City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you.

Coming up next on ECN, a regularly scheduled meeting of your Edinburgh City Council. On the Council, Mayor Omar Ochoa. Mayor Pro Tem David Salazar. Council Member Dan Diaz. Council Member Jason DeLeon. And Council Member Jerry Lozano. Sitting in as advisors, City Manager Mayra Ayala and City Attorney Ben Alonso. And now, live from the Edinburgh City Hall, the Edinburgh City Council.

Time is 6 p.m. on September 15, 2026. We're calling this regularly scheduled City Council meeting to order. I do see that we've got all members of council present, so we do have a quorum. If we could, please rise and start with a prayer. Will we be led by Pastor David Alexander?

Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor, council, residents. Let's pray. Oh, Lord, oh, Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. We recognize you as... the almighty sovereign whom we are dependent upon. We thank you for a city that still recognizes this dependency. We thank you for a country whose motto is in God we trust. And so, Lord, tonight we are trusting you to lead with wisdom the affairs of this evening, granting wisdom to our council and those that are speaking. Lord, may... this chamber be an evidence of the unity of this community as we converse and dialogue the matters in which you've entrusted to us in orderly fashion, looking for peace and looking for a movement forward rather than argument. Lord, thank you for just an incredible place in which we live. Thank you for the blessing of this area, the blessing of our leadership. Lord, we just thank you for the peace that comes here In Jesus' name, amen.

Captain Rodriguez, if you can lead us in the pledge.

Yes, sir, with honor. I'd ask everyone to please stand. If you are able, remove your headgear, place your right hand over your heart, and let's say together. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

Next item is the certification of public notice. Madam Secretary?

Yes, sir, Mayor. The meeting is posted in accordance with Texas Open Meeting Act on September 9, 2026 at 8.40 p.m., sir.

And the next item is the disclosure of conflict of interest. Mr. City Attorney?

Mr. Mayor, under state law, a local government official is required to disclose a substantial interest for themselves or certain family members and abstain from voting on matters related to such conflict. Are there any conflicts to disclose related to the pending matters on today's agenda?

No.

Thank you.

All right. Next item are city highlights. A few events coming up that I did want to bring to the public's attention. It is on the agenda, which is available online if you'd like to read off of it yourself. But coming up September 24th, so it'll be next Thursday, the Edinburgh Municipal Court is having a car seat checkup and giveaway. Is anybody from the court here? Maribel? This is actually super cool. I wasn't even aware of all the details. Could you tell us about this? So we're giving away car seats?

Yes, we are.

We are, your mayor.

Maribel Velazquez, municipal court coordinator. Yes, we are. On that day, we are giving away some car seats. We'll be checking car seats also. It's exclusive for Edinburgh residents, and it's from 6 to 8 that we're having it. We do have a couple of agencies that are assisting, which is Edinburgh PD, the fire department, And then also, I believe FAR and DPS. They're assisting with that. So it'll be there at the municipal court.

Awesome.

Yes.

Thank you. Thank you so much for that.

All righty.

And I know the court's doing this as a priority because it is the law. You are supposed to have a car seat, right? If you've got children under a certain age or under a certain height. And so you will get ticketed from it. I've seen it happen. So the court's doing what it can right now to assist in checking those car seats and giving away some free car seats to people who come out also. But more than anything, to raise awareness about this issue.

Exactly. To prevent any accidents. We've seen a couple of fatalities, you know, within the last few years, and that's one of the reasons that we stepped up and thought we could do this for our community here in Edinburgh. Excellent. Thank you. You're welcome.

