Trinidad Council Member Publicly Calls for City Administrator's Resignation Following Release of Text Messages
By Jennifer Combs | TruthOutlaw
TRINIDAD, Texas — What had been growing concerns behind the scenes at Trinidad City Hall has now become a public dispute.
Newly elected Trinidad City Council Member Steven Stearman has formally requested the resignation of City Administrator Cynthia Dosier after releasing a letter outlining what he describes as a complete loss of confidence in her leadership. His request comes alongside the release of numerous text message conversations between the two that provide insight into months of discussions regarding the City's finances, overdue audit, grant funding, engineering projects, records requests, and the day-to-day operation of City Hall.
Stearman publicly announced his request by stating:
"I want everything in the open just so we're clear. I have asked for her to resign."
His letter, dated July 15, 2026, states that his decision followed "considerable review and reflection" after reviewing City records, financial information, audit documentation, emails, text messages, and conversations with the City's auditor, CPA, legal counsel, and others involved in the administration of City business.
The Reasons Behind the Request
In the letter, Stearman outlines several reasons why he believes Trinidad needs new administrative leadership.
Among those concerns are:
Delays in completing the City's audit.
Administrative actions that he believes placed important grant opportunities at risk.
Delays in responding to records requests and requests from City Council members.
Concerns regarding agenda administration and the governing body's authority under Texas law.
What he describes as a pattern of communication and decision-making that resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the administration.
Stearman writes that the citizens of Trinidad deserve an administration that is transparent, responsive, accountable, and focused on carrying out the priorities established by the elected City Council.
He concludes the letter by requesting Dosier's voluntary resignation and states that if she declines, he intends to ask the City Council to evaluate her continued employment in accordance with applicable law, City policies, and contractual obligations.
The Text Messages
The resignation request did not come without supporting context.
Released text message conversations show months of discussions between Stearman and Dozier over city business.
Throughout the conversations, Stearman repeatedly asks about the status of the City's overdue audit, requests updates on documents needed by the City's auditor, and pushes for movement on engineering services, grant funding, infrastructure planning, and records requests.
His focus remains largely on completing projects that he believes are essential to improving the City's financial standing and positioning Trinidad for future opportunities.
Dosier responds that she is balancing numerous responsibilities, including preparing agendas, completing meeting minutes, handling permits, responding to litigation-related matters, and managing the daily operations of City Hall.
At one point she explains that she has priorities and tells Stearman that city business "doesn't happen overnight."
The conversations reveal a growing difference in philosophy.
Stearman repeatedly presses for urgency and measurable progress.
Dozier emphasizes competing responsibilities and limited time.
Audit and Grant Concerns
One of the most consistent themes throughout both the letter and the released messages is the City's audit.
Stearman repeatedly asks what remains incomplete and offers to help organize documentation for the City's auditor.
He also questions why attention appears to be shifting toward future grant opportunities when previously approved projects have yet to move forward.
The conversations include discussions about engineering requests for qualifications (RFQs), grant administration, infrastructure planning, and the need to complete financial documentation.
For Stearman, the audit appears to represent more than a financial requirement.
It represents the City's credibility and its ability to pursue funding opportunities that depend upon accurate and timely financial reporting.
Politics vs. City Business
The conversations eventually move beyond audits and city finances.
In several exchanges, Dosier shares her personal views regarding political conflicts involving City officials, former employees, and members of the community. She also references investigative reporter Jennifer Combs while expressing her opinions about the motivations behind ongoing public criticism.
Rather than engaging in those political discussions, Stearman redirects the conversation back to City business.
He tells Dozier:
"I honestly don't care who is friends with who, who's dating who, or what group someone belongs to. That isn't why I'm here, and it doesn't change what I believe the City needs to do."
The response reflects what becomes a recurring theme throughout the conversations—that his focus is on audits, grants, infrastructure, records, and moving the City forward.
Public Statements Raise Additional Questions
The concerns outlined in Stearman's resignation letter are not limited to the text messages.
During a public Trinidad City Council meeting, Dosier stated that expenditures had been made without prior City Council approval and acknowledged that she did not know exactly what some of those expenditures were for.
Those statements, made during a public meeting, have become another point of concern for residents questioning the City's financial oversight.
Combined with the ongoing audit delays and discussions reflected in the released text messages, the issue has become part of a broader debate regarding transparency, accountability, and the administration of taxpayer funds.
A Loss of Confidence
At its core, this dispute is not simply about disagreements between two public officials.
It is about whether the elected governing body has confidence in the City's chief administrative officer.
Stearman has made his position clear.
After reviewing City records, financial documents, text messages, and speaking with professionals involved in City operations, he says he no longer has that confidence.
His resignation request reflects that conclusion.
What Happens Next
As of publication, Cynthia Dosier has not publicly responded to Stearman's resignation request beyond the released text message conversations.
Whether she chooses to resign remains unknown.
If she does not, Stearman states that he intends to bring the matter before the City Council for consideration.
The coming weeks may determine whether Trinidad's governing body continues with its current administrative leadership or decides that a change is necessary.
One thing, however, is certain.
The discussion is no longer taking place behind closed doors.
It is now unfolding in public through official correspondence, publicly released text messages, and statements made during open City Council meetings.
For the citizens of Trinidad, the questions are no longer whether concerns exist. The questions now are whether those concerns warrant a change in leadership—and how the City Council will respond.