PROFILE OF THE GOVERNMENT
The City of La Feria, Texas, incorporated in 1915, is located in the
southern part of the state, approximately 20 miles from the
American-Mexican border. The City currently occupies a land area
of 2.92 square miles and serves a population estimate of 6,388.
The residential population of the City of La Feria, Texas has been on a
steady incline. The future growth is estimated to be at a 3% jump
per year.
In November 7, 1989, the City adopted a Home-Rule Charter that was
approved by its citizens. The City operates under a
Commission/Mayor form of government with a City Commission comprised of
a Mayor and five Commissioners. The City Commission is
responsible, among other things, for passing ordinances, adoption the
budget, appointing committees, and hiring both the government’s manager
and attorney. The City Manager is responsible for carrying out the
policies and ordinances of the City Commission, for overseeing the
day-to-day operations of the City, and for appointing the heads of the
various departments. The Commission is elected on a non-partisan
basis with the term of the Mayor and two Commissioners’ terms expiring
in odd-numbered years and the other terms of the three Commissioners
expiring in even-numbered years.
The City provides a full range of services, including police and fire protection; the construction and maintenance of streets and other infrastructure; and recreational activities and cultural events. Certain sanitary services are provided through a legally separate Waterworks and Sewer System entity, which functions, in essence, as a department of the City. The Industrial Development Corporation, and Economic Development Corporation also are legally separate, but are in essence function as a department of the City.