Council approves grant and audit policy updates, authorizes audits and outlines city manager hiring timeline

At its July 13 meeting the La Marque City Council approved several finance- and audit-related actions and set a timeline to hire a new city manager.

Grant and bonds: Staff described revisions to the city’s grant compliance policies required by the General Land Office; changes tighten procurement, financial management and labor standards and remind staff the city may not retain grant funds for interest. Council also approved a resolution assigning $70,000,000 of private activity bond authority to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs at the Southeast Texas Housing Corporation’s request; staff said the assignment carries no cost to the city and is intended to expand mortgage and housing assistance programs in the region.

Audits: Council authorized staff to solicit requests for qualifications for the city’s annual financial audit (the prior five-year contract expired) and approved an RFQ for forensic audit services detailing up to 15 forensic scopes requested by counsel. Staff said the forensic RFQ will remain open longer given the scope and complexity.

City manager transition: The council reviewed the recruitment timeline: 34 applications were received and nine video interviews were distributed to council. Council scheduled a July 16 meeting to select 4–5 finalists for in-person interviews and set interview slots for July 20–21 (evening sessions) with a meet-and-greet and a final appointment targeted for July 27. Staff discussed contingency plans for an acting manager and noted the city manager offered limited remote support during transition.

Council moved each item and approved the measures by voice votes.