Search Results

La Joya TIRZ #1 Board < Back La Joya TIRZ #1 Board Isidro Casanova, President Tax Code, Chapter 311: Tax Increment Financing Act The La Joya Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #1 (LJTIRZ1), in partnership with Hidalgo County, represents an opportunity to promote and encourage construction of mixed-use industrial, commercial, office warehouse, retail, food service, lodging facilities, market rate and affordable single-family and multi-family housing in areas of the City that have significant and varied impediments to development. Previous Next

The City of La Joya Code of Ethics. Ethics The Home Rule Charter requires the City Council adopt a Code of Ethics. The Council adopted a code in 2021 and amended it in 2024. Code of Ethics Purpose . This Code of Ethics reinforces existing federal, state, local and professional standards of ethical conduct, and related legal requirements by requiring professional development training for individuals acting on behalf of the City. Training . Elected and appointed officials, board members, and municipal employees and certain vendors shall complete designated hours of professional development training on federal, state and/or local ethics laws, policies and procedures (see table below). This training shall supplement any training required of individuals by federal, state and local laws or by professional associations. Training shall be completed within ninety (90) days of assuming office; or being hired, respectively. The Council are encouraged to participate in the Texas Municipal League Institute (TMLI) Certification for Local Officials program. Screening . Candidates for boards and commissions must complete and submit a Board Appointment Form 72 hours before appointment by the Council. This form must be filed in the City Secretary’s Office . Committee . An Ethics Advisory Committee is established to advise the Council on ethics for public organizations. The Committee shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council. Committee membership shall include one member of each individual class (see table above). Review . This ordinance shall be reviewed annually by the Committee. The Committee shall report their findings and recommendations to the Council for further action, if necessary. Penalties . Elected officials failing to comply with this ordinance shall be a assessed a fine of $75.00. Appointed officials, employees or volunteers failing to comply with this ordinance shall be subject to disciplinary action. Committee members may be subjected to removal from their appointed office. Vendors may have contracts voided by the City Manager or the Council. Ethics Laws T he City must comply with state laws (statutes or codes) as well as local local laws such as the Municipal Home Rule Charter, Ordinances, Personnel Handbook, Accounting Procedures, Purchasing Manual, Administrative Regulations, and Departmental regulations. Department Docs More information regarding our Department. Ethics Handbook, 2022 Ethics Training Presentation, 2022 Department Forms These forms will improve service delive ry. Download, complete and return. Board Action Form External Links Learn more about government regulators, funders, professional associations and partners: Federal Bureau of Investigation _San Antonio Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney Texas Attorney General's Office Texas Ethics Commission Texas Rangers - Weslaco

​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)

< Back Irma Veloz Irma Veloz has worked as a licensed speech pathologist for nearly 20 years. As a supervising speech pathologist, she has been responsible for evaluating and treating patients in an outpatient clinic as well as a public school setting. Veloz also has been responsible for providing direct and indirect supervision to speech therapy assistants. A native of La Joya, Texas, Veloz was elected to the La Joya City Council in 2023. She is a graduate of La Joya High School. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Communication Science & Disorders from the University of Texas Pan American, now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and her Master of Science in Communication Science & Disorders from Texas Christian University . She has completed National Incident Management System (NIMS) training to ensure an effective response to our community during an emergency.

The La Joya Public Utility Department (PUD) mission is to provide quality water, wastewater and solid waste services at the best value to our customers. Public Utility Dept. The La Joya Public Utility Department (PUD) mission is to provide quality water, wastewater and solid waste services at the best value to our customers. Department Description Quick Facts The La Joya Public Utility Department (PUD) was created by the Council as part of their reorganization of municipal government in 2022. The La Joya PUD acquired some of its facilities from the former La Joya Water Supply Corporation (WSC), predecessor to the Agua Special Utility District (SUD) . News PUD Services Water The Public Utility Department (PUD) provides the La Joya community treated drinkable water. The Hidalgo County Irrigation District #16 supplies La Joya raw water via La Joya Lake. The PUD operates a Water Treatment Plant (WTP) with a capacity of 0.8 million gallons per day (MGD). Wastewater The City collects and treats wastewater as permitted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) . The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located south of Military Road may discharge 0.3 MGD into the Rio Grande River. Solid Waste Solid waste collection services for residential and commercial accounts are provide by our partners, WasteConnections . Please check our Collection Map for scheduled collection in your area. Contact us or our Planning/Code Enforcement Department for arrangements for commercial or residential construction projects. Brush Regularly-scheduled brush collection services are provided by Waste Connections . For On-Call services for additional collections due to larger brush volumes, special arrangements may be made by contacting our PUD Billing Division. Utility Billing Payments for water, wastewatger, solid waste and brush may be made: In person at our PUD office at City Hall; U.S. Mail; or Online Utility Payment . Department Docs More information regarding our Department. Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), 2023 Water Conservation & Drought Contingency Plan Water Conservation Stages Department Forms These forms will improve service delivery. Download, complete and return. Customer Application External Links Learn more about government regulators, funders, professional associations and partners: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA)

