The Lamarque City Council voted on July 28, 2025, to appoint Barbara Bailey Holly as interim city manager following an executive session. The council approved the appointment by voice vote and added a requirement that Holly meet individually and collectively with council members within 14 days of her start date.

Holly is an experienced municipal administrator who has served in interim and city manager roles in other Texas communities and has academic credentials in urban planning, according to council members who reviewed her background during the meeting. Council members said they were satisfied by the vetting performed by the search team and by references presented in executive session.

Council discussion included a friendly amendment that the interim manager meet with each council member individually within 14 days and a collective meeting with the full council shortly after. The council acknowledged that Holly will begin immediately and that the appointment is for an interim period; council did not set a contract term during the open session.

What happens next: staff will finalize an employment agreement and publish basic appointment materials; council directed Holly to begin meet-and-greet sessions with members and to submit priorities for an initial work plan.