On Thursday, October 2, 2025, The Herald Banner reported that Anne Horan has resigned from her position as presiding judge of the Caddo Mills Municipal Court, concluding a tenure that spanned over two decades. Horan, initially appointed to the bench in 1999, cited “irreconcilable differences” with the current city manager, John Adel, as the primary reason for her departure.
Horan stated that her decision to serve as a municipal judge while simultaneously practicing corporate law stemmed from a desire to contribute to the Caddo Mills community. However, recent disagreements with Adel, who assumed the role of city manager in May and officially began his duties on June 2, have led to her resignation.
A key point of contention, according to Horan, was Adel’s apparent lack of engagement with the municipal court. She noted that Adel had not attended a single docket since his hiring. Horan referenced an email dated August 12 in which Adel requested a schedule of recurring court dates. In response, Horan said she promptly provided Adel’s office with court dates extending through May 2026.
However, on September 15, Horan received another email from Adel indicating his intention to recommend the appointment of a new judge to the city council. In the email, Adel stated that the city required “a lot more predictability and structure in our court operations, including regularly recurring court dates and a more efficient flow of communication.” He added that his decision was “not a reflection on you personally.”
Horan expressed surprise at Adel’s communication, emphasizing that she had not been given the opportunity to discuss potential changes with him prior to receiving the email. She also highlighted her unblemished record, noting that she had never been the subject of any complaints or disciplinary actions during her time as a judge.
Throughout her career, Horan presided over more than 300 arraignment dockets and handled cases involving over 30,000 defendants. In addition to her judicial duties, she instructed courses on juvenile court proceedings and truancy for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center. Horan identified the implementation of creative sentencing for first-time juvenile offenders as her most significant accomplishment, expressing her hope that such interventions could deter future misconduct.
Adel, when reached for comment, stated that the city appreciates and is grateful for Judge Horan’s years of dedicated service to Caddo Mills and its citizens. He added that the city treats personnel matters as confidential.
Source: The Herald Banner
