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​La Joya citizens approved a Council-Manager form of government in 2013.  The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the City.  He reports to the Mayor and Council. City Manager La Joya citizens approved a Council-Manager form of government in 2013. The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the City. He reports to the Mayor and Council. Leonardo Olivares City Manager La Joya is a natural jewel in the Rio Grande Valley boasting tranquil lakes, rolling hill and rich farm lands. The real hidden jewels, however, are its people with their legendary pride and community activism. Our Council, employees and residents are building the new La Joya. Join us. Leonardo Olivares, JD MPA ICMA-CM Leonardo Olivares is a public administration professional who has worked for two U.S. Congressmen, five Texas Senators, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and as City Manager for four Texas cities. He also has served in a variety of leadership positions in professional, academic, and non-profit organizations. He is currently a member of the National Association of Latino Elected/Appointed Officials (NALEO) , Texas City Management Association (TCMA) and a Credentialed Manager by the International City Management Association (ICMA). Olivares earned his Bachelor in Economics from the University of Texas-Austin , his Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley , and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence (JD) from the University of Texas School of Law . Department Description As authorized by the Home-Rule Charter, the City Manager shall: with the advice and consent of the City Council , appoint and remove all department heads of the City, except as otherwise provided in this Charter or by Ordinance; with the advice and consent of the City Council, determine proper and just compensation for all department heads; attend all meetings of the City Council, taking part in discussion but, having no vote, and shall be notified of all special meetings of the City Council; see that all laws, provisions of this Charter, and acts of the City Council, subject to enforcement by the City Manager or by officers subject to his or her direction and supervision, are faithfully executed; prepare and submit the annual budget and capital program to the City Council; submit to the City Council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City as of the end of each fiscal year; kept the City council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the City and make such recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the City; make sure other reports as the City Council may require concerning the operations of the City departments, offices, and agencies subject to his or her direction and supervision; and perform such other duties as are specified in the Charter or may be required by the City Council or the laws of the State of Texas. External Links Learn more about professional associations and partners: International City Management Association (ICMA) Leonardo Olivares National Association of Latino Elected/Appointed Officials (NALEO) Texas City Management Association (TCMA)

La Joya Municipal Library educates people of all ages through literature. Municipal Library La Joya Municipal Library educates people of all ages through literature. Susana Villegas Director Susana Villegas is a career librarian having worked for the La Joya Municipal Library in a variety of positions for nearly 25 years. Department Description Quick Facts La Joya Municipal Library is dedicated to the education of people of all ages through literature. Our library enables the La Joya community access to a variety of books, articles and a computer lab. With a new website and online catalog, the Municipal Library is able to provide much-needed resources to everyone. The La Joya Municipal Library was established on December 8, 1993 and joined the Hidalgo County Library System (HCLS) on April 26, 1994. News Library Services Hours Library hours are: Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday-Sunday: Closed La Joya Municipal Library 201 Palm Shores Drive La Joya TX 78560-9008 956.581.4533 Catalogs Check-out our Inter-Library Loan (ILL) programs and online catalogs: Hidalgo County Library System Catalog Kids Catalog Library of Congress TexasShare Programs Books are just part of our offerings. The La Joya Municipal Library offers programs throughout the year. English as Second Language (ESL) Classes Holiday Events Summer Reading Program Talking Book Program Detailed information on our events is on the City's Events Calendar . Services The Library offers its patrons a variety of services, some at no cost and others for a small fee. Computer Lab Faxing, Printing & Scanning Voter Registration Hot Topics Department Docs More information regarding our Department. Library Policies Department Forms These forms will improve service delivery. Download, complete and return. Library Card Application External Links Learn more about government regulators, funders, professional associations and partners: Hidalgo County Library System (HCLS) Library of Congress TexasShare Texas Municipal Library Directors Association

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 4: High Waters in the Wild Wild West The West is Wild During the war in 1862 Mexican rebels clashed with Confederate forces in nearby Cuevitas, Texas . The international incident resulted in the death of three teamsters driving a wagon train. In retaliation, homes were burned, devastating the small community. After the war in 1874 Texas Rangers would illegally cross at Los Ebanos into Mexico in pursuit of alleged cattle rustlers. And, in 1875 U.S. Customs fought alleged cattle rustlers at Los Ebanos. Cross-border violence is not new. The Catarino E. Garza War against Mexico's President Porfidio Diaz regime ended near La Joya in 1891. The western part of Hidalgo County has been wild for long a time. Havana Grows as Outpost Havana was a growing outpost. In 1886 the Havana Post Office was opened, and St. Joseph’s Church was built in 1891. In 1904 a branch of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reached Tabasco and Havana to the “End of Line” where a new settlement called Sam Fordyce was established. The Havana Post Office was moved there in 1905, but the new settlement would not long last. John Conway attempt to promote the new community was unsuccessful due to defects in title to the property. The Post office would close in 1931 and Sam Fordyce became a ghost town. Flood Forces Relocation -- Again A century after Reynosa was flooded and relocated and Tabasco established, flood waters from the Rio Grande would wreak havoc again. In 1908 and again in 1909 Tabasco flooded. Residents moved to higher ground, along the hills to start anew. The historic Tabasco Cemetery is all that remains of the original settlement. The graves of Tabasco’s original settlers and of great-grandparents of La Joya families are all but forgotten as the property sit in an unmarked tract in what is now mostly surrounded by U.S. Fish & Wildlife property – inaccessible to descendants and the public. Previous Next