We also have some exciting celebration coming up for our fire department, celebrating 100 years of history in our city. We are going to have a 5K on Saturday, October 3rd at 7.30 p.m. It'll be starting right here outside of the main fire station. Really, really cool event to come out here and say thank you to all of the people who have ever been involved in the fire department, from the paid staff to the volunteers to the ladies' auxiliary, on down the line, all kinds of history celebrating 100 years of that. And then that evening, that Saturday evening, our Edinburgh Fire Stoppers Festival will be occurring at Promenade Park. music, games, food for the families to come out and enjoy. So please join us for those as well. Next item on the agenda is the mayor's report. So tonight is a very exciting night. It is budget night. We have a city budget that we are presenting to the residents tonight and is up for discussion and ultimately adoption by the city council. I did want to through some of the highlights of this budget and I wanted to take the mayor's report opportunity to do that in case there are citizens who are coming up planning to speak about it during public comments I want you to at least have the benefit of my remarks as well there's a public hearing section later so you can come up and speak on that also so plenty of opportunity to come and give your opinions on that but I just want to say that I'm very proud of this city budget that's being presented this evening city management the finance department all city directors have worked incredibly hard to create a balanced budget. And we are doing it without raising taxes at all. And it's a remarkable thing, honestly, because there have been some changes in state law that have increased exemptions, homestead exemptions, disability over 65, military veterans, all great things. But what that does is it reduces the city's ability to collect additional revenue through property taxes. Despite that, despite that, The city of Edinburgh is not raising property taxes to be able to collect more. As a matter of fact, the property tax rate that is being proposed and that I anticipate will be adopted tonight is lower than the no new revenue tax rate. What that means is because the city is keeping it at its current rate, we will actually be generating less property taxes from the same taxpayers last fiscal year. So it is a remarkable thing. The city of Edinburgh has never done this, adopted a tax rate that's below the no new revenue rate, but it was an important thing to be fiscally responsible. We've made this promise all along, and we're delivering on it. Some of the things that we've done in terms of financial management, we've also reduced our solid waste transfers. There's been some issues in the past with transferring millions of dollars. I know the solid waste had to go out for bonds for equipment this past year, right, for example, but we're reducing the amount that's being transferred out of our solid waste fund And at the same time, still being able to finance almost $2 million in additional heavy machinery for our solid waste so that we don't fall behind on our trash collections and trash processing. At the same time, we are reducing the airport and the golf courses reliance on transfers from solid waste, meaning that they are now generating more revenue and relying less on the taxpayers to fund gaps in operations. And we are looking to have both our golf courses and our airport break even so that they're at the very least, if not in the future, start making money so that our taxpayers don't have to foot the bill for any of those operations. We've also been able to tighten our belts and trim administrative costs by a million dollars through a variety of savings, findings, things that we can cut and provide more services for you, the residents. So all of these fiscal management have been an essential pillar. Along with that, another essential pillar is infrastructure investments. And for this, we are stepping up, like I said, despite the fact that we're not raising taxes. A million dollars for our utility systems to improve water lines throughout the city of Edinburgh. Two million dollars to do revitalization for our downtown water treatment plant so that we can continue to provide clean water to our residents. Over two million dollars to modernize our wastewater system. So all of our sewer infrastructure lift stations will be rehabilitated throughout the city. The city is setting aside monies to be able to do all of these infrastructure investments at the same time. We are also enhancing the quality of life. We've got $250,000 that we're putting to upgrade playground equipment throughout the city. On top of that We are setting aside another $233,000 to upgrade playground equipment, specifically at Edinburgh Municipal Park, making sure that all of our equipment out there is safe and is able to be used. We're doing upgrades to the Chapin Street hike and bike trail. We are building brand-new public restrooms for that trail out there as well. It's a beautiful trail, and we want everybody to be able to enjoy it. And we are continuing to invest in our cultural arts and our festivals here in Edinburgh. We call ourselves the City of Festivals. We just wrapped up our International Film Festival where we had directors, movie producers submit films from all around the world. It was a fantastic weekend highlighting our city of Edinburgh to visitors far and wide. And so these cultural arts is an important investment both to increase tourism, to attract people to Edinburgh, but also to enhance the quality of life for all of us through arts and culture. We are also investing in public safety, including over half a million dollars for modernizing our police fleet patrol units, investing in drone and police technology so that we can continue our first responder program, which Edinburgh was the first city in the Rio Grande Valley to have, drone as a first responder program we are also investing in police officers safety protective gear as well as new equipment and gear for our fire department also and so just wanted to highlight that this budget truly reflects our core values fiscal management and investment in and real services towards the city of Edinburgh infrastructure public safety cultural arts and on down the line so I just want to say one more time thank you very much to our city management for being so responsible with this budget to all of our city departments for stepping up to find these administrative cuts that are allowing us to do these investments without having to raise your taxes in the process it's a pledge that we made when we started this process and it's one that we are delivering on tonight so council thank you also for your work throughout this budget process All right, that concludes my long-winded mayor's report. Moving on now to proclamations and recognitions. First item A is a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. If the secretary could please read the caption, and then the secretary will read the proclamation. City Council will come down with the proclamation. If we could take some pictures with you all, and then if you can stay to say some comments, please.

Yes, your mayors. Presentation of Proclamation recognizing September 25, 2026 as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims as requested by Robert Garcia. National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. Whereas the National Parents of Murdered Children established September 25 as the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims due to the unanimously passed resolutions by the United States Senate on October 16, 2007 and the United States House of Representatives on May 14, 2007. And whereas POMC is dedicated to honoring the memory of those lost to violence and recognizing the profound and lasting trauma that families and communities endure alongside the work of the Rio Grande Valley Families and Friends of Murdered Children, which has served more than 2,400 families in our region since 2013. And whereas in 2025, 39 lives were lost to homicide across the Rio Grande Valley, affecting an estimated 390 surviving family members and loved ones, demonstrating the impact of homicide extends far beyond each individual victim. And whereas behind every statistic is a name, a face, a life, a family, and a legacy of love that must never be forgotten. And whereas survivors of homicide victims channel their pain and grief into powerful stories of courage that reject retaliation and isolation, instead embracing compassion, peace, and justice for others. And whereas families in our community remind us daily that behind every statistic is a face, a name, and a legacy of love that must never be forgotten. And whereas surviving families demonstrate extraordinary courage as they transform grief into remembrance, advocacy, compassion, violence, prevention, and a continuing pursuit of healing and justice. And whereas on September 25, 2026, RGVFFOMC will host its 14th annual Candlelight Vigil at the Jose Pepe Salinas Memorial Recreation Center in Pharr, Texas, under the message, Every Candle Tells a Story, bringing families and the community together to honor the lives and legacies of those lost to homicide. And whereas the City of Edinburgh joins surviving families in declaring that every name matters, every life has a story, every legacy deserves to be remembered. Now, therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, by the power vested in them by law, do hereby proclaim September 25, 2026 as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims in the City of Edinburgh and encourage our community to remember those whose lives were taken by violence to support their surviving families and loved ones and to reaffirm our collective commitment to compassion, healing, remembrance, public safety, and justice.

Can I say a few words?

Yes, if you could please.

