Tree Advisory Board < Back Tree Advisory Board Chair, Pending election Ordinance No. 2023-03 The Tree Advisory Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Public Works Director and shall: (1) Coordinate and promote Arbor Day activities; (2) Review and update a five-year plan to plant and maintain trees on city property; (3) Support public awareness and education programs relating to trees; (4) Review city department concerns relating to tree care; (5) Submit an annual report of its activities to the city council; (6) Assist with the annual application to renew the Tree City USA designation; (7) Recommend a list of tree species for planting on city property, and a list of prohibited species; and (8) Perform other duties that may be assigned by City Council. The City is in the process of applying for designation as a Tree City USA . Previous Next

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La Joya Economic Development Corp. Board < Back La Joya Economic Development Corp. Board Isidro Casanova, President Local Government Code, Chapter 501: Development Corporations The purpose of the La Joya Economic Development Corp. (LJEDC) is promoting and development of industrial and manufacturing enterprises, promoting and encouraging employment and the public welfare for the City as provided by the Development Corporation Act. Additional information on economic development can be found at: International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts - EDC Types Texas Economic Development Council National Association of Development Organizations Previous Next

< Back Isidro Casanova Mayor Isidro Casanova was born and raised in La Joya, Texas. He served previously as Police Chief, standing firm against corruption and determined to make a great change in the community. During his time in office he has proven his great efforts, along with the City Councils, help to make La Joya succeed in all of its capabilities. Mayor Casanova worked for the La Joya Independent School District . before his current position with Hidalgo County. He has completed National Incident Management System (NIMS) training to ensure an effective response to our community during an emergency.

Board of Adjustments < Back Board of Adjustments Chris Reyna, Chair Local Government Code, Chapter 211: Municipal Zoning Authority The Board of Adjustments (BOA) may authorize the following exceptions to regulations: Permit the reconstruction, extension or enlargement of a building occupied by nonconforming use on the lot or tract ...; Permit such modifications to the height, yard, area, coverage and parking regulations as may be necessary to secure appropriate development of a parcel of land which differs from other parcels in the district ...; Require the discontinuance of non-conforming use of land or structure under any plan whereby the full value of the structure and facilities can be amortized within a definite period of time ...; and Authorize in specific cases a variance from the terms of a zoning ordinance if the variance is not contrary to the public interest ... For additional information, please consult: TEEX Code Enforcement Program International Code Council (ICC) Previous Next

A listing of former municipal officers charged with the daily operations of the City of La Joya. Former Officials A listing of former municipal officers charged with the daily operations of the City of La Joya. Public Service is a calling to contribute to the daily life of a community. Over the years, the City of La Joya has been served by a cadre of trained professionals. These municipal officers are recruited, appointed and confirmed by the Council. If you know of someone who's served our community, please contact us so that we may document our institutional knowledge and acknowledge their service.

The City of La Joya is open for business. We are located on the western frontier of the growing McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA. Call us for more information. Economic Development Texas has made a $206 million investment in highway expansion in La Joya, Texas -- opening thousand of acres for development ... just west of McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA. Transportation Interstate Highways The Texas Department of Transportation is completing work on a $206 million Relief Route to U.S. Expressway 83 -- just north of La Joya, Texas. This expressway connects with Interstate 2 and Interstate 69 C. International Bridges The Anzalduas International Bridge facilities truck and other vehicular traffic from Monterrey, Mexico to McAllen, Houston and points north. The McAllen/Hidalgo International Bridge also is available and handles pedestrian traffic. International Airport La Joya is served by McAllen International Airport . Taxes La Joya has a competitive property tax structure. The City's $0.02 per dollar sales tax is allocated to municipal operations ($0.015) and economic development ($0.005). The State of Texas does not assess any corporate nor personal income tax. Utilities Gas is provided by Texas Gas Service and electric through various Retail Electric Providers (REP) and American Electric Power (AEP) . The City's Public Utility Department (PUD) provides water and wastewater services. Solid waste is collected through an exclusive municipal franchise agreement with Waste Connections . Below are base rates for commercial accounts. Incentives The City of La Joya and its economic and community development entities may offer a variety of incentives based on the level of investment and job creation and/or retension. Contact us for more information. La Joya Economic Development Corporation The La Joya EDC is organized under the Development Corporation Act, Section 4B. La Joya Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 The La Joya TIRZ#1 operates in partnership with Hidalgo County. Hidalgo County, Texas Hidalgo County is designated as an Enterprise Zone . La Joya also is in the Opportunity Zone . More Info... Texas Economic Development Council National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Hidalgo County Economic Develop LRGVDC Economic Development

