Board swears in new assistant fire chief, approves routine payrolls, claims and nonprofit agreements

At the start of the Jan. 6 meeting, the Board of Public Works and Safety swore in Captain Zach Caney as assistant chief of the La Porte Fire Department. Caney recited the oath and introduced family members who attended for the photo opportunity.

The board approved routine administrative items: minutes from Dec. 16, 2025; two civil payroll dockets ($544,640.16 and $551,329.36); water claims ($305,732.12); sewage claims ($348,730.21); a large civil claims docket including bond payments ($2,445,801.85); and a quarterly merit pay disbursement ($1,926.88) for the fire and police merit commission members.

The board also approved a pay application to cover referees and event expenses for the La Porte Invitational so those invoices could be paid before the next docket, and approved a pay application to Ellis Hardwoods for removal of a large bur oak that the street department could not remove efficiently.

Mary Ann Richards presented four public service agreements the board approved: Activity Center for Older Adults ($8,580), Catholic Charities ($7,500), Dune Brook ($10,000) and The Nest Community Shelter ($25,000). Richards and board members noted rising utility costs are increasing partner expenses and that these agreements follow longstanding language used by the city.

The meeting concluded with a right-of-entry agreement approved for Kyle Surveyors to inspect utilities at the old Maple Lane Mall and then adjournment.