Mayor, thank you for having us. My name is Robert Garcia. I'm the founder and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Family and Friends of Murdered Children. And I have distinguished families that are very privileged, very courageous, resilient, that have shown me unconditional love. Some have been with me for 12 years, and some are new as of November of this past year. So my journey started on September 13, 2011, when my brother, Rogelio Roger Garcia, Coast Guard veteran, was murdered by her late wife in a murder-suicide in Hardington, Texas. I received a piercing phone call out of Rio Grande City, where I was born and raised. My mother, Dalia Rosa Garcia, called and said, I took off to Harlingen as the first responders were putting the crime scene ribbon, the yellow ribbon. I saw an ambulance to my right leaving, and I asked the officer, Who is that individual in the ambulance? I said, well, there was a lady talking, going in the ambulance. So I asked him, where's my brother? Is that your brother? There's somebody in the house in there. I understand it's crime scene. It's a raw reaction. I went under the crime scene, and I immediately saw my brother in the pool of blood. That forever changed me. And that's forever changed my family. And I made a promise, just like a note, that any police officer or military service or anybody in the oath of office of service in civic service, I made that promise to my mom that my brother didn't die in vain, that we will pursue justice and we will seek and remember the memories of each life. At that time, there was no services. National Parents of Murdered Children, which I'm a contact person, here for South Texas, has been with me for 15 years. So when we talk, and I say we, all my victims, we want the leadership, not only in this community that I represent and I live and I pay taxes myself, is to see us as individuals, as human beings, not necessarily as victims. Victims were projected by the death of a victim that is six feet under. But when you see us, you tell us You stand with us, you hear us, and you will be with us. That's the message of the proclamation you did today, Mayor, and city council members. That is a reminder for them. I carry that torch. I carry those innocent lives that were taken by violence. And as I remember, I'm going to mention and recognize the names that are here. Some families have two members that have died of victims of violent crime. Some have had three. I have had three and an unfortunate in my family. Rogelio Roger Garcia was my brother, Efrain Garcia and Daniel Vega. Jolisa Rangel, Eric Sanchez, Alcindio Sanchez, Windy Escobedo, Julio Soto Jr., Julio Villarreal, Freddy Otiveros, Kevin Gonzalez, Agustin Molina, Ever Islas, Juan Nava and Cynthia Chavez. Did I meet anybody? Did I leave anybody out? Those are the victims. We are asking for you all's help and support to go out there on September 25th. It's on a Friday. We understand it's Friday Night Lights, but for us, it's one special day. If you all can attend and see the testament of the courage of voices the battle cries of the families that you see, the altars that were made there, it is amazing. And it's a resilience that gives me the power and the energy and the passion to continue this fight. Because the honor that we have, the memory that they instilled us, it is a pleasure of us for you to remember who is Roger and who are the other families involved there. We're looking at about 275 to 300 people that show up or victims that show up. This morning, I did the County Commissioner's Court. Yesterday, I did McAllen. Last Thursday, or last Tuesday, I did the City of Pharr. The event is going to be at the Pepe Salinas Memorial at 1013 West Kelly. They've been the host city for the last 10 years, so I appreciate the Mayor Ambrosio and the commission there to taking us under the wing in helping us in obtaining that pavilion memorial center. And with you all's in the past of helping, I would love to see one of y'all. Mayor, I asked Justice Cortez this morning to do the proclamation read. He said that he was gonna get on his calendar, because he wasn't aware. Just as an alternative, I'm gonna have you, if you're not doing busy that day, to see if you can do the proclamation for the city, as we would love your company to be there, or any other city council members. Thank you for listening. Thank you for seeing the hurt, but the resilience and the courage of the families. God bless you, and hopefully we will see you there.

Is there anyone else who would like to say anything? The floor is yours if you would like. Anyone else? No? I just want to say thank you to the families for being here this evening. It shows true courage to be here tonight. It is unimaginable what it is that you all have gone through. Murder is a terrible crime that rips apart families, splits communities, and leaves a lasting impact on you for the rest of your lives. And I just want to tell all of you, thank you so much for being here tonight. This is a subject that we need to talk about. We need to remember the families of the victims who are left behind. And do know that the Edinburgh Police Department does provide services. There is a crime victim liaison position at our police department that provides a variety of services, helping you get grant funding, helping you track down information, keeping you informed of what's going on with the case. Because at the end of the day, you're not just dealing with the tragedy of what occurred. You're fighting for justice. And so we recognize the struggle that it is that you all go through. We're very, very, very sorry for what it is that you have had to live through. But please know that there are people who see you, who love you, and that we are here for you. So thank you again for being here tonight. The next item that we have on the agenda is a proclamation recognizing the 1977 Edinburgh High School Boys Cross Country UIL State Champions for their induction into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. So if the secretary could please read the proclamation. City Council will come down with the proclamation. If the members here would like to come up so we could take a couple of pictures.

Yes, your mayor. 1977 State Champion Edinburgh High School Boys Cross Country Team Day. Whereas the sport of cross country, running demands extraordinary speed, endurance, discipline, and steadfast dedication to triumph over rigorous courses and elite competition. And whereas in the fall of 1977, the Edinburgh High School Boys Cross Country Team, comprising of Armando Reyna, Bernie Salas, Richard Garcia, Rolando Perez, Ricardo Perez Jr., Mario Romero, and Isaias Coronado, led by head coach Homer Martinez, embarked on an unforgettable athletic journey. And whereas the Bobcats established early dominance by capturing the District 28 5A championship with 44 points and went on to claim the regional championship crown in San Marcos with 71 points. And whereas on December 10, 1977, competing in freezing conditions on a grueling two-mile course in Georgetown, Texas, the Bobcats scored 79 points to defeat defending state champion El Paso Austin and win the UIL state championship. And whereas this monumental victory marked the first time in history that any athletic team from Edinburgh High School or any high school cross-country team from the Rio Grande Valley won a Texas State Championship. And whereas the enduring legacy of these student athletes and Coach Homer Martinez was permanently honored on June 28, 2025, with their induction into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame Team Hall of Honor. And whereas their historic feat continues to serve as a beacon of pride, resilience, and inspiration, for Edinburgh CISD and the entire City of Edinburgh community. Now therefore, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, by the power vested in them by law, do hereby proclaim September 16, 2026 as 1977 State Champion Edinburgh High School Boys Cross Country Team Day in the City of Edinburgh and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the legendary achievements, teamwork, and lasting sports heritage of this championship team.

All right, gentlemen, this has been a long time coming. But congratulations. Would you like to say a few words, please?

