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Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Overview

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Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Overview
The City of El Paso presented the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2023 on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, which proposes decreasing the City’s tax rate and maintaining tax relief for seniors and residents with disabilities. Image for illustration purposes
The City of El Paso presented the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2023 on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, which proposes decreasing the City’s tax rate and maintaining tax relief for seniors and residents with disabilities. Image for illustration purposes

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EL PASO, Texas—The City of El Paso presented the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2023 on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, which proposes decreasing the City’s tax rate and maintaining tax relief for seniors and residents with disabilities.

City Manager Tommy Gonzalez and Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas presented a preliminary budget that prioritizes the community’s needs while also taking into account the current economic environment.

This year’s budget will:

·         Lowers the Operating and Maintenance property tax rate by 1.4 cents (equals approx. $5.25 million)

·         Maintain property tax savings for more than 52,000 seniors and disabled

·         Increases uniform staffing by 60 new positions (29 police and 31 fire) and funds new police cars and fire equipment

·         Continue street resurfacing program, traffic safety program, neighborhood traffic mitigation program, and street striping and light program

·         Include operating costs for voter-approved bond projects to include the Children’s Museum, Mexican American Cultural Center, Penguin Exhibit, Joey Barraza and Vino Regional Park

·         Increase minimum wage by 6.8 percent (an additional 75 cents), no increase to employee healthcare costs, and new/improved incentives

·         Increase in fixed costs and contracts such as information technology, janitorial, security, November election, appraisal services, and utilities

The decreased tax-rate proposal is possible due to strong financial management practices including: 

·         Recent debt refinancing that continues to allow for NO General Fund subsidies to be needed to cover the ballpark debt payment

·         Leveraging Federal and State Grants to include the:

o   Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant, that funds additional firefighters for Fire Station 36

o   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants to address health disparities and future crisis response

·         Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) grant to provide a $10.6 million investment in public safety for our region

·         Modifying Transportation Reinvestment Zone #2 allowing the City to reimburse the General Fund with excess revenues

·         The City Council approving an early payoff of our capital leases obligations in July 2021 which saved $4 million next year in the operating budget

“For the last eight years, the City has been aggressively working on long-term financial stability by working to align our budget to the Council-approved Strategic Plan and identifying new financial tools and resources to include set-aside funds, a budget stabilization fund and growth of our reserves,” Gonzalez said. “Our future-forward approach has allowed our city to gradually rebound from the challenging economic situation caused by the pandemic, while still being able to address essential priorities such as public safety, streets and public health. We have also been able to maintain a strong bond rating and continue our sales tax growth.”

The proposed City budget also responds to the community’s priorities identified through multiple outreach opportunities including the City’s Chime In Survey process, City Council requests, and other community surveys. The City’s approach to this year’s budget includes:

·         Providing financial relief to taxpayers through strategic economic recovery

·         Continuing our commitment to the community with the completion of bond projects (capital and operating costs) and providing exceptional services

·         Investing aggressively in our workforce through compensation, benefits, and incentives

·         Adding cost growths in contractual obligations and fixed costs due to current economic environment

The City leadership, via Council direction, has developed a Strategic Economic Recovery plan to include:

·         No tax rate increase for the last two years and tax decrease provided last year for 52,000 seniors & disabled 

·         Tax rate decrease proposed for upcoming budget

·         State constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the homestead exemption savings from $25,000 to $40,000

·         $196 million in savings on Texas Gas costs (Winter Storm URI)

·         $28.3 million savings on El Paso Electric rate case settlement (about $117 savings on the average residential bill)

·         $268 million in new property tax revenue for all taxing entities as a result of City Economic Incentive Agreements

·         $37 million for rental and utility assistance, $29.4 million in Community Development from CARES and ARPA, and $35.9 million for small business assistance

Additional important budget dates to note:

·         June 27-29: Budget Work Sessions

·         July 25: Receive Certified Tax Roll from Central Appraisal District

·         August 1: Present Certified Tax Roll and Ordinance Introducing Tax Rate

·         August 9: Public Hearing on FY 2023 Budget

·         August 23: Adopt FY 2023 Budget and Tax Rate

Officers in Uvalde could have taken down gunman within 3 minutes had commander not hesitated

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Officers in Uvalde could have taken down gunman within 3 minutes had commander not hesitated
Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw testifies before the Texas Senate committee on June 21, 2022. Photo Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune
Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw testifies before the Texas Senate committee on June 21, 2022. Photo Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

The Texas Tribune

BY ZACH DESPAR / The Texas Tribune

Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw told a state Senate committee Tuesday that the law enforcement response to the Uvalde school shooting was an “abject failure” and police could have stopped the shooter at Robb Elementary School three minutes after arriving were it not for the indecisiveness of the on-scene commander, who placed the lives of officers before those of children.

