By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
After several months of political campaigning between five mayoral candidates, Javier Villalobos, an attorney by trade, became the new mayor for McAllen on June 14, 2021. Before the election, he was a city commissioner for three years.
Today, he spoke in Exclusivity with Texas Border Business.
Mayor Villalobos said that the role of a mayor is to set the agenda and drive it with the assistance of the rest of the city commissioners. “One of the most important items of the job is heading the budget,” he said.
Regarding economic development, the plan is to concentrate on small businesses or, like he says, ‘instead of trying to hit a home run.”
“Business startups are essential, or even to modernize some of the older businesses is good for the city.”
He said that McAllen has done it in the past but not as often as other cities in the region.
“A lot of times helping them renovate their business makes an impact.” He continued, “You don’t just give them money; a plan had to be in place.”
“Hopefully, next week, I will be meeting with some of the owners of downtown properties to see how the city can assist them in at least renovating the facade of the downtown area.” the new mayor is apt for modernization to promote more business.
After being a commissioner for district one, he said that his priorities had not changed much because he represented the entire city.
Mayor Villalobos noted that they have concentrated in the south side of McAllen, and there is an effort also in Tres Lagos, the newest community development of high-end custom homes in McAllen.
What is always a priority for him and his administration is drainage. He said, “At the very end, it’s expensive, and hopefully we don’t need it, but we got to be ready whenever something happens like during hurricane Hannah.”
He said that one of the most destructive things is a hurricane because it can create flooding, and it could take away people’s life savings.
Texas Border Business asked what the metrics used to measure the performance of the city administration are?
“There’ll be a combination of things like sales and real estate taxes based on the increase in capital and tax base. Also, on the performance or of the employees or how they feel, how their job satisfaction is.”
He pointed out that the city was fortunate because they had finalized the collective bargaining with the fire department. “I think we’re done with the police department too; that’s also good news,” he said.
Concerning how to balance the needs of the neighborhoods with the needs of the downtown area, he said: “It has to be balanced carefully.” “We always have to address neighborhoods which primarily will be streets and public safety.” He continued, “With the downtown area, it’s a little bit difficult because it is not just streets. We need to look at parking, and whether even metered parking is necessary or not, we’ve got to look at the cost-benefit of that, and then the rejuvenation of the downtown area.”
He said that the downtown area needs a lot of attention; he is meeting with business owners and hoping to get some assistance from the owners of the buildings to implement a plan of action.
The question of should McAllen be a sanctuary city for the undocumented? Mayor Villalobos said “No”
Do you want to elaborate? “Well, I never think as a sanctuary city; I think that’s an immigration issue that municipalities should not be faced with.” “We’re spending municipal funds that should be allocated for other areas other than immigration. We are currently assisting more in police protection and keeping everybody safe, and assisting with transportation. And we have no problem assisting with that. The only problem we have is that we’re spending the funds, and we shouldn’t be doing it for that purpose.”
Mayor Villalobos believes in the free market; that is why he is not concerned with disruptive technology like Airbnb, Uber, or Lyft. “We need to regulate up to a certain extend for matters of public safety, other than that free market.”
The pandemic by COVID 19 created many economic problems for everyone, including the closure of the international crossings to non-essentials. For us, non-essentials mean Mexico shoppers.
During the last fourteen months, McAllen was struck. “We lost considerable revenues because of the bridge; however, we also were able to allocate some funds to replenish some of our accounts with the Cares Act. So, because of that, we were able to put ourselves in a pretty good position, and once everything opens up correctly, I think we’ll be doing better.”
He said that things look favorable, and by July 21, the bridges will open to non-essentials.
What is your vision for McAllen?
“McAllen is the economic engine of the Rio Grande Valley, and I am here to preserve that leadership. I want to make sure that whatever we develop, we develop, right. To have the resources to make sure that we keep our infrastructure the way it should be. When the time comes that I should leave, everything should be better than when I came.”