Sure. You know, we always want to represent the city of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh School District. You know, we do have a legendary coach, Homer Martinez, who was our coach in 1977, continues to be a coach with the Edinburgh School District. It's an honor to be here by you, Mayor, and the city council and our citizens. You know, we work very hard. People don't know that to become a state champion, even a district champion or regional champion or state champion, our team has to run between 50 to 75 miles a week. And you're talking about running five minutes or sub-five minute miles to train to accomplish this huge accomplishment. And we call it winning the trifecta. When you win district, regional, and state, the significance that everybody should know is that it was done with three seniors, Two freshmen and two juniors on the team. And we beat a defending powerhouse of El Paso, Austin, El Paso, Riverside, where they have mountains up where they're here. We just have flat land. But, you know, it's great coaching by Coach Martinez. And he's been a successful coach throughout his career and winning state champions, you know. building state champions at Edinburgh ISD and representing our city. Because, you know, when we go past Falfurrias, you know, we want to recognize that, you know, Edinburgh exists and we are a powerhouse of runners. Edinburgh is a running community and it's, you know, we've got the Edinburgh 10K and all these 10Ks or 5Ks that we do every year. And, you know, I want to pass the mic over to our legendary coach, Homer Martinez.

It's not much more I can say after Rick, but it is an honor for me to have been their coach. To say that being a state champion is big is really something that rarely happens. We're the only one in a big division that has ever won the state championships. And not only that, but we also had some individual champions throughout the time that we've been here with the program. And I'm sure most of them have been recognized. But to win as a team is very hard. To say that you're the top one in the state of Texas. Texas, as you know, is the top on everything in the country. So it's been an honor to have worked with this young man. And it's something that is a title that they earn, that they're state champions. And it's something that will always be with them. I want to thank the consuls and Mayor Shoaff for allowing us to take a little bit of your time to recognize this young man. And I'm very proud of him because this is what it's all about. And I always tell them, we don't go to school to participate in sports. will go to school to become better people. And that's what they did. And that's where they're at where they're at. And I'm very proud of all of them. Rick being the chief of police for the district, it means a lot. It keeps all of us in line. So thank you very much and appreciate everything.

I just want you all to notice one thing about these pictures in the front is the uniforms, you know. And I have a professor, his name was Dr. Samper, and he had a picture of a PE class with kids who were 19, 22. And he said, what can anybody say about this picture? And we couldn't, we're all baffled. What's the difference? It's the same kids, just a different uniform. But the people are still there just like us.

this time thank you very much amazing gentlemen thank you all so much thank you so much for what you've done to highlight Edinburgh through your career here in cross-country but that you all continue you all continue to be engaged citizens giving back you are exactly the types of role models that we want our young kids to know about so highlighting these stories and from the past of what's occurred. We did it recently also with the 1980 State Baseball Championship for the American Legion. These are stories that we can't forget because they mean something. They're impactful. And the more we repeat them and the more we tell people about them, the kids today will know that they can do it too and that they can not only achieve the top level of success in sports now, but that they can go forward and achieve the top level of success in their careers even after that. that even if you're a state championship, that is not the end of life. There are more and bigger things set out for them too. So thank you gentlemen for setting that wonderful example. Where did the picture go? You all can have the picture. If anybody wants it, you're more than welcome to take it. Yes, thank you. All right, next item on the agenda are the public comments. Madam Secretary?

Yes, Sheriff Mayor. Good evening, everyone. The Edinburgh City Council allows for a specific portion of the City Council meeting to be dedicated to public comments. Public comments are limited to three minutes. I will be taking time. Please note the public comment period is not interactive. The Council may not respond to public comments. At this time, Mayor and Council, there are three public comments. The first one is Ms. Fern McCarrity regarding taxpayers' money.

I just wanted to know which ones they were in the order, but gentlemen, every time I come here, I feel like I am singing the same song and this council gives me the same answer. Don't worry. It's COVID money. Don't worry. It's EDC money. So I want to say this as clearly as I can. All the money that this council has comes from the people and is there and therefore public money. COVID money is either federal money taken as taxes or money borrowed by the federal government to address an issue. In reference to the Edinburgh Economic Corporation, all of its money comes from the city of Edinburgh. The return on money invested by the Edinburgh EDC is public money. Please don't tell me not to worry because if you're operating this as a private sector, like you do the city, you'd be out of business in no time. This council is going to build a facility on the grounds of the golf course and call it a job resource center. So when your husbands say he's going to look for a new job, you know he really might be going out to play golf. Gentlemen, I am getting calls saying that the water bills have doubled and people are not happy. I think it is because when you raise water rates, it increased treatment costs, and before you know it, your utility bill has doubled. I did not know that the new water connection requires a $100 deposit and proof of property ownership. I think this is a result of new renters finding out how much utilities cost are in Edinburgh. The city has benefited from the growth of multi-family housing, but this is a very mobile population. Just like they came into the community, they can easily move to a bigger and better place depending on the lease agreement. I would suggest that the city establish encouragement packages for single family homeowners as a mean of lowering their cost. How recycling pickup and lowering cost of water conservation would be helpful. These are the long-term payers of the utility bills. And I also have an item tonight, 10A. I believe I gave each of you a copy of it. And my question, it's a variance again. And here we go. The developer is requesting to is not wanting to wider the escrow, the additional 10 foot of right-of-way along Chapin Road. They're talking about it's going to cost them. But my thing is, when y'all have the rules, everyone should abide by it. And I keep asking y'all. But it's the good old boys club. And we know whose property and things are out there and what happens. And so we're on the the staff has recommended denying of this variance. So I'm hoping the public are watching, and some of y'all are up for election, and these variances are the people call me, and that's why I asked you. And my thing is, why do you have the Planning and Zoning Commission, and then you have your own staff, and they ask you to deny it? So we'll watch tonight to see how you do. Thank you.

The next public comment is Ms. Deborah Gomez regarding item 12A.

Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Council. My name is Deborah Gomez, and I'm here on behalf of the Museum of South Texas History regarding Ordinances 12A in regards to consideration. All we are asking is our event, which is our largest fundraiser on site, Fandango 2026, will happen on October 3rd. All we are asking is to help with the special use permit to be able to close off the streets, which is Loeb and 12, and it's block 209, lots 1 and 24. We're asking for the help because we will be using the county parking lot And in order to do that, we would have to cross the street and to keep everybody safe. We will have a vehicle, but we will have a lot of people walking. It's only in the essence to keep everyone safe. So I also have Fernando here with facilities who helps run the facilities. He's walked it through. We did have a meeting with the city. I just want to follow up and let you all know that we would highly consider or highly ask that you consider this so that we can be able to have a safe event that evening. Thank you so much for your time and thank you for all you do for our city.

