La Marque meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

La Marque City Council to consider budget, tax rate, and handgun ban

La Marque City Council spent the week preparing for the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget, with multiple special meetings on a proposed tax rate. No final votes have been taken; all items remain on agenda.

Budget and tax rate

The council held special meetings on Aug. 10, 11, 12, and 19 to discuss the budget. Early agendas proposed a tax rate of $0.398501 per $100 valuation, unchanged from 2025. That rate would raise the tax on an average homestead by $55.58, from $859.04 to $914.62, because the average taxable value rose 6.5% to $229,515.

Later agendas, including the Aug. 18 meeting and an upcoming Aug. 26 meeting, propose a rate of $0.398957 per $100, a 4.6% decrease from the 2025 adopted rate of $0.418501. Even with the lower rate, the average homestead tax would rise $13.51 to $915.67. No final budget figures have been provided.

Other council actions

At the Aug. 10 meeting, the council heard final readings of an ordinance banning eight-liner gambling machines and reducing amusement redemption machine license fees, and an ordinance granting an electric franchise to Texas-New Mexico Power Company. It also took first readings on a Nov. 3 special election to amend the Home Rule Charter and a new Code of Ethics. The council awarded a $78,400 contract to Alex's Air Conditioning for Library HVAC Installation and Restoration, funded by ARPA.

On Aug. 19, the council took final readings of an ordinance amending the subdivision code (O-2026-0015) and an ordinance replacing the code of ethics (O-2026-0017). It also discussed a possible employment agreement for City Manager Shawna Burkhart and held executive sessions on a personnel matter and six pending lawsuits.

An upcoming regular meeting on Aug. 24 includes a resolution prohibiting unlicensed handguns in council and board meetings, a first reading of new rules for city facility access, and a first reading of revised council meeting procedures. The council will also consider awarding a mowing and debris cleanup contract to Texas Ranch for EDC properties and authorizing a professional audit services contract.

Other boards

The Economic Development Corporation met Aug. 18 to hear an update from Orlando Archibald, owner of O’Fayes Coffee & Beverage Lounge, consider mowing bids, a request from Texan Store Properties, and renewal of services with Resimplifi. The board entered executive session on real property and economic development negotiations.

The Keep La Marque Beautiful Commission met Aug. 12 to discuss expanding the mural at the La Marque Public Library, outreach to the La Marque Garden Club and Galveston County Master Gardeners, and the Yard of the Month program. It also received a report on the litter bus.

The Special Events Committee met Aug. 20 to review proposals for RFP 26-01, La Marque Tourism Events, and consider a recommendation to the City Council.

Coming up

• **Aug. 24** – City Council regular meeting: handgun ban resolution, facility access ordinance, audit contract, and mowing contract.
• **Aug. 26** – City Council special meeting: FY 2026-2027 budget and proposed tax rate of $0.398957.

La Marque Council continues budget talks; tax rate proposals vary

La Marque city officials are in the middle of budget season, with multiple City Council meetings this month focused on the proposed FY 2026-2027 budget and tax rate. No final decisions have been made yet, as minutes from recent meetings are not yet published. The council has held four special meetings since Aug. 4 to discuss the budget, and two more are scheduled for next week.

Budget and tax rate discussions

The council has repeatedly reviewed a taxpayer impact statement showing a proposed tax rate of $0.398501 per $100 valuation, unchanged from the 2025 adopted rate. Under that proposal, the average homestead taxable value would rise 6.5% from $215,569 to $229,515, increasing the tax on an average home from $859.04 to $914.62 — a $55.58 increase.

However, an upcoming special meeting on Aug. 18 lists a different proposed rate: $0.398957 per $100, a 4.6% decrease from $0.418501. That statement shows the average homestead tax rising $13.51 to $915.67. No budget figures have been released yet, and the no-new-revenue tax rate is not available.

Public comment at these meetings is limited to three minutes per person. The council may also enter executive session on legal, real property, personnel, or economic development matters.

