City Manager’s Report details City of Eagle Pass’ opposition to Dos Republicas Coal Partnership
At last week’s Council Meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to oppose Dos Republicas in its efforts to apply for a permit extension and initiate the first phase of coal mine operations in Maverick County. Representative for Dos Republicas were quick to point out that the mine would create new jobs in Eagle Pass and Maverick County.
The initial estimate of this job creation is between 100 to 160 new jobs being created in our area, with an additional 40 professional positions being brought in by the company; these would likely be professionals that would relocate to Eagle Pass. Although the City is in strong favor of bringing or creating new jobs in Eagle Pass, the City’s main concern is for the health and safety of this community; of course, there are also other considerations.
As the City continues its outward growth, it is important to plan for this expansion. This also includes determining which industries/businesses the City would prefer to recruit to our area. Even if Dos Republicas could guarantee environmentally clean operations with no risk of environmental contamination, the perception of a coal-mining operation and its effect on the local environment is very negative, as could be seen by the public outcry in opposition at the public hearing last Tuesday. Although, in the short term, Dos Republicas may be able to guarantee a certain number of jobs in our area, the concern for the City is the possible long term negative impact.
As investors/businesses look to relocate or begin operations in Eagle Pass, as part of the process, they will assess the quality of life in our area; they want to ensure a good quality of life because many of these businesses will be asking their employees and families to relocate to Eagle Pass. If they determine our area to have a poor quality of life because of the coal mining, then they will go elsewhere, taking their jobs with them.
The long term affects could be devastating as more and more businesses look elsewhere to “safer” communities. The promise of 100 to 160 new jobs may pale in comparison to a much larger number of jobs lost in the future.
The City will start its Strategic Planning Sessions for fiscal 2011/2012 this week; Assistant City Manager Gloria Barrientos and I will be meeting individually and collectively with Department Directors. During the planning sessions, we will consider our goals for the next fiscal year, to include various projects, and ensure that the future budget allows for the necessary funding for the successful completion of these goals. Of course, our priority is to elevate the level of service to our citizens while minimizing (or reducing) our expenses in the process.
We will then meet with the City Council for an all-day workshop on Saturday, February 12th at the ICT Center to further develop our strategic priorities and receive direction from the Mayor and the City Council. Among the many topics discussed during the workshop will include the capital improvement projects for the coming fiscal year and the initial development of a 20 to 25 year comprehensive plan to allow for planned “smart growth.”