The next public comment is Ms. Diane Teeter regarding taxes and budget.

Good evening, Diane Teeter. I'd like to talk about one cent or one penny. It can't buy much in our individual lives, but one cent can impact the entire future of Edinburgh because municipal government at its best is a rising tide that lifts all boats. And while 20 to 25% of our families live below the poverty line, the majority live above it. Every single household, every single neighborhood depends on the exact same essential services to keep this city strong. For years, Edinburgh has held its tax rate at 63 cents per 100 valuation, and tonight you are proposing to maintain it again at that rate. But the full context is our calculated no new revenue rate is 6,303 cents. In plain terms, Edinburgh is choosing to collect less than what is required just to keep our revenue flat. This is structural bell tightening. Are we entirely depending on new development to carry the load? What about our one small library, parks, green spaces, and more, which lag behind and need improvement and growth? So I would like to request a one cent increase to our tax rate because that single cent acts as a powerful money multiplier. One cent is an investment that multiplies our collective resources of one cent. It turns a small fractional contribution into hundreds of thousands of dollars that go directly into safer neighborhoods and structural longevity. Holding a tax rate flat does not hold inflation flat. In the past, we funded new police units, fire trucks, a 3% pay plan for first responders, and a steady push toward a $15-hour minimum wage. These are not luxuries. These are the basic fundamental costs of keeping a city safe and functioning. And here's the fiscal truth we cannot ignore. Maintenance postponed is maintenance multiplied. When we refuse to leverage that money multiplier, we face immediate consequences. Recent spikes in employee health care costs have forced the city to curtail its street paving program. A one cent investment today in our municipal government triggers the money multiplier that strengthens the rising tide lifting all our boats tomorrow. Gentlemen, you're all business people, wouldn't you Invest one penny in your business in order to get the same rate of return we get here. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Teeter.

Any other comments?

No, sir.

All right. Next item is public hearings. Let me see. One second. So for items A and B, My understanding on these two items is that there is a development agreement that the city is working on with this particular landowner in which we're trying to get a lift station that will bring sewer to West Owassa, correct?

Yes, Mayor, that is correct.

Okay. We're still not at an agreement on that development agreement?

As of right now, the agreement is still being reviewed.

Okay, so it's still pending. So it's still pending, correct. That being the case, I would propose to City Council that we table items A and B until we are able to finalize a development agreement so that it's all presented at the same time.

Move to approve.

There's a motion and a second to table items A and B. Any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes. A and B are tabled. Next item is item C. If Secretary could read the caption.

Yes, sir, Mayor. Hold public hearing. Consider the sign variance request to the City of Edinburgh Unified Development Code as follows. One, Article 4, Section 4.302E4B, size and proportions to allow an electronic message area exceeding 50% of the total sign area. Number two, Article 4, Section 4.303-3, permanent freestanding sign to allow maximum Permitted sign area and height for a pole sign. As described, located at 503 Conquest Boulevard, as requested by A.J.

Ferrara. The public hearing is now open on this item. Anybody wishing to speak for or against can come forward.

Hi, good evening. My name is Joe Habush. I'm general counsel of the Verdad Granada Group. I WANTED TO SAY FIRST THANK YOU TO MR. ACEVEDO AND HIS STAFF. THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN THIS PROCESS. THE VARIANCE IN THIS INSTANCE IS FOR A NEW SIGN. IT'S GOING TO BE THE FIRST STAGE IN SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE EDINBURG AREA FOR THOSE DEALERSHIPS. I HAVE MR. FERRARI HERE WHO CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THE SIGN, AND THEN MR. VACKER WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT, GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THAT AREA.

Hi, I'm AJ Ferrara.

I'm the contractor sign developer and this sign is a Dictronic sign. It's a state of the art, the latest. It is in a vertical cell phone ratio, which makes it different. Most digital signs are horizontal, so that's the future. That's what's coming and it is just part of the Burdockton development. As far as any type of dimming, it requires It follows any state laws. It automatically dims down as the light comes up. And so everything is state of the art. It is not going to be a sign that you're going to have problems with or blinking or anything like that. Do you have any questions for me?

Yes, sir. I have a question. the large attorney sign next to it? How do you compare both signs?

So it's very similar, except it's in the format of more vertical. And it's the same technology. In fact, it's the same company that I know that their sign is also an electronic sign.

That's all right.

This is off of the expressway, right? By Conquest? Conquest and the expressway? Correct. I think Mr. Vacker was going to speak on this. What is going on out there at that specific area?

Good evening.

What we're proposing, but what's going to happen is this is phase one of a multi-phase project. That sign will go up on that location, and that will become a used car lot for the Cadillac dealership because we're running out of room there on the freeway. So once we do that, then we'll move south on the other side of the Nissan store, Fiesta Nissan, and we're developing all the way down to the point. If you drive out there, you see those red rails? Okay, that's all going to be developed. And then we've already gotten the permission from the state of Texas to adopt that curve and clean that up down at that far end. Then we come back on the back side, and as you come off to South Clauser, right there, you see that mechanic shop there? We've already terminated their lease, and that'll all be cleaned up, and it'll go away. And then we come on down, and we'll clean up there behind the Nissan store. So what we're looking at is about this phase of the project, and in fact, We ordered, last week we ordered 200 palm trees. So we're going to start landscaping all the way down the freeway from the school that's where this property is, all the way around the curb and back. And then once we get this project complete there, our plans are to take the Fiesta Chevrolet store and we're going to move it down to Owasa and the expressway, keeping it on the north side in the city of Edinburgh. And then we'll take the Buick GMC store and where we are right now, the GMC, the store, the south part of that by the Chick-fil-A will become a GMC Truck Center. What's now Fiesta Chevrolet will become Buick. So that whole thing right there, you're talking somewhere close to $45 million. And if we get the permission and get General Motors to approve it, we'll start immediately. But then also, we've also in negotiation with Greater Hartford. We own the property right at that entrance right behind Academy into the shops of the Rio Grande. We finally got them to agree to not put one of those huge sign like they have on Trenton. So we've already agreed to a monument sign and they've given us renditions. It looks really good. So once they agree to that, we'll have to give them some footage and they can complete that entrance there. And then we'll take that piece of property and we're going to put something there, and I don't know exactly what, but we'll do some development on that property. So when we get through with this whole thing, you're probably talking $50 million, and you're probably talking 7,500 new jobs. So it's going to be a long process. I'm hoping this thing is going to get the jump start. We're going to jump start it. Excellent.

