Officials in the City of Weimar say a hiring decision for the city’s finance director position led to the resignation of two city council members after a familial relationship between the candidate and elected officials came to light. The issue surfaced in late February when concerns were raised about whether the applicant had family ties to members of the city council. According to a memo released by City Manager David Mason, the city administration was initially unaware that such a relationship existed. The situation quickly prompted internal discussions and a review of the city’s personnel policies governing nepotism.

Mason explained that the matter first came to his attention after Mayor Jim Tucker sent him a text message late on Friday, February 27, 2026, questioning whether the finance director applicant was related to Council Members Kurt Scardino and Rex Kloesel. Mason said he did not read the message until the following morning. After seeing the message, he began contacting city officials to determine whether a relationship existed and whether it would present any issue under the city’s hiring policies. At that time, the applicant had already been offered the finance director position but had not yet begun employment with the city.

Relationship Confirmed During Weekend Inquiries

According to Mason’s memo, he sent a text message to Scardino on Saturday evening asking how he and the applicant were related. Scardino later called Mason on Sunday afternoon and confirmed that the applicant was his first cousin. Around the same time, Mason contacted the city’s human resources director to ask whether there would be any issues if the applicant was related to council members. The HR director then reached out directly to the applicant to clarify the exact relationship.

The applicant confirmed he was a first cousin to both Scardino and Kloesel. Mason wrote that the applicant said he had not realized the relationship would present a problem under city policy. Once the relationships were confirmed, Mason said he began consulting with legal counsel about how the city should proceed. At that point, the applicant had not yet started the position and had not taken an oath of office.

Offer Rescinded After Policy Review

Mason said he contacted the city’s attorney Sunday evening and explained the circumstances surrounding the hiring process. In his email, he noted that the applicant had been offered the position but was still approximately one week away from a potential start date. After the relationships between the applicant and the council members were confirmed, Mason decided to rescind the employment offer. He stated the decision was made once the city administration realized the situation conflicted with the city’s adopted personnel policies.

Mason also sought guidance from the Texas Municipal League legal team to determine whether the situation violated state law. According to the advice he received, a first cousin relationship with a council member is not prohibited under Texas state nepotism statutes. However, Mason explained that the City of Weimar has adopted stricter internal guidelines regarding nepotism than those required under state law. Because of those local policies, the hiring could not move forward once the relationships became known.

Two Council Members Submit Resignations

Following the discovery of the familial relationships and the rescinded job offer, both Scardino and Kloesel submitted their resignations from the city council. Mason said the resignations were formally turned in on March 5, 2026. The departures leave two vacancies on the city council and come just days after the hiring issue was identified.

In his memo, Mason described the situation as an “unfortunate chain of events” that developed after the relationship was discovered. He stated that neither the applicant nor the council members were aware of the city’s personnel policy language regarding nepotism. Mason also wrote that the HR director and city administration were not aware of the family connection during the hiring process.

City Changes Job Application Language

In response to the incident, city officials say they have already updated the language used on the city’s employment application forms. Previously, the application asked candidates only whether any of their friends or relatives worked for the city. The form has now been revised to specifically ask applicants whether they are related to any elected official or current employee of the city.

Mason said the change is intended to ensure similar issues do not arise in future hiring processes. He also noted that before extending the job offer, he had not discussed the applicant or the hiring decision with the mayor, city council, or the city attorney. The updated question is designed to identify potential conflicts earlier in the hiring process and allow city staff to review them before an offer is made.

City Manager Apologizes for Situation

In closing his memo, Mason acknowledged that the incident created confusion and concern within the community. He said the situation occurred because none of the individuals involved realized the city’s personnel policies contained stricter nepotism guidelines than those outlined in state law. Mason emphasized that he still believes the applicant was the best candidate for the finance director position and noted the individual has strong financial experience and ties to the community.

“He grew up in Weimar and is raising his children here,” Mason wrote, adding that the candidate has support from many residents. Mason also apologized for the events that unfolded and said he intends to ensure stronger safeguards are in place moving forward. He said the city will take additional precautions in the hiring process so that similar situations do not occur again.

---

---

Disclaimer

The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented. 

Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.

A Couple of Our Other Reads

You may be interested in our publishing about a Texas judge filing a lawsuit over same-sex wedding refusals.

Or you may find our publishing on a TABC agent receiving a stipend for a degree he didn’t hold, of interest. 

Follow Us on Social Media

If you are interested in staying updated on matters about your government in Texas and other important stories, trust The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News to provide reliable information that matters to you. You can follow us on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr, and LinkedIn to stay connected and informed.

FACEBOOK: TheHawksEyeNews
INSTAGRAM: Hawk_s_Eye_C_and_N
X: TheHawksEyeNews
REDDIT: TheHawksEyeCN
YOUTUBE: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
TUMBLR: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News
LINKEDIN: The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News

---