Other council business

At an Aug. 10 meeting, the council held public hearings and was scheduled to take final votes on two ordinances: banning eight-liner gambling machines (O-2026-0012) and granting an electric franchise to Texas-New Mexico Power Company (O-2026-0014). The agenda also included first readings of a charter amendment election (O-2026-0016) and a new code of ethics (O-2026-0017), plus a $78,400 contract to Alex's Air Conditioning for library HVAC work funded by ARPA.

An Aug. 19 special meeting will take final action on a subdivision code amendment (O-2026-0015) and the ethics code replacement (O-2026-0017). The council will also discuss and possibly approve an employment agreement for new City Manager Shawna Burkhart. Executive sessions are scheduled for a personnel matter involving the interim city clerk and six pending lawsuits against the city.

Other boards and commissions

The Keep La Marque Beautiful Commission met Aug. 12 to discuss expanding the mural at La Marque Public Library, outreach to local garden groups for a joint program, and the Yard of the Month program. The commission also reviewed the condition of the litter bus and approved July 8 meeting minutes.

Coming up

• **Aug. 18 — Economic Development Corporation**: Regular meeting to consider mowing bids, a request from Texan Store Properties, renewal of services with Resimplifi, and an update from O'Fayes Coffee & Beverage Lounge owner Orlando Archibald. Executive session on real property and economic development negotiations.
• **Aug. 18 — City Council (special)**: Budget discussion with proposed tax rate of $0.398957, down 4.6% from $0.418501.
• **Aug. 19 — City Council (special)**: Budget discussion with proposed tax rate of $0.398501, unchanged from 2025.
• **Aug. 19 — City Council (special)**: Final readings on subdivision and ethics ordinances, plus city manager employment agreement.
• **Aug. 20 — Special Events Committee**: Review of tourism event proposals under RFP 26-01 and recommendation to council.

La Marque City Council faces key votes on gambling machines, electric franchise, and budget

The La Marque City Council will take up several consequential items this week, including a final vote on banning eight-liner gambling machines and granting an electric franchise to Texas-New Mexico Power Company. The council also begins a series of budget discussions that could raise taxes on the average home despite an unchanged tax rate. No decisions have been recorded from recent meetings, as all were agenda-only with minutes not yet published.

Upcoming City Council decisions (Aug. 10)

The council will hold public hearings and take final votes on two ordinances at its Aug. 10 regular meeting. Ordinance O-2026-0012 would ban eight-liner machines and reduce amusement redemption machine license fees. Ordinance O-2026-0014 would grant an electric franchise to Texas-New Mexico Power Company.

In new business, the council will consider a first reading of Ordinance O-2026-0016 ordering a Nov. 3, 2026 special election to amend the Home Rule Charter, and a first reading of Ordinance O-2026-0017 enacting a new Code of Ethics. The agenda also includes awarding a $78,400 contract to Alex's Air Conditioning for Library HVAC Installation and Restoration, funded by ARPA dollars.

Budget and tax rate discussions

The council has scheduled four special meetings to discuss the FY 2026-2027 budget: Aug. 10, 11, 12, and 19. Each agenda includes a taxpayer impact statement showing a proposed tax rate of $0.398501 per $100 valuation, unchanged from 2025. However, the average homestead taxable value is projected to rise 6.5%, from $215,569 to $229,515. That would increase the tax on an average homestead from $859.04 to $914.62, a $55.58 increase. No budget figures have been released yet, and the no-new-revenue tax rate is not available at this time. Public comments are limited to three minutes per person.

Other upcoming meetings

The TIRZ #2 Board met July 29 to discuss forming a Local Government Corporation, review a TIRZ implementation plan for an HOA, and seat new member Richard Bruno. That meeting was agenda-only.

The Keep La Marque Beautiful Commission will meet Aug. 12 to discuss expanding the mural at La Marque Public Library, outreach to the La Marque Garden Club and Galveston County Master Gardeners for a joint program, and the Yard of the Month program. The commission will also hear reports on storage inventory and the condition of the litter bus.