As far as the sign, how much is it going to cover the actual building right beside it that lowers off? How much is it going to cover it? Is it going to cover it in any way?

I'm sorry, what?

The sign, is it going to cover that building in any way because it's vertical?

No, none whatsoever, no. Okay. No. If you drive that frontage road, no. You can see the whole thing. And what it'll give it, what it's going to give us some visibility is that building has covered our Cadillac sign. So if you're coming from the north, you can't see that at all. So what we're having to do actually is put a sign there to alert people, hey, there's a Cadillac store right here. But no, it won't hide their sign.

Excellent. A lot of activity out there.

Yeah, and we got out some other stuff, but I don't want to talk about it. But we're doing a lot with Edinburgh. We just keep pushing, pushing, pushing. Our big holder, believe it or not, I was on the telephone with General Motors today. They want to do a market study. I said, why, you know? I said, let me get you to come to this meeting in Edinburgh. They can tell you what's going on. I want to get moving, but you know how corporations work, large corporations like that. So they're doing a market study on letting us make the move to Owasso. We're trying to keep everything in Edinburgh. So if we hit the north side of Owasso, everything stays in Edinburgh. And then what we'll do also, once we get the Chevrolet down there, we're going to take the Subaru store and we'll move it. down on Owasso also. So it's going to change that whole setup there at Trenton. And what is that, Clauser?

Yeah.

Excellent.

Yeah.

I was one of those bean counters at GM once upon a time.

Oh, were you? So I know what you're talking about.

Yeah, but no, Edinburgh's growing. So, yes, I agree.

Well, I'd have to come back to you guys and say, hey, if we need to get some numbers together to show them. But I think we've got all the pieces put together.

All right.

Thank you. Yes, sir.

Hi, Matt. Yes. So on this particular sign, why is it requiring a variance?

Because of the seismic, what they're proposing is a 30 by 65 square foot sign. It's going to have a component of an LED screen that's going to be 45 by 25. Now, currently, that's 1,125 square feet. What's allowed there on the expressway is 200 square feet. Now, that's the current UDC. The new UDC is going to be a little bit more flexible, but this would still require variance even under the new UDC.

Okay. The actual LED sign, it's a portion of what's being proposed. It's not the entire – the entire monument sign is not a digital sign, correct?

Right. It's a portion. It's about 58% of the face is going to be LED. Okay. And the height of it, currently along the expressway, we allow 40 feet. and what's being proposed is 65 feet. So those are the two variances on the square footage and on the height.

Right.

Yeah, and I remember, you know, we've had some issues with the sign ordinance right in the past. There's a little bit of things that we need to look at. For example, it allows for a percentage of a wall, right? Not necessarily looking at the size of the sign itself. So I just feel like there's some things that we need to tweak on it. What's being addressed in terms of the expressway signs?

we're going to be going a little bit higher along the expressway because currently it's 40 and along the expressway everybody does 60 or 80 and we're proposing 60 so this would still be five feet over but it'd be close to what is being proposed okay any other questions okay thank you uh public hearing is still open anybody wishing to speak for against this item can come forward all right seeing none public hearing is now closed is there a motion

Move to approve. Second.

Motion to second to approve any discussion.

All right. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed. Motion passes. Next item, if the Secretary could read the caption.

Mr. Mayor, hold public hearing consider the time variance request to the City of Edinburgh Unified Development Code, Article 4, Section 4.305-B18, prohibited signage that are located on or extended over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public property. As described, located at 5502 South McCall Road, as requested by Roberto Gonzalez.

All right, the public hearing is now open on this item. Anybody wishing to speak for or against can come forward. All right, seeing none, public hearing is closed. Is there a motion on this item?

Motion to approve.

Second. There's a motion to approve and a second. On this particular item, I did have some questions. So this is over at Driscoll?

Yes, Mayor, this is at the Driscoll Hospital.

And so I know there's a sign already existing, right, where they want to put this new sign. Is that correct?

Well, actually, that same sign is going to be refaced. So what they're doing is the cabinet on top is going to change in dimensions. It's going to be a 10 by 10 now. I think the one that's there is probably like six feet. Tall by about 12 feet wide. Okay. They're just changing it to more of a square sign.

Okay. And why does it require a variance?

It requires a variance mirror because when we got the building permit for that sign, we noticed that it's on state right-of-way. It's not on their property per se. So any sign that's not on their property requires a variance.

I see. So a portion, are we talking about like the overhang of the sign? We're talking about the sign. The sign itself. Oh, okay. So the sign itself is within state right-of-way?

Correct. Okay. I will say that when they got their signage permit for the whole entire Driscoll Hospital, this sign was excluded. It wasn't in there. It wasn't until they came in to reface it that we noticed. Okay.

All right. So then that being the case, aside from that, the dimensions of the sign, the sign itself, would it have required a variance? No.

It's just based on the location.

Okay. Gotcha. And it's, I mean, I imagine... If you're even able to speak to this, maybe you're not. It's still subject, right, to all of the requirements of being in the right-of-way. If some issue were to come up, then they've got to deal with it, right, because the state owns the right-of-way ultimately.

That's correct. And the likelihood is that TxDOT may come to Driscoll one day and tell them that it's on the right-of-way.

