News Flash

Contributed by the American Junior Golf Association

The latest episode of the City’s Town Talk podcast features Economic Development Director Danielle Williams and her newest staff member, Business Retention and Expansion Manager Chris Conner, sharing insights about why a strong business community is good for Victoria and how the City is improving its support for business owners.

In his new role, Conner will help to improve the City’s support for businesses of all sizes, including better coordination with local economic partners. He will also help to connect new or expanding businesses with services that the City provides.

“My last job dealt with specifically economic development … going out and talking to businesses, trying to gather information and asking them what they need,” Conner said.

Williams also provided updates about new businesses that are coming to Victoria, including a few locally owned franchises.

“When I go to conferences and things and we’re talking to all these retailers … it’s harder to get those franchisees to want to expand so far away from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and so forth,” Williams said. “So to see these local, homegrown franchise owners is super huge and is really great for our community.”

Residents who are interested in becoming franchise owners can reach out to Williams at dwilliams@victoriatx.gov to be connected with franchises that are seeking to expand to Victoria.

Residents can be part of the conversation around community prosperity by attending the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12, which will feature insights from local leaders and invited experts. Residents can register through March 6 at www.growingvictoriatx.com.

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

City of Victoria staff and leadership; the Victoria Chamber of Commerce; current and former elected officials; current and former leaders of the Victoria Police Department, Victoria Fire Department and City of Victoria Municipal Court; and representatives of FGMA Architects, AGCM construction management firm and SpawGlass construction cut a ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new Public Safety Headquarters, 2525 N. Main St. The City of Victoria partnered with the Chamber of Commerce for the ceremony, which included remarks from Mayor Duane Crocker, City Manager Jesús A. Garza, Interim Police Chief Clay Fetters, Fire Chief George Gamez, Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold and Chamber of Commerce Chair Sherry McShaffry. After the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the facility.

View more photos from the event.

The following City of Victoria Public Works employees recently earned occupational licenses from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

Utility equipment operator Reynaldo Trevino earned his Class 2 wastewater collection license. This license reflects an advanced level of training and experience in the field of wastewater collection.

Surface water treatment plant operator trainee Richelle Howes, water meter technician Jacob Orsak, utility systems technician Mario Villafuerte and plant maintenance technicians Viviana Villegas and Harris Wiest earned their Class D water operator licenses. This license certifies that an individual has the necessary training and experience to perform process control duties in the production or distribution of drinking water.

Utility supervisor Jamie Diaz earned his customer service inspector license. This license certifies an individual to examine private water distribution facilities and approve or deny water service, including identification of potential contamination and similar issues.

The Briggs Boulevard bridge will soon close for a full reconstruction project by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The closure will begin April 6 and will last approximately 10 months while the bridge is being reconstructed. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

All homes and businesses in the area will remain open and accessible. Drivers can avoid delays by seeking other routes.

Once the bridge project is complete, the City will repave Briggs Boulevard and the section of Mallette Drive between Briggs Boulevard and Loop 463.  

For more information about upcoming street projects, visit www.victoriatx.gov/engineering or call 361-485-3340.

To sign up for road closure alerts, visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter. 

The City of Victoria’s first-ever Growing Victoria Summit will feature insights from local leaders and invited experts—including Mayor Duane Crocker’s 2026 State of the City address—with a focus on how Victoria can achieve growth and prosperity and how residents can get involved.

The free half-day summit will take place at the Victoria Community Center on Thursday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All sessions will be recorded and shared on the City’s local cable channels and on YouTube at a later date.

Goals and opportunities

The event begins at 8 a.m. with breakfast and a welcome from Mayor Duane Crocker, who will discuss the meaning of growth in the context of economic and community development and address feedback submitted by attendees as part of the registration process.

At 8:45 a.m., Newmark Group, a consulting firm specializing in economic development, will provide an overview of the elements and priorities that help communities grow, including strategies that have been successful in other cities.

After the presentation, at 9:15 a.m., Mayor Crocker will have a more casual fireside chat with Newmark and address attendees’ questions.

Where we are headed

At 10 a.m., the education panel will start. Guest panelists represent all levels of education in Victoria, from K-12 through higher education: 

• Texas A&M University-Victoria President Christian Hardigree
• Victoria College President Jennifer Kent
• Victoria Independent School District Superintendent Sheila Collazo
• St. Joseph High School President John Gilley

Panelists will discuss the role of education in workforce development and community prosperity, highlight ongoing growth initiatives and answer questions from attendees.

The panel will be moderated by Victoria native Geanie Morrison, who represented the 30^th district in the Texas House of Representatives from 1999 to 2025 and served on the House of Representatives’ Committee on Higher Education.

To conclude the event, at 11:45 a.m., Mayor Crocker will give his annual State of the City address over lunch. He will outline steps that the City is taking to help Victoria grow, including specific projects and initiatives, and highlight how attendees can be part of Victoria’s growth.

The event will end about 1 p.m.

Learn more and register

Residents who are interested in attending the Growing Victoria Summit can register at www.growingvictoriatx.com by March 6 to participate.

PHOTO: Mid-Coast Family Services’ Resource Hub completed with funds from the Community Development Block Grant program in 2025.

Local nonprofits that serve low- to moderate-income residents are invited to apply for federal grant funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the City of Victoria Development Services department.

Dates to remember

• March 4 at 2 p.m.: Mandatory workshop at 700 Main Center, conference room 205
• March 31 at 4 p.m.: Intent to request funding must be submitted
• April 1: Applications open for Public Service Agency and Public Facility grants
• April 30 at 4 p.m.: Grant application deadline

At the workshop, Development Services will provide information and guidance to interested nonprofits. Attendance at the workshop and completion of an intent to request funding are mandatory for any nonprofit seeking funds.