Recent meetings

All recent meetings were procedural and no official actions were taken. On July 27, the council held a meet and greet for City Manager finalists at 1109-B Bayou Road, followed by a special meeting that included an executive session on finalists and discussion of a Texas New Mexico Power franchise agreement, the FY 2027 City Events Calendar, a request for proposals for tourism and event services, and a transition plan for the City Manager. The TIRZ #2 Board met July 29 as noted above. The council held a special budget discussion Aug. 4 with no decisions expected.

Coming up

• **Aug. 10, 6:00 PM** – City Council regular meeting: final votes on eight-liner ban and electric franchise; first readings on charter amendment and ethics code; HVAC contract award.
• **Aug. 10, 11, 12, 19** – City Council special meetings on FY 2026-2027 budget and proposed tax rate.
• **Aug. 12** – Keep La Marque Beautiful Commission meeting on library mural and garden group outreach.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available from the City of La Marque.

La Marque officials weigh City Manager finalists, EDC grants, and franchise agreement in busy two-week stretch

La Marque's City Council and boards held a packed schedule over the past two weeks, but because minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings, no confirmed outcomes are available. Agendas show council members were set to interview City Manager finalists, discuss a franchise agreement with Texas New Mexico Power, and consider a transition plan for the outgoing manager. The Economic Development Corporation was scheduled to vote on several grant applications, and the Board of Adjustment was set to hear signage variance requests. All details below come from posted agendas only.

City Manager search advances

The City Council called multiple special meetings focused on filling the City Manager position. On July 21, 2026, council held a special meeting at 1109-B Bayou Road to interview finalists in executive session under Texas Government Code §551.074, with public comment limited to three minutes per person. A meet-and-greet with finalists was scheduled for July 27 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM at the same address; the posting noted no official action would be taken. Interim City Clerk Kandice Garrett certified the posting on July 21, 2026.

Later that day, July 27, the council was set to discuss City Manager finalists again in executive session (Item 5.I) and consider a Transition Plan for the City Manager (Item 10.VII), along with a letter agreement for transition services with Barbara Holly.

Council agenda: franchise agreement, events calendar, tourism RFI

The July 27 regular meeting agenda included discussion and possible action on a Texas New Mexico Power Franchise Agreement (Item 10.VI), approval of the FY 2027 City Events Calendar (Item 10.III), and authorization of an RFI for tourism and event management services (Item 10.IV). No vote tallies or dollar figures are available because minutes have not been published.

Economic Development Corporation

The EDC met July 21 with a full agenda. Proposed actions included chamber grant applications from Blackwood PI & Security School and Main Street Commercial Partners, a sign grant application from Blackwood PI & Security School, AC repairs at 401 Laurel, and a proposal to attend Retail Live in Austin, TX. A separate EDC revitalization agenda listed a funding request from the City of La Marque Event Committee, quotes for painting downtown light poles, and executive session consideration of land acquisition or sale. A financial report was also scheduled. No outcomes are confirmed.

Board of Adjustment hears signage variances

On July 22, the Board of Adjustment was set to hold a public hearing on signage variance requests for McDonald's and Grebb Addition properties. The variances concern pole sign height and minimum distance between free-standing signs in the C-4 Zoning District. The board also planned to review its own minutes from February 25, 2026. The meeting was held at 1109-B Bayou Road and via Zoom (ID: 161 590 0667).

TIRZ #2 Board

The TIRZ #2 Board met July 29 to discuss formation of a Local Government Corporation, review a TIRZ implementation plan for presentation to an HOA, review a financial account, and seat new board member Richard Bruno. No outcomes are confirmed.

Coming up

August 4, 2026 — City Council special meeting: Council begins discussions on the FY 2026-2027 budget. No figures are available yet. A Taxpayer Impact Statement provided for the 2025 adopted tax rate of $0.398501 and a projected 2026 proposed rate at the same rate, with an average homestead tax of $914.62 and a 6.5% increase in taxable value. No decisions are expected at this early stage. Public participation will be allowed, and the council may adjourn to executive session for closed discussions on legal, personnel, or property matters.