Author Archives: Debra Mergel
Fly Your Flag
With Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day all in close proximity on the calendar, summer is one of the most patriotic times of the year. That means there are plenty of opportunities to proudly display the flags of our nation and our state. Let’s take a look at what regulations there are around… Read More »
Transfer of Power
The transfer of power after municipal elections follows a structured process outlined in Texas laws and regulations. This process is designed to assist the peaceful and orderly transition. Election Night: The elections administrator is responsible for the counting of votes. Unofficial tallies are usually posted before midnight on election day. Canvass: The city… Read More »
Tree Removal Regulations
A municipality’s authority to regulate tree removal is found in the Texas Local Government Code, Title 7 Regulation of Land Use, Structures, Businesses, and Related Activities; in Subtitle A. Municipal Regulatory Authority; at Section 212.905 Regulation of Tree Removal. Tree removal regulations can vary significantly depending on the specific municipality in Texas. Many cities… Read More »
How can I drive in Texas with a foreign driver’s license?
In Texas, as in many other U.S. states, you can drive with a valid foreign driver’s license for a certain period of time after you arrive in the United States. However, there are some important considerations and rules to keep in mind: International Driving Permit (IDP): While neither Texas nor the United States requires… Read More »
Holiday Gifts vs. Holiday Bonuses
The question is often-asked this time of year: May a city give holiday gifts to its employees, such as a turkey, ham or gift basket? The analysis is important because our Texas Constitution prohibits the grant of public money or things of value to any individual unless it is for a public purpose. Article… Read More »
Order in the Council Chambers
At the beginning of a City Council meeting, the Mayor says: “I call this meeting of the city council to order.” But what does order in a city council meeting look like and how can it be established and maintained? Texas state law does not establish rules of order for city council meetings; however,… Read More »
“Please Release Me, Let Me Go!”
Previously, our office blogged about what an ETJ is. To recap, the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) is the legal authority that a city holds to regulate and make decisions in areas that are outside of its formal city limits, but still within a designated surrounding boundary. The ETJ allows a city to plan for future… Read More »
Municipalities and Wildfire Disasters
Only YOU can prevent forest fires – Smokey Bear On August 14, 2023, Governor Abbot issued a disaster declaration for wildfire activity for 191 of our 254 counties. Staying safe during disaster conditions requires a combination of preparedness, communication, evacuation planning, and effective response strategies. Here are 6 areas for municipalities to consider: Preparedness:… Read More »
“We’re Having a Heat Wave…”
Texas Cities are dealing with the challenge of unusually extreme heat. Extreme heat can have deadly consequences, but they are preventable. In the future, cities need to include extreme heat in annual planning and may need to commit significant resources to heat-resilience. The specific strategies and measures a city employees to handle extreme heat… Read More »
Special Sessions
In the 88th Regular Legislative Session, 8,046 bills were introduced and 1,246 were passed. In addition to the regular session, the Texas Constitution grants the governor the authority to convene special sessions as deemed necessary. Unlike other states, where the legislature may call itself into session, only the governor of Texas may call the… Read More »