La Marque council delays final vote on police-station bond after questions on cost, site and timing

La Marque city council members on Aug. 11 debated whether to place a proposed general obligation bond for a new police station on the Nov. 4 ballot, ultimately voting to delay a final decision until a special meeting next Monday so members can gather missing cost, site and committee recommendations.

The discussion centered on an ordinance on the agenda (Ordinance O-2025-0015) calling a bond election. "In connection with a bond election, you levy the tax only when you issue the bonds," Jonathan Frels, bond counsel with Bracewell, told the council, explaining that voters' approval alone does not immediately change the tax levy. "Having the election and gaining the authorization, the issuance of the bonds does not allow you to levy the tax at that time. It is only when you come back and take action as a council at the time that you issue the debt that you're gonna be levying the tax for that particular debt."

Why it matters: Council members and several residents said voters need clearer costing and…