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Economic Summit participants push for education

Mission citizen award nominations now open

Student influx from Mexico strains SISD

Alton council changes proposed tax rate

La Joya group donates cash to flood victims

Commissioners discuss budget options

Officials tour proposed Trade Corridor Connector sites

Economic Summit participants stress importance of education

By Edwina P. Garza

MISSION — The metropolitan region of Hidalgo County, which includes Mission, McAllen and Edinburg, can only continue to grow when the needs of its young population are met through education, economic leaders said last week.

At the Mission Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Summit 2010, local officials highlighted the city’s growth from the past decade and began looking forward at the needs of the community to continue on a profitable path.

“As far as I can tell, we’re going to continue doing extremely well,” said Mario Reyna, the chamber’s vice-president of business development, who also serves as the dean of business and technology at South Texas College.

But to continue that path, the region must support education at all levels. A number of presenters at the summit pushed for higher graduation rates to attract more businesses.

“We might be a fast-growing area…we have to look at the graduation rates,” said U.S. Sen. Henry Cuellar (D-28). “You want to have an educated, skilled workforce.”

While there has been a slow drop in the percentage of unemployed Hidalgo County residents, Mission must depend on local education facilities to help the region attract more businesses to boost the economy, he added.

Pat Townsend Jr., president and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Authority, said major infrastructure renovations have helped propel Mission to become one of the strongest cities in the county’s metro area. New stores and residential developments could bring Mission approximately 81,000 residents by 2014 and high sales tax receipts along with them.

“It’s a great testament to Mission’s growth, but also the county’s growth and Mission’s place in it,” Townsend said of declining unemployment percentages in the region.

STC’s explosive growth since the 1990s along with The University of Texas-Pan American’s engineering and rapid response manufacturing centers are expected to catch the eye of businesses and push the metro area to be a global leader in academia and manufacturing, he added.

Big manufacturing plants like Frito Lay and Vanity Fair may have left the city, but a number of other businesses are looking to call Mission home, and many more have stayed in the city, even if they had to reduce their workforce, like Halliburton has done, Townsend said. It’s important the city and economic development groups like the chamber support these businesses that keep contributing steady sales tax revenues.

The hotel/motel taxes, which have increased from $350,000 in 2001 to $900,000 in 2010, have become vital to the chamber for promoting the city to shoppers and potential residents. Townsend said the chamber’s “Go Mission” campaign has been successful in bringing additional shoppers.

Continued infrastructure improvements will also help boost the city’s economy. The conversion of the Bryan Road overpass, which will ultimately create Anzalduas Highway, will be vital to the city’s plans to become an economic leader.

“That core piece of improvement is going to be a monumental shift in Mission,” Townsend said.

In general, transportation issues will be key to help the metro region grow; it’ll be difficult to continue any growth without transportation improvements, said Reza Badiozzamani, with the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority.

RMA Chairman Dennis Burleson said the group’s proposed loop system would help address congestion issues and help the county look profitable to businesses.

“People stop coming here because they can’t get around,” Burleson said. “Businesses will start to relocate if their trucks can’t get around. That’s why the loop is important.”

With the Texas Department of Transportation seeing fewer funds to help counties construct new projects, the RMA was created to help Hidalgo County fend for itself, he explained. Projects like the tollway, a 30-mile stretch connecting international bridges here and in Donna, is another way to alleviate the gridlock on U.S. Expressway 83 and preserve the roads the area already has.

The tollway project will also be useful to help the county build free roads with the revenue.

“It’s tollroad or no road at all,” he said.

Burleson explained the tollway would be about 15 cents per mile that would operate without a tollbooth. An electronic system with windshield tags could be used to bill motorists. While audience members questioned whether anyone would pay to drive on roads in the Rio Grande Valley, Burleson disagreed, and said many would pay the $1.50 on a tollway to save 30 minutes on a drive to Harlingen.

As economic development leaders brainstorm new ways to attract new businesses and residents alike, Mayor Norberto “Beto” Salinas said the best assets the city has are its leaders who hit the pavement consistently to contribute to the city’s development.

“All it takes is for us to just keep on working,” Salinas said. “We’re not staying still; one of our best economic programs is ourselves. We do the best job out there.”

