Galveston City Council extends COVID-19 emergency orders until April 30

Important upcoming events: State of the City and Virtual Town Hall

In addition to today’s Galveston City Council meeting, two important events are happening next Tuesday to update residents about the COVID-19 response.

First, the Galveston tourism community is invited to join officials from the City of Galveston...

Make sure we #CountGalveston, complete the Census today!

The U.S. Census -- taken every decade -- is extremely important to communities. An accurate count helps provide communities with the resources they need to serve their residents, including transportation grants and other important funding. While you&r...

City monitoring potential hazardous weather

The City of Galveston is monitoring and preparing for the potential of heavy rains beginning tonight (Friday) into the weekend. 

The U.S. National Weather Service is forecasting hazardous weather moving through the region today and into tomorrow. ...

Orders related to COVID-19 available online

Galveston, thank you for doing your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Our hope is by making these sacrifices now we can get through this safely and as quickly as possible. The health of this community remains our top priority and we’re commit...

City accepting public comments for April 3 City Council meeting

The City of Galveston is accepting public comments in advance of the special-called Galveston City Council meeting scheduled on Friday, April 3, 2020. Public attendance will be restricted due to concerns about Coronavirus, but participation is still encou...

Available resources for businesses affected by COVID-19

Galveston, TX – March 30, 2020 – The City of Galveston’s Economic Development Division has prepared information about several resources available for local small businesses affected by COVID-19.

The resources are available onl...

Las playas publicas de Galveston están cerradas en respuesta al virus COVID-19

Language translation through a partnership between the City of Galveston and Center for Violence Prevention, University of Texas Medical Branch. 

Galveston, TX- marzo 29, 2020 – Dos ordenes están en efecto desde el domingo por...

City annual financial report available online

The City of Galveston Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year 2019 is available online now at galvestontx.gov/financialtransparency. 

The report is prepared in compliance with a massive body of accounting and financial reporting ...

Remember to complete the Census

Orden de Permanecer en Casa

Language translation through a partnership between the City of Galveston and Center for Violence Prevention, University of Texas Medical Branch. 

Además de las ordenes dictadas por el condado y estado, la Ciudad de Galveston esta bajo l...

Galveston public beaches are closed in response to COVID-19

Two orders are in effect as of Sunday afternoon, March 29, 2020 at 2:45 p.m. closing all public beaches in Galveston and restricting vehicle traffic on the beach west of the end of the Seawall. By state law, this order is in effect for seven days until Su...

Three new orders in effect related to COVID-19

Three new City of Galveston orders went into effect Friday, March 27, 2020. The orders will in effect until at least 5 p.m. on April 3, 2020. The City of Galveston is closely monitoring the public health situation in Galveston County and COVID-19 cases. A...

Dos and Don'ts of the Galveston Stay-at-Home Order

In addition to orders issued by the county and state, the City of Galveston is under a Stay-at-Home order until at least 5 p.m. on April 3, 2020. This order is in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community and based on guidance from federal, ...

Island Transit operating on new schedule

Beginning Saturday, March 28, Island Transit will operate its fixed routes from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. until further notice.

City offering free bulk trash drop-off

Beginning Monday (3/30) and through April 30th, residents will be able to drop off brush and bulk trash at the transfer station at 5515 Harborside Drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be no charge with proof of residence. We will require a valid ID and ...

Be mindful of what you're flushing down the toilet

We know some of you may be...improvising. But this is a friendly reminder from your Municipal Utilities crews that the toilet is not a trash can. Please only flush toilet paper down the drains. Wipes, diapers, paper towels, cotton pads, sanitary products,...

Essential city services guide

Your questions answered! The City of Galveston continues to provide essential city services. We’ve created a guide for some of the most asked about areas. If you have additional questions, please first consult the department’s webpage ...

City taking precautions for public transportation

The City of Galveston is currently under a Stay at Home order except for essential business and activities. Public transportation is an essential operation and needed to ensure residents are able to reach grocery stores, pharmacies, report to work, and pe...

Bulk trash collection suspended until further notice

Due to staffing limitations in Sanitation, the City of Galveston will suspend bulk trash collection until further notice.

City of Galveston to provide all essential services with limited staffing

Galveston, TX – March 25, 2020 – The City of Galveston will continue providing all city services under the Stay at Home order; however, the City of Galveston has reduced its staff effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020. This may ...

Four new orders in effect beginning Tuesday, including Stay at Home order

Galveston, TX – March 24, 2020 – Four new City of Galveston orders went into effect Tuesday, including a City of Galveston order for residents to stay at home except for essential activities. The Stay at Home order is in effec...

