ISSUE 4 · SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026 · LIFE BY DESIGN, NOT DEFAULT
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE This Week |
Photo: City of La Porte
The city hasn’t posted Monday’s results. As of Sunday afternoon, the city’s meeting portal shows no minutes and no vote record for the October 12 council meeting. So we can’t tell you how council voted on the property tax rate, on putting the former City of Shoreacres in District 5, or on the $2 million flood-control agreement. When the city posts them, we’ll report them.
What the record does show: ordinance text that sets the tax rate at 71 cents per $100, posted minutes from the redistricting committee’s October 13 meeting, and a calendar with no council meeting this week. The district map comes back to that committee Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Liberty Watch |
Photo: City of La Porte
71¢ per $100 in Ordinance 2026-5059 | Wed 10/21 redistricting committee, 6:15 p.m. | Thu 10/22 airport board 5:30 zoning board 6:00 | Nov 23 council hearing: 10913 Houston Dr. |
What is on the record from last week:
- The tax rate, as written. Ordinance 2026-5059, the ordinance on Monday’s agenda, levies 58.969 cents per $100 for operations and 12.031 cents for debt: 71 cents in all. The city’s tax-rate notice lists the same proposed rate. What we have not seen is a posted record that council adopted it. The copy posted with the agenda is unsigned, and the Harris County Tax Office’s rate table still shows zeros for the city’s 2026 rate.
- One Monday action is confirmed. The Airport Advisory Board’s October 22 agenda says John Gruby was appointed to the board on October 12. That was item 4.b on council’s consent agenda. From posted documents, we can confirm that appointment and nothing else from that night.
- Redistricting committee, Oct. 13 (minutes posted, awaiting approval Wednesday). Outside counsel from Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, attending remotely, discussed a draft map labeled “Example Plan A.” Members asked whether new population since the 2020 Census is counted in every district; the city manager said the city would send that information to counsel the next day. The mayor reminded the room of the criteria council approved, including not displacing district incumbents and keeping the large-lot parcels in one district. No citizens spoke. The meeting ran 33 minutes.
- Christmas decorations, answered. Last week we noted the item was back on Monday’s agenda. The draft minutes of the Sept. 28 meeting, included in Monday’s packet, show council approving up to $95,352.07 for City Hall holiday décor and asking staff to bring three color palettes to the next meeting. Those are draft minutes; the packet put their approval on Monday’s consent agenda.
Not posted yet: results from the Oct. 12 council and Drainage & Flooding Committee meetings, the Oct. 14 TIRZ 1 board and the Oct. 15 Planning & Zoning Commission. Where there are no minutes, we are not reporting votes.
This week:
- Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m. — Keep La Porte Beautiful Advisory Committee: a public art presentation, hike-and-bike trail evaluations, animal shelter landscape updates and the Adopt a Beach wrap-up.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6:15 p.m. — Redistricting Advisory Committee. It will approve the Oct. 13 minutes, then consider “plan changes and/or recommendations” to council on the proposed single-member district map. The city posted notice that a quorum of council may attend.
- Thursday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m. — Airport Advisory Board: controlled gate access, the airport layout plan and the Oct. 31 Treats on the Trail event.
- Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m. — Zoning Board of Adjustment on a driveway variance at 212 Sylvan Street (side setback from 3 feet to 2 feet).
- Monday, Nov. 23, 6 p.m. — council’s public hearing on rezoning 10913 Houston Dr. from R-1 to large-lot residential and the matching land-use plan amendment, per the city’s hearing notices.
| Your move: the map is the one decision still open in front of the committee. Citizen comment is the second item Wednesday; no one spoke on Oct. 13. |
Sources: Oct 12 council agenda (eSCRIBE) · Oct 21 Redistricting Advisory Committee (agenda, Oct 13 minutes) · Oct 21 notice of possible quorum · Oct 22 Airport Advisory Board · Oct 20 Keep La Porte Beautiful · Zoning Board variance notice · Hearing notice: ZC-2026-0004 · Hearing notice: FLUP-2026-0004 · Harris County Tax Office rates
✦ Rooms This Week |
| Rotary Club of La Porte · Club Meeting - LPPD Crime Victim Liaison Wednesday, 12:00 PM · Guests by invitation How to get in: the room’s site | ||
| La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce · Community Business Breakfast Thursday, 8:30 AM · Members only How to get in: Via cca.laportechamber.org event listings; join via https://cca.laportechamber.org/MemApp.aspx |
Who sits in these rooms and the public money that goes in: the record.