McCraw said the inexplicable conduct by Uvalde school district police Chief Pete Arredondo was antithetical to two decades of police training since the Columbine High School massacre, which dictates that officers confront active shooters as quickly as possible.

“The officers had weapons; the children had none,” McCraw said. “The officers had body armor; the children had none. The officers had training; the subject had none. One hour, 14 minutes and 8 seconds. That’s how long children waited, and the teachers waited, in Room 111 to be rescued.”

The revelations detailed by McCraw completed a remarkable shift in the police response narrative state officials have given since the May 24 shooting. Twenty-seven days after Gov. Greg Abbott said the shooting “could have been worse” but for officers who showed “amazing courage by running toward gunfire,” his state police director described stunning police incompetence that bordered on cowardice.

Arredondo, who testified in closed session to a House committee on Tuesday, told The Texas Tribune that after he and another officer determined the doors to the adjoining classrooms containing the shooter were locked, the best course of action was to wait for more officers, firepower, keys and a breaching tool.

McCraw laid out a starkly different set of facts: That officers with rifles arrived within minutes and the classroom doors could not have been locked from the inside. Reporting by The Tribune revealed that ballistic shields and a breaching tool, called a Halligan bar, were also quickly on scene. He also told lawmakers that sometime before the shooting that the teacher who taught in the conjoined classrooms 111 and 112 had flagged to the school administration that the door would not lock.

McCraw said though the state police are a far larger agency than the six-person Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District department, Arredondo was the rightful incident commander because he was the most senior first responder who had immediate jurisdiction over the district’s campuses. He said Arredondo could have transferred command to another agency, such as state troopers who arrived, but never did so.

Acting against the orders of an incident commander during an emergency can be dangerous and chaotic, McCraw said, responding to a question about why his troopers did not take charge. But he said the failure of one police agency means all law enforcement performed unacceptably that day.

“I don’t mean to be hyper-critical of the on-scene commander,” McCraw said. “But those are the facts… this set our profession back a decade.”

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, questioned Arredondo’s competence.

“This incident commander finds every reason to do nothing,” he said.

He added, “this person should have never even been in the job. We have to have incident commanders that are ready for this.”

Bettencourt challenged Arredondo to answer questions about his decision making in public instead of testifying in the House behind closed doors, which he did Tuesday while the Senate met.

“Come to the Senate where the public of Texas can ask these questions,” Bettencourt said. “This is — it’s just abominable.”

Brian Lopez contributed to this report.

CBP Officers Seize over $4 Million in Methamphetamine 

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CBP Officers Seize over $4 Million in Methamphetamine 
Packages containing nearly 311 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge. USCBP Image
Packages containing nearly 311 pounds of methamphetamine seized by CBP officers at Pharr International Bridge. USCBP Image

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PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge Cargo Facility intercepted $4,300,000 in alleged methamphetamine.

“Our CBP officers relied on their experience and all available tools and resources to help thwart this smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

On June 17, 2022, CBP officers assigned to the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility encountered a commercial tractor trailer, arriving from Mexico. A CBP officer referred the conveyance for further inspection, which included utilizing non-intrusive inspection systems (NII)and screening by a (canine team). After physically inspecting the conveyance, officers extracted 1,200 packages weighing 310.85 pounds (141 kg) of alleged methamphetamine concealed within the trailer.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics and tractor trailer, and the case remains under investigation by agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).

Texas Senate hears testimony from Texas DPS Director on Uvalde shooting 

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Texas Senate hears testimony from Texas DPS Director on Uvalde shooting 
YouTube Image
YouTube Image

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DPS Director Steve McCraw is testifying before a committee about the shooting in Uvalde.