The City of La Joya is a Home-Rule, municipal corporation and body politic established in 1926. Community Description The location, the city and the people of La Joya, Texas. Location Nestled on gentle rolling hills between two lakes along western Hidalgo County sits the City of La Joya, Texas. La Joya is a land of transitions, where urban meets rural, the plains meet hills and the past meets the future. La Joya is bounded on the east by the historic community of Penitas (established in 1520); on the south by Texas Wildlife Management Areas, U.S. Fish & Wildlife property and the Rio Grande River; on the west by Sullivan City and the historic Los Ebanos Ferry; and on the north by thousands of acres of verdant farmlands. The recently completed $206 million U.S. Expressway 83 Relief Route connects the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro with Rio Grande City and Laredo along the United States-Mexico border. Municipality In 1926 residents of western Hidalgo County established the City of La Joya as a general-law municipal corporation and body politic. It became inactive during the Great Depression, then re-elected a City Commission in 1965. In 2013 La Joya became a Home-Rule municipal corporation governed by a City Council composed of a Mayor and four Councilmembers, all elected at-large. The City has adopted a Council-Manager form of government and has earned a Council-Manager Recognition by the International City Management Association (ICMA) . People With approximately 5,000 residents according to the U.S. Census , La Joya enjoys small town comforts with the convenience of nearby metro areas. But La Joya really is embodied in the heart of its youth, the spirit of its ancestors and the pride of a community. Rugged individuals like Jose Matias Tijerina established a frontier community in Havana. Descendants of Nathaniel Jackson and Matilda Hicks were among founders of La Joya. Their family helped enslave people along the Valley’s underground railroad. Havana resident Patricio Perez joined the just cause of fighting for freedom and equality with the Union during the Civil War. We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. – Cesar Chavez Education has been central to La Joya, having one of the first schools in the region. Coyote pride on the gridiron is manifested through community activism for social justice. Leo J. Leo became a prominent civil rights activist during the 1960s before becoming Mayor. His son, Billy Leo also was active in state and national elections. This is the legacy of a rural community in the life of its state and nation. Official Designations It's official. The City has designated official flora and fauna for La Joya. Naturally. Tree Retama (Guaiacum Angustifolium ) This beautiful native tree bears fine green leaflets, green bark and bright yellow flowers. Flower Lantana (Lantana Horrida ) Showy heads of yellow, orange and red flowers decorate natural sites and yards around the City. Butterfly Lyside (Kricogonia Lyside ) This attractive, bright yellow or white butterfly thrives in chaparrals. Bird Roadrunner (Geococcyx Californianus ) This large, brown, crested, long-tailed bird runs along the roads, feeds and nests in chaparral, often entertaining its human admirers. Mammal Coyote (Canis Latrans ) Indigenous peoples of North America honor Brother Coyote and the people of the Border Region honor Mano Coyote with tales of its intelligence and wily exploits, and La Joya ISD support their beloved mascot. More Info... La Joya City Limits and Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Map La Joya Municipal Organizational Chart

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

The City of La Joya is updating or experiencing technical difficulties with our website. Thank you for your patience. Be Right Back! The City of La Joya is working on its website. Check back soon...

Capital Improvements Advisory Committee < Back Capital Improvements Advisory Committee Dr. Antonio Uresti, Chair Local Government Code, Chapter 395 The Capital Improvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) advises the City Council on the Capital Improvements Plan and associated development Impact Fees. Previous Next

Photos of community activities in and around La Joya, Texas. Gallery Smile! This is Coyote country.