Maverick County Commissioners Court Approve Resolution Endorsing Privately-Owned Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC’s Third International Bridge Proposal
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
Maverick County Commissioners Court approved at its July 7, 2023 meeting a resolution endorsing a private entity’s, Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC proposal to build, design, construct, and operate a third-international bridge, Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge, north of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas while becoming the “lead sponsor” of obtaining the required and necessary United States Presidential Permit for this private international bridge.
For over 10 years, Maverick County under Commissioner Roberto Ruiz has advocated for a county-owned third international bridge north of the City of Eagle Pass to allow Maverick County and its taxpayers own a revenue generating enterprise such as the City of Eagle Pass’ two international bridges to provide funding for County-owned projects and supplement Maverick County’s annual fiscal year budgets, including the lowering of ad valorem property tax rates. This Maverick County-owned third international bridge proposal appears to have been abandoned with the approval of the resolution endorsing the privately-owned Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC’s international bridge proposal called the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge.
Commissioner Ruiz made the motion in open session to approve the resolution endorsing the privately-owned Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge, after discussing the Puerto Verde Holdings, LLLC’s proposal in executive session, while Commissioner Olga Ramos seconded the motion and Commissioners Court approved the resolution with County Judge Ramsey English Cantu and Commissioner Roxy Rios joining its approval. Commissioner Jerry Morales abstained from voting.
County Judge Cantu called the approval of the resolution as a public-private partnership that will bring “economic prosperity” to Maverick County through the development of the proposed privately-owned third international bridge, new industrial development, new residential development, increased international trade and business, new businesses, and new jobs created in the community.
According to the reading of the resolution approved by Maverick County Commissioners Court, Maverick County taxpayers agree to the following: 1) “the County endorses the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge proposed by Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC; 2) “the County supports the pursuit of public-private partnerships to fund, design, construct, and operate this project,” 3) “the County commits to working with the project stakeholders to facilitate the successful completion of the project while protecting the County residents interest,” 4) “the County commits to be the lead sponsor of the Puerto Verde’s Application to obtain a Presidential Permit for its Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge,” 5) “the County calls on all relevant stakeholders, including private entities and community members, to support the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge by Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC and work collaboratively to achieve its success.” 6) “the County will further evaluate any financial commitment and will need final Commissioners Court approval to proceed with any financial commitment for construction of said project at a future date,” and 7) “It is Maverick County’s intention will assure that public-private partnerships amongst local, state, and federal governing bodies are upheld.”
Randy Garibay of Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC made a presentation to Maverick County Commissioners Court during the open session. Commissioners Court went into executive session to discuss the resolution and the new Maverick County public-private partnership with Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC. It not known publicly who else addressed County Commissioners Court during executive session and with whom they consulted with in reaching this decision binding Maverick County taxpayers.
While obtaining Maverick County’s endorsement as the “lead sponsor” of obtaining the U. S. Presidential Permit for approval of the proposed private third international bridge is a huge coup for the private shareholders of Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC, Maverick County taxpayers have many questions of Commissioners Court as to the exact and specific details of any or all agreements entered between Maverick County and Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC, particularly will Maverick County receive a percentage of the revenues, profits, or compensation of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge, will Maverick County be securing or liable for any funding for the design, construction, or operation of the proposed bridge, did Maverick County receive any legal consideration for approving the resolution, and many more questions that require transparency with the public.
Some Maverick County taxpayers question the expediency and rush to a decision by Commissioners Court without holding public town hall meetings to inform and educate the public about the project.
The proposed Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge is planned to be developed just north of the City of Eagle Pass near Hopedale and Thompson Road (FM 1588). Some of the real property now owned by Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC used to be owned or leased by the former Dos Republicas Coal Mine.
According to the Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC website, the proposed Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge “will make supply chains more resilient and efficient by creating a next-generation commercial trade corridor on the southern border between Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Mexico. This state-of-the-art bridge, corridor, and binational industrial park will serve as a new Land Port of Entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, one that can process both commercial vehicle and freight rail traffic between the U.S. and Mexico.”
U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both of Texas, are proposing legislation to expedite the process of international bridge Presidential Permits, particularly four new proposed bridges between Texas and Mexico, including the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge by Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC.
If the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge were to receive a U. S. Presidential Permit, the project will transform the social, economic, and political future of Eagle Pass and Maverick County.
