La Marque council presses police on $500K overtime, fleet costs and decades‑old station during budget workshop

La Marque — Police leaders outlined a FY2026 budget proposal on Aug. 12 that shows roughly $500,000 budgeted for overtime, a proposed $4,000,001.62 salary column for the department and sharply higher vehicle maintenance costs, prompting questions from council members about grant reimbursements, accounting, fleet management and whether the city should use existing funds to secure a new station rather than pursue a large bond.

The issues surfaced during a budget workshop presentation by La Marque Police Department command staff and follow‑up questioning by Mayor Pro Tem Joe Compion, council members and City Manager Holly (first reference: City Manager Holly). The department said some overtime is reimbursed by outside agencies but that those reimbursements are recorded in different parts of the budget and are not visible in the department’s overtime line item on the paper budget the council received.

Why it matters: The police budget is the largest operating department cost for La Marque. How the city accounts for reimbursed overtime and grant‑funded personnel affects the general fund picture and the council’s decisions about taxes, staffing and capital projects — including whether to pursue a multi‑million‑dollar bond for a new police facility.

Department summary and key numbers Chief Wagner, speaking for the department, said the police organization is authorized for 65 total positions: “52 of which are police, 13 civilians.” He…