La Marque police association, city continue collective-bargaining talks; next session set for July 23

City of La Marque officials and representatives of the La Marque Police Association met July 2 to continue negotiations over economic and non-economic terms of the police collective bargaining agreement and set the next bargaining session for July 23 at 10:30 a.m.

The meeting, presided over by J.V. Pritchett, focused on salary and compensation issues the association has raised and several operational changes the city proposed. Richard Garcia, La Marque Police Association president, outlined the union’s requests and said, “We provided information that we hope will, help the governing body support, providing salary increases based on, a market approach that we have.”

Why it matters: The talks address pay, assignment stipends and contract language that affect patrol staffing, special teams and retention for officers in La Marque, a coastal Texas city. Both sides said they plan additional language exchanges and follow-up meetings during the city’s budget season.

Discussion highlights - Association requests (presented by Richard Garcia): salary increases tied to market data; increased certification pay; raise special-assignment pay for investigators and special response team members to $300 under the current assignments-pay system; add hostage-negotiation team members and K-9 handlers to assignment pay; increase longevity pay (the transcript lists the current rate and proposed rate in unclear terms, see clarifying details); raise the monthly uniform allowance and increase ammunition and equipment maintenance reimbursements to $125 per month; and an amendment to Article 13 to clarify notice requirements for permanent shift changes and duty assignments. - City proposals (presented by city staff): authority for the chief to appoint command staff officers; phase reduction and elimination of comp-time accrual with new contract language; phase out corporal positions in favor of a dual-sergeant shift model; revise step levels of compensation; and revise secondary (outside) employment language. City staff said they intend to trade contract language drafts with the association.

Meeting scheduling and process Participants agreed to hold the next bargaining session on Wednesday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m.; the city said it will block the council chamber for extended time during budget season to allow longer negotiations if needed. Both sides said association members will consult their membership between meetings and that staff will continue drafting and exchanging language.

What the meeting did not produce No formal contract changes were adopted at the July 2 meeting. There were no recorded motions or roll-call votes on contract language; the session was a negotiation meeting to discuss proposals and schedule follow-up.

Logistics and context The meeting was noticed under the Texas Open Meetings Act as a collective-bargaining session and was open to the public and broadcast. Participants who identified themselves in the record included J.V. Pritchett (presiding officer), Randy (police chief), John Kerr (with CLEAF), Richard Garcia (La Marque Police Association president), Conan King (association member), Stephen LaCroix (association member), Josh Heumann (association member) and other city staff referenced by surname. The parties referenced the June 11, 2025 bargaining meeting as prior progress on these items.

Looking ahead Both sides said they expect continued exchanges of draft contract language and additional bargaining sessions; the July 23 meeting was scheduled to give the association time to meet with members and the city time to incorporate budget information.