Love Your Block Neighborhood Beautification Program Begins

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Love Your Block Neighborhood Beautification Program Begins
The City of El Paso Community and Human Development Department, in collaboration with the John Hopkins University of Cities of Services, is opening applications for the Love Your Block (LYB) mini grants to beautify targeted neighborhoods. Image for illustration purposes
The City of El Paso Community and Human Development Department, in collaboration with the John Hopkins University of Cities of Services, is opening applications for the Love Your Block (LYB) mini grants to beautify targeted neighborhoods. Image for illustration purposes

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EL PASO, Texas – The City of El Paso Community and Human Development Department, in collaboration with the John Hopkins University of Cities of Services, is opening applications for the Love Your Block (LYB) mini grants to beautify targeted neighborhoods.

El Paso is one of eight cities in the U.S. selected to participate in the Love Your Block Program, a two-year grant program that supports efforts to spur neighborhood-driven change.

Beginning today, June 21, 2022, residents, community members, and organizations are invited to apply in support of small-scale, volunteer-led revitalization projects in the targeted neighborhood selected for Year 1 of LYB.

·         Chihuahuita Neighborhood                 

·         Segundo Barrio Neighborhood

·         Chamizal Neighborhood

The LYB program provides mini grants ranging from $250 to $2,000 to fund projects designed to address blight and/or neighborhood concerns, improve residents’ quality of life, promote a high level of community engagement and instill community ownership of public spaces.

Examples of projects include:

·         Neighborhood clean-ups

·         Vacant lot clean-up/activation

·         Historic preservation project

·         Exterior home repairs

·         Community art/mural installation

·         Miniature reading library

Mini-grant applications must be for projects that take place within the targeted neighborhoods of focus and are due no later than August 26, 2022. The applications can be picked up at CITY 3, 801 Texas Ave, or may be submitted directly through the links below:

English: https://elpasotx.seamlessdocs.com/f/ElPasoLYBMiniGrantApplicationENG

Spanish: https://elpasotx.seamlessdocs.com/f/ElPasoLYBMiniGrantApplicationESP

For more information, email Neighborhoodservices@elpasotexas.gov or call (915) 212-1651.

Student Gets Extra Experience 

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Student Gets Extra Experience 
Victor Mejia, a TSTC Building Construction Technology student, works on a wall-framing assignment during a recent lab session. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

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HARLINGEN, Texas – Getting some on-the-job experience is giving Victor Mejia, a Building Construction Technology student at Texas State Technical College, an early advantage in his career path.

Mejia, of Harlingen, is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree at TSTC while working as a part-time assistant superintendent with Central Air and Heating Services in Harlingen.

He learned about the job through TSTC instructor Rick Vargas.

“(He) said the company is growing,” Mejia said. “I will shadow some superintendents and learn as much as I can. They also do general contracting, and I will oversee subcontractors. That is where my knowledge from the (TSTC) program will come into play.”

The third-semester student is thankful to work for a versatile company.

“Their services range from residential to commercial and other areas,” he said. “They do everything in-house. All of that pertains to labor and construction. I am grateful because this will lead me toward a prosperous future.”

Chad Ufland, senior project manager for Central Air and Heating Services, said Mejia already has some important job skills.

“In a short time, he has demonstrated he can be organized, take notes and, most importantly, absorb information that is presented to him.”

Mejia is eager to learn all that the Building Construction Technology program has to offer.

“As I have progressed, the management side of the program is appealing,” he said. “The estimating course has been my favorite. We have had chances to figure out the cost for certain projects. The expertise I have learned from these instructors has elevated my capabilities.”

Mejia offers some advice for prospective students interested in pursuing Building Construction Technology at TSTC.

“This program is for you if you enjoy using your hands and eyes, and enjoy instant gratification for what you built,” he said.

According to onetonline.org, construction managers in Texas can earn around $96,290 per year. The number of such jobs in the state is expected to increase 17% by 2028.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Building Construction Technology and a certificate of completion in Building Construction – Craftsman at the Harlingen and Waco campuses. The college also offers an occupational skills achievement award in Building Inspection Level 1 at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Co-Hosting 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships

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Co-Hosting 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships
At a joint press conference held this morning, the City of Pharr and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that they will be co-hosting the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Swimming & Diving Championships which will take place February 22-25, 2023 at the City of Pharr Natatorium.
At a joint press conference held this morning, the City of Pharr and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that they will be co-hosting the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Swimming & Diving Championships which will take place February 22-25, 2023 at the City of Pharr Natatorium. Image Courtesy of the City of Pharr

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Pharr, Texas – At a joint press conference held this morning, the City of Pharr and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced that they will be co-hosting the 2023 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Swimming & Diving Championships which will take place February 22-25, 2023 at the City of Pharr Natatorium.


