San Marcos proclaims Black History Month and spay-neuter awareness, honors retiring Battalion Chief Clark

Mayor Jane Houston read a series of ceremonial proclamations at a City of San Marcos meeting, declaring Feb. 22, 2026, as President George Washington Day, February 2026 as Spay and Neuter Awareness Month, and February 2026 as Black History Month, and she proclaimed a day in February in honor of Battalion Chief Jeffrey Paul Clark.

The proclamations highlighted local organizations and events tied to the observances. A representative of the William Hightower chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution thanked the city for issuing the George Washington proclamation and noted the chapters’ scholarship and oration activities. Athena Reiche, representing the Captain Thomas Moore chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, introduced members of the local Children of the American Revolution group and noted their participation in contests and flag presentations.

On animal-welfare issues, Mayor Houston cited a San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter report that the shelter recorded 4,113 live intakes of cats and dogs in fiscal year 2025 and used that figure to frame the proclamation designating February as Spay and Neuter Awareness Month. Following the proclamation, an animal-welfare representative thanked the city for supporting life-saving efforts and pointed residents to low-cost spay/neuter options, naming Prevent a Litter and Emancipet and offering assistance locating services.

The Black History Month proclamation marked the centennial observance and recognized local groups working on historical preservation and programming, including the Dunbar Heritage Association and local museum programming. A representative described recent library collaborations and previewed a Feb. 28 event at the Price Center that will feature poetry, music, painting and an open mic; presale tickets were announced. Lillian Peterson Jimenez, president of the Juneteenth Foundation, asked the public to save June 19–20 for that organization’s community activities and a hoped-for parade.

The meeting also honored Battalion Chief Jeffrey Paul Clark, whom Mayor Houston recognized for 36 years with the City of San Marcos Fire Service. The proclamation summarized his service record (hired Feb. 12, 1990; promoted to engineer in 1994, lieutenant in 2001, captain in 2009 and battalion chief in 2010), listed certifications and awards cited by the mayor, and noted his plans for retirement. A colleague called Clark’s 36 years “a really long time” and thanked him for his dedication. Clark addressed the meeting, saying he began his career at 19 and expressing gratitude that no one suffered fatal injuries under his watch.

All items presented at the meeting were ceremonial proclamations and community updates; no formal votes or ordinance actions were recorded in the transcript. The mayor closed the ceremonial remarks and signaled a transition to a department retirement event.