City of Galveston, Texas - Government

08/21/2026

What do you want Galveston to look like in 10 years?

Now is your chance to help shape the future of our city. Join us for the first Comprehensive Plan Community Workshop and share your ideas about growth, development, housing, transportation, resilience, and more.

🗓 August 29, 2026
⏰ 10 AM - 1 PM (Open house event is come-and-go with children’s activities available)
📍 Galveston College, Abe and Annie Seibel Wing (parking located in the lot near Avenue Q1/2 and 39th Street)

Your voice matters, and everyone's perspectives are welcome. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors!

08/19/2026

The latest notice regarding the Causeway waterline is now available online.

08/18/2026

Deadline to apply is this Sunday, August 23 before 11:59pm!

The Arts Development Commission has issued its first open call to artists and qualified non-profit organizations for three specific grant initiative.

The requirements, deadlines and application form are available online at https://galvestontx.gov/1455/Open-Calls-for-Artists-and-Organizations

08/18/2026

Two credit agencies evaluated the City of Galveston’s financial standing and assigned high ratings, signifying confidence in the city’s stability and opening the door to better interest rates.

The City is preparing to issue approximately $9.44 million in public improvement bonds for the construction of Fire Station 2, a bond voters approved in November 2025. As part of that process, the city sought ratings from credit agencies. After reviewing the city’s finances, Fitch Ratings assigned Galveston a ‘AA+’ score and Moody’s Ratings assigned a ‘Aa3’, both among the highest ratings the agencies assign.

Financial rating agencies assess the city’s ability to repay debt, the current debt levels and pension obligations, the budgetary performance and stability, governance practices and management, and the city’s economic conditions. The resulting credit rating helps determine the interest rate for a city to borrow money by issuing bonds. By receiving one of the highest credit rating scores, the City of Galveston will benefit from favorable interest rates when it needs to seek bonds to pay for widescale infrastructure projects.

More information available:

Two credit agencies evaluated the City of Galveston’s financial standing and assigned high ratings, signifying confidence in the city’s stability and opening the door to better interest ra

08/15/2026

Welcome home to the island’s 1877 Tall Ship Elissa!

After sailing more than 5,000 miles over two months for her Galveston 250 Voyage and participating in the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Elissa was greeted Saturday by crowds along the seawall, the ship channel and at Pier 21 as she arrived back in port.

08/14/2026

The Galveston City Council is considering appointments for several city boards and commissions, and we encourage interested residents to apply.

The City of Galveston is accepting applications for 14 different boards and commissions. Interested candidates may access and complete the electronic application online at www.galvestontx.gov/servemycity. For questions regarding the electronic application, applicants may email the City Secretary’s email group at [email protected] or call 409-797-3510.

Applications for the Planning Commission and the Galveston Wharves Board are due by Thursday, September 3rd and City Council will make these appointments during the meeting on September 17th. The City Council is no longer conducting in-person interviews for these boards, however, applicants may reach out directly to the mayor and council members via city email if they would like to meet with them individually.

Appointments to all other boards will be considered on a rolling basis.

The City is currently accepting applications for appointments to the following boards:
• Airport Advisory Committee
• Arts Development Commission
• Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals
• Civilian Review Board
• Ethic Commission
• Finance, Fiscal Affairs, and Investment Committee
• Galveston Housing Finance Corporation/ Galveston Property Finance Authority
• Galveston Wharves Board
• Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
• Planning Commission
• Police Pension Fund
• Sister Cities Program Committee
• Zoning Board of Adjustments

08/13/2026

The agenda is available online at www.galvestontx.gov/agendacenter

08/12/2026

We still have space available for the Fall Session of swim lessons that begins next week! Stop by the pool to get registered or register at www.galvestontx.gov/letsswim

08/11/2026

Apply now to be a panelist for the Arts Development Commission! The City of Galveston Arts Development Commission (ADC) is building its community panelist pool, and we’re looking for people with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to participate. You do not have to be an artist to be a panelist!

Artists and arts professionals are encouraged to sign up, but depending on the funding opportunity, the ADC may also need panelists with experience in areas like:

• Arts & culture
• Nonprofit or community leadership
• Grantmaking or grant administration
• Finance or budgeting
• Education
• Architecture, design or historic preservation
• Museums, galleries or curatorial work
• Creative placemaking
• Cultural tourism
• Community engagement

Panelists help review applications using criteria and scoring rubrics approved by the Arts Development Commission. Their evaluations help inform the ADC’s recommendations for arts funding to Galveston City Council.

Panelists will be selected to review applications for the first round of funding this month, however, we encourage all to apply because there will be quarterly opportunities for reviewing applications and you may be selected for a future panel if not the first.

Help us build a thoughtful, knowledgeable and diverse group of voices to support arts and culture in Galveston.

Apply now to be a panelist for the Arts Development Commission! The City of Galveston Arts Development Commission (ADC) is building its community panelist pool, and we’re looking for people with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to participate. You do not have to be an artist ...

08/11/2026

The City of Galveston is inviting residents, business owners, and stakeholders to participate in the first community workshop for the City's Comprehensive Plan update. The workshop will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Abe and Annie Seibel Wing at Galveston College, 4015 Avenue Q.

The Comprehensive Plan serves as Galveston's long-range guide for growth, development, infrastructure, and resilience. The update will help establish a community-driven vision for the next decade and beyond while providing guidance for future policy and development decisions.

Workshop attendees will learn about changes that have occurred since the 2011 Comprehensive Plan was adopted and will have the opportunity to share their ideas, priorities, and vision for Galveston's future.

The event is open to all community members, and family-friendly activities will be available. For more information about the Comprehensive Plan update, visit the website.

Event Details
Community Workshop #1
Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Galveston College, Abe and Annie Seibel Wing, 4015 Avenue Q