How to apply

Paperwork for the intent to request funding will be distributed at the workshop and will be posted online at www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg. 

The application for grant funds will be available at the Development Services Planning office: 700 Main Center, Suite 129, and at www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg.

Completed applications may be turned in to the Planning office or emailed to zwendel@victoriatx.gov.

Funding recommendations will be presented to the City Council on June 2, and the City will solicit public input on the CDBG funding plan starting in July. The City Council will give final approval on the 2026-2027 CDBG funding allocations in August.

Stay connected

For more information, contact Development Services at 361-485-3360 or zwendel@victoriatx.gov.

To learn more about the CDBG program, visit www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg. 

PHOTO: The City of Victoria has moved its recycling drop-off service to the Waste Management facility on U.S. Highway 59.

Starting March 7, Victoria residents who need to drop off recycling will do so at the Waste Management facility located at 10205 U.S. Highway 59 (next to Stallion Infrastructure Services).

The larger facility will allow for greater oversight by Waste Management and more efficient separation of drop-off and collection services compared to the former drop-off location on George Street. 

Recycling may be dropped off at the Waste Management facility on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents must show a utility bill and identification card as proof of residence.

Residents may also drop off their recycling at the drop-off locations operated by Victoria County. For more information about these services, visit www.vctx.org. 

What can be recycled?

PHOTO: Residents may drop off their recycling in the two containers near the gate.

The following items can be recycled through the City of Victoria:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Metal cans
• Plastics #1 and #2 (most plastic bottles and jugs; check for the number label)

The City of Victoria does not accept glass for recycling.

Plastic trash bags are not recyclable. Residents bringing recyclables in plastic bags must empty the bags at the facility.

Get rid of waste the right way

More than 40% of the waste that the City receives for recycling cannot be recycled. This includes items that are not recyclable (such as plastic bags) as well as recyclables that have become contaminated by non-recyclable waste.

The City of Victoria encourages residents to dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination in our recycling system. The City of Victoria’s online Waste Wizard tool offers instructions for properly disposing of more than 200 types of common waste items.

To learn more and to look up items, visit www.victoriatx.gov/wastewizard.

The City of Victoria has published an informational webpage to help residents learn about the new stormwater drainage utility fee that is being proposed to fund maintenance and improvements for Victoria’s drainage system.

The webpage includes detailed information about how the fee is determined for different types of properties, specific drainage projects that it would fund during the coming years, how the fee compares to other cities and answers to other frequently asked questions.

The page can be found at www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

Why create a separate fee?

Unlike many other Texas cities, the City of Victoria does not have a dedicated funding source for drainage projects. This means that the City must rely on other funding sources for the stormwater drainage system, which has more than $129 million worth of unmet drainage needs. The lack of dedicated funding limits the amount of drainage projects and maintenance that the City is able to complete.

The proposed fee would allow for more robust funding in the following areas:

• General maintenance: mowing drainage ditches, culvert clearing/repairs, storm drain cleaning
• Capital projects: improvements at key outfalls and drainage channels citywide
• Emergency response: quick removal of blockages and localized flooding issues

What will the proposed fee be?

For non-commercial residential properties, the City is proposing a flat fee of $5 per month.

For other properties (businesses, apartment complexes, etc.), the bill is based on the property’s impervious area—surfaces such as roofs, driveways and pavement that do not absorb water. To calculate a specific property’s fee, visit www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

What’s next?

The City Council will vote on the proposed drainage fee at the March 3 and 17 City Council meetings. If approved, the drainage fee will go into effect in April 2026.

Full City Council meetings and agendas, including previous discussions on the stormwater drainage study, can be viewed at www.victoriatx.gov/tv15. 

To learn more about the project, visit www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

To learn more about the City’s budget, including projects planned for the upcoming fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

Mayor Duane Crocker appeared on the first episode of the new season of Town Talk, the podcast produced by the City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs, to discuss big projects planned for 2026, including the first-ever Growing Victoria Summit.

Mayor Crocker tells the story of how the idea for the free summit originated, building on the existing State of the City address to highlight Victoria in a bigger, community-centric way. 

“We really want this to be for the community and be very community-based,” said the mayor. “It’ll be very local-based and really address, ‘These are concerns of our citizens. These are the questions they have. Let’s address those and talk about how we come together and move forward.’”

The summit will offer a series of informative guest speakers and panel discussions about how all levels of education, workforce development, business retention and infrastructure play a role in helping our community prosper; what our community leaders are already doing; and how residents can get involved in helping Victoria grow. 

The mayor also discussed projects budgeted for 2026, including planned improvements in parks, streets, utilities and the Victoria Community Center.

“Overall, there’s a lot of infrastructure work going in,” said Mayor Crocker. “We’re doing what we can where we can and just trying to move the needle towards growth.” 

The half-day summit will take place March 12. Residents who are interested in attending the Growing Victoria Summit can register at www.growingvictoriatx.com by March 6 to participate.

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

PHOTO: The new Public Safety Headquarters at 2525 N. Main St. houses the Victoria Police Department, the Municipal Court and the Victoria Fire Department administration.

The City of Victoria’s new Public Safety Headquarters, located at 2525 N. Main St., is now open to the public.

The facility serves as a centralized location for a wide range of public safety services. Residents can conduct business with the Victoria Police Department, including the Records Division, filing police reports in person, property return, and other police-related needs. The Victoria Municipal Court is also now fully operating from the new headquarters, with all court services offered at the previous location now available at the new site.

In addition, all Victoria Police Department operations formerly at the mall, including the Community Engagement Unit and Recruiting, are now operating from the Public Safety Headquarters. Community members interested in learning more about police services, outreach programs, or career opportunities with the department are encouraged to visit the new facility.

