Lago Vista names Thomas Franco interim police chief

Host 1. This is the Lago Vista Watchdog briefing. The two voices you are hearing are AI generated. Every fact in this episode is sourced in the full story on our website, and a person validates each story before it is published.

Host 2. Here is the bottom line. The Lago Vista City Council ratified Assistant Chief Thomas Franco as interim police chief, with no votes against. Council Member Paul Prince made the motion, and Council Member Jess Hall seconded it. For taxpayers, the agenda item report does not list a salary or any cost for the interim job.

Host 1. A quick guide. To ratify means the council approves an action that was already taken. The item was submitted by Ron Joy, chief of police, who is also the interim city manager. The agenda item report recommended that the council accept Thomas Franco as interim police chief.

Host 2. Our earlier stories reported that Joy, as interim city manager, named Franco acting chief. In the city's meeting video, Joy said he would be bringing that before the next council meeting for the council's ratification.

Host 1. Now, in order, here is how it happened. The vote came at the council's regular meeting on October 15, 2026, in the City Council Chambers on Thunderbird. Mayor Shane Saum presided.

Host 2. When the item came up, one speaker said Franco is a long standing member of our community. The speaker called him a 28 year veteran of the Lago Vista police department, with over 30 years in law enforcement.

Host 1. Then came the motion, to ratify the acceptance of Assistant Chief Thomas Franco as the interim police chief. The chair said, I have a motion for Mr. Prince. A member said, I'll second, and the chair said, second for Mr. Hall.

Host 2. The chair called for the vote with, all those in favor, say aye. No member voted no, and Mayor Saum then said, congratulations.

Host 1. What could this mean for you? The agenda item report does not say what Franco will be paid as interim chief, or from which fund. We also could not find how long the interim job will last, or whether the assistant chief job will be filled.

Host 2. You can watch the vote in the city's meeting video, ask the City Secretary for the minutes once they are approved, and ask the city for Franco's interim pay, which is a public record under the Texas Public Information Act. The full story, with every source, is at lagovistawatchdog.com.