GPD modifying certain services to prevent potential spread of COVID-19

The Galveston Police Department continues to serve Galveston residents in all capacities; however, the department has modified certain services to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

To prevent the potential spread of COVID-19, the Records Window at ...

Governor Abbott, Mayor urge residents to stay home

Governor Greg Abbott has continued to emphasize his earlier executive orders, as well as adding others to increase hospital and care capacity.

During a Sunday news conference, Gov. Abbott announced a new order requiring health care professionals postpone &...

GEDP: COVID-19 Business recovery loan program

From the Galveston Economic Development Partnership:

The devastation from COVID 19 has prompted Galveston banks to reinstate a Business Recovery Loan program that proved successful following Hurricanes Ike and Harvey.

“HomeTown Bank, Moody Natio...

Development Services not accepting new water and sewer tap applications

The City of Galveston’s Development Services Department will not accept new water and sewer tap applications effective today at 1 p.m. and until further notice.

The department will continue to service repairs to existing water and sewer infrastru...

Beach access points on island’s far West End will close to vehicular traffic

The Mayor of Galveston issued an order Friday prohibiting vehicular traffic on all beaches west of access point 35 to San Luis Pass amid concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus.

The beaches are still open to pedestrian traffic, but the Galveston Polic...

Chamber launches COVID-19 business resource site

The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce has launched a COVID-19 Business and Community Resource page with great information for local businesses. The Chamber is updating the page as new information comes in. 

To learn more, visit http://www.gal...

Public beach amenities to close until further notice

Thousands of you choose to spend spring break in Galveston. While we are honored to be your destination of choice, COVID-19 has put a damper on spring break this year. Out of abundance of caution, all beach park public service amenities will be closed as ...

City accepting public comments for City Council meeting March 24

GALVESTON, TX – March 18, 2020 – The City of Galveston is accepting public comments in advance of the Galveston City Council meeting scheduled on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Public attendance will be restricted due to concerns ab...

Support the #BuyGalvestonFirst campaign

We support the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce’s #BuyGalvestonFirst campaign.

What does this mean for shoppers? Particularly in the next 14 days, if you can afford to do so we urge you to spend your money locally and support Galve...

To ease food pickup, mayor extends free parking period

Mayor Yarbrough has extended the free parking period in paid parking areas from 15 minutes to 30 minutes, effective 12 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. This allows more time for people to pick up take-out meals at local restaurants. We continue to encourage your...

City closing public entertainment venues and limiting food services, per federal guidelines

Mayor Jim Yarbrough on Tuesday enacted two orders closing public amusement venues, including bars, and limiting restaurants to take-out, delivery and drive-thru services, following federal guidelines regarding Coronavirus and public gatherings.

The order r...

Rubber wheel trolley service suspended

The City of Galveston is suspending rubber wheel trolley service for the next two weeks beginning at 12 p.m. today.The fixed-route service will continue to operate to serve transit-dependent residents with service modifications to keep passengers at least...

Rumor Control: The City is still billing for utilities

 Rumor: A post circulating on Facebook says the City of Galveston is not reading meters or billing for water.

 Fact: This is not true. The City of Galveston’s meter system reads meters remotely. The City is still billing for uti...

Feds issue new guidelines over Coronavirus

The Trump administration issued new guidelines Monday afternoon for Americans to follow over the next 15 days in an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus. 

 These measures are intended at flattening the curve – meaning re...

Mayor Yarbrough issues emergency declaration over Coronavirus

GALVESTON, TX – March 16, 2020 – Mayor James Yarbrough on Monday signed a Declaration of a Local State of Disaster related to the emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19.)

Mayor Yarbrough signed the declaration out of an abundan...

Report suspected price gauging

Texans who believe they have encountered price gouging should call the Office of the Attorney General’s toll-free complaint line at (800) 621-0508 or file a complaint online.

City revises Special Events policy

 The City will not issue any Special Event Permits through the end of May 2020. This means that any currently scheduled event of 50 or more people will be cancelled or postponed until after June 1, 2020.

 We encourage private event sponso...

City announces measures to reduce spread of Coronavirus

GALVESTON, TX – March 14, 2020 – The City of Galveston is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including limiting in-person interactions for city business and suspending permitting for large sp...

As a precautionary measure, city closes pool and recreation centers

Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Galveston will close the Lasker Park Community Pool and the municipal recreation centers, McGuire Dent and Wright Cuney, until further notice. This is in response to concerns about the Coronavirus.

There are cur...

City monitoring COVID-19 developments

The City of Galveston is taking precautionary measures to protect the public health of our community.

City staff is closely monitoring developments of the Coronavirus and participating in daily conference calls with the Center for Disease Control, the Galv...

