Staff

Eagle Pass

Eagle Pass City Council held their final hearing for the proosed budget in order for the public to express their conerns or opinions in reference to how things will get done this next fiscal year. Tax rate increases are also a part of said budget, yet only one person made the time to voice their concern. Sonia Shannon was that concerned citizen who made her voice heard at the hearing on Tuesday.  Shannon said to have been rpresenting other concerned citizens to request that City Council reconsider raising taxes next year. Mary Velasquez, City Secretary, said that the next meeting will be on September 18th when City Council will decide if the increase will take place as well as to adopt the next budget which kicks in October 1st. City Manager Daniel Valenzuela continues to function in his administrative position through October 7th and he mentioned that one of his priorities before leaving is to leave the City with an approved budget. Velasquez added that the proposed budget will be around $17.6 million for the coming fiscal year. The proposed tax hike is set at approximately 0.175 cents per $100.00 of property value. The council is raising taxes by a minimal amount in order to offset costs which will be included for projects in the coming budget. She also added that this was the last of the public hearings in respect to these hikes and now it will be up to the council to approve the coming budget.