City leaders argued about openness when a council member suggested the mayor had been hiding things during Runge’s regular Nov. 13 meeting.

Council member Tony Casillas told Mayor Homer Lott he felt there were items of city business the mayor wasn’t bringing to council early enough and also suggested some things weren’t brought to council members at all.

"There are things that are taking place that this commission doesn’t know about," he said, adding that by the time he and council member Irma Ortiz get information, it’s already old news.

Lott denied the allegation.

"As a mayor, I tell you everything," he said.

Casillas didn’t buy that, though, and said Lott hadn’t been disclosing the specifics of recent meetings he has had with the city attorney. He went on further to imply Lott knew about specifics that he also didn’t share regarding a recent oil lease.

Lott expressed frustration with Casillas’ allegations and began to shout.

"Here’s a copy of the damn lease right here," he yelled at Casillas, insisting that all of the lease specifics were written down for him during last month’s meeting.

"I feel this council needs to be more informed instead of waiting until the last minute," Casillas said quietly while also suggesting all the council members sign legal documents instead of just the mayor signing.

Lott then accused Casillas of wanting to take over his job, saying that the mayor has certain legal rights as the city’s executor.

"I’m the executor, here, whether you like it or not," Lott said.

He then pointed out a grant the city lost more than two years ago under then Mayor Jack Roberson. The grant was issued to the state, but later terminated because all the council members voted themselves co-grant executors. The state only allowed one grant executor and terminated the grant on those grounds.

He then accused Casillas of grandstanding and said that copies of every bit of information the mayor receives go straight to the other two council members by mail.

"This is Runge, not Homerville," Casillas said, insisting that there was no need for Lott to get angry over simple questioning. "You’re getting all excited over people asking questions."

The discussion ended there, but plans are in the works to have the city attorney sit in on all future legal discussions that take place during council meetings, Lott said during a phone interview Nov. 16.

Earlier in the meeting, council members had several calmer discussions on city utilities.

The town had 14 major water leaks since Oct. 15, Lott said, and all of the problems centered around old black piping that needs replacing badly. The leaks cost the city a lot to fix, but the cost of replacing the pipe entirely continues to climb every time oil prices go up, Lott said.

"I don’t know what the answer is," he told council members.

Lott also reminded everyone attending the meeting that classes for the Runge first responder unit have been scheduled for January.