Gonzales Mayor and Local Business Owner at Odds Over Unpaid HVAC Bill

Small business owner says mayor hasn't paid overdue bill, mayor claims work wasn't completed

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A small business owner, John Murphy, says the mayor of Gonzales, Tim Riley, hasn't paid an overdue bill for HVAC work done at the mayor's home in 2025. However, the mayor claims the work was never completed. The dispute has led to a back-and-forth between the two, with Murphy trying to get paid and the mayor insisting he doesn't owe anything.

Why it matters

This case highlights the potential tensions that can arise between local government officials and small business owners in a community. It raises questions about accountability, transparency, and the importance of clear communication and documentation when it comes to municipal contracts and payments.

The details

In June 2025, Murphy's HVAC company, Air Vantage, was hired by Mayor Riley to replace the air conditioning unit at his home. Murphy completed the work on June 11, 2025, but says Riley never paid the full balance, despite numerous attempts to collect the payment. Murphy has tried contacting Riley via text, phone, and in-person visits, but claims the mayor has been unresponsive. Riley, on the other hand, says Murphy never came back to fix the heater, which was a separate issue. In January 2026, Riley hired an electrician to address the electrical problem, but that $600 bill is also outstanding.

  • In early 2025, Murphy was introduced to Mayor Riley.
  • On June 8, 2025, Murphy emailed Riley a quote for the HVAC work, which Riley accepted the same day.
  • On June 11, 2025, Murphy completed the HVAC work at Riley's home.
  • For almost nine months, Murphy has been trying to get paid for the work he did.
  • In January 2026, Riley hired an electrician to fix an electrical issue at his home.

The players

John Murphy

The owner of a small HVAC business called Air Vantage, who was hired by the mayor to replace the air conditioning unit at his home.

Tim Riley

The mayor of Gonzales, who hired Murphy's HVAC company to do work at his home but has not paid the full balance, according to Murphy.

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What they’re saying

“He was supposed to have a check ready when the job was completed.”

— John Murphy, HVAC Business Owner (wbrz.com)

“The gentleman never came back to fix my heater.”

— Tim Riley, Mayor of Gonzales (wbrz.com)

“With it being the mayor, you'd think that surely they're trying to not do bad by a citizen by any means.”

— John Murphy, HVAC Business Owner (wbrz.com)

What’s next

Murphy plans to take Mayor Riley to small claims court to try to recover the outstanding balance for the HVAC work.

The takeaway

This dispute between a local small business owner and the mayor highlights the importance of clear communication, documentation, and accountability when it comes to municipal contracts and payments, especially when dealing with public officials.