City’s Rush to Increase International Bridge Toll Rates Failed to Seek Recommendation from Bridge Board of Trustees
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council’s rush to increase the city’s international bridge toll rates for non-commercial vehicles, commercial vehicles, and buses came to a screeching halt at their special meeting held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 after the Eagle Pass International Bridge System Board of Trustees complained at their October 16, 2025 meeting that the City Council had failed to seek the advice and recommendation from the Bridge System Board of Trustees before their implementation, citing a procedural error and oversight of the City Bridge Board of Trustees authority.
Eagle Pass City Manager Homero Balderas, Jr., who is currently acting as Interim International Bridge System General Manager, admitted to his and the City Council’s oversight of the Eagle Pass International Bridge System Board of Trustees authority over the two international bridges owned by the City of Eagle Pass in providing advice and recommendation concerning the proposed bridge toll rate increases at both the Bridge System Board meeting on October 16th and the City Council meeting on October 21st. Balderas accepted responsibility for the oversight and apologized profusely to both the Bridge System Board of Trustees and City Council. Balderas stated that it was “an accident” not presenting and bringing the proposed bridge toll rate increases before the Bridge System Board of Trustees. Prior to being hired as City Manager, Balderas served as the General Manager of the Eagle Pass International Bridge System for several years.
At the October 16, 2025 Eagle Pass International Bridge System Board of Trustees special meeting, Board Chairman Mario Escobar raised the issue that it would have been nice if the City Administration and City Council had presented the proposed bridge toll rate increases to the Bridge Board of Trustees for advice and recommendation prior to the City Council taking formal action on the rate increases. Escobar stated that the Bridge System Board of Trustees would have liked to receive comments and opinions from international bridge users concerning the proposed toll rate increases in order for the Board to make a recommendation to City Council.
Also present at the Eagle Pass International Bridge System Board of Trustees October 16th meeting were Board members Mayor Aaron Valdez, Stephany Valdez, Salvador Salinas, and Escobar. Realizing the critical oversight, Balderas immediately asked Assistant City Secretary Ita Cortinas how soon could the Bridge System Board hold a public meeting to hear public comments, discuss, and take action on the proposed bridge toll rate increases. Cortinas cited Monday, October 27, 2025 as the first date available under the newly amended Open Meetings Act notice requirement. Balderas recommended October 27th at 12 Noon and the Board agreed. So the Bridge System Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Monday, October 27th at 12 Noon at City Council Chambers to address the bridge toll rate increases.
Due to this oversight, the City Council approved at their October 21, 2025 special meeting to table the agenda items concerning the bridge toll rate increases to allow the City Administration to present the proposed rate increases to the Eagle Pass Bridge Board of Trustees at their newly scheduled October 27th special meeting. Thus, the City Council will now have to wait until their regular meeting on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss and take possible action on the proposed bridge toll rate increases. Both meetings are open to the public and the public may present their comments or opinions at the October 27th and November 4th meetings, respectively, during Citizens Communications.
At the City Council special meeting on October 21, 2025, City Councilwoman Jessica Rey Ramon recommended to amend the proposed bridge toll rates for non-commercial vehicles who pay in cash to be raised from the current $4 per vehicle to $5 instead of the proposed $6 per vehicle. The proposed rate for non-commercial vehicles who pay with an Express Card or Toll Tag is to remain at $4 per vehicle. The non-commercial vehicles and buses proposed bridge toll rates are being recommended to be increased.
The City’s proposed bridge toll rate increases will just have to take a few days longer to be approved by City Council in light of the critical oversight by the City Administration to consult with the Eagle Pass Bridge Board of Trustees.
