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Mission council orders staff to amend Texas Citrus Fiesta bylaws after heated public comments

Mission City Council · February 25, 2026

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Summary

Following an extended public comment period with competing testimony from TCF supporters and critics, the Mission City Council directed staff to prepare amendments to the Texas Citrus Fiesta (TCF) resolution and bylaws for council consideration March 10 and signaled increased municipal oversight of the event.

Mayor Nori Garza presided as residents and industry representatives weighed in on the Texas Citrus Fiesta, a long-standing civic event, and the City Council moved to require changes to the festival’s governing rules.

During citizen participation dozens of speakers addressed TCF governance and city involvement. April Flowers, a TCF board member, defended the board and its finances, saying the Fiesta “out fundraised by $58,000” and adding, “There is no conspiracy. There is no scandal.” Industry representatives — including Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association — publicly supported the event and its director, praising recent improvements.

Opponents voiced concern about transparency and use of public resources. Marina Salinas, identifying herself as a taxpayer and educator, urged the council to “reconsider the city's role in operating the Texas Citrus Fiesta,” arguing the event is “not inclusive of the broader community” and does not justify city operation or continued taxpayer support. Norma Sanchez, a retired city employee and former TCF board member, told the council her school’s float had not been judged this year and said open‑records requests for judging score sheets returned no records, which she said undermined student morale.

After the public comment period, a council member moved to direct staff to prepare amendments to the TCF resolution and bylaws, including changes related to organization and governance, and to bring those amendments back for the March 10, 2026 council meeting. The motion passed with a second and a unanimous vote.

Councilmembers framed the action as policy and governance work rather than immediate punishment: the directive asks staff and relevant parties to draft concrete bylaw changes for council review. No ordinance or formal removal of TCF leadership occurred at the meeting; the council’s directive instructs staff to return recommended amendments for further deliberation and potential council action at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare proposed amendments and present them at the March 10 council meeting as directed. The council did not adopt final changes to the TCF charter or bylaws at this session.