For the Victoria Fire Department, Fire Administration has officially relocated to the Public Safety Headquarters and is now operating from the building. The facility is also home to the Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office. Information regarding the Fire Marshal’s Office relocation will be shared once available.

Residents needing assistance from public safety departments should visit the Public Safety Headquarters during regular business hours. The public is reminded that this is a City of Victoria facility and does not include Texas Department of Public Safety services, such as driver’s license renewals.

To learn more about the Public Safety Headquarters and other projects planned for this fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

The City of Victoria will host a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 25 at 10 a.m. For those unable to attend the ceremony, a livestream of the event will be available on Facebook at City of Victoria, Texas – Government.

The City of Victoria’s Economic Development department is broadening its business retention and expansion efforts with the addition of a new staff member who will work closely with Victoria business owners to help them thrive.

The City has hired Chris Conner as its first-ever business retention and expansion manager. Conner’s career has included various roles in managing relationships between businesses and government entities, most recently as the business development manager for the Central Florida Development Council. He also holds a certificate of economic development from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

“My goal is to provide open-ended support for whatever people might need,” Conner said. “If a business owner is having difficulties then we want to help before it’s too late, and if someone is looking to expand, we can provide resources to help with that as well.”

Conner will serve as a liaison between business owners and agencies that support the business community. Through these connections, he will learn about the needs of individual businesses, both large and small, and guide them to the appropriate resources or agencies.

“Before the Economic Development department was created, our formal business retention efforts were primarily focused on downtown through the Victoria Main Street program,” said Economic Development Director Danielle Williams. “As the City’s economic development efforts have grown, we have sought out more opportunities to support all businesses, and we are excited to take the next step with the business retention and expansion manager position.”

Stay connected

Williams and Conner will appear on an upcoming episode of the City’s podcast, Town Talk, to share more details about initiatives related to the new position. Past episodes of Town Talk are available on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

To learn more about how the City of Victoria supports economic development, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com. 

PHOTO: The new Public Safety Headquarters at 2525 N. Main St. will house the Victoria Police Department, the Municipal Court and the Victoria Fire Department administration.

The City of Victoria will celebrate the opening of its new Public Safety Headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at 2525 N. Main St. 

The ceremony will be open to the public for those who wish to attend. A brief reception will follow the ribbon-cutting in the main lobby of the newly opened PSHQ.

The ceremony will feature remarks from City Manager Jesús A. Garza, Mayor Duane Crocker, Interim Chief of Police Clay Fetters, Fire Chief George Gamez and Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold. 

The event marks a significant milestone for the City as it continues to invest in its public safety departments through the employee pay program, infrastructure, facilities, fleet upgrades and related initiatives.

The 70,000-square-foot facility will house the Victoria Police Department, including 911 dispatch; the Municipal Court; and the Victoria Fire Department administration, including the Fire Marshal’s Office. The new state-of-the-art building is designed to meet the City’s current needs while allowing room for future growth in the years to come.

The old Victoria Police Department station was built in 1968 for a staff of 50 people. Today, the police department has more than 160 employees, which required them to be placed in various locations throughout the City, such as at City Hall and with the substation within the Victoria Mall. Likewise, the Municipal Court lacked a dedicated courtroom, and the Victoria Fire Department administration was housed in an outdated administration building adjacent to a former fire station. 

For residents who are unable to attend the event in person, a livestream will be available on the City of Victoria’s official Facebook page at City of Victoria, Texas – Government.

To learn more about the Public Safety Headquarters and other projects planned for this fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

PHOTO: Graduates of the Hybrid Fire Academy Class 9 pose for a photo with their instructors at the Victoria Community Center.

The Victoria Fire Department has been working to recruit additional firefighters for some time now. Since Fire Chief George Gamez took over leadership of the department in Feb. 2024, he has been focused on finding new and innovative ways to strengthen the department.  

VFD is always looking for new recruits who want to serve, but along with external solutions, Gamez sought out an internal one. Rather than relying solely on hiring new firefighters, the VFD decided to create an in-house Hybrid Fire Academy for employees who could serve as both firefighters and paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

“We saw Victoria College graduating EMT classes all the time, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we target EMTs that maybe want to be firefighters?’” Gamez said. “The goal is to train them up and allow them to pick which side they want to go on, the fire or EMS side, but now we are going to have more firefighters.”

For class valedictorian Allyson Vondran, her desire to become a certified firefighter came from already being a member of VFD. As a paramedic, she regularly responded to fire calls, but she felt limited in how she could contribute. 

“I didn’t like going out on fire calls and not being able to help or not know what was going on,” Vondran said. “I really wanted to help the guys at my station, train with them, and I see the community that they have and I want to be a part of that.”

Vondran led a unique graduating class composed entirely of women who were already serving with the Victoria Fire Department. Vondran serves the department as one of its paramedic crew leaders alongside fellow graduates Jade Karl and Lisa Coultas. Meanwhile, Cassie Garza and Lindsey Sheffel each serve as EMTs. 

Ultimately, fire department leaders are hoping that they may have found a new, more efficient way to train firefighters. Each of the graduates of Class 9 did their coursework online and came in on various times either on the weekend or when they weren’t working to do their skills assessments. 

“This was the plan; we talked about it and we were pretty confident in it,” Gamez said. “We were going to hire these EMTs, let them get acclimated to how VFD works, and once they’re rooted in it we’d start the academy as their proving ground, and I think it went rather well.”

While this did help solve an immediate need for VFD, fire department leaders hope that the hybrid classes and EMT-to-firefighter pathway will be utilized regularly moving forward, with VFD creating quality firefighters for the community at a higher rate than ever before.

“We wanted to create something that we could bring to a wider scope and a wider audience,” Gamez said. “This is going to be something moving forward that we will offer not only to our own people, but open it up to the outside as well.”