Missiont citizen award nominations now open

Nominations are now open for Mission’s Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, Mr. Mission and First Lady of Mission. The Progress Times, sponsor of the awards, will present the honorees at the annual banquet for the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, to be held in October.

This is the sixth year the citizen awards presentations are to be made at the chamber banquet. Previously, the Progress Times coordinated the annual Mission Awards Showcase banquet where the awards were presented annually.

“These awards are a longstanding tradition recognizing the hard work and dedication of Mission’s leading citizens who have contributed greatly to the growth and quality of life of the city,” said Jim Brunson, publisher of the Progress Times. “The Chamber of Commerce has been most gracious in helping the community honor Mission’s finest citizens,” he said.

Nomination deadline is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 28. Nominations may be submitted in person at the Progress Times office at 1217 N. Conway or by mail to Citizen Awards, c/o Progress Times, P.O. Box 399, Mission, Texas 78573. Nominations may also be submitted by email to awards@progresstimes.net or by fax to 956-585-2304.

Man and Woman of Year

Selection criteria for Man of the Year and Woman of the Year are as follows:

To be recognized for superior service either for a significant project or continuing broad service to the community in the past two to 10 years. This may be for work with one organization or for work in several different areas or organizations. The combined duration of service should span no less than two years.

May be for work in civic, church or community groups, or may be for exceptional professional or vocational performance if these labors have had significant impact on the citizens of Mission. Although service to a particular organization is important, service having an impact on the entire community is most desirable.

Must be a resident of Mission or work in Mission.

Mr. Mission and First Lady

Selection criteria for Mr. Mission and First Lady of Mission are the following:

Must have provided long term service to Mission through a civic or church group or in a professional or vocational endeavor or through charitable or benevolent service to the community or a combination of these factors. Service affecting the community as a whole is most desirable.

Service most be ongoing and cover a minimum of 11 years.

Length of service, character and integrity will be among considerations.

Value of service to the community in general is the primary factor.

Must live, work or have significant business interests in Mission.

Nomination Procedure

Nominations must include the nominee’s name, address and phone number as well as the qualifications of the individual. Qualifications may include positions and offices held, number of years of service and a description of the service the individual has given. Also, list any honors the individual has received, whether civic, church, or professional. Include a description of what is particularly outstanding about this individual. Also, include the name and telephone number of the person submitting the nomination.

Nomination forms are available at the Progress Times office and on the newspaper’s Web site: www.progresstimes.net. Forms may be requested by fax: 956-585-2304 or email: awards@progresstimes.net.

Who Makes the Selections?

Honorees for the citizen awards are not chosen by the Progress Times or the Mission Chamber of Commerce. Instead, citizen committees, composed of past recipients of each award, are appointed to review all nominations and make the final selections from those nominated. Any person who works or resides in Mission can submit a nomination.

Nominations were kept on file from last year’s selection process, and while those individuals’ names will be considered again this year, interested citizens are encouraged to submit updates or additional information regarding recent accomplishments of these individuals.

Last year’s award recipients were Luisa Ruiz, First Lady of Mission; Father Roy Snipes, Mr. Mission; Kathy Brown, Woman of the Year, and Bill Filut, Man of the Year.

The Chamber Banquet will be held Oct. 14 at The Club at Cimarron.

Student influx from Mexico strains SISD

By Carina A. Brunson

MISSION — The Sharyland Independent School District has seen an increase of almost seven percent in enrollment compared to last year’s enrollment numbers, district officials said.

At the start of last year, enrollment was at 8,946 students. This year the enrollment is currently at 9,571.

Superintendent Scott Owings said the growth could be attributed to the large influx of people moving here from Mexico.

Board members said they were concerned whether the district has enough resources and time to bring the new students, mostly students who will speak English as a second language, to the same level as current students in the district.

Owings said there were four additional teacher positions opened last year that have not been filled. The position will most likely be filled because of the new growth of the district.

He also said the district would have more definite enrollment numbers after Labor Day.

Other matters discussed at the board’s meeting this week were proposals being awarded for services.

A renewal agreement was made to Linebarger, Goggan, Blair, and Sampson, LLP for collection of delinquent taxes.

