Welcome to ‘small town politics’ in Texas - or any state.
In most local governments the distribution of power and the control of funds is intoxicating and always concentrated to a small group.
In small towns, particularly when there is a small middle class and more lower income residents who are too busy just keeping food on the table, those who have amassed some wealth (larger AG landowners) insist on being in control - just like it has been forever.
Unfortunately, many of them are not always experienced or worldly enough to bring good government to their community. And, they don’t like any interference from the outside.
The results often surface publicly but Uvalde is a most horrific example.