PHOTO: The City of Victoria Municipal Court will host an outreach docket Feb. 20 at Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry. Shown at a 2025 docket are assistant city attorney Keith McKethan, court clerk David Baker and Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold. 

The City of Victoria Municipal Court will offer multiple court dockets in February to give residents an opportunity to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of arrest.

An additional virtual docket will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 9 a.m., in addition to the court’s regularly scheduled virtual docket on Monday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. Residents wishing to participate in a virtual session must check in before the docket begins downloading the Zoom application and inputting the meeting ID 361-485-3050. For information on virtual appearances, visit https://www.victoriatx.gov/255/E-Court-Appearance.

The court will also host an in-person docket on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Municipal Court courtroom, 107 W. Juan Linn St.

In addition, an outreach docket will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry, 108 N. Liberty St.

The in-person and outreach dockets are come-and-go events. Participants attending a virtual docket must check in with court staff prior to the start of the session.

These special dockets are part of Warrant Resolution Month, an annual initiative designed to encourage individuals with outstanding warrants to speak with a judge or prosecutor about available resolution options.

Residents who are unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions are encouraged to contact the Municipal Court at 361-485-3050 or courtclerk@victoriatx.gov to discuss their cases.

To search for warrants or pay fines, visit www.victoriatx.gov/courtpay. For more information about Municipal Court programs and services, visit www.victoriatx.gov/municipalcourt.

Keep Victoria Beautiful hosted its annual volunteer appreciation event Jan. 22 to recognize the dedicated volunteers who help to fulfill KVB’s mission.

The following volunteers were recognized at the event:

• KVB Circle of Honor: Richard and Delores Torres and family; Tiffany Totah
• Volunteer of the Year: James Chinowith
• Team of the Year: City of Victoria Development Services
• Power in Numbers: Victoria West High School National Honor Society
• Youth Team of the Year: St. Joseph High School

The KVB Circle of Honor was created in 2024 to honor those who have won an individual or team award three times. Honorees’ names are inscribed on a plaque at City Hall.

Sponsors for the event were Avi Jade Event Balloons, Call Albert Landscaping, The Chopping Block, Del Papa Distributing Co., Garden-Ville, Miss Golden Crescent, 360 Glow Photo Booth, USA DeBusk and Yummy Finds.

View more photos from the volunteer appreciation event.

PHOTO #1: KVB Circle of Honor: Richard and Delores Torres and family

PHOTO #2: KVB Circle of Honor: Tiffany Totah

PHOTO #3: Volunteer of the Year: James Chinowith

PHOTO #4: Team of the Year: City of Victoria Development Services

PHOTO #5: Power in Numbers: Victoria West High School National Honor Society

PHOTO #6: Youth Team of the Year

Swimmers compete at the Victoria ISD Aquatics Center during the first weekend of the TAAF Winter Games of Texas. More than 600 amateur athletes competed Jan. 17-18 in golf, disc golf and swimming. Events were hosted at the Victoria ISD Aquatics Center and at Riverside Park. The TAAF Winter Games will continue Feb. 14-15 as the City and its partners host e-sports, adaptive basketball, flag football, softball and tennis. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/tournaments. 

View more photos from the first weekend.

PHOTO: The Victoria Public Library has received a grant to install two soundproof booths like the one shown here. Image courtesy of Inbox Booths.

The Victoria Public Library has received a grant to install two soundproof booths, providing patrons with a quiet place to work, study and access digital services.

This project helps to fulfill the need for quiet study spaces outlined in the library master plan. During the plan’s development, residents were surveyed about amenities they’d like to see at the library, and dedicated quiet spaces were the third most popular choice. 

The wheelchair-accessible booths include a foldout bench and table, and they will be equipped with electrical outlets, an Ethernet port, adjustable fans and LED lighting. Residents will be able to reserve the booths in advance.

The booths will be installed in April.

Bridging the digital divide

PHOTO: The new booths will be wheelchair-accessible and will include a foldout bench and table, electrical outlets and an Ethernet port. Image courtesy of Inbox Booths.

The booths were purchased through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement Grant program. This grant program is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act with the goal of helping public libraries connect patrons with crucial digital services.

In addition to providing quiet spaces, the booths will allow visitors to access online services that require speaking and video conferencing.

“The demand for quiet, private spaces for job interviews, training, studying and telehealth services was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to increase every year,” said Victoria Public Library Assistant Director Katrine Villella. “With the addition of these new booths, our patrons will enjoy improved access to computers, high-speed internet and the support of trained staff to help them become adept digital navigators.”

Stay connected

To learn more about Victoria Public Library programs and services, visit www.victoriatx.gov/library.

PHOTO: Victoria Main Street Program board members pose for a photo with a mural of Victoria founder Martín de León, created by local artist Clinton Edwards, that was installed at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in September 2025.

The Victoria Main Street Program’s volunteer board is seeking two new members, and residents have until Feb. 13 to apply.

The board manages the nonprofit Victoria Main Street Program and includes members of the public as well as nonvoting City staff. The board supports beautification, fundraising, event coordination and other volunteer initiatives downtown. 

Meetings are held at 12 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Victoria Public Library, 302 N. Main St.

Residents can apply online at www.growingvictoriatx.com. The board appointments will be for two unexpired terms that will end in September 2026. Residents who live, work or own businesses downtown are encouraged to apply.

For more information, contact Discover Victoria, Texas Assistant Director Liz Tise at etise@victoriatx.gov. 

The board will review the applications and vote for the new members at the board’s Feb. 18 meeting.

PHOTO: A resident fishes at the Riverside Park duck pond Jan. 6.

Residents can once again catch rainbow trout at the Riverside Park duck pond.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has stocked the duck pond with 850 rainbow trout. An additional 850 trout will be added to the pond in February.

