Eagle Pass Housing Authority Swears-in two new Commissioners, Ana M. Gonzalez re-elected Chairperson

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass Housing Authority (EPHA) Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at the Community Room of El Centenario Building, honoring out-going Commissioners Jose L. Gonzalez and Ricardo E. Calderon, swearing-in two new Commissioners, and elected new Board of Commissioners officers.

During the Citizens Communications and Recognitions Agenda item, EPHA Commissioners Jose L. Gonzalez and Ricardo E. Calderon were honored for their dedication, outstanding service, and professionalism to the EPHA and the community for their service as Commissioners during April 3, 2012 through April 24, 2014.  Gonzalez was Vice-Chairperson of the EPHA Board of Commissioners while Calderon was a Commissioner.  EPHA Executive Director Mary Velasquez presented Gonzalez and Calderon a plaque of appreciation.  EPHA Chairperson Ana M. Gonzalez thanked Gonzalez and Calderon for their loyal service and dedication to the local public housing authority as Commissioners.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu appointed two new EPHA Commissioners and re-appointed Chairperson Ana M. Gonzalez to another two year term.  Appointed as new EPHA Commissioners were Eagle Pass Independent School District Police Officer and Maverick County Constable of Precinct 1 Rudy Valdez and local attorney Rolando Salinas.  EPHA Executive Director Mary Velasquez administered the Oaths of Office to newly sworn-in Commissioners Valdez, Salinas, and Gonzalez.

Valdez replaced Gonzalez while Salinas took Calderon’s place on the EPHA Board of Commissioners.  Valdez, Salinas, and Chairperson Gonzalez will serve a two-year term on the EPHA Board of Commissioners until April of 2016.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the EPHA Board of Commissioners proceeded to elect new officers, including Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.

EPHA Commissioner Pete Venegas opened the floor by nominating Chairperson Ana M. Gonzalez to be re-elected as Chairperson and the motion was seconded by new Commissioner Rolando Salinas.  During discussion, Chairperson Gonzalez asked the Commissioners if any of them wanted to become Chairperson, she would gladly step down and allow them be nominated as Chairperson.  None of the EPHA Commissioners replied to Chairperson Gonzalez’s invitation. Being no one willing to become Chairperson, the EPHA Commissioners unanimously re-elected Chairperson Ana M. Gonzalez to another term as Chairperson.

Commissioner Venegas proceeded to nominate newly sworn-in Commissioner Rolando Salinas as Vice-Chairperson of the Board and the motion was seconded by Commissioner Delfina Morales Garza.  Without any discussion offered, the EPHA Board of Commissioners unanimously elected Commissioner Rolando Salinas as Vice-Chairperson.

The EPHA Board of Commissioners include Chairperson Ana M. Gonzalez, Vice-Chairperson Rolando Salinas, Pete Venegas, Delfina Morales Garza, and Rudy Valdez.

Another item on the Agenda was the selection of a General Counsel for the EPHA.  Executive Director Mary Velasquez advised the Commissioners that the EPHA Committee which evaluated the several requests for proposals for legal services recommended that the law firm of Langley & Banack be selected as General Counsel of the EPHA.  Langley & Banack was already serving as General Counsel for EPHA.  After discussion, the EPHA Commissioners unanimously approved Langley & Banack as General Counsel as expected.

Also on the Agenda was the approval of an amendment to the EPHA Personnel Policy to change the holiday list and payroll payment day for employees, which the Commissioners unanimously approved.

The EPHA Commissioners also heard a presentation by Roxie Samaniego,CPA, of the auditing firm of White, Samaniego & Campbell, LLP, of El Paso, Texas regarding the Financial Statements and Audit of the EPHA for the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year ending on June 30, 2013.  Samaniego advised the EPHA Commissioners that the Financial Statements and Audit had received an “Unqualified Opinion,” meaning getting the highest rating possible for an audit.  The EPHA Commissioners unanimously approved the Financial Statements and Audit for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 ending on June 30, 2013. See related article concerning the Audit inside this issue of the Eagle Pass Business Journal.

The same can not be said for the first seven months of the 2013-2014 Fiscal Year Budget which shows the EPHA operating at a $55,151.20 loss/deficit according to its Income Statement prepared by fee accountant Ronald Urlaub.