The City of Pharr Natatorium, which is located at 3001 N Cage Blvd., opened its doors in January 2022. The facility features an Olympic-size, eight-lane, 50-meter swimming pool that has 22 25-yard lanes and a separate diving pool that includes five platforms and four springboards—making it the perfect location to host the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships.

Pharr Mayor Dr. Amrosio Hernandez, Image Courtesy of the City of Pharr
“This is a great opportunity for the City of Pharr, UTRGV, and our entire region as we prepare to welcome hundreds of collegiate athletes, coaches, and individuals to our community,” said Pharr Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “From the very beginning, we knew we were doing something very big in bringing this amenity to Pharr that we greatly needed for our local students, and UTRGV athletes,” continued Hernandez. “Now, we will be hosting one of the largest competitions here at our City of Pharr Natatorium,” added Hernandez.

According to a press release issued by UTRGV, the WAC Swimming & Diving Championships have a long tradition of taking place in Texas. The event was held in San Antonio from 1996-1998 and again from 2000-2015, as well as in Houston from 2016-2020 and again in 2022. 

This will be the first time the WAC Swimming & Diving Championships will take place in the Rio Grande Valley. The City of Pharr Natatorium can seat 1,200 fans, has 444 parking spaces, and is equipped with two scoreboard and video boards, a visible running clock, and built-in areas to sell both concessions and merchandise. The brand-new state-of-the-art facility has ample space for both competitors and their fans. 
Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque. Image courtesy of the City of Pharr.

In a release issued by UTRGV, Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said, “The City of Pharr is a great partner for hosting this event and I want to thank Mayor Hernandez for his visionary leadership that led to the construction of this aquatic center. The City of Pharr Natatorium is one of the top swimming & diving facilities, not just in Texas, but in the country, which will allow us to both grow the sport in the Valley and continue to attract top competitions such as the WAC Championships.”

The 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships will include competitors from institutions such as the Air Force, California Baptist, Grand Canyon, Idaho, Incarnate Word, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Seattle U, UNLV, Utah Tech, and Wyoming.

Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey. Image Courtesy of the City of Pharr
“We are thrilled to partner as co-hosts with UTRGV athletics to host this event, especially as we work together to inspire our local athletes and students to become involved in competitive swimming and diving,” said Hernandez.  
Image Courtesy of the City of Pharr
Dr. Guy Bailey shared the same sentiment in the press release issued by UTRGV, “What hosting the WAC Championships does is shine the national spotlight on UTRGV, the City of Pharr, and the entire Rio Grande Valley. More importantly, it helps us to show our young people where swimming & diving can take them. If they work hard both in the classroom and the competition pool, they too can earn scholarships and compete in events like this in beautiful facilities such as the one here in Pharr.”

Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez. Image Courtesy of the City of Pharr

“Everyone is going to benefit from this,” stated Hernandez. “This will put the City of Pharr on the Map and bring positive economic opportunities for our local businesses, restaurants, and hotels as we prepare to welcome hundreds of people to the area for the championships,” he added.

“I would like to thank UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey and UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque for their partnership with the City of Pharr as we work together to make this a premier event,” said Hernandez. “We look forward to hosting a great event and welcoming everyone to the City of Pharr Natatorium for the 2023 WAC Swimming & Diving Championships in February 2023.”

Norie Gonzalez Garza Makes History in Mission

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Norie Gonzalez Garza Makes History in Mission
Norie Gonzalez Garza was sworn in by Judge Letty Lopez to become the first woman Mayor of Mission. Photo by Roberto H. Gonzalez.
Norie Gonzalez Garza was sworn in by Judge Letty Lopez to become the first woman Mayor of Mission. Photo by Roberto H. Gonzalez.

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Mission, TX- The City of Mission is breaking barriers. Former Councilwoman for Place 3, Norie Gonzalez Garza, was sworn in this afternoon as mayor by Judge Letty Lopez.

