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Port Arthur council approves ordinance declaring special election results, authorizing EDC to use sales tax for specified projects
Summary
At a Nov. 17 special meeting, the Port Arthur City Council approved an ordinance canvassing returns from the Nov. 4 special election and declaring results that authorize the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation to use sales and use tax for six categories of projects, including affordable housing and water supply facilities; the city manager asked staff to analyze possible effects on future water and sewage rates.
At a special meeting on Nov. 17, 2025, the Port Arthur City Council approved an ordinance canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the Nov. 4 special election to authorize the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation to use sales and use tax revenues under Local Government Code chapter 504 for projects that qualify under chapter 505.
The ordinance lists six categories of eligible projects: recreational or community facilities; affordable housing; water supply facilities and water‑conservation programs; new or expanded business enterprises that create or retain primary jobs; a sports venue and related infrastructure; and legally permitted maintenance and operating costs of a facility. The council moved, seconded and adopted the ordinance by voice vote; the transcript records members responding “aye” and the presiding officer declaring the ordinance passed.
The city attorney advised the council that, under Texas Election Code section 67.004(a), only two members of the governing body are required to constitute a quorum for canvassing an election, and the council proceeded with the canvass. “Pursuant to the Texas election code section 67.004(a), only two members of the governing body are actually required to be present…to conduct the canvassing of an election,” the city attorney said during the meeting.
City Manager (S4) flagged a potential fiscal consequence for utility customers, saying the water supply facilities and conservation program “is gonna provide another source of revenue and it's gonna have an impact on … future water and sewage rates.” He asked staff to prepare a statement on that expected impact for a future council meeting and said he would consult with the finance director to develop the analysis.
The meeting record includes the ordinance’s statutory references to Local Government Code chapters cited by the presiding officer. The council completed the special meeting and adjourned at 10:12 a.m.
What happens next: staff will prepare the requested statement on projected effects to water and sewage rates for a future meeting, per the city manager's request; no additional details or timelines for that analysis were provided in the minutes.
