Forest Hill

Water Damage
Restoration in Forest Hill, TX

Request a Free Consultation

Disaster Recovery Done Right: Trust Atlas for Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Forest Hill, TX.

When you own a business, property damage is an unfortunate occurrence that happens all too often. Property damage can be caused by any number of disasters, both natural and man-made. Most often, however, property damage happens from an excess of water. From very heavy rainstorms to broken pipes, water damage can be incredibly harmful not just for your storefront but for your customers.

When water spreads through your commercial property, it happens quickly, causing damage as it moves. At the same time, furnishings and porous materials soak up moisture. In just a short amount of time, you could be dealing with warping, rotting, and even mold growth. That's why water damage remediation is so important - to address your current damage and prevent water from making your business unsafe.

At Atlas National Renovations, we know that dealing with water damage seems like a losing effort on your own. But when you trust our water damage restoration team, you don't have to lose hope. We provide comprehensive water remediation services for businesses of all size in Texas. From the first time we lay eyes on your water damage to the time we mitigate your problem, we're here for you. With a team of IICRC certified technicians and innovative restoration tools at our disposal, we specialize in making your business safe again.

Unlike some of our competitors, we are fiercely dedicated to our clients and aim to exceed their expectations with the highest quality water damage restoration services in Forest Hill, TX. When water damage hits your business, time is of the essence, which is why we get to work quickly and efficiently by assessing the damage to your property. Once we know the extent of your water damage, we'll consult with you about its severity and detail the next steps you should take so you can make an informed purchasing decision.

With decades of combined experience, there is no disaster cleanup project too complex or large for our team to handle. We assist small businesses, large commercial entities, and even multi-family apartment complexes. Our clients trust Atlas National Renovations to keep them dry, safe, and secure, and it would be our pleasure to help do the same for you.

In addition to our reliability and quality of work, our customers choose us over others because we offer:

Service Areas

Fair, Accurate Work Estimates

We drain water from your property, not money from your bank account.

Clear, Constant Communication

When you work with Atlas, you're never left wondering what's happening with your commercial property.

Detailed Deadlines and Schedules

We're meticulous about sticking to schedules and meeting deadlines. You can always expect us to be on time and ready to work.

Experienced Project Managers

We assign seasoned, hardworking project managers for each of our projects. When you work with Atlas, you're working with the best.

Courteous and Knowledgeable Leadership

Excellence starts at the top, and our leadership team is the best in the business.

Atlas National Renovations Multi-Family and Commercial Renovation Experts

Free Consultation

What Clients Say About Us

What is Water Damage Restoration in in Forest Hill, TX

If you're currently dealing with serious water damage from a flood, broken pipe, or other cause, you're probably not sure what to do next. While it's understandable to feel panicky, it's important that you have the water removed as quickly as possible. When structural damage and health hazards are at play, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will get. The damage you see with your eyes is usually the tip of the iceberg - most water damage gets deep in your carpets and walls fast.

Atlas' water damage restoration services are focused on restoring and repairing the damage that water causes to commercial property. The primary purpose of our restoration services is to return your property to the condition it was in prior to the damage. Once your water damage has been mitigated, our team swoops in to begin the restoration process.

Depending on the scope and severity of your water damage, common water damage restoration services can include:

  • Damaged Flooring and Wall Replacement
  • Damaged Roof Restoration
  • Mold Remediation
  • Humidity and Moisture Testing

While little can be done to predict natural disasters, there are common signs you can keep an eye on to prevent serious water damage from occurring.

Disaster Recovery Forest Hill, TX

Common Signs of Commercial Water Damage in Forest Hill, TX

There's no convenient time to be sidelined with water damage when it comes to your commercial property and business. Water damage to your commercial or industrial property is particularly devastating because every hour that your business is closed means lost revenue and productivity. You do not just have to deal with damage to the structural integrity of your building - you have to deal with the disruption of service to your loyal customers.