Follow the link below to watch the ceremony:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDdP31eMCWw

She was joined by officials from across the Rio Grande Valley as she officially took her oath of office at the Mission Event Center. 

Gonzalez Garza, a lifelong resident of the municipality, is the first woman to be elected mayor of Mission. 

Jessica Ortega, a two-time incumbent for City Council Place 1, was also sworn in for her third term by Justice of the Peace Dr. Sonia Treviño.

Jessica Ortega, a two-time incumbent for City Council Place 1, was also sworn in for her third term by Justice of the Peace Dr. Sonia Treviño. Photo by Roberto H. Gonzalez

Men’s Golf Alum Armen Kirakossian Named Head Coach at UCLA

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Men’s Golf Alum Armen Kirakossian Named Head Coach at UCLA
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team learned on Monday that alum (2006-10) and former head coach (2014-15) Armen Kirakossian has been named the men’s golf head coach at UCLA. Courtesy Image
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team learned on Monday that alum (2006-10) and former head coach (2014-15) Armen Kirakossian has been named the men’s golf head coach at UCLA. Courtesy Image

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s golf team learned on Monday that alum (2006-10) and former head coach (2014-15) Armen Kirakossian has been named the men’s golf head coach at UCLA. 

During his tenure as the program’s head coach, Kirakossian led the team to three top-five finishes and guided Nicolas Platret to the Western Athletic Conference Individual Championship to advance to an NCAA Regional, becoming the program’s first since 1978. 

As a student-athlete, Kirakossian won the individual medal at the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships as a senior while also earning America Sky First Team All-Conference honors.

As a junior, Kirakossian won the Great West Conference Championship while earning First Team All-Conference and earned Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar honors.

Kirakossian shot a program record 204 (67, 66, 71) at the 2009 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championships. His second round 66 is tied for the fourth lowest single-round score in program history.

Kirakossian takes the reigns as the sixth head coach in UCLA history after spending five seasons at Arizona State University, where he helped the Sun Devils to four consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2021-22 and a third-place finish in 2020-21. 

Kirakossian, who was named a Strickland Award winner as the top assistant coach in the country following the 2018-19 season, coached three consecutive Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year award winners from 2019-22 and a total of 11 All-Americans at Arizona State.

Prior to his time at Arizona State, Kirakossian spent two seasons at Pepperdine as an assistant coach helping the Waves to their best finish at the NCAA Championships since 2005. 

Campus Police Department Hosts Active Shooter Training

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Campus Police Department Hosts Active Shooter Training
TSTC police officer Juan Lucio (left) and TSTC police training sergeant Michael Salinas practice a mock active assailant scenario that coincides with the online Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training provided by the TSTC police department. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
TSTC police officer Juan Lucio (left) and TSTC police training sergeant Michael Salinas practice a mock active assailant scenario that coincides with the online Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training provided by the TSTC police department. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.) 

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HARLINGEN, Texas – June is National Safety Month, and Texas State Technical College’s police department recently held a Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) training session to better prepare TSTC employees if an active assailant event were to occur.

The training is an extension of the Avoid Deny Defend strategy established by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) program that delivers strategies and guidance for surviving an active assailant situation.

Michael Salinas, a TSTC police training sergeant, said the training is imperative for personal safety.

“The session was intended to educate the civilians to respond safely and decisively in response to an active assailant incident on the campus environment or a different location,” Salinas said.

The attendees were instructed about the definition of an active assailant, along with the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings. Disaster response was also addressed, as well as how an individual can work through the phases associated with trauma. Another topic, stress response, focused on how one’s body and mind work in a high-stress situation.

“We can use this training as a gauge for many events that have happened nationwide,” Salinas said.

A question-and-answer session followed the presentation.

One participant asked what a person should do if their work area has little or no protection.

“My recommendation is to create a communication plan with their supervisors and managers that will maximize their safety,” Salinas said.

Another individual asked what tools they could use to better enhance their ability to survive.

“My recommendation is to capitalize on some of the training offered through TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services program,” Salinas said. “Persons can also become certified in first aid and tourniquet training through organizations such as STOP THE BLEED, the American Red Cross, and American Health Training.”

For more information about the CRASE program, visit https://alerrt.org. 

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

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