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Mapping Our Community: The City’s 71 Cents Is Moving From Operations to Debt |
The headline on the ordinance is the same as last year: 71 cents per $100 of taxable value. What moves is the split inside it. The ordinance text divides the rate into 58.969 cents to run the city and 12.031 cents to pay back borrowing (interest and sinking fund on the city’s bonds and certificates of obligation).
71¢ total, as in 2023, 2024 and 2025 | 12.031¢ debt portion, proposed 2026 | 11.3¢ debt portion, 2025 adopted | 8.6¢ debt portion, 2023 adopted |
Source: Harris County Tax Office (2023-2025 adopted); Ordinance 2026-5059 as posted (2026)
Over the same years the operations portion went the other way, from 62.4 cents in 2023 to 58.969 in the ordinance. The total never changed, so the bill didn’t show it. Why it matters: a growing share of the same 71 cents is already spoken for by past borrowing.
The full bill can’t be added up yet. The Tax Office’s table still shows zeros for 2026 for both the city and La Porte ISD, and the ordinance is the version posted with Monday’s agenda, not a record of what council adopted.
| GO DEEPER The La Porte record: budgets, tax rates, votes and who governs, every figure sourced — councilonlocalrelations.org/tx/la-porte/ Start here — the Primers: 01 The Long Flat Line (how the family changed) · 02 The Documents We Live Under (the written rules that limit power) · 03 The Household (what a household buys, priced in years of work) · all primers → From the Council: This week: Confusion Is a Form of Abandonment (The Artisan); Fewer Things, More Times (The Strategist); The Standard Is Not Completion. The Standard Is Transfer. (The Headmaster); Count What's Actually in the Pantry (The Steward); Every Dollar Is Working For You or Against You (The Treasurer). Get them by email → |
Sources: Harris County Tax Office — jurisdiction tax rates · Oct 12 council agenda (Ord. 2026-5059) · CLR record — La Porte
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE From the Council This Week |
 | MONDAY, OCT 19 · THE BUILDER On Time. In Budget. No Bullshit. |
 | TUESDAY, OCT 20 · THE MAESTRO Culture Moves Faster Than Argument |
 | WEDNESDAY, OCT 21 · THE SENTINEL Empty Rooms Are Not Consent |
 | THURSDAY, OCT 22 · THE ADVOCATE If It's Not Written, It Doesn't Exist |
 | FRIDAY, OCT 23 · THE SHEPHERD Formation Comes Before Function |
Every piece, every figure linked to its source: councilonlocalrelations.org
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Around the Block |
Flyer: City of La Porte
| City online auction closes — surplus equipment, vehicles and everyday items; bidding closes beginning at 11 a.m. at renebates.com (city notice). | ||
| Cycle the City with Mayor Helton — meet at 6:30 p.m. at Dairy Queen, 901 S. Broadway; ride out at 6:45. A monthly ride on the third Tuesday; free. | ||
| Little Explorers: Halloween Dance Party with Andyroo — 10:30 a.m., La Porte Branch Library. Ages 0–5 with a caregiver. | ||
| After School Movie Time — 3:30 p.m., La Porte Branch Library. Elementary-age kids; free, no registration. | ||
| Teen Time: Y2K Watch & Craft — 3:30–5 p.m., La Porte Branch Library. Grades 6–12 watch Courage the Cowardly Dog and make a Halloween mask. | ||
| Little Readers (Bilingual): Spooky Stories — 10:15 a.m., La Porte Branch Library. Ages 0–5. | ||
| Treats on the Trail: Cleared for Candy — 4–7 p.m., La Porte Municipal Airport, 10615 Spencer Hwy. Free trick-or-treating with local vendors, a Haunted Hangar and an optional 3K. |
Your move: the Mayor’s ride changes its starting point every month; the November ride starts at the Historic La Porte Colored School and Museum. Run a La Porte event? Send it by Thursday.
Sources: Cycle the City (city page) · City online auction · Halloween Dance Party · After School Movie Time · Y2K Watch & Craft · Spooky Stories · Treats on the Trail (city calendar)
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Prosperity Spotlight |
And Sew It Began
And Sew It Began is a quilt shop at 212 W. Main St. that says it carries 8,000 square feet of quilting supplies. A block away, at 211 S. 1st St., it runs a retreat house: a 1913 Sears kit house with four themed bedrooms, each with a private bath, and a classroom that fits 16 crafters. The shop’s site calls it the first quilting retreat venue in Texas.