The good news? Atlas is here when you need us most, with a team of highly-trained technicians and unmatched water damage restoration expertise. We're ready to tackle your problem and solve it in an efficient, effective manner, so you can keep your doors open and your clients happy.

As a business owner, you know that one of the best ways to prevent a disaster is to nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. For that reason, keep an eye out for the following signs of water damage to your commercial property:

 Renovations Forest Hill, TX
Look for Mold

Look for Mold:

Mold can begin to grow just a day or two after water has taken hold of your business. If you see small signs of mold growth in an area where you suspect a leak, contact Atlas National Renovations ASAP to diagnose the problem.

Check Your Pipes

Check Your Pipes:

If it's safe to do so, check out the piping inside and outside your commercial property. You want to keep a keen eye out for oxidation and corrosion around pipe fixtures. While you're at it, check your water heater for rust too. Corrosion or rust is a telltale sign of a water leak.

Check for Rings

Check for Rings:

Dark spots on walls and ceilings usually indicate water damage. If you see rings around a stain, the damage is probably older. Several rings with different shades of color mean an intermittent issue, where the area has been soaked and dried several times.

Understand Your Property

Understand Your Property:

This is more of a suggestion than a sign. As the commercial property owner, you should know your building's pipe system. You should know what is old and new and what areas may be at risk for water damage. Keep an extra-close eye on areas that have a higher potential for leaks, especially during rainstorms.

Benefits of Commercial Water Damage Restoration
in Forest Hill, TX

When water invades your business or commercial property, you don't have much time to ponder your next course of action. While some business owners opt to try DIY water damage restoration, in most cases, they end up with more damage and expenses than before their leak. For the most effective, comprehensive solution to water damage, it's important that you hire a professional. At Atlas National Renovations, our primary focus is assisting business owners and commercial property managers with water damage restoration. We've been doing it for years, and we can help you too.

Here are just a few of the most common benefits we hear from past customers:

 Apartment Renovations Forest Hill, TX
Safe Shopping Experience

Safe Shopping Experience

If you own a business, the health and safety of your customers is of utmost importance. When water damage occurs inside your storefront, you could be dealing with more than property damage. Depending on the severity of your issue, contaminants and microorganisms may be present, putting your customers' health at risk. When you trust a professional water damage restoration company like Atlas to remediate your water leak, you're not just putting a stop to the leak. Our team will clean and sanitize your business, making it safe for customers to continue shopping at your store.

Quick Response Time

Quick Response Time

Water damage can create unbearable conditions in your commercial property. As such, your water restoration company must be quick to respond. Professional water damage companies like Atlas respond quickly and can clean up water, dry and disinfect the area, and make necessary repairs. Because we have an entire team of pros and industry-leading equipment, we can be on site in minutes.

Less Damage, Better Costs

Less Damage, Better Costs

Water damage can be very expensive. Sometimes, it only takes a couple of hours to result in heavy losses. How soon you call the experts could mean the difference between painting over a water stain and having to rebuild an entire area of damaged drywall. When you call Atlas immediately, clients often reduce the cost of water damage restoration and overall building damage.

Capital Expenditure Services

In addition to our disaster recovery services, we also offer large-scale upgrades and improvements for your capital expenditures. If you own or manage a large commercial building or a multi-family property, you need to make sure your capital expenditures maintain present operating levels and foster your company's future growth.

At Atlas National Renovations, class A, B, and C properties are our bread and butter. We take the time to understand our customer's needs and expectations from the start so we can deliver outstanding results. If you're looking for a top-tier contractor to do the job right the first time, look no further than Atlas. Our customers love our team because we make large, highly-complicated projects easy to finish.