Okay.

All right. Okay. Straightforward enough. So the sign itself, right, doesn't have the issues. It's just the placement of it being in state property.

That's correct, Mayor.

Okay.

Any other questions or discussion?

Okay. All right, there's a motion and a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes. Next items are the public hearing routine items. There's only one. As a reminder, these routine items, the recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission, wait.

What's that? Oh, it is.

Oh, okay. Well, thank you. Thank you for pointing that out. All right, so... Same treatment on this would be my recommendation, then, is that this one be tabled as well since the previous A and B items are tabled so that we can finalize the development agreement. Motion to table. Second.

All right.

Motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Next item is 10A. If the secretary could read the caption.

Yes, sir, Mayor. Consider the variance request to the city's Unified Development Code as follows. Number one, Article 5, Section 5.301. Dedication of improvements, A, street and right-of-way. 3, perimeter streets. Payment or fee in lieu required, A. And 2, Article 5, Section 5.2.10. Utilities, E, sanitary sewers. 2, requirements for sanitary sewer for Montemayor State Subdivision as described. Located at 3220 West Chapin Road. It's requested by Quintanilla, Haley & Associates.

All right. Is there a motion on this item? Motion approved. Second. A motion and a second. Any discussion?

My understanding that the owners are willing to give up the right-of-way to the city in case it needs to be utilized? Yes, that's correct, Mayor.

Good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council Members. Alfonso Quintanilla from Quintanilla Health & Associates here from Maribor, Texas. I am representing the families of the existing homes. But to attest to your question, yes, they have agreed to dedicate the additional right-of-way along Chapin as required by the city's MPO plan. Thank you.

That's part of it already, though, right? They're going to dedicate it already.

They're going to donate it to the plan. It's already shown on the plan that is here on the scene.

Because the house is already there. It's not like they're not building a new subdivision or anything like that. The homes already exist.

It's a family matter. It's a long story, but the original parents passed away along the way, but they had gifted their sons and daughters each, so they all built their homes. But the mom was the one that passed away in recent times, and now... the families that are there consulted with an attorney and said, you need to file a plot to rectify all of this. So it's just for that purpose.

But all the homes are there. Correct. And I saw that there was an earlier variance before they actually gave up the frontage of that property. That's correct. Yes, sir. Right. Thank you. Thank you.

Okay. Sorry. I'm not following. So what now? The city is getting, the city is getting, so do we need the variance? What's going on? Sorry.

Well, I was playing with you. Let me just tell them a little bit. This is two variances. One of the variances is not to connect to the existing sewer that's in the area. Okay. Because these homes are existing homes. They're on septic tanks already. So they want to remain on septic tanks. The other part is they're dedicating, by the plat, an additional 10 feet of right-of-way along Chapin. It's 264 feet along Chapin that they're dedicating via the plat. So we're okay with that. But what they don't want to do is pay the additional street-widening cost along Chapin. That's the other variance that they're seeking. I see.

They're only going through this because of the passing of, I guess, their grandma?

The parents.

The parents, yes.

It's an existing condition, like I said, but the rules don't distinguish them. That's why the requirements are the same.

So both, they're both homes are there, right? So both homes.

No, there's actually six homes.

Oh, there's six homes.

This one came when the mayor came on shortly after. It's the second time it's been here.

Okay. Okay. So the city will be getting the right-of-way then, right?

Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor.

It's just the city will not be getting the escrow or the road built out.

That's right.

Okay, gotcha. So Chapin... um if somebody could speak to this i know i know we're in the process right now right of obtaining federal grant money to be able to do the design to widen chapin completely right from i think the expressway to the west city limit can someone speak to this good evening mayor city council tom rena assistant city manager yes sir we were a recipient of the rise grant for the federal government

to do our planning and engineering study to improve that thoroughfare from, again, express from I-69C to West City Limits. We have not, we're awarded, but we have not received a grant funding as of yet. We're still pending those releases of those funds. And yes, this would be one of them for us to do the study and the engineering design for that area of Chapin. And yes, it's very important for us to secure that right away So that's one that we will have to acquire in the future.

Okay. So at least we won't have to spend the money to acquire the right-of-way on this particular property.

That is correct.

If they weren't dedicating it, we would have to do that.

Correct.

Okay. The grant funding is to the engineering and the design of the expansion?

For the planning of that roadway expansion.

Okay. We will still need funding to actually build the road?

Yes, sir.

All right. And where are we planning to get that from?

We'll still put that on our MPO list as this would be, make it much more viable to be a shovel-ready project that we can move up on our THERAPHER plans and our MPO funding requests.

Okay. So that, the actual, okay, so the design portion of it is getting funded by the federal government, ideally, right, if we can finalize the actual grant of the award. That is correct. If we move forward with this, we don't have to pay for the... That section of right-of-way. For that section of the right-of-way. uh but then i guess the final potential cost right is the actual construction of of the road on that portion that will be that should be covered by mpo money yes sir we'll have to request those funds through the mpl for the construction itself right i imagine it would be a very expensive project right there's there's probably no way the city could do it on our own that is correct okay okay all right did you have something to add gail no Okay, all right, so I mean that's helpful to know that we've got money already for the design. We don't necessarily need the escrow amount for that. We are saving on the right-of-way acquisition because you're donating it, or I guess providing it, right, in the process of the plat.

That's correct.

Is that something that they're required to do?

Yes, Mayor, typically they're required to do both. They're required to give up the right-of-way and give up the escrow for the pavement.

But correct me if I'm wrong, for the variance, they wouldn't have to give up any land if they were granted the variance. They're doing that voluntarily.

Well, whether it was voluntarily or through the plotting process, we were going to ask for it.

And the variance?

The variance is not to pay the fee.

But wouldn't that exclude them? Or they would end up having to still put money?

Right. Now, as far as the right-of-way, technically, they could have asked for a variance, but I explained to them not to do it because the reasons that we are discussing. Correct. That right-of-way needs to be dedicated to the city. So, like I said, it's several of them, but they understood, and they said, that's fine. We need to do that. Right. So we didn't ask for a variance on dedicating the right-of-way. Correct. Thank you.

