Mission

The mission of the City of Rio Grande is to provide quality municipal services in partnership with our citizens to build a progressive city and to provide a better quality of life for all our residents.

Background

The City of Rio Grande is a "General Law" municipality. As such, it does not have its own corporate charter like a "Home Rule" city, but rather follows the regulations in the Local Government Code (LGC) -- the general laws of the State of Texas which establish the rules for organizing city governments. A mayor and City Council govern Type A General Law municipalities. The Board and the City Manager manage all municipal departments as set out in the City's Organizational Chart.

Member Organizations

The City of Rio Grande partners with a variety of trade and professional organizations. The City is presently a member of:

* Border Trade Alliance

* South Texas Development Council

* Texas Municipal League

* Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition

* Valley Proud Environmental Council

The City of Rio Grande is in the process of becoming a Recognized Local Government by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

Rio Grande City has also developed sister city relationships with several community to increase global cooperation, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development.

* Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico

* Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico

These efforts are supported by Sister Cities International.

Brief Municipal History

Our community began in 1753 as a ranch settlement know as Carnestolendas. The town was originally platted in 1848 by Henry Clay and Hilaria Davis and Britton Forbes. During the Roaring 1920s the City of Rio Grande City became a municipal corporation. City fathers quickly changed the name to "City of Rio Grande." In 1933 the City unincorporated due to the economic circumstances of the Great Depression. Several incorporation attempts failed in the 1970s and 1980s. It was not until two generations later in 1993 when the City of Rio Grande City would again become a municipal corporation.

For a more detailed history of our community visit the Rio Grande City Economic Development Corp.'s Heritage Tourism section.