If you're looking to invest in the future of your business, know that we are here to help with projects like these:

  • High Volume Unit Upgrades and Improvements
  • Amenity Upgrades and Conversions
  • Common Area Improvements
  • High Volume Carpet, LVT, and Tile Installation
  • Courtyards and Hardscapes
  • Package Room and Mail Center Upgrades and Additions
  • Fitness Center Upgrades and Improvements
  • Dog Parks and Pet Stations
  • Signage Improvements and Additions
  • LED Lighting and Electrical Upgrades

Fitness Center Upgrades
and Improvements

Free Consultation

Multi-Family Building Deficiencies and Restoration Services

New multi-family properties are entering the market every day. That means that older communities must be renovated to keep up with modern demands and tenant needs. Upgrades to amenities, aesthetics and even structural changes help assets stay up-to-date. At the same time, damages from leaks and storms must be addressed. If you're a multi-family property manager or owner, and need unmatched restoration capability, Atlas National Renovations is here to serve you.

We specialize in cutting-edge, high-quality ways to achieve your renovation goals - for your tenants but also for your corporate leaders and management team. After all, a successful multi-family renovation benefits all parties.

We currently work with the top multi-family groups across our state. Unlike some multi-family renovation companies in Texas, our team understands the inner workings of the multi-family environment. Our customers appreciate our accommodations to their residents, maintenance team, leasing team, corporate leaders, and beyond. We're proud to say we know multi-family, inside and out, and have the credentials to back up those claims.

When crafting a multi-family restoration plan, we always consider your tenant's demographics, your building's curb appeal, property age, and energy efficiency. Whether you need to have significant updates applied to an older property or need a water damage inspection for a brand-new building, we can help.

Here is a quick glance at some of the multi-family renovations that our team handles:

  • Leak Detection and Water Intrusion Investigation
  • Exterior Sealants and Waterproofing
  • Large Interior and Exterior Paint Projects
  • Stucco Remediation and Exterior Facade Re-Clads
  • Full Property Exterior Repaints
  • Concrete and Flatwork
  • Corridor and Common Area Painting
  • Roof Replacement

Before / After

Before
After
Before
After
Before
After

Slide left and right

Discover the
Atlas Difference

Water damage restoration is a crucial, complex process that must be completed properly to save your business from serious damage. Choosing the right professional is equally important, especially when your customers' health is on the line. Whether you need large-scale commercial restoration or quick, effective water damage cleanup for your storefront business, know that we are only a phone call away. Contact our friendly team of experts to learn more about Atlas National Renovations and how we clean up your water damage mess better than the rest.

Homes-for-Sale-phone-number 214-814-4300

Free Consultation

Latest News in Forest Hill, TX

Se espera un fuerte sistema de tormentas y tiempo severo en Dallas – Fort Worth y el norte de Texas

DALLAS, Texas. – Comienza el mes de marzo y trae posibilidad de tiempo severo y tormentas para este jueves 2 de marzo en el norte de Texas.Sin embargo, desde este miércoles tuvimos dos avisos por tormentas severas para Tarrant y el sur del condado Dallas. Además el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología emitió una Vigilancia por Tormentas Severas para varios condados del norte de Texas que expiró a las 10:10 am.En Tarrant, ciudades como Arlington, Burleson, Forest Hill y ...

DALLAS, Texas. – Comienza el mes de marzo y trae posibilidad de tiempo severo y tormentas para este jueves 2 de marzo en el norte de Texas.

Sin embargo, desde este miércoles tuvimos dos avisos por tormentas severas para Tarrant y el sur del condado Dallas. Además el Servicio Nacional de Meteorología emitió una Vigilancia por Tormentas Severas para varios condados del norte de Texas que expiró a las 10:10 am.

En Tarrant, ciudades como Arlington, Burleson, Forest Hill y Mansfield reportaron granizo del tamaño hasta de una pelota de golf.

Nuestra meteoróloga Nelly Carreño indicó que será un sistema que pasará relativamente rápido sobre el norte de Texas, pero trae consigo riesgo moderado de lluvias intensas, granizo y tornados. Además, un riesgo alto de fuertes vientos.

