Eagle Pass City Council Approves 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget and Tax Rate

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2017

The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council approved the third and final reading of an Ordinance establishing the 2017-2018 tax rate at their special meeting held on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at City Hall.

Agenda Item No. 1 called for a Public Hearing on the City of Eagle Pass Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Budget.  Mayor Ramsey English Cantu opened the hearing and announced if there was any citizen who wished to speak at the public hearing concerning the City of Eagle Pass proposed 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget and no one answered the call to speak and comment.  Mayor Cantu closed the public hearing since there was no citizen present to speak on the proposed 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget for the City of Eagle Pass.

Agenda Item No. 3 called for the third and final reading of an Ordinance approving and adopting the Budget of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas for Fiscal Year 2017-2018.  The City Council unanimously approved the proposed 2017-2018 Fiscal Year Budget of $24,247,302 (Million).   Of the $24,247,302 (Million) City Budget for 2017-2018, the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge System is going to contribute the total sum of $11,119,007 (Million) to the City’s General Fund, representing a total of 45.8% of the City’s Budget.  The City International Bridge System’s contribution for 2017-2018 to the City’s General Fund is a $1,926,655 (Million) increase from the previous year of 2016-2017, a 20.9% increase.

Agenda Item No. 5 called for the third and final reading of an Ordinance levying a tax rate for the City of Eagle Pass fiscal year 2017 of $0.542489 per $100 property valuation. The City Council unanimously approved the proposed 2017-2018 tax rate of $0.542489 per $100 property valuation.  Mayor Cantu noted that the $0.542489 per $100 property valuation tax rate is composed of $0.330359 per $100 for the payment of Maintenance and Operations and $0.212130 per $100 is for payment of principal and interest on City debts.

Agenda Item No. 6 called for the consideration and approval of a Resolution granting an exemption from the monthly garbage and rubbish collection fee for persons 65 years of age and disabled veterans whose homestead residences are located within the City of Eagle Pass city limits.  The City Council unanimously approved to exempt the monthly garbage and rubbish collection fee for persons 65 years or older and disabled veterans whose homesteads are located within the City limits of Eagle Pass.

Agenda Item No.  9 called for an Executive Session to consult with legal counsel regarding performance issues relating to Gignac and Associates, LLP in the development of the Public Safety Headquarters and possible renewal, termination, extension or renegotiation of existing agreement.This agenda item shows the City of Eagle Pass is having problems or differences of opinion with the contractor, Gignac and Associates, LLP, building the new Public Safety Headquarters at the old Army National Guard property on south Monroe Street. The Public Safety Headquarters has given the City headaches with its design and construction since its inception. The City of Eagle Pass has had to change contractors since starting the construction due to problems with the project, including increased costs and change orders.  It is unknown what action, if any, the City Council took after consulting with legal counsel as of press time.