TPWD is providing the trout at no cost to the City.

Residents may also be able to catch other species that live in the duck pond year-round, such as catfish, bluegill and crappie.

Regulations for duck pond fishing

The duck pond is governed by TPWD regulations for community fishing lakes:

• Only pole-and-line fishing is permitted (no net fishing).
• There is no size limit for any of the fish species currently in the duck pond.
• Anglers may keep no more than five fish per day. All fish species count toward this total.
• Residents should only keep fish that they intend to use. Unwanted fish should be released. It is illegal to discard unwanted fish. 
• A fishing license is required for all anglers 17 or older and for adults accompanying an angler under 17.

Fishing regulations are enforced by the Texas Game Wardens. To report a violation, call 800-792-GAME (4263).

For more information about fishing regulations and licensing, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov. 

Residents are also reminded that wade fishing is not allowed at the duck pond.

Be mindful of wildlife

Riverside Park is a natural area, and visitors should be respectful of ducks and other wildlife in the park.

Residents who wish to feed the ducks should use seedless grapes, chopped lettuce, birdseed, peas, corn or oats. Do not feed the ducks bread.

After fishing, residents should remove any fishing lines or lures that could harm wildlife.

Stay connected

To learn more about Parks & Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.victoriatx.gov/parks. 

PHOTO #1: Parks & Recreation staff, H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers pose for a photo after planting native trees in Pine Street Park on Dec. 16.

The City of Victoria Parks & Recreation is excited to announce that it has received a grant from the H-E-B Trees for Texans “For Communities” program to plant five native trees in Pine Street Park.

Parks & Recreation planted the trees Dec. 16 alongside H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers to help residents cultivate a deeper connection to nature and promote environmental stewardship, and to support the department’s goal of improving neighborhood parks in Victoria.

“Trees for Texans is a long-term investment in the future of all Texans, including our community in Victoria” said Anahi Villarruel, Project Manager at H-E-B Environmental Affairs. “The trees planted with Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers, the City of Victoria Parks & Recreation, and our H-E-B Partners will help support biodiversity, provide cleaner air, shade, and water filtration for generations of Texans to come!”

About Trees for Texans

PHOTO #2: Parks & Recreation staff, H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers help to plant a tree in Pine Street Park on Dec. 16.

Native trees provide crucial ecosystem services like air and water filtration, shade, and cooling. Trees also enhance local communities, providing educational opportunities and mental health benefits that enrich the quality of life of Texans, according to information provided by Trees for Texans.

Trees for Texans, managed by Texan by Nature, awarded grants to 26 communities in 2025 and invites local nonprofits across all regions of Texas to apply for funding in 2026. For more information and application details, visit www.texanbynature.org. 

What’s next

In fiscal year 2026, Parks & Recreation will upgrade Meadowlane Park and add a splash pad to the Children’s Park (within Riverside Park) with help from the Marsha Shanklin Foundation. The play equipment at the Children’s Park will be renovated in 2027.

To learn more about Parks & Recreation facilities and programs, visit www.victoriatx.gov/parks.

Over the past several months, the Victoria Police Department has seen an increase in financial scams involving criminals who impersonate bank representatives or law enforcement officers.

 Victims are pressured into transferring money through Bitcoin depositories or cryptocurrency kiosks, often resulting in significant financial loss.

These scams often begin with an unexpected phone call, text message or email. The scammer may claim to represent the victim’s bank, a local police department, the sheriff’s office or even a federal agency. Victims are told their bank account has been compromised, fraudulent activity has been detected or that there is an outstanding warrant or frozen account requiring immediate action.

Scammers instruct victims to withdraw cash from their bank accounts and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM or “Bitcoin depository.” Victims are directed to scan a QR code or transfer cryptocurrency to a digital wallet controlled by the scammer. Once the transaction is complete, it is nearly impossible to recover the money.

These criminals are convincing and often sound professional and authoritative. They may use spoofed phone numbers and official-sounding titles to appear legitimate and gain the victim’s trust.

Requests like these are always fraudulent. Banks and law enforcement agencies will never ask individuals to move money to cryptocurrency for safekeeping. They do not collect fines, fees or payments through Bitcoin, gift cards or wire transfers. Any demand for secrecy or urgency is also a significant red flag.

Anyone receiving such a call or message should hang up immediately and not follow any instructions. Individuals should contact their bank directly using the phone number printed on their debit or credit card or listed on the bank’s official website. Suspected scams should also be reported to local law enforcement.

Public awareness is the most effective defense against these scams. Residents are encouraged to share this information with family members, friends and neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable, to help prevent further victimization.

Wastewater treatment plant operator Anthony Belt and wastewater treatment plant maintenance technician Michael Ferrell received their Class C Wastewater Treatment Operator licenses from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Class C license is an occupational license certifying that an individual has the necessary training and experience to work in the field of wastewater treatment. Belt joined Public Works in 2024. Ferrell started at the wastewater treatment plant in 2022.

Utility supervisor David Mansfield received his Certified Water Professional (CWP) certificate from Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service. The CWP is an advanced professional credential that is earned by completing over 250 hours of specialized training in the water utilities field. Mansfield joined the Utilities Division in 2006.

Surface water treatment plant maintenance supervisor Curtis Moyer received his Class C Distribution Operator license from the TCEQ. The Class C license is an occupational license certifying that an individual has the necessary training and experience to work in the field of water distribution or to supply water to consumers through a distribution network. Moyer joined Public Works in 2018 at the wastewater treatment plant before moving to his current role.