La escala del tiempo severo se mide del 1 al 5, siendo este último el máximo en su intensidad, y Dallas y Fort Worth están ubicados en el riesgo 2.

“Estamos dentro de un riesgo de 2 o 3 en una escala de 5, principalmente por fuertes vientos, granizo grande y no descartamos la posibilidad de tornado o cualquier modalidad de tiempo severo”, dijo Ángela del Río, experta en el tiempo.

Planifica tu lugar seguro

La meteoróloga Nelly Carreño resalta que debemos buscar un lugar céntrico dentro de nuestros hogares, lejos de las ventanas en caso de tornados.

Las personas que viven en casas móviles o rodantes deben buscar otra opción, es peligroso quedarse dentro de este tipo de viviendas en tiempo severo. Puedes acudir con tus vecinos.

El sistema llega después de las 4:00 pm y sí el riesgo más grande es de granizo grande, vientos de hasta 60 millas por hora y la posibilidad de tornados.

“El riesgo de inundaciones es mínimo, pero no se descarta, especialmente en áreas propensas a acumulación de agua”, pronostica Ángela del Río, experta en el tiempo.

Te recomendamos descargar la aplicación de Noticias 23 para recibir las alertas del tiempo.

Dallas Banner

SÍGUENOS EN NUESTRAS REDES

@univisiondallas

@univision23dfw

@univision23dfw

Univision Dallas

Parts of TxDOT’s billion-dollar Southeast Connector delayed as project is hit by inflation

FOREST HILL — Behind the busy southeast intersection of Loop 820, Interstate 20 and U.S. 287 lives Carla Hernandez, one of the many residents in the area who navigate the web of highways on a regular basis.Although Hernandez moved there in June 2022, she has already seen how chaotic this intersection can become and looks forward to the completion of the Southeast Connector project, the Texas Department of Transportation’s ...

FOREST HILL — Behind the busy southeast intersection of Loop 820, Interstate 20 and U.S. 287 lives Carla Hernandez, one of the many residents in the area who navigate the web of highways on a regular basis.

Although Hernandez moved there in June 2022, she has already seen how chaotic this intersection can become and looks forward to the completion of the Southeast Connector project, the Texas Department of Transportation’s largest investment in highway infrastructure in Fort Worth.

“Around five o’clock, it is very hectic,” said Hernandez, 30. “Even sometimes on the weekend, around the split to I-20 and I-820.”

Increased traffic demands and population growth have forced TxDOT to revisit the major highway completed in the 1970s to increase safety and mobility in congested parts of southeast Fort Worth. But the expensive and ambitious project — a $1.6 billion price tag over 11 miles — has been marred with funding hurdles, forcing some parts of the project to be deferred until money is available.

“Because of inflation, supply chain issues, things of that nature, all of the bids came in higher than what TxDOT has allocated,” said Jay Proskovec, public information manager for South-Point Constructors, the engineering firm behind the project.

The project, which broke ground in November 2022, is expected to officially start construction in early March and be completed in 2027.

Not everyone agrees that the connector needs a makeover. One watchdog group calls it a “boondoggle” and Arlington resident Shelley Ames finds it “completely unnecessary.”

“We’ve got four lanes on both sides that are never jammed unless there’s a traffic accident. If there’s an accident, it’s going to be jammed no matter what,” said Ames, a mother of four.

The Southeast Connector touches four communities — Fort Worth, Arlington, Kennedale and Forest Hill — and includes portions of I-20, Loop 820, U.S. 287 and Spur 303 (Rosedale Street).

Since the completion of southeast Loop 820 in the ‘70s, the highway has remained at four to eight lanes despite a significant increase in traffic. During that time, traffic has increased from less than 10,000 vehicles per day to over 200,000 vehicles per day at some locations of 820, said Michael Peters, public information officer for TxDOT’s Fort Worth office.

“With the increase in population during that time, these roadways can no longer accommodate this area’s growing traffic demand,” he said in an email.

