Kyle City Attorney Julian Grant tendered his resignation at Kyle City Council's regular meeting March 5.

City Council convened into executive session to discuss the matter, and after about 45 minutes, reconvened into open session. The council unanimously accepted Grant's resignation.

"The office of city attorney is a very challenging job, and we're regretful that it didn't work out here, but we wish him all the best in his future endeavors, and we will make sure that his work is continued by Frank Garza, and we'll shortly move forward in looking for a city attorney," Mayor Lucy Johnson said.

Garza was the city's contract attorney before Grant was hired for the full time position last year.

Grant started work with the city Dec. 1. He was Kyle's first in-house attorney. After years of contracting with attorneys to provide legal counsel, City Manager Lanny Lambert advised council that it was time to seek a full-time legal counsel.

"I think having a new position and a full-time city attorney, it's always a learning experience for City Council, and not everything is a smooth road, and we appreciate that as council members," Johnson said. "Legal services are a big priority for the council and for Kyle, and we'll make sure that those legal challenges are met in the future."

At a council meeting Feb. 19, Councilman Ray Bryant expressed his frustration at not having been provided with a draft of the educational materials that will be circulated to Kyle residents concerning the road bond election.

Grant assured Bryant he and his team were working to get the materials together "as soon as we can humanly possible."

"I wish someone had told me that because we're in the ninth hour on hearing this, and I'm hearing the same thing," Bryant said. "I would like someone either to call or email me and tell me something prior to tonight so I can know what's going on prior to being on the dais."

Council member Brad Pickett said council had directed Grant to determine the wording of the ballot "and if not that," an outline of the educational materials for May's by council's meeting on Feb. 19 but Grant failed to provide "exactly what council asked for."

"So I'm wondering, did you misinterpret what council asked for?" Pickett said.

Grant said the compressed timeline of the bond election—council approved placing the bond on the May ballot Jan. 29—was making things difficult for he and his team.

"I feel confident that the team has done its best, sir," Grant said.

Pickett praised City Finance Director Perwez Moheet's work in gathering information for a detailed tax impact analysis but told Grant he was disappointed in the legal counsel.

"Where the disappointment comes is you committed to this council two weeks ago that you could provide us with some of that language," Pickett said. "You stood where you are now and committed to that, and here we are, we don't have it. There was no communication that we wouldn't have it."