Garland Intergovernmental Agreements Guide

General Governance and Administration Texas 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of Texas

Garland, Texas uses intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and shared-service contracts to coordinate with neighboring cities, counties, school districts and state agencies. This guide explains the legal basis, who manages agreements, common contractual terms, and the practical steps for requesting or enforcing a shared service in Garland. It summarizes what the City Code and official Garland offices publish about contracting authority and points to the Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act for statutory authority.[1]

Legal Basis & Who Can Partner

Municipal authority to enter IGAs in Garland derives from local ordinance and the state Interlocal Cooperation Act. The City Council approves agreements, with execution by the City Manager or authorized official; legal review is provided by the City Attorney. For statutory authorization, see the Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act (Chapter 791).[3]

Interlocal agreements are contracts and are enforced like other municipal contracts.

How IGAs Are Used in Garland

  • Shared procurement of goods or bulk purchasing to lower costs.
  • Shared public works, maintenance, or equipment leasing.
  • Public safety mutual aid and joint emergency response arrangements.
  • Joint planning, permitting, or regional service delivery schedules.

Penalties & Enforcement

IGAs are primarily contractual; remedies and penalties depend on the written agreement. The City Code and public agreement listings do not typically publish uniform monetary fines tied to IGAs themselves; specific monetary penalties are governed by the individual contract terms and applicable state law, not specified on the cited page.[1]

  • Monetary fines or liquidated damages: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation for breaches (first/repeat/continuing breaches): must follow the agreement; ranges not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: contract termination, injunctive relief, specific performance, withholding payments, or debarment from future contracts.
  • Enforcer and complaints: initial contact is the City department party to the agreement and the City Attorney or City Secretary for administrative records and execution; see City Secretary guidance for locating executed agreements.[2]
  • Appeal/review: contractual disputes typically proceed by contractual dispute resolution clauses (negotiation, mediation, arbitration) or by litigation; specific appeal time limits are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Defences and discretion: common defenses include force majeure, compliance with permitted variances, or reliance on an authorized amendment or waiver in the agreement.
If a contract term is ambiguous, seek City Attorney review promptly.

Applications & Forms

The City does not publish a single universal "Interlocal Agreement" public form for third parties; most IGAs are drafted as bespoke contracts and executed by the City Manager or authorized signatory after Council approval or by delegated authority. To request a shared-service agreement or review an existing executed agreement, contact the City Secretary or the relevant department for the service.[2]

Contact the City Secretary early to learn whether a formal proposal or a memorandum of understanding is required.

How to Propose or Request a Shared Service

Follow the City review process and coordinate with the department that will operationally manage the service; below are typical steps.

  1. Initiate contact with the appropriate Garland department to discuss scope and feasibility.
  2. Prepare a written proposal or draft scope of work describing responsibilities, term, cost allocation, and performance measures.
  3. Submit the proposal to the department and the City Secretary for routing; request legal review by the City Attorney.
  4. If required, obtain City Council approval or follow delegated authority procedures.
  5. Execute the agreement and implement service delivery according to the contract terms.

FAQ

Who approves intergovernmental agreements for Garland?
The City Council approves most IGAs; the City Manager or an authorized official executes them after legal review. Contact the City Secretary to confirm the approval status and file location.[2]
Are there standard fees or penalties published for IGAs?
No uniform fees or fines are published for IGAs on the City Code or public execution listings; monetary terms are set in each agreement and may vary by contract.[1]
Where can I find executed intergovernmental agreements?
Executed agreements and records are maintained through the City Secretary's office; request public records or review online if available via the City Secretary page.[2]

How-To

How to file a proposal for a shared service with Garland:

  1. Contact the department responsible for the service and ask for guidance on submitting a proposal.
  2. Draft a proposal with scope, term, costs and performance metrics.
  3. Submit the proposal to the department and copy the City Secretary for routing and recordkeeping.
  4. Provide supplementary documents requested by Legal or Finance and await Council or delegated approval.
  5. Upon approval, sign the agreement and begin implementation according to the contract.

Key Takeaways

  • IGAs are contractual and rely on written terms for remedies and fees.
  • City Secretary and City Attorney are primary contacts for records and legal review.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Garland Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] City of Garland - City Secretary
  3. [3] Texas Government Code - Chapter 791

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data