The school board awarded a proposal with E-Con Group for the AEP Building at the high school campus for $1.13 million.

Alton council changes proposed tax rate

By Kathy Olivarez

ALTON — City council members approved a revision and increase of the proposed tax rate for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Previously, the tax rate had been proposed at $0.4437 per $100 valuation. The new proposed tax rate is $0.4850.

City Manager Jorge Arcaute at this week’s council meeting said he previously recommended a tax rate that would cover the existing debt the city had. However, he said he failed to figure in the debt on a loan the city was taking to purchase equipment, which led to the proposed increase.

Eva Mireles, a taxing agent with the Hidalgo County Tax Office told the council that they would have to have the new tax rate published in a newspaper twice and hold two public hearings prior to adopting the new rate.

Arcaute said the new rate of $0.4850 would be publicized on Aug. 27 and on Sept. 10. The two public hearings would be held Sept. 7 and 14. The new rate should be adopted on Sept. 21.

Arcaute said the new tax rate would produce revenues of $1,328,300.

The tax rate of $0.4437 would have produced revenue of $1,213,049. The amount of additional revenue is $115,251.

The new rate was still one cent lower than the tax rate of $0.4950 the city charged in 2009. The city’s effective tax rate was $0.5128, Arcaute said.

In other action, Alton Police Chief Enrique Sotelo asked for permission to participate in an inter-local agreement with Hidalgo County for the 2009 Stonegarden Grant. The county received $1,388,322 from the Department of Homeland Security. As a sub-recipient, Alton is entitled to $42,370.63.

The Stonegarden Grant assists counties along the United States border enhance law enforcement preparedness and operational readiness among regional law enforcement agencies in a joint mission to secure the borders.

Sotelo said the city would use the funds to buy digital and portable communication units to be in compliance with Homeland Security requirements. Alton would be purchasing units for officers but would work with Mission, where the main communication center would be operated.

Sotelo said last year’s Stonegarden Grant was fundamental in seizing over 700 pounds of marijuana and 40 kilos of cocaine. Sotelo said he was unsure of the value of the marijuana because values vary from location to location. He said the cocaine had a street value of approximately $700,000.

Efforts of Alton’s police department will be featured in a segment of the show, “Border Wars” to air on the National Geographic channel in late September, Sotelo said. Alton police were filmed in action alongside Border Patrol and ICE agents during an illegal immigrant stash house raid. Two “coyotes” were apprehended and 20 illegal immigrants were found inside a mobile home.

La Joya group donates cash to flood victims

By Edwina P. Garza

LA JOYA—Following the flood, some people needed a laugh, Frances De Leon said.

With that idea, De Leon and members of the Citizens Working Together arranged for a few comedians from the San Antonio area to visit families to help them escape their troubles with a few jokes. The comedy show, held Aug. 13, was also a fund raising event to help these same families get back into their homes.

Along with the comedy show event, where tickets sold for $10, the group of about 40 also hit the streets selling plates of food and collecting donations on La Joya streets. In total, they raised $6,000 in one week, De Leon said.

On Wednesday night, the group distributed checks to the 32 families whose homes were damaged by the floodwaters following Hurricane Alex and Tropical Depression No. 2.

“Everybody did a great job – 100 percent,” she told the group.

De Leon said La Joya Alderpersons Mary Salinas, Isidro Casanova and Victorio Salinas spearhead the group and sought the names and addresses of families affected by flooding from city records. The Compass Bank in Peñitas helped the group print the checks and offered to waive the cashiers check fees.

Families packed into the group’s headquarters off of Leo Avenue to collect their checks before thanking the group for their help on Wednesday.

The group decided to give money over supplies to allow families to use the money how they need. Some families might want to buy personal items on their own or pay rent for temporary houses, De Leon said.

“Only the people know what they need,” she said.

Members of the group said their efforts along with those from other non-profit organizations have helped bring the community together in a real time of need.

“They’re our people, our family,” said Mary Salinas. “If we happen to get into any problem, they would have helped us, too. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. We’re human agents working for the people.”

The group also had help from a number of sponsors at their fundraisers along with elected officials at the county level, members said. The comedians from San Antonio came without charging a fee to perform; each was given a key to the city as a thank you, Salinas said.