< Back Angie Garza One of nine siblings, Angelica Garza was born in Edinburg, Texas to David B González and Otila Villarreal González. Garza attended Edinburg CISD schools and graduated from Edinburg High School in 1967, before attending Pan American University and marrying José Vicente Garza on July 4, 1969. As proud parents of three and residents of La Joya, Texas, Garza and her husband were dedicated to helping their community. In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club in La Joya, the Garzas would sponsor various baseball teams from Sullivan City to Palmview, and provide transportation for required travel to game competitions in neighboring cities. In March 1976, Garza began working for La Joya ISD and did not retire from the district until 28 years later in 2004. Throughout her career with La Joya ISD and for several years after, Garza served as city commissioner for La Joya, (1987-2011), chairperson for Hidalgo County Metropolitan Policy Organization (1992-1994), president of the La Joya Lions Club (2002-2003), and is a past member of the Texas Municipal League (TML) and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) . Presently, Garza is a grandmother to five cherished grandchildren and remains committed to serving her community in various ways. Garza is a board member of the La Joya Economic Development Corporation (LJEDC), serves as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in La Joya, and also is an active member of the ACTS Organization at the same parish.

The La Joya City Attorney's offers legal advise to the Council, City Manager and municipal departments. City Attorney The La Joya City Attorney's offers legal advise to the Council, City Manager and municipal departments. Isaac V. Sulemana City Attorney Isaac Sulemana began his service as City Attorney in 2023. Before this time he worked for the Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney's Office . He also currently works for Hidalgo County Judge's Office . Sulemana is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law . Department Description As permitted by the Home-Rule Charter: The City Council may appoint an attorney, licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, as City Attorney. The City Attorney shall serve at the will of the City Council and be entitled to compensation as established by the City Council. The duties of the City Attorney shall be to: serve as legal advisor to the City Council, to the offices, departments, and agencies of the City, and to all officers and employees of the City as authorized by the City Manager; perform all services incident to his or her position as may be required by statute, the Charter, ordinances, or as directed by the City Council. City Council may retain special counsel at any time it deems such action appropriate or necessary. External Links Learn more about government regulators, funders, professional associations and partners: Isaac V. Sulemana Law Office Texas City Attorneys Association Texas Constitution & Statutes

< Back Enrique Cantu Enrique Cantu has served in the health care industry for more than 30 years, bringing to the forefront the importance of patient centered care. He currently serves as System Director for Performance Improvement at South Texas Health System where his work has been recognized for excellence over the years. Before his election to the City Council in 2023, Cantu has served as a member of the La Joya Economic Development Corporation. Cantu has volunteered with middle and high school players as a basketball coach; with church activities; and with work activities such as Pink Walk and the Halloween Safety Fair. Cantu received his Bachelor of Science (BS) from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Keiser University . 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

< 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.

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 2: Spanish Colonizers to Revolutions Spanish Ancestors Colonize the Region More than 100 years after the Dutch threat, in 1747 Blas de la Garza Falcon lead a Spanish expedition from what is now Laredo to the Gulf of Mexico, mapping the northern bank of the Rio Grande. This recon was part of the larger effort by Spain to colonize El Seno Mexicano, with Jose de Escandon as the leader. I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Escandon established several settlements or colonias along the Rio Grande, including Reynosa, Tamaulipas on March 14, 1749. Reynosa included the establishment of Los Ejidos de Reynosa on the river’s northern bank. These communal lands would be used by Reynosa residents for subsistence farming. In 1767, Spanish King Carlos III granted tracts of land along the Rio Grande River, from the Gulf to Laredo, to notable settlers. At this time, a large tract generally south of U.S. Highway 83, from Jara Chinas Road (FM 2221) east to Abrams Road, was designated as Los Ejidos de Reynosa. Another large tract, Porcion 46, was granted to Jose Matias Tijerina, who established a settlement naming it Havana . In 1802 Reynosa was moved downstream to avoid flooding plaguing the original townsite (now present-day Reynosa Diaz). It was at this time that Francisco de la Garza, a descendent of the founders of Reynosa, and other Reynosa residents founded Tabasco on the western part of the Ejidos de Reynosa, instead of moving to the new Reynosa. In time the Ejidos would be called Los Ejidos de Reynosa Viejo. Mexicans, Texans & Otros Revolt Tabasco and Havana residents would witness the tumult of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain in 1821, followed by the succession of Texas from Mexico in 1836. Tabasco and Havana residents were subjects of the Spanish Empire, then Mexican nationals before becoming citizens of the new Republic of Texas . The times were turbulent. In January 1840 they became residents of the nascent Republic of the Rio Grande , but this republic collapsed by November. It did allow Tabasco and Havana resident eventually to claim status under seven, rather than six flags. By 1846 Texas and the United States incorrectly claimed Texas extended to Tamaulipas territory north of the Rio Grande River, making Tabasco and Havana disputed territory. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo settled the Mexican-American War, granting American citizenship to Mexican nationals living in newly annexed areas and guaranteeing title to their lands. Previous Next

The Planning/Code Enforcement Department mission is to plan for orderly community growth and promote its safety. Animal Control Please refresh page for live updates. All updates will be located in the banner above. La Joya's Animal Shelter Division: Protects the public from stray and feral animals in La Joya; Provides shelter services to partner communities; Works with Animal Rescue Organizations to place animals in new homes; and Unites lost & found pets with their human. We urge pet custodians to spay and/or neuter your pets. Department Docs More information regarding our Department. None Department Forms These forms will improve service delivery. Download, complete and return. None External Links