< Back Laura M. Macias Laura M. Macias began serving La Joya, Texas when elected to the City Council in 2019 and served as Mayor Pro Tem during her first term in office. She was re-elected to a second term in 2023. Macias is a La Joya native and graduate of La Joya High School. After earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Texas Pan American (now UTRGV ) in 2010, Macias began operating an adult daycare in Palmview, Texas. In 2015 she served as a Contract Caseworker for Texas Child Protective Services. Currently, Macias is a licensed real estate agent with Top Tier Real Estate Group serving clients throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

The La Joya Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated by the Mayor during a natural or civil emergency. La Joya Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Ramon Gonzalez Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) The La Joya Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated by the Mayor during a natural or civil emergency. The La Joya EOC is currently in the: Mitigation Phase Preparedness Phase Response Phase Recovery Phase VEOCI Login Situation Report (Sit Rep) Quick Facts During a declared emergency, the La Joya Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will provide regularly-scheduled Situation Reports regarding active threats, responses and recovery. Resources Report Power Outage (AEP Texas) Drive Texas (TxDOT Highway Conditions) Weather Outlook (National Hurricane Center) News EOC Information Situation Reports Situation Reports are regularly updated during a Response Phase. Thunderstorm Alberto (June 19-21, 2024): Response Phase: Day 1 Response Phase: Day 2 Response Phase: Day 3 Public Information During a natural or civil emergency, individuals will be provided with specific information for preparation, Response and Recovery. Be Prepared for Flood (FEMA) Be Prepared for Power Outage (FEMA) Ready.gov Sandbag Information Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) The La Joya Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is composed of trained, community volunteers whom will support the City's Emergency Management Operations. Department Docs More information regarding our Department. Emergency Declaration CERT Member Roster Department Forms These forms will improve service delivery. Download, complete and return. None External Links Government and partner resources: National D epartment of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Weather Service (NWS) National Hurricane Center State TDEM State Operations Center (SOC) Local Hidalgo County Off. of Emergency Management

A brief history of the City of La Joya and surrounding communities on the United States border with Mexico. Brief History A brief history of the City of La Joya and surrounding communities on the United States border with Mexico. Chapter 1: Native Peoples to Spanish Explorers Native Peoples Settle Rio Grande Valley From the beginning, La Joya has been defined by its rich, fertile agrarian lands, its rolling hills and the lakes and river which gives it life. The Rio Grande Valley of South Texas was home to Coahuiltecans for thousands of years. These native peoples included tribes such as Aranamas, Bobole, Carrizo, Katuhanno, Kesale-Terkodams, Oregons, Pachal, Payayas and Tamiques. They lived off the land before the initial encounter with Europeans and Africans. North America’s “first” Settler are Spanish -- and African Before Pilgrims were forced to land on Plymouth Rock (1620), before Jamestown’s fort was established (1607), before Roanoke Colony failed (1590), before San Agustin (1565) was founded in La Florida, there was Penitas (1520) . The settlement, approximately three miles east of La Joya, has been largely lost to history due to its diminutive size and its unsanctioned status by Spain. It consisted of Father Zamora and five military officers and their enslaved Africans who abandoned the Pánfilo de Narváez to live along the native Calero people. Spanish Ancestors Defend “their” New Lands The first Europeans to travel through the area were Spaniards defending Nueva Espana from foreign invaders. In 1638 Jacinto García de Sepulveda and his party travelled along the Rio Grande, past the future side of La Joya and to the Gulf of Mexico in search of a Dutch expedition. It was never found. In 1687 Alonso DeLeon also followed the Rio Grande searching for French explorer, René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, whose expedition had landed accidentally in Matagroda Bay in 1685 and attempted to establish a French colony. DeLeon discovered the remnants of the colony in 1689. The colony was decimated by the local native peoples who were defending their lands against the invading Spanish. This was a struggle destined to fail for the natives peoples who had lived in North America and along the Rio Grande for thousands of years. Though not recorded in history, the river crossing and adjacent ford at Los Ebanos, Texas was used by natives to traverse the river long before the first recorded use by Spaniards. Next