Randy D’Herde has been hired as assistant director of parks maintenance and golf services for Parks & Recreation. In this role, he will oversee the City’s parks maintenance operations and Riverside Golf Course, ensuring that facilities are well-maintained and meet the community’s needs. D’Herde previously served the City of Madison Parks and Recreation Department for seven years, starting as a rec aide and working his way up to the role of operations superintendent. He has over 25 years of experience in personnel and business management.

The City of Victoria encourages residents to sign up for the City’s Alert Center to receive timely updates about City services.

“The City’s Alert Center is a helpful resource for anyone who’d like to stay connected with the City of Victoria,” said Communications & Public Affairs Director Ashley Strevel. “Whether you’re a longtime utility customer or someone who simply wants to keep up with what’s happening in your community, the City’s Alert Center is your direct link to timely, relevant updates.”

The City’s Alert Center is not an emergency alert service, and it is not affiliated with the CodeRed service administered by the Victoria Office of Emergency Management.   

Trash pickups and a whole lot more

Residents who are City of Victoria trash and utility customers will automatically receive updates about missed or delayed trash/recycling pickups, as well as updates on water service and drought restrictions.

However, by setting up an account through the City’s Alert Center, residents can sign up for additional types of updates, including road closures, street sweeping and press releases.

How to sign up

• Trash/utility customers: Follow the signup link in your invitation email. If you did not get an invitation, email communications@victoriatx.gov for assistance.
• Non-customers: Visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter to create a free account.

Choose how you receive alerts

Residents can choose to receive updates by email, phone call and/or text message.

Contact information for trash/utility customers is based on the contact information that is on file with the Utility Billing Office. Customers should contact the Utility Billing Office at 361-485-3400 to update their primary contact methods.

Additional contact methods can be added online as “Additional Text,” “Additional Call,” etc.

Sign in to access new features

Residents who have already created an Alert Center account are encouraged to check out new features that may have been added since they last signed in. The following features have been added to the City’s Alert Center within the past four months:

• Addresses: Non-customers now have the option to enter an address for your account. This allows the City to send targeted alerts for issues that may only affect certain neighborhoods, like street sweeping and water pressure interruptions. 
• News releases: Sign up to be notified when articles are posted on the City’s website.

To sign in to your account, visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter and click on “Sign In.”

Got questions?

Residents can visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter and click on “FAQs” to learn more about the City’s Alert Center, including how to set up an account.

For further assistance, please contact the City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs at communications@victoriatx.gov or 361-485-3110.

PHOTO #1: Residents who earned the title of Distinguished Citizen in 2024 pose for a photo with City leaders during a City Council meeting.

The City of Victoria offers three educational programs at no cost to residents who want to learn more about their local government, and a special honor awaits residents who complete all three.

The City confers the title of Distinguished Citizen to residents who complete Citizens Academy, the Civilian Police Academy and the Civilian Responder Program (formerly the Civilian Fire Academy).

Distinguished Citizens will receive a plaque recognizing their achievement and will be recognized during a City Council meeting in November.

The programs are scheduled to give residents the option of completing all three in one calendar year. Residents who have already completed one of the programs will be prioritized in admissions to the other two programs.

About the programs

PHOTO #2: Citizens Academy participants listen to a presentation by Environmental Services Director Christy Youker, one of about 15 presenters representing various City departments and partner organizations. 

Citizens Academy, hosted by the City’s Communications & Public Affairs department, provides curious residents with an in-depth look at the different functions of City government. Residents will hear from City leaders on topics including economics, emergency services, infrastructure, entertainment and community development, and they’ll also have opportunities to ask questions and network. The program cultivates residents’ personal growth as informed and engaged citizens, helping them to better understand their local government and showing them how they can get involved or even serve on a local board and commission.

Applications are currently open for the 2026 academy, which will begin on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Space is limited, and residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the Oct. 31 deadline. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/citizensacademy. 

PHOTO #3: Civilian Police Academy participants take part in a simulated building search at an abandoned building.

The Civilian Police Academy, hosted by the Victoria Police Department, is designed to give participants a working knowledge of their police department. Law enforcement officials will teach attendees how their police department works through a combination of classroom lessons and exciting “hands-on” simulations and experiences related to police work and training. Topics include building searches, firearm safety, crime scene searches, traffic stops K-9 tactics and SWAT. In addition to attending the class sessions, each participant will complete a ride-along with a patrol officer.

The 2026 academy will begin in February. Applications are accepted throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/police. 

PHOTO #4: Civilian Responder Program participants observe a Jaws of Life demonstration at the Victoria Fire Department training facility.

The Civilian Responder Program, hosted by the Victoria Fire Department, gives residents the chance to experience firefighting and EMS activities hands-on. Participants will become familiar with ambulances and fire trucks, use the Jaws of Life to cut apart a wrecked vehicle, learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and rappel down the side of a building. Participants will also learn critical first-aid skills such as how to control serious bleeding, perform hands-only CPR, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and administer Narcan.

The 2026 program will begin in May. Applications will open a few months before the program begins. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire. 

The Victoria City Council approved the budget and tax rate for fiscal year 2026 at a specially called meeting Sept. 9 following weeks of discussion on how best to fund City programs and services in a fiscally responsible manner. 

The new budget will go into effect Oct. 1.

What’s in the budget

Some of the projects included in the budget are:

• A historic $5.5 million investment in employee compensation (including raises, stipends and similar initiatives), prioritizing first responders, utility workers and other critical positions.
• $79.25 million for capital improvement projects such as the Victoria Community Center expansion and renovation as well as 18.5 miles of street repairs. The capital improvements budget also includes design work on Guy Grant and on the first phase of North Street (in front of Patti Welder Middle School).
• $8.34 million for vehicles, including police cars, ambulances, fire trucks and garbage trucks.
• A $600K bond redemption program to pay off debt ahead of schedule, which will provide greater financial flexibility in years to come.

