you, or defer to staff?
If you're a council candidate anywhere:
Memorize Hicks' line. "We work for the citizens, not for the staff." Then actually live it.
If you're city staff:
This isn't an attack. Good staff want councilmembers who ask hard questions — it makes the final decisions stronger. Bad staff want rubber stamps.
Sources:
- Cibolo City Council meeting transcript (January 13, 2026)
- Timestamps: [04:35-10:28], [09:44-09:58], [11:38-14:14], [33:56-34:08]
- Meeting duration: ~3 hours
