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Rio Grande City moves to create a municipal court of record to strengthen nuisance enforcement
Summary
Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance to create a municipal 'court of record' intended to give the municipal court concurrent civil and criminal jurisdiction to address unsafe or nuisance properties and to authorize additional enforcement tools described in the ordinance.
The Rio Grande City Commission approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-10 on July 28 to establish a municipal "court of record," a change staff said will strengthen enforcement against nuisance and unsafe structures.
Mayor (S2) explained the change during a two-minute public hearing, saying the court of record will allow municipal court to issue warrants and exercise additional enforcement authorities that the city previously lacked. "We are moving forward with what is commonly known as a court of record," the mayor said, describing the measure as a means to give the city more effective tools to address downtown buildings that are decaying and pose public-safety risks. Staff emphasized the city remains willing to work with property owners and said grant funds are available to support renovations. Commissioners closed the hearing after no public speakers appeared and voted to approve the item.