About the tax rate

The tax rate approved by City Council is $0.4790 per $100 of property valuation, an increase of $0.0083 compared to the FY2025 tax rate.

Due to declining property values and a shortage of new developments, an increased rate was needed to bring in enough revenue to fund the historic pay program and other key projects. Council agreed on the $0.4790 rate after discussions amongst themselves and with City staff.

Lowering the tax rate by growing Victoria

During budget discussions at previous meetings, council members and staff acknowledged that growth, in the form of new taxable residential or commercial property value, is the crucial element that allows taxing entities to maintain or lower their tax rates amid declining property values. 

Minimal new development (growth) and decreasing property values have been consistent factors during years when the City has had to consider increasing the tax rate due to financial constraints. The last time those factors occurred was during the two-year period after Hurricane Harvey, and the City increased the tax rate then as well. 

Victoria has attracted multiple commercial developments in the past year, including the new Amazon fulfillment center, that arrived too late to be reflected in this year’s tax roll but will be included next year.

City leaders will continue to pursue growth strategies to attract new development to Victoria, which will help to ensure adequate property tax revenue while minimizing the impact on existing taxpayers.

To learn more about the City’s efforts to attract new development, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com. 

Learn more on Town Talk

City Manager Jesús Garza appeared on the City of Victoria’s Town Talk podcast to discuss details of the newly adopted budget, including the pay program, street projects and the connection between property taxes and growing Victoria.

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

City staff have begun implementing many of the recommendations of the water system review subcommittee to improve the City’s water system in three focus areas: People, process and technology.

At the Sept. 9 City Council meeting, City Manager Jesús A. Garza provided a progress update on the implementation of the committee’s recommendations.

People

The subcommittee recommended a greater investment in compensation for utility positions as part of the already-historic pay program for fiscal year 2026. While Public Works had already been identified as a priority area, the subcommittee recommended an additional $207,000 for raises for utility-centric positions, prioritizing frontline workers and experienced staff.

City Council approved the pay program later during the Sept. 9 meeting with this increase included, bringing the total investment in compensation to $5.5 million (including raises, stipends and similar initiatives).

The City is making progress in filling key vacancies, including the position of surface water treatment plant manager, which is expected to be filled next month.

As the City continues working to correct staffing shortages, Public Works is making use of cross-training and strategic outsourcing to ensure that critical work can continue uninterrupted.

Process

The City has partnered with the TCEQ’s Texas Optimization Program to provide training opportunities for employees. The City has hosted two courses for employees so far, and two more are scheduled for September and October.

Texas Utilities & Environmental, which has been assisting with temporary management services at the surface water treatment plant, is also helping the City to improve its standard operating procedures.

The City has also updated the reporting structure within Public Works to provide more direct oversight of the surface water treatment plant. The new reporting structure will also improve collaboration between utility-centric divisions.

Technology

The subcommittee previously identified automated flushers as a possible solution to reduce dependency on staff to conduct flushing. Since then, the City has added 12 automated flushers, primarily on the outer edge of the system, where the risk of nitrification is greater due to low consumption.

The City is also awaiting a Texas General Land Office grant to fund improvements to the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The City received notice of eligibility in August and is in the process of developing a contract, which includes updating the cost and scope of work.

The City also continues to explore the possibility of adding chlorine analyzers to help with sampling at the water towers. In the meantime, staff continue to manually test the chlorine levels at the towers on a more regular basis in accordance with the subcommittee’s recommendations.

What’s next

The water system review subcommittee will work with City staff to develop a comprehensive report that will outline the subcommittee’s findings and recommendations. Once the report is complete, it will be made available to the public.

Stay connected

To learn more about the work of the water system review subcommittee, including previous updates, visit www.victoriatx.gov/water. 

To watch previous City Council meetings, visit www.victoriatx.gov/tv15 or follow Victoria Texas Videos on YouTube.

The City of Victoria is lifting some of its drought restrictions, but residents must continue to conserve water by limiting some types of nonessential water usage to the cooler times of day.

The City entered Stage III of its drought contingency plan in May after low rainfall across the region limited the City’s ability to pump water from the Guadalupe River. The City is now terminating Stage III restrictions and re-entering Stage II after heavy rainfall caused the river to rise, which allows the City to resume normal pumping and reduces the need for restrictions.

What must residents do to conserve water?

Under Stage II of the plan, residents are no longer required to follow many of the Stage III restrictions, such as the limitation of watering to designated days. However, residents still must limit the following activities to the hours of 6-10 a.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight:

• Using an automatic lawn sprinkler or hose-end sprinkler
• Filling pools
• Washing vehicles (this restriction does not apply to commercial car washes and service stations)

Residents can water their lawns with hoses at any time of day, as long as the hose has a positive shut-off nozzle.

When will the restrictions be lifted?

The City will terminate Stage II restrictions and re-enter Stage One when the flow of the Guadalupe River rises above its “low flow” threshold for 14 consecutive days and when Public Works determines that the City’s water intake can meet demand without the restrictions.

The “low flow” threshold is defined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and varies from month to month.

Under Stage One, all mandatory restrictions will be lifted and residents will be asked to practice voluntary water conservation.

Stay connected

For more information about the drought contingency plan, visit www.victoriatx.gov/droughtplan or contact Public Works at 361-485-3380.

Updated June 12: The groundbreaking ceremony originally scheduled for June 13 has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Realtex Development Corporation, an Austin-based multifamily developer, and its partners, Zieben Group and 42 Equity, have partnered to build a $16 million affordable housing community to serve the growing senior population in Victoria. 

The Victorian will be a high-quality, 68-unit community located at 1001 John Stockbauer Drive, and it will offer independent senior living in one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents 55 and older.

