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Rio Grande City EDC reports sales-tax gain, probes invoices and approves executive-session actions
Summary
EDC staff reported monthly sales-tax receipts rose about 9.36% to $558,163; board members pressed staff about invoices from a vendor and Main Street grant spending, and the board reconvened from executive session to approve actions A–C as discussed behind closed doors.
The Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation reported stronger monthly sales-tax receipts and debated several spending items before approving actions discussed in a closed executive session.
According to meeting materials presented at the session, city sales-tax collections for the month totaled $558,163, a 9.36% increase compared with the same month last year. Board members and staff discussed that these figures represent recent deposits and that packet figures reflect revenue for April 2026 received in June.
During review of the packet, board members raised questions about vendor charges listed to 'Saints' and 'Grant Works' (items above typical approval thresholds) and asked staff to provide backup documentation for payments above standard amounts. Separately, a vendor identified in the discussion—referred to in the meeting as the Star County Industrial Foundation—submitted invoices that staff said requested roughly $36,700 for services the city says were not delivered for the invoiced months; the board said the city will honor payments only going forward after a mutually agreed contract and will not pay for months where no contract or services were documented.
Board members also asked for clarification on the Main Street enhancement grant balance; staff explained a recent façade grant was paid and additional pending claims will reduce the remaining balance, and asked to follow up with exact figures after the packet is updated.
The board later entered executive session under Texas Government Code sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney), 551.087 (economic development negotiations), 551.072 (real estate) and 551.074 (personnel). After returning to open session, a motion to "approve action as discussed in executive session" was moved and seconded and the chair announced the motion carried; the public record does not disclose the substantive details of items A, B and C discussed behind closed doors.
The meeting adjourned shortly after the reconvened session.
What happens next: staff was asked to provide further documentation on the questioned invoices and to update financial packet pages to reflect recent disbursements and remaining grant balances for Main Street work.