Rubber wheel trolleys operating on new hours

Lasker Park Community Pool opens for 2020 season

The City of Galveston is excited to announce that the 2020 community pool season has begun.

The city’s public pool opened Sunday morning at 10 a.m. as the kick off to the season. Throughout the spring, the lap pool will be open; however, the spla...

TXDOT hosting public meeting in Galveston

The Texas Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting next month in Galveston to inform residents about the project and receive public comments. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2nd at the Galveston ISD Scott Building, 4116 Avenue ...

Water line work next week on 8 Mile Road

Contractors will have the water off on 8 Mile Road beginning on Monday, March 2, 2020, through Tuesday, March 3, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, to connect to a new water main. Residents may experience temporary low water pressure or no water. We apolog...

Contractors moving forward on 25th Street project

The City of Galveston issued the notice to proceed for the 25^th Street project this week. As the contractor prepares to begin construction, the interior lanes northbound and southbound of 25^th Street will be closed between Avenue K and Avenue M.

Contractor...

City Marshal’s Office, police department to participate in statewide warrant round-up

The City of Galveston, along with law enforcement agencies and courts from more than 250 jurisdictions across Texas, are combining efforts to host the 2020 Great Texas Warrant Round-Up beginning Tuesday, March 3, 2020. 

This event is designed to b...

City announces intersection closure at 45th and Avenue S

Contractors working on the 45th Street project and the City of Galveston will have the intersection at Avenue S and 45th Street closed beginning Monday, March 2 until Thursday, March 12 -- or until paving is complete.

The intersection at Avenue S and 45th ...

Galveston recognized as Tree City USA

Galveston Police Department transitions to new crime reporting data system

GALVESTON, TX – February 18, 2020 – The Galveston Police Department is transitioning to a new crime reporting system to improve the quality, accuracy and transparency of the department’s crime data.

The transition to a new acc...

Important information about the city's tree trimming ordinance

Residents, particularly those living along Avenue O and Avenue P, recently received a letter from the City of Galveston related to the pruning of low-hanging trees along roadways.

A recent incident in which a fire truck was unable to access an area because...

Everything you need to know about Mardi Gras! 2020

It’s Mardi Gras season once again in Galveston and there are several important things for you to know as you prepare to celebrate.

The island’s 109th Mardi Gras celebration begins Friday, February 14th and continues until February 25th,...

City accepting applications for two boards

Are you interested in serving your community? The city is accepting applications for the Galveston Island Redevelopment Authority and the Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

 The Galveston City Council will appoint the new Redevelopment Au...

City statement regarding appeals court ruling

The City is pleased to announce that Mardi Gras will proceed as planned and scheduled on February 14, 2020, as the result of an appeals court ruling issued Thursday.

The Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas denied the motion of Mr. Flores and h...

Register for the upcoming Civil Service exam

Are you interested in applying for the Galveston Police Department? Register for the next Civil Service exam! The next exam will be held on Friday, March 20th. Visit www.galvestontx.gov/earnit to learn more and register!

City announces traffic plan change for 45th Street

The effort to expedite construction on the 45th Street project continues.The City intends to redirect traffic to the east side of 45th on the new concrete road surface northbound from Ave N 1/2 to Broadway beginning Saturday, February 8th, weather permitt...

Reporting street light outages

Texas Public Pool Council names Lasker Park 'Agency of the Year'

The Texas Public Pool Council again named the Lasker Park Community Pool the “Agency of the Year" during this week’s conference in Austin. 

The Texas Public Pool Council is an organization dedicated to providing informatio...

GLO, Army Corps to host public meeting in Galveston

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced the upcoming dates and locations for a series of Public Open Houses on the Coastal Texas Study, including one in Galveston.

The Coastal Texas Protection & Restor...

City Manager's statement regarding the Mardi Gras case

Island hosts Galveston County Mayors and Council Members Association

The City of Galveston had the privilege of hosting the Galveston County Mayors and Council Members Association on Wednesday night at the new Fire Station 1 downtown. 

The association meets regularly in different communities around the county and i...

City releases information about additional 45th Street closures

Contractors will have rolling intersection closures on 45th Street from Thursday, January 9, 2020, to Thursday, January 23, 2020, from 7 AM to 5 PM, daily, for the reconstruction and installation of storm sewers.

Ave O ½ and 45th St – ...

City Manager addresses 45th Street project in column

The following guest column from City Manager Brian Maxwell regarding the 45th Street project ran in today's edition of the Galveston County Daily News:

"I appreciate the concerns surrounding the 45th Street project and wanted to update residents as to...

City responding to issues at Compass Pointe apartment complex

The City of Galveston is concerned about ongoing problems for residents at the complex commonly referred to as Sandpiper Cove (officially called Compass Pointe) and the condition of the units. 

