Texas Record
Laredo
R"G

Ricardo "Rick" Garza

District 4 Council Member2024-2028

About

Ricardo 'Rick' Garza's platform centers on essential infrastructure improvements, specifically focusing on water utility upgrades and road maintenance within District 4. His priorities reflect a commitment to addressing the immediate physical needs of his constituents through active project oversight and community engagement.

Campaign promises (2)

  • infrastructure
    Garza is committed to overseeing the completion of the Jefferson water line project to improve local utility infrastructure.
    Related votes
  • infrastructure
    Garza supports the ongoing road improvement efforts on Kearney Street to enhance neighborhood connectivity and safety.

At a glance

News mentions
3

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
24
Total speaking time
3:26:32
Avg per meeting
8:36
Segments
4886

Want every word Garza has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Garza said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Filtered to General

Top issues during term (20)(General)

high↓Aug 2026[43]

Animal Welfare and Cruelty Enforcement

Potential future resource allocation for shared databases or training programs.

critical↓Jan 2026[38]

Health Insurance Sustainability

Involves a projected $12.4 million healthcare cost increase and adjustments to employee premium contributions.

critical↓Jan 2026[38]

Border Infrastructure and Flood Safety

Potential costs associated with independent flood studies and mitigation measures.

medium↑Sep 2026[25]

bulky item clean-up

It's a free city service, meaning your tax dollars are already covering the cost to haul away your heavy junk.

medium↑Jan 2026[20]

public facility opening

Taxpayer dollars funded this massive project, so expect to see that investment in action with new amenities.

high→Dec 2025[20]

Data Center Development

Unknown at this stage of code review.

medium↑Oct 2025[20]

multipurpose center project

It's unclear how much this project will cost taxpayers, but it could be a big investment.

critical↑Feb 2026[18]

Hamilton Hotel Infrastructure

The CLMD assessment is 20 cents per $100 of property value, while the Plaza Theater restoration will cost $8.5 million.

high↑Jan 2026[18]

World Trade Bridge Expansion and Infrastructure Capacity

Multi-million dollar federal and municipal investments directed toward international bridge expansion and security infrastructure.

high→Sep 2025[17]

Vallecillo Road Overpass Project

The project faces a significant funding gap, with current estimates reaching approximately $180 million.

medium↑Aug 2026[17]

misconduct investigation

Local taxpayers take a direct hit since city-owned weapons—purchased with public funds—were allegedly fenced for personal cash.

medium↑Sep 2026[15]

mental health facility

While upfront costs fund the new facility, it should save money down the road by cutting back on unnecessary arrests and jail time.

medium↑Sep 2026[15]

Warrant Forgiveness Program

It could save you from hefty fines, towing fees, and sudden arrest costs, though you might still need to pay baseline court fees.

high↓May 2026[9]

Sports Tourism Expansion

The tourism industry generates significant tax revenue that helps fund city services like public safety and education.

critical↓Jan 2026[9]

Border Security Infrastructure

The city argues that alternative security measures are more cost-effective than wall maintenance.

high→Sep 2026[9]

polling site changes

The city will likely see increased administrative costs to manage and staff four separate sites instead of one.

critical↑Nov 2025[8]

Border Wall and Flood Risk

Studies could cost between $500,000 and $1 million.

medium↑May 2026[5]

vehicle registration enforcement

You'll have to pay off old tickets before you can renew your car registration, potentially costing you more upfront.

medium↑Jan 2026[5]

community engagement

Your input could shape future city spending, so make sure your voice is heard!

medium↑Sep 2026[5]

first responder mental health

While exact costs aren't detailed yet, expect the city to funnel some funds into expanding mental health counseling and support programs for its safety crews.

Moved or seconded (27)

Motions Garza personally put forward or seconded. Attribution comes from the minutes; where the minutes name somebody we cannot match to the roster we leave it out rather than guess, so this is a floor, not a total.

  • secondedpassed 7-02026-07-27

    Motion to approve Final Reading of Ordinances 45-52.

  • secondedpassed 0-02026-07-27

    Motion to deny.

  • movedpassed 7-02026-06-26

    Motion to approve.

  • movedpassed 7-02026-06-26

    26-C-106 Discussion with possible action to allocate $150,000 from District 4 Priority Funds to the Lupita Cortez Memorial Community Wellness & Recreation & Complex at the Lyon Water Tanks; and any matter incident thereto

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • secondedpassed 9-02026-06-15

    Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.

  • secondedpassed 5-02026-06-15

    Motion to approve Appointments 9-16, while amending number 12 to read " Municipal Hospital Authority Ad-Hoc Committee.

  • secondedpassed 9-02026-06-01

    Utilities Compliance Measures

    Title matched to the agenda, not quoted from the motion

  • secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01

    Motion to adjourn at 9:48 p.m.

  • secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01

    Motion to send this letter with these points to Commissioner.

  • movedpassed 6-02026-06-01

    Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.

  • secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01

    Motion to approve.

  • secondedpassed 6-02026-06-01

    Motion to table items 62-63 and bring back on the following City Council meeting.

  • secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04

    Motion to close and introduce and bring back on the following City Council meeting.

  • secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04

    Motion to table and bring back on the following City Council meeting.

  • secondedpassed2026-05-04

    Motion to approve.

  • secondedpassed 7-02026-05-04

    Motion to approve final reading of ordinances #19-33 with the exception of #32.

  • movedpassed2026-05-04

    Motion to approve.

  • secondedpassed2026-05-04

    Motion to approve the Consent agenda items 35-56, with the exception of items 48, 49.

  • secondedpassed 7-32026-05-04

    Motion to deny.

  • secondedpassed 8-02026-04-20

    Motion to approve 60-61.

Decisions during term (7)

Recorded while Garza was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.