Texas A&M’s Texas Transportation Institute released data in 2022 on the state’s most congested highways and ranked the eastbound I-20 segment between U.S. 287 and Texas 360 among the most congested freeways.

Based on growth projections, redesign for the connector gained traction in 2016, and identified a need for more lanes, from four to five on each side. Some exit ramps will be relocated from left to right and extended to improve safety and allow for more space to brake. Turn lanes will be added along some frontage roads.

“Frankly, the design of the roadway just really no longer stands up to the modern-day standards,” Proskovec said.

The $1.6 billion Southeast Connector is funded by the Texas Clear Lanes initiative, which uses a combination of federal and state funds to help TxDOT address congestion priorities with local officials. Funding does not include money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

However, rising costs and inflation have forced TxDOT and South-Point Constructors to prioritize certain aspects of the project. At this time, only 11 of the originally planned 16 miles will be worked on with an estimated completion date of 2027. If the tabled highway segments are added back on the timeline, the completion date could shift, Proskovec said.

To complete all 16 miles as one project, it would require $2.4 million, South-Point Constructors told the Fort Worth Mobility: Infrastructure and Transportation committee on Jan. 10.

Sections of the project that will be paused include I-820 between Ramey Avenue and Brentwood Stair Road, US 287 between Village Creek Road and Bishop Street, and I-20 between Little Road and Park Springs Road.

Ames, whose backyard opens up to I-20 and the exit ramp at Kelley Elliot Road, is also concerned about increased noise pollution and safety.

“There’s been cars in the ditch behind our house,” Ames said. “You get us too much closer to the freeway and we’re gonna start having cars in our backyards. This is a neighborhood with lots of kids. What happens if a car plows through my backyard and my kids are outside?

While the Southeast Connector faces funding setbacks, the project has also come under scrutiny from some watchdog organizations. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group and Frontier Group designated the project as one of the country’s most wasteful highway proposals in a 2020 annual report.

The report described the project as pointless with the appearance of having value — a “boondoggle.”

The project will also result in 23 residential and 19 commercial displacements and cut down about 15 acres of trees, which has raised concerns from neighbors.

TxDOT had no comment related to the watchdog report and instead noted the transformative impact the Southeast Connector project will have on a growing region in need.

“Traffic volumes on the facilities included within this project continue to increase as a result of this growth. Due to these considerations, the project has had the support of these cities, Tarrant County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments throughout its development,” TxDOT’s Peters said in an email statement.

TxDOT has said in the past it would compensate those forced to move because of the connector.

For opposed residents like Ames, this project is just “a huge waste of taxpayer funds.”

“If we were doing construction in our own house and I was budgeting for a new kitchen but the prices went up and I discovered that I won’t be able to afford half of my cabinets, I wouldn’t just go ahead and start the project anyways,” she said. “That doesn’t seem like an intelligent thing to do.”

Sandra Sadek is a Report for America corps member, covering growth for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at sandra.sadek@fortworthreport.org or follow her on Twitter at @ssadek19.

At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.

Forest Hill council member’s suit alleges that others on council want to silence her

Forest Hill council member Beckie Duncan Hayes, who was suspended in November for failing to get a permit for repairs at her home, is suing four council members and the city, alleging that they are trying to silence her and to have her serve as little of her term as possible.Hayes filed her lawsuit in Tarrant County district court late Thursday afternoon. Council members Malinda Miller, Racquel Belle, Carlie Jones and Ozell Birks were named in the suit. Mayor Clara Faulkner and council members Sonja Coleman are not being sued.T...

Forest Hill council member Beckie Duncan Hayes, who was suspended in November for failing to get a permit for repairs at her home, is suing four council members and the city, alleging that they are trying to silence her and to have her serve as little of her term as possible.

