BY JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Town of Laguna Vista held a Special Meeting on November 25, where council members received updates on law enforcement funding and discussed ongoing challenges related to city facility needs.
During the open forum portion of the meeting, private citizen Gary Gilbert agreed that the city needed a larger police department and recommended expanding the current facility into the back parking lot rather than using the portable building.
Another resident, Natalie Ruiz, also spoke during open forum and commented that the advisory board application forms should be revised to include a space where applicants can indicate who referred them, either above or below the name line. Her suggestion was in response to a recent Community Development Corporation (CDC) Board applicant who wrote in the corner of his form that the CDC Board president had referred him. Ruiz believes that notation weighed heavily in the nomination and approval process, and she stated that all applicants should be given the same opportunity to disclose referrals.
Following the open forum, the police department reported progress on funding for law enforcement operations and announced an additional $25,000 in grant support for overtime patrol and related expenses. According to the update, the town initially received just over $6,000 due to previous reporting issues. Once accounting was corrected, the department became eligible for supplemental allocations. Of the newly approved funding, $23,000 is earmarked for overtime, while $2,000 will support fuel costs for patrol activities. Officials described the funding as a timely benefit for officers working extended hours and maintaining community coverage.
The council then shifted attention to City Hall facility needs, reopening the conversation on whether to proceed with renovating a portable building or pursue permanent expansion to the existing government structure. City Manager Victor Trevino acknowledged that the portable unit was intended as a low-cost, expedient option to expand the police department, but the outcome has been less efficient than hoped.
The council discussed whether to finish the portable renovation or redirect the investment toward improving the current building. The mayor made a motion to sell the portable building, and the council members in attendance approved the measure unanimously. Trevino noted that any improvements made to City Hall would remain permanent public infrastructure, positioning the building to house government offices long term. If future grants enable relocation or expansion of police and fire services into separate facilities, the newly improved structure could continue functioning as the center of city administration.
Council members also discussed support for professional development within the police department. On the agenda was a request to approve the Police Commander’s attendance at the Command Staff Leadership Course in Huntsville, Texas, scheduled for December 1–5, 2025. The training is intended to strengthen supervisory and administrative capabilities for upper-level law enforcement staff. Members acknowledged that leadership development is essential to sustaining departmental growth and preparing officers for future command roles, and they approved travel and training for Commander Holland.
Following the open session items, the council entered executive session to deliberate several matters including consultation with legal counsel, discussion regarding real property, and personnel topics. One of the key items was the completion of the City Manager’s initial six-month evaluation.
Once the council returned to public session, members considered action based on the deliberations held behind closed doors, after which the meeting was adjourned.
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