Local leaders and stakeholders plan to host a groundbreaking ceremony for the project. City Manager Jesús A. Garza and Realtex Development Corporation President Rick J. Deyoe will be among the speakers at the event.

“The Victoria City Council has been a pillar and beacon of light in the Victoria community for the past years,” Deyoe said. “The City’s support played a crucial role in bridging financial shortfalls to ensure the project moved forward despite rising construction costs and other market challenges.”

Leasing is expected to begin June 1, 2026, and the apartments are projected to open in October 2026.

Support from the City

In 2023, the Victoria City Council passed a resolution of support for the project to boost Realtex’s application for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ (TDHCA) competitive Housing Tax Credit Program, which helped fund the project.

Previously, in 2020, Garza and then-Assistant City Manager Mike Etienne successfully advocated for changes to the TDHCA program criteria that have helped Victoria developments compete with projects in larger and more densely populated cities such as Corpus Christi.

The City also partnered with Realtex Development Corporation on Enchanted Gardens, an affordable apartment complex that opened in 2022. Enchanted Gardens was funded in part by the TDHCA’s noncompetitive tax credit program and Victoria Housing Finance Corporation bonds.

“The shortage of affordable housing is a struggle in large and small cities throughout our state, and Victoria is no exception,” Garza said. “The City of Victoria has increased our efforts to support housing development in recent years, and we are pleased to welcome this project that will fill an important gap in our community by providing an affordable option for our older residents.”

How it’s funded

This new construction development was made possible with TDHCA housing tax credits, which were purchased by 42 Equity Partners, LLC. Other financing sources include loans for construction provided by IBC Bank and the Victoria Housing Finance Corporation, which must be repaid by the developer. Once construction is completed, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust (“CRBT”) will be providing the permanent financing for the project. 

“These funding sources were essential not just in bringing this project to life, but in ensuring that it remains a long-term, sustainable solution for Victoria’s growing senior population in need of affordable housing,” Deyoe said.

As part of the City Council’s resolution of support, the City agreed to waive $500 in building permit fees for the project.

The complex is expected to generate about $130,000 in annual property taxes for the City and other taxing entities.

About the apartments

The three-story community includes one- and two-bedroom units and features amenities such as elevators, a community center with a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center, an activities room, an onsite leasing facility, mailbox kiosks with package delivery, a resort-style pool, a dog park and barbecue areas for picnics. Also, each apartment unit features amenities such as 9-foot ceilings, outdoor balconies, walk-in closets in all bedrooms, energy-efficient appliances and utility fixtures, and washer and dryer hookups.

The community was designed by Element Architects and will be built by general contractor Nations Construction of Houston.

Most of the units will be reserved for households at or below the 60% median family income. Of the 68 units:

• 6 units are reserved for households at or below 30% MFI
• 12 units are reserved for households at or below 50% MFI
• 42 units are reserved for households at or below 60% MFI
• 8 units are at market value with no income restrictions.

“Developments like The Victorian are essential in providing stable housing for older adults who are often priced out of the market,” said Alma Cobb, vice president of Realtex Development Corporation. “Our residents and team members work together with compassion and care to live life to the fullest.” 

Cobb said the project is designed to provide amenities and services that will allow senior residents to enjoy maximum independence as they age in place in the area where many have raised their children and have lived for many years.

“As housing costs continue to rise, many seniors—whether on fixed incomes or still working—struggle to find safe, accessible and community-oriented living options that meet their needs," Cobb said. “The Victorian Senior Apartments will give seniors in Victoria a nice, new, viable place to live.”

Lee Zieben, founder and president of the Zieben Group, said that Realtex Development Corporation and Zieben Group both share the same vision when it comes to quality housing for seniors.

“We are trying to build a better society in which people can live,” Zieben said.

Stay connected

For questions about the property or rental information, contact Alma Cobb, vice president of property management for Realtex, at acobb@realtexdevelopment.com.

To learn more about how the City of Victoria encourages housing development, visit www.victoriatx.gov/housing.

PHOTO: The first phase of the new shopping center near Kohl’s will include Burlington Coat Factory, Five Below and Ulta Beauty. Photo provided by Luminous Property Investments.

On May 16, Victoria Exchange Development and Sundance Construction will formally break ground on the first phase of a new shopping center near Kohl’s.

The shopping center will include space for seven retailers or restaurants. The following retailers have signed leases for the space:

• Burlington Coat Factory
• Five Below
• Ulta Beauty

The developer is continuing to negotiate with other businesses that are interested in the space. Updates will be provided as they become available.

“New retail developments and restaurants are a key part of keeping local money local, since they encourage residents to do their shopping in Victoria rather than going to other cities or shopping online,” said Economic Development Director Danielle Williams. “This new development will support our goal of growing Victoria and making our community a more attractive place to shop for residents and visitors alike.”

What’s next

The first phase of the development, which will include four retail spaces, will finish in the spring of 2026. Construction on the second and final phase will begin in August of this year and finish August 2026. 

The second phase will include street improvements and new traffic signals on nearby Broadmoor Street, as well as utility improvements. These upgrades are required under the City’s unified development ordinance, which was adopted in 2024 and includes provisions for traffic safety and other improvements that must accompany new developments.

How it’s funded

The shopping center is a $25 million private investment by Victoria Exchange Development.

The City of Victoria is planning to contribute $1 million toward the improvements on Broadmoor Street, to be paid after the Phase One retailers have begun to move in.

The traffic signals are being funded by the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the agency’s ongoing safety initiatives.

The City also plans to partner with the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation to provide up to $500,000 in sales tax rebates, to be paid in five yearly installments, if the development meets agreed-upon sales tax milestones.

Stay connected

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

To learn more about how the City and its partners are working to grow commerce in Victoria, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com.