Cell phones. We all have them. We take them with us everywhere.
But with them come charges. And, typically, when the device is one issued by a business, company, or in this case the City of Willow Park, those charges are paid by the folks who issue the phone to the user.
Willow Park City Council addressed this issue during its meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, by passing a policy concerning cell-phone usage by folks connected with the city.
The subject arose after Mayor Teresa Palmer turned in a bill for $930.34 in November 2025 for her cell phone and data usage while on a cruise for vacation. The bill, which City Manager Toni Fisher said the city paid, included international roaming charges of more than $850 — about 99% of which appeared to be data downloading.
Palmer also apparently did not purchase an internet plan offered on most cruise ships that could have reduced those charges. She did purchase one this year and while the charges were much less, she recently turned in a couple of receipts totaling about $435 asking the city to reimburse her from cruises in late March/early April and late August/early September.
One major difference in the bills is that Fisher said the city turned off the international roaming feature on city cell phones following receipt of the bill from November 2025. She also said she believes the charges in the larger bill were more a case of not realizing the cost of such usage.
“It did not appear to be intentional,” Fisher said of Palmer’s roaming charges. “Once we discovered it, we took steps to make sure this mistake doesn’t happen again.”
Concerning the two most recent bills submitted, council agreed to also pay them, providing Palmer can prove they were compiled while doing city business.
Palmer, who was absent from the meeting, was reached out to and responded by text that she can’t comment on the new policy as she was not present at the meeting. However, she did stress, “I can verify that the receipts I submitted were for work in my official capacity.”
She also added, “I think we should look at staff and council expenses if we want to compare all expenses and not just my cell phone that I use to conduct the city’s business.”
While council did not name Palmer during the discussions, her receipts were the only ones in the agenda packet, which is a matter of public record.
As Fisher noted, in today’s society, the mayor, council members and certain members of city staff have cell phones, which are designated for official-use only.
“I don’t feel like we’re important enough to drag our phone out of Texas,” Councilman Scott Smith said. “I don’t need to be called if somebody runs a stop sign.”
Smith also noted that if there is indeed an emergency and they simply have to be contacted, they can be reached on their personal phones.
“Leave the city phones at home,” he said.
Among the highlights in the new policy, it establishes usage requirements and the accompanying responsibility to those issued a device. For example, they are to be used for city business purposes only and not such things as personal business ventures, political campaign activities, or excessive personal communications.
The policy also makes clear the devices are the property of the city and users should have no expectation of absolute privacy when using city-issued devices. Communications and records maintained on these devices are subject to city and Texas records retention policies and the Texas Public Information Act.
As mentioned previously, the city-issued phones are not to be used outside the United States. Any exceptions must be granted prior approval from the council.
Also, everyone issued a cell phone must sign an agreement that they have read and understand the policy. The new policy was adopted through a resolution that requires the mayor’s signature.
“We just want to make sure there is responsible usage,” Mayor Pro Tem Nate Crummel said of the policy. “We want to put some safeguards in place.
“If you’re on vacation, please be on vacation.”
Council authorized city staff to pursue a request to be considered for a Community Development Block Grant of up to $750,000 by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the use of such funds to be determined at a later date. If approved, the city would match with $75,000 of its own funds.
There are two phases in the application. The first determines whether or not the applicant qualifies, and if they do the second phase involves selecting and submitting a project.
Kristen Boswell of Public Management, Inc. said the city is out no cost if they are not approved. The funds are to be used for projects related to drainage, water/sewer and streets in moderate to low income areas.
Council approved casting a vote for Mary Sarver as the Texas Municipal League Region 8 Director. She is the mayor pro tem of Grandview.
The TML has 15 regions, and each has a seat on the board. During even-numbered years, the even-numbered regions are up for election. Terms are two years, and new terms will begin on Nov. 13.
Among the new staff members, it was announced at Tuesday’s meeting that Laura Weber is the new community relations director for the city. She previously served as the communications and events manager for the City of Aledo.
“I am very much looking forward to working together to tell the exciting story of Willow Park City Hall,” Weber said.
“Laura comes to us with a multitude of municipal experience, a positive attitude, energy and ideas, and we’re so excited to have her on our Willow Park team,” Fisher said.
Weber replaces Rose Hoffman, who left to lead the communications department in Mineral Wells after serving Willow Park for eight years.
Two new police officers have been hired. They are officer Chantier Jones and new graduate and sworn officer Korey East.
The staff experienced some changes as several folks moved into different positions, including:
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