(Charlotte, TX – January 13, 2022) The City of Charlotte City Council unanimously appointed Mayor Pro-tem Stephen Porter as Mayor for the City of Charlotte on January 13, 2022.  This unexpected transfer of power comes as Mayor Christi Rankin lost her battle with illness on Sunday, January 9, 2022.  

The Charlotte City Council’s action, backed by the city attorney, Texas Civil Code, and the Texas Constitution, assures the continuity of city government at the most tragic times.

“This is a very difficult time for the entire community.  Mayor Rankin’s passing was unexpected and a major loss to the City of Charlotte and Atascosa County.  She will be deeply missed by us all, but the City Council and I are committed to working on continuing her legacy of progress for the citizens of Charlotte,” says Mayor Stephen Porter.

The City Council also appointed Councilwoman Liz Ramon as Mayor Pro-tem.  An emotional Ramon expressed gratitude for the dozens of calls of support and condolences from residents and elected officials from throughout the region. “Christi was a great public servant and dear friend.  Her passing is extremely difficult, but I will work alongside Mayor Porter to continue to move the City of Charlotte forward.  

Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley, State Representative Ryan Guillen, and Congressman Henry Cuellar all expressed their condolences and support for the city during this transfer of power.   

For more information, please contact rick.luna@charlottetx.us.    

(Charlotte, TX – December 21, 2021) The City of Charlotte is pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Rick Luna as its first Police Chief.  Chief Luna will lead the Charlotte Police Department effective immediately.  The Charlotte City Council voted unanimously to hire Chief Luna on Thursday, December 16, 2021.  Chief Luna had been serving as the city’s Acting Police Chief since September. 

Chief Luna has worked alongside the city’s government relations consulting firm, EMC Strategy Group, LLC, to oversee the city’s application to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (TCLOE).  

TCLOE approved the city’s agency application on earlier this month.  The Texas Department of Public Safety, which governs the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) also granted the Charlotte Police Department access to the Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC), and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) law week.  

“I congratulate Mr. Rick Luna on his selection at the city’s first Police Chief.  My colleagues on the City Council made a wise choice on hiring him to the lead the Charlotte Police Department,” said Mayor Christi Rankin. “I have complete confidence in his professionalism and ability to lead his officers and strengthen public safety within the City of Charlotte, added Rankin.  

“I am extremely grateful to the City Council for granting me the opportunity to serve as Police Chief for the Charlotte Police Department,” said Chief Rick Luna.  “I am committed to use the city’s resources to serve and protect our residents and property.  “I will also work in partnership with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, surrounding Police Departments, and all State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies whenever necessary in my role as the city’s top law enforcement officer,” added Chief Luna.    

The Charlotte Police Department is expected to begin law enforcement services by late January or early February.  

For more information, please contact rick.luna@charlottetx.us.    

(Charlotte, TX – November 30, 2021) The City of Charlotte launched its first website before Thanksgiving. The website, www.charlottetx.us, will highlight city information and important calendar dates.  The city will also offer community-based organizations throughout Atascosa County the opportunity to share information that will promote and support economic development, business support, education, workforce training, social services, arts and entertainment, and public safety.

“We are excited about this new online resource that will help the city promote itself and relevant city and community activities,” says Charlotte Mayor Christi Rankin.  “This is a new website, so its still work in development and we encourage residents of the city and the county to provide feedback on content that they would like to see added to the site,” adds Mayor Rankin.  

The City of Charlotte added personalized emails for its employees last month as part of a new branding initiative.  The city also added its new Facebook page earlier this fall.  A link to the city’s a Facebook page is found on the city’s website.  The city’s Facebook page is @RealCharlotteTexas.  

For more information, please contact gracie.garcia@charlottetx.us.     

(Charlotte, TX – August 23, 2021) The City of Charlotte Police Department Advisory Committee meet with Congressman Henry Cuellar to discuss progress on the city’s police department project.

Meeting attendees included City Councilwoman Amanda Luna, Committee Chairman Rick Luna, city staff Gracie Garcia Laura Morales, and EMC’s Alex Soto and Ernie Gonzalez.   

Mr. Gonzalez briefed Congressman Cuellar about the process that the city has been following with support from the U.S. Department of Justice, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, the Texas Police Chief’s Association, and the city attorney.  Gonzalez informed the congressman that the city recently approved a working budget, held a public comment meeting, and received authorization from the city council to move forward with the agency application submission to TCLOE.   

The city is expected to appoint an acting police chief within the next 2-3 weeks.  The acting chief will work with EMC Strategy Group to complete the agency application process and lay the groundwork for the proposed local municipal law enforcement agency.  

“I am a strong supporter of law enforcement, and I am committed to work with Mayor Christi Rankin, the city council, and EMC Strategy Group in their efforts to seek federal funding and resources to strengthen public safety in Charlotte and Atascosa County,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar.  

Once established, the Charlotte Police Department, will be the city’s first locally operated municipal law enforcement agency.