STAFF REPORT
Body
Italy – The Ellis County Press joined as an independent eyewitness in a special meeting on April 22 for the City of Italy.
The meeting was rescheduled as a “called meeting” from their regular meeting on April 13.
A large civic engagement occurred on April 13 for the workshop and discussion of injection and legality of BiCarbus in the water distribution lines starting on April 13.
The meeting was packed with Italy’s citizens. However, the council meeting agenda was not addressed.
Events of the meeting were videotaped by Ron Helms of the website Watchtower – with Helms himself being escorted of the meeting when tensions arose from all sides and questions remained unanswered.
Following the workshop, the council was to address the agenda that was then set for April 22.
April 22’s meeting was for an executive session with city’s attorney to discuss the hiring of the police chief and address complaints against Mayor Clinton Sulvak-Tovar and a council member.
The Ellis County Press published reports on Oct. 23 and Nov. 6, 2025, regarding the alleged unlawful termination, subsequent reinstatement, and eventual dismissal of Police Chief Scott McAulley, all approved by the council.
Numerous citizens including Helms registered to express their opinions, and the prevailing sentiment among them was the council should refrain from voting on the agenda.
Council member Luin McConnell was also absent.
Mayor Clinton Sulak-Tovar cast the deciding vote, and several residents expressed their concerns.
Particularly with the impending and upcoming election, citizens raised concerns certain council members might and hopefully not be present in the future.
Citizens requested the council postpone their decision and allow the electorate to vote in the upcoming election, leaving the final decision to the new elected council members.
According to sources, Police Chief McAulley was fired by City Administrator Keith Whitfield, which did not follow the guidelines of the General Type A government.
According to other sources, Whitfield has referred to himself as acting in the capacity of a city manager rather than a city administrator. Evidence of his self-identification as a city manager, as opposed to a city administrator, can be found in the heading of his ARCIT job biography. Whitfield holds the position of President at ARCIT and asserts that he is the City Manager for Italy, as indicated in the heading of his ARCIT job description.
During the April 22, 2026 meeting, Mayor Sulak-Tovar adjourned citizens comments to go into executive session at 6:08 p.m. Sulak-Tovar, Councilmembers William Panther and Robert C. Hodge, Jr., City Administrator Keith Whitfield, City Secretary Amber Cunningham, and Italy’s city attorney convened together from 6:09 to 6:15 p.m. in closed session with no quorum.
As they reconvened into open session, Mayor Sulak-Tovar apologized profusely for the absence of council members and the remaining council reseated. A member of the council quietly and firmly informed the Mayor, who had attempted to call the meeting in order, that there was no quorum – and the meeting adjourned.
As a postscript, Ron Helms of Watchtower voluntarily surrendered to the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office due to an arrest warrant issued by the City of Italy on Friday, April 24.
The Ellis County Press submitted open records request for any, and all police reports, incident reports, activity reports and or “any and all” reports involving Ron Helms from 2023 to April 2026.
The arrest warrant for Helms was signed on April 16 concerning his disruption of a meeting or procession during the City Council Meeting on April 13.
Helms learned later, through an informant, charges had been filed by the City of Italy. He surrendered once he had sufficient information to arrange for bail.
The offense is classified as a misdemeanor, and the bail amount was set at $8,000 for an offense that carries a $2,000 penalty.
Many citizens said they were afraid to voice their opinions due to the potential for retaliatory actions against them.
Additionally, several residents who preferred to remain anonymous claim council members Luin McConnell and Robert Hodge display open disrespect towards council member Raymond Mosley during meetings, as well as towards the citizens.
Italy citizens want answers, and they are not getting them. The city has not posted post agenda and meetings since the election of Mayor Sulvak-Tower, and the city agenda and meeting minutes are not current.
Texas cities are required by the Texas Open Meetings Act to post meeting agendas, with most actively posting minutes online after approval.
Under the Texas Open Meetings Act, the general rule is every regular, special, or called meeting of a governmental body, including a city council and most boards and commissions (depending on membership and authority), must be open to the public and comply with all the requirements of the Act.
Per the Act, cities must keep written minutes (or a “certified agenda” for executive sessions) or recordings of all meetings, except for closed consultations with an attorney.
The minutes must state the subject and indicate each vote, decision, or other action taken. Minutes do not have to be a verbatim transcript. Minutes of open meetings must be kept forever.
The next council meeting is scheduled for May 11 from 6 – 7 p.m.