Hayes filed her lawsuit in Tarrant County district court late Thursday afternoon. Council members Malinda Miller, Racquel Belle, Carlie Jones and Ozell Birks were named in the suit. Mayor Clara Faulkner and council members Sonja Coleman are not being sued.

The suit alleges that the four council members who voted to suspend Hayes violated her right to due process and are acting outside of their authority as elected officials.

“The divisions on the Forest Hill city council have a long history, but the current actions taken against Beckie Hayes are unprecedented in their level of pettiness, and go beyond any rational grounds for discipline of a council member,” according to the lawsuit.

Interim city manager Venus Wehle did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday morning.

Hayes was suspended until March 17 following a lengthy hearing that lasted until after midnight on Nov. 17. While she is on suspension, Hayes will not have access to her city-issued cell phone and email and must communicate with the interim city manager regarding her mail.

During the Nov. 16 hearing, Frank Hill, an attorney representing Hayes, admonished the council, saying that the charges were unclear and “constitutionally vague.”

“My point again is not to be threatening but to alert you that you are about to embark on an unlawful constitutional proceeding without sufficient clarity of the charges and without clarity in the ordinances as to what she has allegedly done,” Hill said during the hearing.

According to the suit, Hayes hired a contractor in April to repair damage to her home from February’s winter storm.

An underground pipe burst, sending sewage into Hayes’ home. Because the break was close to the line that the city would be responsible for, Hayes contacted city employees, who came out and inspected the damage, and knew that repairs were needed, according to court documents.

Hayes also hired a foundation contractor, Cory Gray, who told her the repairs were cosmetic and that she did not have to have a permit. Gray was hired in April and finished the work in May.

Hayes also contacted the city to make sure that she didn’t need a permit for the repairs, and was told that she did not need one, according to the lawsuit.

Besides the foundation repairs, other work was underway at her home. Tommy Thompson, Forest Hill’s chief code enforcement officer, drove past the home daily, but said he did not see anything that required a permit.

However, in June, former city manager Sheyi Ipaye told Hayes that a neighbor complained that she didn’t have a permit for the work at her home. When Hayes asked who complained, the suit stated, Ipaye did not tell her.

Hayes asked her contractor to submit the permit paperwork, which was done in September.

“At no time did Ms. Hayes claim that as a city council member she didn’t need a permit, nor did she ever attempt to avoid complying with city policies and ordinances,” according to court documents.

Hayes also alleged that when a male council member was suspended for misusing his city credit card, he was told he could not vote or sit on the dais at meetings.

Hayes is requesting a hearing seeking a temporary injunction against the council members, and to be reinstated to her council seat.

North Texas mayor quits after accusation of using city money to see Michelle Obama

Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Hayes, who also resigned, allegedly asked for reimbursement from the city for $545 tickets to Michelle Obama’s recent event in DallasFOREST HILL, Texas — This story has been updated to clarify the name of the mayor of Forest Hill. 10:01 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 16 UPDATE:After the meeting where Forest Hill City Council accepted the resignations, Hayes and Thomas defended their actions to reporters and explained why they decided to resign....

Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Hayes, who also resigned, allegedly asked for reimbursement from the city for $545 tickets to Michelle Obama’s recent event in Dallas

FOREST HILL, Texas — This story has been updated to clarify the name of the mayor of Forest Hill.

10:01 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 16 UPDATE:

After the meeting where Forest Hill City Council accepted the resignations, Hayes and Thomas defended their actions to reporters and explained why they decided to resign.

"I will not leave my fate in the hands of other individuals," said Hayes. "I am a woman of integrity, and the allegations, they have no substance. They are false."

Hayes acknowledged that she purchased two $540 tickets for the Michelle Obama event for herself and the mayor and filed for reimbursement from the city's public relations fund. The expense was approved by the city manager, and Hayes received a check. She later paid back the money when there was criticism, but she said they had done nothing wrong.

"It doesn't specify what we can do and where we can go," she said. "But it's set aside for us to go and learn and get involved."

