Bastrop mayor resigns amid controversy, upcoming recall election

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Bastrop mayor resigned on Tuesday, amid ongoing controversy over the city's management and an impending recall election for his position.

Lyle Nelson was elected to the position in June 2023.

In a news conference from council chambers, Nelson called recent allegations of misuse of official funds and other attacks against him "unproven" and part of "a witch hunt." In his comments, he blamed some other Bastrop city council members, in part.

Nelson also noted he was "absolved of misdeeds" by the city's administrative director, the Bastrop County District Attorney and the Texas Rangers.

His announcement came just hours ahead of a regular meeting of the city council where, according to an agenda, they were slated to discuss the details of a recall election scheduled in May, to allow voters to decide whether to remove Nelson from office.

"The citizens have put out an outcry that the pettiness needs to cease. I am going to remove myself from being a part of that pettiness -- whether I wanted to be apart of that pettiness or not," Nelson said.

According to Nelson's comments at the news conference, the position of mayor position will remain open until that May election. He said the city's mayor pro tem will preside over certain operations until then, per the city's charter.