Tomorrow's Trinidad City Council meeting could be one of the most important meetings the city has held in recent memory.

Tomorrow's Water Funding Vote Could Shape Trinidad's Future—But Citizens Say Accountability Must Come First

Tomorrow's Trinidad City Council meeting could be one of the most important meetings the city has held in recent memory.

On the agenda is the City Council's consideration of funding connected to Council Member Steven Strearman's proposal after the Trinidad Economic Development Corporation (EDC) voted to provide financial assistance toward Trinidad's water infrastructure improvements.

Many residents support investing in the city's water system. After months of water concerns, TCEQ investigations, boil water notices, aging infrastructure, and public scrutiny, citizens want real solutions.

But many also believe moving forward requires more than approving funding. They believe it also requires answering serious questions that have remained unresolved for months.

What Role Will Aqua Services Play?

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding tomorrow's vote is what role Aqua Services will play in the city's future water projects.

That question comes after multiple TCEQ investigations documented operational issues within Trinidad's water system.

Some residents believe it is time to seek a different contractor. Others simply want stronger oversight, better communication, and greater accountability.

"I Wasn't Given a Budget"

At the last City Council meeting, Jeremy Crocker of Aqua Services publicly stated that he had not been given a budget.

That statement immediately raised questions.

If there was no budget, how were projects prioritized?

How were taxpayer dollars being spent?

Who was responsible for overseeing those expenditures?

Those questions became even more significant after former City Administrator Cynthia Dosier publicly stated that she approved payments to Aqua Services without prior City Council approval and that she was unsure of the scope of work associated with those payments.

For many taxpayers, that paints a troubling picture.

No budget.

No clear oversight.

No complete public accounting.

The Missing TCEQ Violation Notices

Public concern grew even further after it became known that certified TCEQ violation notices addressed to the mayor were signed for by former City Administrator Cynthia Dosier but, according to statements made publicly by city officials, were not provided to the mayor or City Council.

Those notices contained information regarding state regulatory findings involving Trinidad's water system.

Many taxpayers now question how long elected officials were making decisions without having access to all of the information coming from state regulators.

TCEQ Calls the Contractor Directly

Adding to those concerns are Jeremy Crocker's own public comments on Facebook.

In discussing the TCEQ investigations, Crocker has publicly stated that TCEQ contacts him directly regarding the city's water system.

That raises another question being asked by residents:

If the contractor is receiving information directly from TCEQ, what process ensures the Mayor and City Council receive that same information promptly?

When Crocker's public statements are viewed alongside the fact that certified violation notices addressed to the mayor were reportedly not passed on to the mayor or Council, many taxpayers believe there are legitimate questions about how information flowed between the contractor, city administration, elected officials, and state regulators.

Residents say transparency only works when everyone responsible for governing the city has the same information at the same time.

The Contract Raises More Questions

According to Aqua Services' contract with the City of Trinidad, the contractor answers directly to the City Council.

The contract also outlines responsibilities that include maintaining operational records, preparing required reports, reviewing finances with the Council, attending TCEQ inspections, and being available to attend City Council meetings to answer questions and discuss the water system. The agreement also requires invoices before payment.

Many residents say they have not seen regular public reports explaining completed work, ongoing projects, or the status of the water system.

If those reports exist, citizens believe they should be released publicly.

Was the Contract Properly Bid?

Another issue that continues to concern taxpayers is the lack of publicly available records showing how Aqua Services was selected.

Residents say they have been unable to locate meeting minutes, bid documents, procurement records, or other public records demonstrating whether the contract was competitively bid or how the Council ultimately selected Aqua Services.

Taxpayers are asking:

Was the contract publicly advertised?

How many companies submitted proposals?

What companies were considered?

Which Council meeting approved the contract?

Where are the meeting minutes documenting that vote?

Without those records, many residents say they cannot independently verify whether taxpayers received the best value.

Is Trinidad Paying Above Market Rates?

Citizens have also begun comparing Trinidad's contract costs with similar water operator contracts in other communities.

Some believe Trinidad appears to be paying significantly more than comparable cities for similar services.

Whether that is ultimately true depends on comparing the exact scope of work, population served, treatment facilities, and contractual responsibilities.

Many taxpayers say the easiest way to answer that question is simple:

Release the invoices.

Release the payment history.

Release the work documentation.

Let the public review it.

"Where Is the Work?"

Trinidad is a small town.

Many residents say they have been watching closely for months and have not observed what they believe to be significant infrastructure improvements that would explain the amount of taxpayer money reportedly paid to the contractor.

Whether those observations reflect all work performed is a question documentation could answer.

But many citizens say they have yet to see detailed work reports, project updates, invoices, or completed work logs.

Water Bills Without Meter Readings

Another issue generating frustration throughout the community is water billing.

Residents have publicly questioned why water meters reportedly have not been read regularly while customers continue receiving monthly bills.

Many say they should not simply be expected to pay whatever amount appears on their statement without knowing whether the bill was based on an actual meter reading or another method.

Citizens want clear answers.

When were the meters last read?

How are bills being calculated?

Who is responsible for reading the meters?

When will regular meter readings resume?

For many taxpayers, confidence in the water system includes confidence that they are being billed accurately.

The Audits Are Still Missing

The city's financial audits remain incomplete.

Until they are completed, many taxpayers believe there is still no full accounting of how public funds have been spent.

Combined with questions surrounding contractor oversight, procurement records, invoices, reporting, meter readings, and regulatory communications, many residents believe the city still has significant transparency issues that must be addressed.

Other Communities Are Watching

The conversation has expanded beyond Trinidad.

Following the public release of information regarding the city's water system, some residents from other communities that also use Aqua Services have commented publicly that the events unfolding in Trinidad remind them of challenges they experienced in their own towns.

Whether those concerns prove to be similar or not, they demonstrate that other communities are paying attention to what happens next in Trinidad.

Tomorrow Is an Opportunity

Tomorrow's vote could help move Trinidad's water system forward.

Council Member Steven Strearman's proposal and the EDC's support may represent an important opportunity to improve aging infrastructure.

But many residents say moving forward also means changing how the city operates.

They are asking for transparency.

They are asking for accountability.

They are asking for completed audits.

They are asking for budgets.

They are asking for invoices.

They are asking for contractor reports.

They are asking for procurement records and meeting minutes.

They are asking for accurate meter readings and transparent billing.

They are asking for a complete accounting of taxpayer dollars.

And they are asking the City Council to ensure that no contractor—regardless of who they are—is exempt from the same oversight, reporting, and accountability expected of anyone doing business with the City of Trinidad.

Tomorrow's meeting is an opportunity not only to invest in Trinidad's water system, but also to rebuild public trust. For many citizens, lasting progress will require both.