The expenditures were brought to light by a citizen's audit committee, which also flagged other expenses that they said were questionable, either lacking in documentation or approval from council.

"[The Obama event] had nothing to do with city business at all," said former councilmember Michielle Benson. "Public relations is supposed to make our city shine. That is not it."

"I feel like they took my money!" said Leslie Jasperson, a Forest Hill resident who served on the committee.

Jasperson has an accounting certification and was prepared to present evidence she collected at the meeting, but that proved unnecessary following the resignations.

Both Hayes and Thomas said they are being targeted for political reasons, and they both said they will now run for city council again. The next election will be in May.

"We don't get a salary, but we are entitled to be reimbursed for our expenses," Thomas said. "We are not trying to hide anything."

EARLIER:

The mayor and mayor pro tem of Forest Hill have resigned suddenly, ahead of public hearings on their alleged misuse of funds.

Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Hayes allegedly asked for reimbursement from the city for $545 tickets to Michelle Obama’s recent event in Dallas. A citizens committee apparently discovered that and other questionable expenses in an audit.

Hayes told Channel 8 she tendered her resignation because she did not want to leave her fate in the hands of others.

The city council is set to meet shortly, and other council members said they will continue to discuss ways to hold the officials accountable.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

Forest Hill mayor and mayor pro tem resign over allegations they billed city for Obama event tickets

The Forest Hill City Council is in turmoil after its mayor and mayor pro tem resigned this week following accusations of misuse of city funds to attend a Michelle Obama event.Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Duncan Hayes stepped down Wednesday afternoon, just hours before public council hearings on the matter were to take place.The two were accused of using city money to cover, among other expenses, tickets to attend a "conversation" with Michelle Obama, a Dec. 17 event held in conjunction with the former ...

The Forest Hill City Council is in turmoil after its mayor and mayor pro tem resigned this week following accusations of misuse of city funds to attend a Michelle Obama event.

Mayor Lyndia Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Beckie Duncan Hayes stepped down Wednesday afternoon, just hours before public council hearings on the matter were to take place.

The two were accused of using city money to cover, among other expenses, tickets to attend a "conversation" with Michelle Obama, a Dec. 17 event held in conjunction with the former first lady's recent book tour. The tickets cost $545 each.

"They were ripping us off," Leslie Jasperson, a longtime Forest Hill resident who decided to check up on how city officials spend tax money, told KXAS-TV (NBC5).

Breaking News

Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.

Email Address

By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Through open record requests, Jasperson uncovered a check for $1,091.92.

But Thomas defended the Obama expense.

"We don't get paid a salary," she told NBC5. "But ... we are entitled to be reimbursed for our expenses."

City Manager Sheyi Ipaye approved reimbursement for the tickets, Hayes said. The money came from a $10,000 public relations fund that allows council members to attend events for educational purposes, she said.

"It doesn't specify what we can do and where we can go. But it's set aside for us to go and learn," Hayes said of the fund.

Jasperson told NBC5 that she doesn't buy it.

"It's not PR," she said. "What are they going to learn from Michelle Obama that they are going to bring back the city? I mean, really."

Thomas and Hayes received a letter notifying them of violations Jan. 8, though no details were provided, Hayes said.

Hayes said she reimbursed the city for her ticket after the allegations were raised. She said that she and Thomas resigned in order to avoid suspension but that they left under duress and "were not going to put our fate in [the council's] hands."

On Tuesday, Thomas and Hayes asked for a 90-day extension before their public hearing in order to prepare, but the council voted to deny the request.

The officials were elected two years ago, with Thomas defeating current council member Gerald Joubert by a single vote.

Thomas and Hayes filed to run for re-election on Wednesday, the first day to give notice.

"I'm expecting to win," Hayes told NBC5. The election is in May.

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Clara Faulkner is acting mayor, NBC5 reported.

"I am astonished," Faulkner said. "The city is moving forward. We will continue to move forward. We can only go up."

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.