LA MARQUE, Texas – One day after warning residents that La Marque could run out of money in just weeks, city leaders have approved an emergency financial plan aimed at keeping basic services running.
At a press conference on Tuesday, La Marque’s interim city manager, Barbara Holley, and finance director Worth Ferguson revealed the city has only $1.2 million in reserves, enough to last about two weeks under current spending.
La Marque spends roughly $60,000 a day to operate, not including utilities.
Council adopts stabilization plan
Late Monday, La Marque City Council unanimously approved a three-point strategy to shore up finances:
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Raise property taxes from $0.39 to $0.45 per $100 of valuation, adding about $30 a year for a home worth $50,000. The increase would help the city secure a short-term loan until tax revenues arrive.
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Slash non-essential spending, including a freeze on 15 open jobs, cuts to travel and training, and halts on new technology purchases.
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Seek emergency loans to cover disaster costs still awaiting FEMA reimbursement, while also asking the city’s Economic Development Corporation for assistance.
Holley said La Marque could need an additional $3 million to $5 million to make it through the rest of 2025, depending on hurricane season.
How did it get this bad?
Holley, just five weeks into the job, said she discovered the crisis around Labor Day after reviewing city finances with Ferguson.
“They did not bring in the revenues that they projected, and they spent more than they said they were going to spend,” Holley said.
She added that previous leadership did not provide monthly financial statements, bank balances, or timely audits, leaving the city without adequate oversight. Both officials stressed that no fraud has been found.
The city is also creating a financial oversight committee with council members, citizens, and the Economic Development Corporation to restore transparency and accountability.
Residents, meanwhile, are expressing concern.
“Apparently, it’s gone somewhere… it’s sad that we’ve gotten ourselves here, and it hasn’t happened overnight,” said longtime resident Laura Divine.
Holley and Ferguson said the city will provide monthly financial updates moving forward, and that the immediate changes are critical to prevent essential services from shutting down.
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