Galveston city council members asked the Port of Galveston trustees to restore charter-required reporting and records access, saying the city has not received the annual reports the charter requires since 2014.

Council members focused on two charter provisions they said limit the port’s autonomy and create accountability back to the city: the requirement that the wharves’ books, documents and minutes be open to inspection by council or an authorized representative, and an annual reporting requirement to be filed with the city secretary that details operations, gross receipts and operating expenses. Council members said they found no report on file at the city secretary stemming from the wharves since 2014.

The gap prompted council members to request immediate follow-up. Council members said the charter also requires that the city may demand additional information “at any time” to understand the physical and financial condition of the wharves. One council member told trustees the absence of current filings impedes that oversight and urged port staff and city staff to “get that rectified.”

Why it matters: The wharves operate with statutory independence in some areas, and trustees said long-standing practice gave the port operational autonomy (including not having its budget approved by council). At the same time, the charter explicitly preserves council’s right to inspect records and receive an annual audit and report. Council members said restoring the reports would make it easier to review port finances tied to payments and development projects, and would reduce ad hoc requests for information.

What council asked for and next steps: Council members asked port leadership and city staff to locate and file the missing documents and to set a process for routine delivery of the wharves’ annual report and certified audit copies to the city secretary. Port trustees said staff will work with the city to correct records going forward. Council members also noted that bonds issued by the wharves require a supermajority vote when the council must approve bond issues per the charter’s voting rules.

Context and background: Speakers at the meeting reviewed charter language that says the wharves’ books “shall be at all reasonable times open to inspection by the council or its authorized representative” and that an annual audit and an annual report “shall be filed with the city secretary as a public record.” Trustees and council members traded historical context going back decades about how payments between the port and city have been handled and how the charter’s language was developed.

Ending: Council members said they will follow up with port staff and the city attorney to ensure the charter provisions are enforced and that required reports become part of a routine information flow to the city secretary so council may perform its charter duties.