Earlier this year, the City of Galveston and Galvesto...

Paving beginning on 45th Street to expedite project

Contractors working on the 45th Street project will begin paving the east side of 45th Street beginning at Broadway and working toward Avenue M to expedite the project.

To date, the contractor has completed the installation of new water lines and sanitary ...

Reminder: Upcoming road closures for 45th Street

Please be aware of rolling road closures in connection with the 45th Street project beginning next Monday and continuing throughout the week. 

Contractors will have rolling intersection closures on 45^th St at Ave N ½ on the east and wes...

Celebrate the holiday season this weekend at the annual Christmas Parade

Mark your calendars, we've got your Saturday night plans covered!  

The annual Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Galveston Municipal Police Association, returns to the island this Saturday night.

 The City of Galveston invites residents a...

Strand ordinance rules explained

City Council recently adopted new regulations for the Strand/Mechanic Historic District that prohibit the obstruction of architectural features with the placement of items for sale or other displays. 

The purpose of the ordinance is the protection...

City Council accepts $500,000 Moody Foundation grant for City Hall plaza

The Galveston City Council on Thursday accepted a $500,000 grant from The Moody Foundation to create a public green space on the site of the former Central Fire Station and City Hall annex.  

This generous gift provides the City of Galveston with...

Fire department seeks resident feedback with survey

The Galveston Fire Department is asking residents to complete a survey in an effort to assess the quality of service the department provides and make any needed changes.

 The Galveston Fire Department has put an increased emphasis on both interna...

Fleeing Suspect Injures Jamaica Beach Officer

At approximately 1230 AM, the Lake Jackson Police Department requested the assistance of the Galveston Police Department in apprehending a suspect in a white Ford truck that had been eluding capture for some time at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour....

Road closures announced for numerous fall events

Galveston, TX – October 22, 2019 – The island will be the host of many special events this week, including Ball High School homecoming parade, Oktoberfest and The Daily News Press Run.

BALL HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING PARADE&nbs...

City Council confirms new Fire Chief

The City of Galveston is proud to announce that Charles Olsen, Sr. is the new Fire Chief.

Chief Olsen joined the Galveston Fire Department in 1991 and most recently served as an Assistant Fire Chief. City Manager Brian Maxwell appointed Olsen the interim c...

Man killed in car crash involving Island Transit trolley

Galveston, TX – October 21, 2019 – A 30-year-old man died Sunday night after a vehicle collision involving an Island Transit trolley bus.

On Sunday at approximately 10:00 p.m., dispatch received a report of a major accident involving an...

GPD identifies officer involved in Oct. 12 shooting

October 16, 2019 – Galveston, TX – On the evening of October 12th, 2019, a Galveston Police Officer was involved in a shooting while conducting a traffic stop near 9 Mile Road and Stewart. The case is being investigated by the Galvesto...

City receives strong credit ratings, ensuring low interest rates for public improvements

Galveston, TX – October 9, 2019 – Two of the top financial rating firms assessed the City of Galveston this month and assigned strong credit ratings, citing the City’s prudent financial management and low debt burden.

Moody&am...

TxDOT to begin Broadway project this weekend

GALVESTON, TX – September 27, 2019 – A Texas Department of Transportation project to repave and improve drainage on Broadway between 59^th Street and the Seawall begins Sunday, September 29.

For the next month, there will be alternating ...

2019 Tax Year Adopted Tax Rate For City of Galveston

The City of Galveston, Texas, adopted a tax rate that will increase taxes for maintenance and operations for Tax Year 2019. The Tax Rate will effectively be raised by 7.63 percent and will raise taxes for maintenance and operations on a $100,000 by approx...

City Council approves tax rate, budget

GALVESTON, TX – September 19, 2019 – The Galveston City Council on Thursday adopted a tax rate of $.579885 per $100 of property valuation for Tax Year 2019.

A homeowner who occupies their home valued at $235,000 would pay $1,09...

City announces traffic plan for 25th Street project

The City of Galveston is seeking feedback from property owners and residents who live on 25^th Street about the traffic plan for the 25^th Street reconstruction project.

We anticipate construction beginning on the 25^th Street reconstruction project in late O...

For the next 6 months, turning lanes from Seawall to 45th Street will be closed

GALVESTON, TX – August 26, 2019 – Beginning Monday, August 26^th, the turning lanes from Seawall Boulevard to 45^th Street will be closed to traffic. The lanes are expected to re-open in early March.

Traffic will not be able to turn from ...

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Bicycling Galveston Island

With expansions to the bicycle network, now is a perfect time for Galvestonians to embrace the sport. Do you want to learn more about cycling safety tips and new routes on the island? Click here to learn more!