Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – On Thursday, April 20, 2023, Mayor Oscar Montoya presented the second State of the City Address in the history of Mercedes. Mayor Montoya highlighted the significant progress that the city has made over the last two years and expressed optimism for the future.
Public Safety was a top priority for the city, and Mayor Montoya praised the efforts of the City Manager, Alberto Perez, as well as the City Commissioners, Department Heads, and staff members for their contributions to the improvements. He highlighted the city’s successful efforts in addressing flooding issues, including the addition of detention ponds at Collier Park, which improved drainage for nearly 3,358 residents in the South and East side of the city. The city also partnered with the Irrigation District to add 22-acre feet to regional detention facilities south of Collier Park, completing the project at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, a storm water pump station was installed at Collier Park to prevent flooding in citizens’ homes during heavy rainfall events.
Mayor Montoya also mentioned the collaboration with the Hidalgo County Drainage District to widen the Anacuitas drainage canal and upgrade the South Mercedes Lateral Gate 3, with a total investment of $3 million, to alleviate flooding in the downtown area south of the expressway. The city also invested in mobile pumps to quickly move water during heavy rain events and addressed power outages during storms by investing in lift station pumps with built-in generators.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the city also invested in its departments, including the Utilities and Streets Divisions, which received additional staff and equipment to improve response times to citizen work orders. The city also provided salary increases to Public Works staff and invested in diagnostic tools for city mechanics to repair city vehicles. The Police Department also received significant investment, and Mayor Montoya expressed gratitude for the bravery and dedication of the Fire Department, which also received improved equipment.
Mayor Montoya also highlighted the city’s commitment to improving the quality of life for its citizens. He mentioned many of our city events which include the tree lighting, Easter Egg Hunt, and Job Fair, and efforts to enhance parks and recreational facilities, as well as initiatives to attract new businesses and promote economic growth in the city.
Mayor Montoya concluded his speech by expressing his appreciation to the Fire Department, Police Officers, Public Works team, the Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Planning Department, City Administration and of course the City Commission for their hard work, and their presence at the State of the City Address was recognized. He reiterated the city’s commitment to continued progress and improvement, acknowledging that more work remains to be done, but expressing confidence in the city’s ability to tackle challenges and achieve its goals.
Overall, Mayor Montoya’s State of the City Address highlighted the significant progress that Mercedes, Texas has made in recent years, particularly in the areas of public safety and infrastructure improvements. The city’s collaborative efforts with various agencies and departments, as well as investments in equipment, personnel, and facilities, have contributed to the positive changes in the city. The address also conveyed a sense of optimism and determination to continue the momentum of growth and improvement for the benefit of the community and its citizens.