“They came through for the community,” she said.

Commissioners discuss budget options

By Edwina P. Garza

EDINBURG — Working with a nearly $5 million shortfall, county commissioners and staff appear optimistic about next year’s budget.
At a budget workshop meeting, the county’s budget officer said reductions from county departments managed to reduce operating costs, bringing the county’s projected budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011 down to $4.8 million from $10.4 million. Additionally, the county’s fund balance is expected to reach an all-time high at year’s end, a remarkable achievement considering the widespread economic woes that plague the nation. Because the Commissioners’ Court operated from the most conservative revenue estimates from County Auditor Ray Eufracio this year, the fund balance is projected to be $24.9 million. A healthy fund balance is imperative to obtaining low-interest on capital improvement bonds, and a fund balance can be used to cover unexpected costs, such as those associated with natural disasters.

Dipping into the fund balance — which is expected to rise even more when Hurricane Dolly Public Assistance reimbursements are received from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency — is only seen as one option in balancing the budget, though. Commissioners’ Court put their heads together today to hear several solutions for making up the remaining $4.8 million shortfall. County Budget Officer Raul Silguero presented the following options:

• Additional departmental reductions in operational costs

• Reducing funding to outside agencies such as several Hidalgo County museums, the county library system or other non-profits

• Contracting with a private company for rural trash collection pick up to reduce county sanitation costs

The Commissioners’ Court said it would not consider an increase in the tax rate, which has held steady at $0.59 per $100 valuation of property for the past eight years. The court also rejected any increases in the effective tax rate.

Silguero also reported that he had met with the administrative judge of the Board of Judges, which sets indigent defense attorney pay rates, and no indication was made that rates would rise again. County Court at Law judges have also agreed to send more cases to the county’s Public Defenders Office. Additional attorney fees may be assessed to defendants as well. Silguero reported that he and his staff are working on developing a better monitoring system for the courts as well, so they will be more aware of their spending levels.

The Commissioners’ Court indicated that reducing salaries across the board should still be considered, and it asked that no reduction in funding for programs aimed at improving the lives of low-income residents be made. Such programs include the Upper Payment Limit (UPL) program that leverages county funds to get federal Medicaid money for indigent health care or the VIDA program that helps people get education and training for jobs in high-paying career fields.

The county budget office will go back to the drawing board based on the court’s recommendations.

A notice of public hearing on the county budget will be published September 11, 2011. The proposed 2011 budget will be filed on September 21, 2010 with the County Clerk’s Office and the County Auditor’s Office. It will also be placed online on the county’s website, HYPERLINK "http://www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/budget"www.co.hidalgo.tx.us/budget. The Hidalgo County Commissioners’ Court must hold a public hearing and adopt the budget for Fiscal Year 2011 on September 28, 2010.

Officials tour proposed Trade Corridor Connector sites

MISSION — State and local leaders met this week to tour facilities and project sites for the proposed Trade Corridor Connector with Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton.

Meeting with Houghton were Hidalgo County Judge Rene Ramirez, Regional Mobility Authority Chair Dennis Burleson, Mission City Manager Julio Cerda, Texas Department of Transportation Engineer Mario Jorge and Hunt Development Owner Paul Curtin.

“We were able to tour the ports, industrial parks and other community assets,” Ramirez said. “I believe he was impressed with the phenomenal growth that is taking place here.”

Recently, the RMA was among a small group of entities that received $70 million in pass through funding from the commission for the Trade Corridor Connector (SH 365) or west corridor project. These funds will help provide a route for traffic carrying shipments to move between the Pharr, Hidalgo and Anzalduas international bridges and local freight facilities to area industrial sites, foreign trade zones, and up the U.S. Highway 281corridor, county officials said.

“We have been traveling back and forth to Austin to advocate for the growing transportation needs of the county,” said Ramirez. “Today’s visit by Commissioner Houghton allowed us to show him where the growth is occurring and why the investments they make in our region are so important to both the local and state economies…We have to continue to explore local solutions for meeting our mobility needs, and to work with the state so that we can attract more dollars to build more roads that keep our economy thriving.”

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