Canales returns to Eagle Pass to address opportunities for farmers

A.D. Ibarra

-Maverick County 

 Showbarn

     A group of representatives from a variety of state agencies descended on the Maverick County Showbarn on Thursday to lay out opportunities for our farmers and ranchers to know exactly what is available in terms of financial assistance to not only repair any and all damage sustained by their property, but ways and incentives the state helps them to keep their farms safe and environmentally safe.

     Judy Canales, State Executive Director for the USDA's Farm Service Agency in Texas under Texas Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, was on hand to address the gathering and to introduce herself to the farmers and ranchers who had heard of this conference and made it a point to attend.

     Ivan Camacho and The Texas-Mexico Border Coalition founded by Omar Garza was instrumental in putting together the panel present including financial expert Joe Lopez, Joe De Ochoa, Area Director at the Texas Rural Development Office among others were also there.

     "These events have happened all along the US-Mexico Border," stated Canales, "We've had so much activity here, the pecan orchards are still vibrant, so we're asking what can we do?  The US Congress is completing the Farm & Jobs Bill as one in four jobs in the US are linked to agricullture."

     They are very hopeful the Farm Bill will get back on the agenda.

     "I appreciate the leadership of Mr. Ramirez, Mr. De Ochoa and Mr Lopez who have 21 counties to service," concluded the new Executive Director who was recently named to her new post four months ago.

     "We're promoting an outreach initiative with available programs with the USDA," stated Camacho before the meeting began, "We also have Mr. Serafin Aguirre with the NRCS, who highlighted technical financial assistance, Mr. De Ochoa will address value added grants and a business and industry guarantee program and we're closing our meeting here today with a brush management workshop given by Mr. Oscar Galindo, Texas A&M Agrilfe Extension Agent for Maverick County."

     Overall the event was very beneficial for all agriculture related businessmen to have attended and all ranchers and local farmers should be aware of these opportunities to grow.

City of Eagle Pass

Emergency Operations Center

***Heavy Rainfall/Flooding Alert***

The City of Eagle Pass has received news of possible heavy rainfall or flooding this weekend due to Tropical Storm Ingrid, which is expected to make landfall in northeast Mexico late Sunday. 

A large area of deep, tropical moisture is expected to move into south Texas Saturday night, which is set to impact our area with heavy rains and possible flooding up until Monday or Tuesday. Creeks, streams, and rivers are expected to experience minor rises and possible urban flooding may occur during heaviest rains.  People who live in low-lying areas should stay alert to the current situation and take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their property from possible flooding. 

For up-to-date information, stay tuned to your local radio stations, news, and weather channels.

Mary Velasquez

Public Information Officer

9/13/2013, 4:04 PM

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Ciudad de Eagle Pass

Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia

***Alerta de Lluvia Abundante y Posibles Inundaciones***

La ciudad de Eagle Pass ha recibido noticias de posibles lluvias e inundaciones para este fin de semana debido a la Tormenta Tropical Ingrid que se espera toque tierra en el noreste de México el domingo por la tarde.   

Se espera que lluvias tropicales se muevan hacia el sur de Texas este sábado por la noche, las cuales impactaran nuestra región con lluvias abundantes y posibles inundaciones hasta el lunes o el martes.  Se espera que arroyos y ríos crezcan un poco y que las regiones urbanas sufran posibles inundaciones.  Personas que viven en zonas bajas deben permanecer alerta ante la situación actual y tomar las precauciones necesarias para protegerse y proteger sus bienes.

Para información actualizada, favor de mantenerse al tanto de estas noticias en estaciones de radio y televisión locales y canales meteorológicos.

Mary Velasquez

Oficial de Información Pública

First Budget workshop held for Maverick 

County a veritable roller coaster ride; 

Public hearing on tax rate well received

A.D. Ibarra

-Commissioner's Court

A public hearing on the proposed tax rate for Maverick County went off without a hitch as The Honorable David Saucedo, Maverick County Judge opened the hearing at 5:00 P.M., had one citizen ask whether rates were going up, down or staying the same to which he replied they were going down from .58 to .55, a nearly three cent drop and the most of all four entities.

The new Mexican Consulate Ismael Naveja was on hand to greet the county legislators and introduce himself to the citizens of Maverick County and did so in a very diplomatic, eloquent manner during Recognition of Visitors expounding on his experience in and around the New York area as well as abroad before inviting all to attend the traditional Grito de Independencia marking a major landmark in the history of Mexico before placing himself at the service of Commissioner's Court and the citizens of Eagle Pass and Mexico.

Also in the Recognition of Visitors was Guadalupe Cardona who wished to make his voice heard on the issue of the state of affairs of Maverick County reiterating that he cannot see how Judge Saucedo and Commissioner's Court can say that things are looking up for the county which in his opinion, things are not as bright as they are reported.  According to Cardona, the auditor says they don't know  what is happening in the county as things are still owed from 2007, 2008 and 2009 before his three minutes were up.

It was when item item 21, the Budget Workshop for FYE 2014, that things began to get heated at the Regular Meeting of Commissioner's Court when the issue of a positive fund balance in reference to the Road & Bridge Department was brought up by financial advisor Robert Rodriguez who proudly announced to Commissioner's Court that in fact, the county had been frugal to the tune of $941,806.00.

"Let me get this straight, Mr. Rodriguez," stated County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz, "We're about to close the year and we have $941,000.00?"

"It may be premature to jump into the budget," stated Rodriguez, "You have to have a good sense of how you're entering the new budget year.  I'm using numbers from the auditor and his staff and have verified these numbers with Mr. Ortiz.  Our job is to take the information that the auditor provides and translate it so that you understand it as the amount of information is extensive."

"Whatever I tell you is honest, completely thorough and truthful as federal agencies are trying to clean up the investment banking industry.  The County Auditor does not work for you, but all work for the citizens of Maverick County."

"I want to stress two items, when you start, you set out money from taxes, the general fund has all money coming in from taxes.  The auditor takes that money and allocates Road & Bridge's budget.  You get a separate bank account from R&B so it is in the hands of no one but Commissioner's Court."

This is when he was asked if there was cash available for commissioners to purchase materials for projects to which he explained that it is but it is what is called accrual accounting which says on a cash basis, you are short cash to be able to write a check.

"Revenues will be here, but they will not be here today.  Clearly you have a situation, whatever does not exceed the present budget, it's possible it can be taken out of the general fund."

Judge Saucedo asked County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz to look at a certain page in the new budget and asked about a change in proposed revenues from $2,111,000.00 to $1,226,000.00 to which he adamantly asked "Why?"

"These are taxes we're trying to move in which will be available for Road & Bridge," stated Ortiz.