Eagle Pass City Council to Consider Raising International Bridge Toll Rate for Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles, and Buses at October 14th Meeting
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas City Council is scheduled to consider and take possible action on two agenda items at its scheduled Tuesday, October 14, 2025 regular meeting concerning the increase of international bridge toll rate for both non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers and commercial buses.
At its September 16, 2026 meeting, the City Council heard and approved the first of three readings of an Ordinance increasing the the non-commercial vehicle toll rate from $2.00 per axle to $2.25 per axle, that is, from $4.00 per vehicle to $5.00 per vehicle for express card or toll tag users, and $2.00 per axle to $3.00 per axle, that is, from $4.00 per vehicle to $6.00 per vehicle for cash payments.
The public’s response to the City Council’s proposed toll rate increase was swift and vociferous against the increase from both Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico vehicle drivers. The downtown Eagle Pass and other retail merchants at Mall de las Aguilas complained that the toll rate increase would reduce retail sales from Mexican retail customers from northern Coahuila, Mexico. Initially, the City Council had proposed raising it to $6.00 per vehicle for express card users and $7.00 per vehicle for cash payment users, but decreased the rate after strong opposition from the public.
The City Council will consider and take possible action on the second reading of the proposed Ordinance increasing the toll rate under Agenda Item No. 3 of the October 14th meeting. Any person or entity that has an opinion on the rate increase may address the City Council at the October 14th meeting during the Citizens Communications agenda for up to three minutes.
Now, at the October 14th meeting the City Administration under the leadership of City Manager Homero Balderas are requesting the City Council to consider and take possible action on a toll rate increase for commercial vehicles and buses, including tractor-trailers (18 wheelers) and buses. Specifically, Agenda Item No. 8 of the October 14th meeting calls for the reading and approval of an introductory Ordinance increasing the commercial vehicle toll rate from $5.50 per axle to $6.50 per axle for trucks and buses using the toll tag, from $6.00 per axle to $10.00 per axle for cash payments, establishing a $25.00 fee for tractors without a trailer, and establishing a penalty for insufficient funds.
Commercial vehicles and buses are learning for the first time that the City Administration is now requesting the City Council to increase their toll rates as well. The City Council will hear and take possible action on the new proposed toll rate increases for commercial vehicles and buses at the October 14th meeting. Any person or entity with an opinion on the toll rate increase may address the City Council at the October 14th meeting during the Citizens Communications agenda for up to three minutes.
A brief review of the commercial vehicles and buses toll rate increase proposal with local commercial transportation and freight companies shows overwhelming opposition to it. Local transportation and freight companies expressed being dismayed and stunned by the new rate increase proposal, claiming any rate increase may cause less commercial trucks and buses from crossing through the Port of Eagle Pass.
City administration has previously argued that the City of Eagle Pass has many capital improvement projects planned for the municipal international bridge system, including the realignment of roadways and expansion of Camino Real Bridge from six to 12 lanes, that requires raising funds through toll rate increases to fund these projects. A large turnout is expected to attend the October 14th meeting.
Also on the October 14th meeting agenda for City Council consideration and possible approval is Agenda Item No. 5 calling for increasing the stormwater utility drainage fee from $5.00 to $10.00 for residential units and from $8.00 to $16.00 for commercial units.
Another agenda item is No. 12 calling for the consideration and possible action approving a resolution between the City and Maverick County concerning an amended and restated inter-local agreement regarding the participation in the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Zone Number One.
Agenda Item No. 13 calls for consideration and possible approval of a resolution by City Council approving the Eagle Pass Public Improvement District No. 1 Preliminary Service and Assessment Plan, including a proposed assessment roll, directing the filing of the proposed assessment roll with the City Secretary and directing and publication of notice of a public hearing to consider an ordinance levying assessments on property located within the Eagle Pass Public Improvement District No. 1.
A key agenda item is No. 23 in Executive Session and later in Open Session regarding consultation with attorney as to the Fire and EMS Services Agreement between the City and Maverick County and authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the agreement. The City of Eagle Pass is requesting $2.8 million from Maverick County for fiscal year 2025-2026 for providing fire protection and EMS services outside the city limits to county residents while Maverick County approved only $1.3 million its budget for these services, establishing a significant $1.5 million difference between the parties. Will City taxpayers be requested to subsidize county residents for fire protections and EMS services for 2025-2026? Or will the City and County reach an amicable resolution. The City of Eagle Pass has already provided 30 days notice of termination to Maverick County residents effective November 1, 2025 if an agreement is not reached before that date.
Also on the Agenda are Item No. 22 concerning the appointment/reappointment of Municipal Court Judge and Assistant Muncipal Court Judge, and Agenda Item No. 24 concerning the possible amendment to the City Attorney’s Contract.
There are many other agenda items on the October 14th meeting pertinent to City taxpayers. The City Council meeting on October 14th at 5:30 p.m. is open to the public and will be held at the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 100 S. Monroe Street, Eagle Pass, Texas.