You don’t have to book a retreat to drop in. The shop lists free monthly clubs, and this week the Pre-cut Club meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., and the Thursday Featherweight Club meets Thursday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. A five-session Beginning Quilting class starts Tuesday, Nov. 3 ($120).
| And Sew It Began · 212 W. Main St., La Porte · 281-941-4140 Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–5 p.m. · Sat 10–4 · Closed Sunday · andsewitbegan.com |
Sources: And Sew It Began · Contact (shop and retreat house addresses)
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Food Scene |
Photo: Ed’s Bistro on Main
Ed’s Bistro on Main
Ed’s Bistro on Main is a family-run restaurant at 102 W. Main St. Owner Edward Revak has a degree in food service management and a 30-year career in the alcohol industry; he and his wife, Jody, opened it to share their love of food and wine.
Weekend brunch runs Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with dishes such as shrimp and grits with local Gulf shrimp and tasso ham, and a blue crab cake Benedict. The bistro also hosts wine dinners and caters.
| Ed’s Bistro on Main · 102 W. Main St., La Porte · (281) 402-5200 Tue–Thu 8 a.m.–9 p.m. · Fri 8–10 · Sat 10–10 · Sun 10–9 · Closed Monday · edsbistro.com |
Sources: Ed’s Bistro on Main · Menu · About
✦ Trivia Question |
La Porte’s founders chose a French word for the town’s name. What does it mean in English? (Answer at the bottom.)
✦ Quote of the Day |
“…a people who mean to be their own Governours, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” — James Madison, 1822 (Founders Online)
✦ Secret Little Hack |
See a pothole, dumping or a dead streetlight? La Porte Support takes service requests on the city’s website or mobile app at any hour, complete with a location and photos, and routes them to the right department. Add your name and a phone number or email so staff can update you (La Porte Support Service Requests).
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Real Estate Pulse |
$275K median sale price (3 mo. to Sept) | +5.1% vs. a year ago | 28 days median time on market | 126 homes sold in September |
Source: Redfin, three months ending September 2026
Prices are up 5.1% over the same three months a year ago, and homes are selling faster: 28 days on the market, down from 43. Sales volume is lower, though — 126 homes sold in September, down from 152. That’s the market the appraisal district reads when it values your house. Your move: check your value at hcad.org.
Sources: Redfin — La Porte housing market
Photo: HAR.com listing
For rent, listed by Nina Bright. 4713 E Meadow Dr, Deer Park 77536: $2,550 a month. Four bedrooms, two baths, 1,928 square feet on one story, built in 2010. Two-car attached garage, covered patio, wood floors, granite counters, a fireplace and fresh paint. Available Oct 19; pets case by case ($500 deposit per pet). See the listing on HAR.
Full disclosure: Nina is David’s wife.
| Looking to buy or sell? Nina Bright, Realtor — call or text 832-689-3170. Full disclosure: Nina is David’s wife. |
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Service Opportunities |
Photo: City of La Porte
Sponsor a kennel for 2027. For $100, the city shelter will put your name on a kennel nameplate for the whole of 2027. The money goes to vet care, surgeries and outreach, and the sponsorship can be renewed each year. The shelter’s volunteer group, the Friends of La Porte Animal Shelter, is a registered nonprofit that takes members and volunteers (city shelter page · Friends of La Porte Animal Shelter).
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Adopt a Friend |
 | Meet Biscuit 1 year · Female · Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix A small, brown-and-white girl, about 18 pounds, listed by the city shelter. The adoption fee is $85, which covers a vet check, first vaccines, a microchip and vouchers toward spay or neuter and rabies shots. See Biscuit’s listing → |
| La Porte Animal Adoption Center and Shelter · 10901 Spencer Hwy, La Porte Tue–Fri noon–6 p.m., Sat–Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m. (closed Monday) · adoption page |
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Growth & Learning |
Illustration
Read a real agenda with your kids. Open the Airport Advisory Board agenda for Thursday — it is short. Find the date, time and place. Find the item where citizens may speak. Find the item that welcomes a new member, then work out how many of the other items are updates and how many ask the board to vote. Next, open one longer agenda and see what changes. More at unrivaledacademy.com.
