City Council Highlights — tax rate, food pantry, school security

For the third year in a row, the city of Mission’s tax rate will remain at $0.5299 per $100 valuation. Mission City Council unanimously voted to approve the tax rate at the Sept. 12 meeting. 

Along with the tax rate, the council also approved a $157,677,134 budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Last year’s budget was $144,718,227. As part of the new budget, Mission PD and Mission Fire will receive an 8% and roughly 4.5% raise, respectively. Last year Mission FD received a 4% raise while Mission PD received a 6% raise. 

Over the summer, the city council held a series of workshops to discuss the budget and salaries. In addition, the city had mandatory public hearings for constituents to speak on the matters. No one from the Mission community provided input during any of the public hearings. 

FOOD PANTRY

The Mission Food Pantry will now be known as the Food Bank RGV Mission Resource Center. City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley at the Sept. 12 city council meeting. 

The Food Bank of the RGV will provide staffing at the 115 S. Mayberry St. location. However, the city will still be the owner and assume responsibility for the maintenance costs, utility costs, security and insurance for the building and grounds.

Although the Food Bank of the RGV partners with 275 agencies throughout the Valley, the Mission Resource Center will be the first of its kind. Not only will it be a place for those with food insecurities, but visitors can also ask for help with social services such as food stamp applications and Medicaid or Medicare applications. 

The center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or as needed during a disaster declaration or public health crisis. The city plans to hold a ribbon cutting for the grand opening event. 

SCHOOL SECURITY

Mission City Council approved eight additional officers for the Educational Resource Officer Program with Mission CISD. 

The original memorandum of understanding was for seven officers, who would be stationed at MCISD campuses, but now the total number of officers is 15. According to Chief Cesar Torres, the additional eight are for the elementary schools.

The original agreement was for $415,408.69 for seven officers for 172 days. But the amended agreement is for $474,752 for 15 officers for 172 days. 

Mission PD is working with Alton PD, Palmhurst PD and the Precinct 3 Constable’s office to increase security at Mission CISD.