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Local Theory & Remnant Radio |
 | Now playing: Sovereign Ground — the latest Local Theory album (April 3, 2026 · 15 tracks). Listen · vote on the mixes. Remnant Radio streams the whole catalog 24/7 at radio.thinkandactlocally.com · Spotify. Fourteen releases. Sovereignty through sound. |
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Weather Forecast |
Sun  Sunny 73° 62° | Mon  Mostly sunny 78° 62° | Tue Mostly sunny 81° 65° | Wed Sunny 82° 64° | Thu  Sunny 83° 67° | Fri Sunny 84° 70° | Sat Sunny 84° 72° |
Dry and sunny all week. Highs climb from 78 on Monday to 84 by Friday and Saturday, and the National Weather Service puts the chance of rain at 2% or less every day. Good weather for Tuesday’s bike ride.
Sources: National Weather Service (HGX), retrieved Oct 18, 4:48 p.m. CT
✦ CrowdHealth |
 | David and his family left traditional health insurance for CrowdHealth — a community that funds each other’s medical bills. Bills get negotiated down first; no claims department, no denial letters. See how it works. We earn a referral if you join. CrowdHealth is not insurance. David is a paying member. |
✦ Unrivaled Travels |
 | Planning a trip worth taking? Our own travel service books the expedition, cruise, or getaway you’ll remember — at no markup. info@unrivaledtravels.com · 281-241-1994 · unrivaledtravels.com One of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Candles |
 | Hand-poured jewelry candles — every one hides a piece of jewelry inside, valued from $10 to $10,000. Burn it down and find out what’s yours. Shop Unrivaled Candles. Full disclosure: one of our own businesses. |
✦ Unrivaled Marketing Solutions |
 | You built the business — now make sure your La Porte neighbors can find it. Book a free 15-minute call with David: we’ll look at how your business shows up online and where customers may be slipping past. If you want us to fix it, that’s paid work, and David will go over the price on the call. Book a free 15-minute call. One of our own businesses. |
✦ Sponsor Spot |
This spot is open. Sponsor this spot — reach La Porte neighbors every Sunday, in the one inbox they actually read. Reply to book it.
✦ They Told Him He Was Crazy |
David sold his metals. Not trimmed — sold. He kept the receipts, every decision sourced, so you can decide for yourself: conviction, or crazy? Read the filing →
David’s own account; affiliate link. Support never touches coverage.
✦ Have a Question? Ask It Live |
Want to understand the framework David uses to put money to work without living in front of a screen? The team behind it runs free live calls — bring your questions, get them answered in real time. No cost to sit in and listen.
Register for a free live call →
Full disclosure: this is an affiliate link. But you know the rule — sponsors support the mission, never influence the message. David doesn't recommend anything he doesn't personally use.
We earn a referral if you join. Education, not financial advice. Options involve risk of loss.
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Community Voices |
Did you sit in the chamber Monday night, or watch from home? Tell us what you saw — one or two sentences — and we’ll check it against the city’s posted record before we run it. Hit reply, and we’ll run the best next Sunday.
✦ Take Action |
- Wednesday, Oct 21, 6:15 p.m. — the Redistricting Advisory Committee meets at City Hall, 604 W. Fairmont Pkwy. Citizen comment is the second item on the agenda.
- Tuesday, Oct 20, 6:30 p.m. — Cycle the City with Mayor Helton, starting at Dairy Queen, 901 S. Broadway.
- Check the record — the city’s meeting portal is where Monday’s minutes will appear when they’re posted. We’ll report the results then.
✦ Submit Your Content |
Events, business features, volunteer calls, letters from La Porte: david@thinkandactlocally.com. Deadline: Thursday 5 PM for Sunday.
✦ Answer to Trivia |
“Door.” The Handbook of Texas says La Porte was founded in 1892 as a real estate venture, and its founders chose the French word for “door” as the name (Handbook of Texas).
THE HERALD ✦ LA PORTE Keep the Herald Free |
No advertiser sets our coverage — readers keep it alive. The best thing you can do costs nothing: forward this to one neighbor who wants to know when the city posts what it decided, not just what it planned.
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The Herald is published by Think and Act Locally. Its facts come from the public record kept by the Council on Local Relations, which shares a founder with Think and Act Locally. Portions drafted with AI assistance and reviewed before publication. Reply anytime: david@thinkandactlocally.com.