Okay, I think that helps out on that specific issue. Now, on the sanitary sewer one, why don't they want to plug in?

Well, like I said, they've lived there for quite some time. Their septic tanks are working fine. Actually, the lot sizes are about three-quarters of an acre, which is way, way above the state and the city and county requirement, which is half an acre. They're working fine. Obviously, it will be a substantial cost for them to do that. But they did agree to install a fire hydrant, which was required by the fire department. I told the families that we need to do. Fire protection is extremely vital. So we're doing that. And also the fire department asked for a turnaround on the south end, and they also agreed to do that. So they are doing things. Just, you know, I don't – obviously, we'll just discuss here what we're requesting. The way I read it, in essence, they were asking to be grandfathered in because of the property been there before the annexation. In essence, yes. But they are doing some improvements as to how they are right now.

Are the owners intending to hold the property, or are they intending to do the subdivision and then sell?

No, it's still for them to live there. But because when their mom passed away, the deed was not prepared, so we need to do all of this process by the attorney that they consulted.

I know we are able to put conditions on variances. It might be even a question for you. Would it be proper to put some kind of condition where if these properties are conveyed through a sale that the buyer would have to extend sewer? I'm just concerned that if we leave it on septic, somebody buys this in the future, now they're going to be stuck with having to do it or they're going to be expecting the city to pay for it at some point in the future because we're excusing it today.

Mayor, I think the variance goes with the land. Correct me if I'm wrong, Ben.

That's correct, Mayor. The variance itself would run with the land. So I understand what you're attempting to do with the condition if any subsequent sale is done. But the very nature of a variance would be that it would continue with the land.

Okay. All right. So no conditions allowed on this one. Fair enough. It is what it is. All right. Any other discussion, questions? So I know there was a motion to approve. There's two variances. The motion is to approve both variances. We're not taking them one at a time, just to be clear on that. Correct. So there's a motion to approve both variances. There's a second. All those in favor, raise your right hand. All those opposed, motion passes.

Thank you very much.

Okay, next item are the budget items. The first two items are to hold a public hearing on both the proposed budget and the proposed tax rate. I would like to open the public hearing on both items at the same time, so anybody can come up and speak on either and or the budget as proposed or the proposed tax rate. All right, public hearing is now open. Anybody wishing to speak for, against, or otherwise can come forward.

I'm glad to hear y'all are cutting things. I was wondering, and I'd gotten a couple of phone calls, about the fuel for the police department is that anywhere in the budget that y'all are looking at so i'd like to find out because i understand because the price is high there is some pullback on using the cars and stuff so i just wondered if the fuel was put in there to help the police department all right i know we do have our finance director here but after the mayor and council

Asencio Alonso, Director of Finance. The estate is included in our budget.

Okay.

Great. Thank you. Public hearing is still open. Anybody wishing to speak for, against, or otherwise may come up and do so. Okay.

Good evening again. Thank you to the Mayor for his explanation of the budget and its allocations. But I have to question the following. The library. Our library scrimps by and they need more of a budget. It's inadequate for a city of our size. Parks equipment. Yes. Thank you for the parks equipment that has been allocated. But what about the green spaces? What about native trees? And we are all proud of Edinburgh's recreation as to what is possible, but think what could be even more possible with more of a budget. Street paving. I attended the UDC meeting this afternoon and to my layman's look, it seems that we're being more reactive to builders but not to residents. It seems that the construction is driving the roads instead of the roads driving the construction. EDC, the Edinburgh Economic Development Corporation. I am a member of the Leadership Edinburgh 36 class. It is a wonderful program, that tuition-based course. But we have to realize that Edinburgh EDC is for business, and here is for essential services that are supposed to serve all of us. Now, last. This is going to cause a lot of discussion and controversy. But I think we should be paying our Edinburgh mayor and councilmen. I see businessmen up here, all men, but where are the women? Where is the over 50% population of women? Maybe it's time to think about allowing a salary in order for others besides those who are just in finances to go ahead and serve. These people are important. So thank you. I appreciate you listening to me. I know I swim upstream most of the time, but consider this and remember that we're thinking about the future, and that future includes all of us. Thank you.

Public hearing is still open. Anybody wishing to speak for, against, or otherwise may come forward. All right. Seeing none, public hearing on both items are now closed. So we will now move into considering the ordinance adopting the budget for the state of Edinburgh. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

All right. Motion to approve in a second. Council, is there any... So I spent some time at the very beginning going through a report, because I'm really proud of this budget. I think it's a great budget. Are there any particular items that this council would like to either highlight or discuss? No? Okay. I have something that I would like to raise. So, Mr. Alonso, you should be wearing a cape, you along with city management, because you all have been really going at it. literally up until the last second before adopting this budget. And so I'm very appreciative of all the work you, the finance staff, along with city management has been doing all along the way. Just as, I forgot actually to mention this in my opening report, I should have, but I know there had been some discussion and I think I had released a video and people were talking about this, which I'm really glad that people were talking about it, but we had reduced our proposed street program from 2.5 to 1.5, so that we can cover some of the increases in employee premiums. But with some additional work, putting pen to paper, we have actually found additional resources to be able to put at least that million dollars back into street improvement programs. So even with this budget, we are anticipating to be able to fully fund that originally proposed 2.5 street improvement program. And to be absolutely clear, This is the first time in over a decade that the city of Edinburgh has a budgeted street improvement program. This past year, we used ARPA money to do that. We were able to get through a lot of different neighborhoods, but it was not actually built within the city budget. And so we are very proud. I particularly am very thankful and grateful to the finance staff and to city management for carving out this $2.5 million, not once, but twice, to make sure that we can service this street improvement program throughout the entire city of Edinburgh. So thank you so much for doing that. One additional item that I do want to discuss is the pay adjustment proposal. So I know, for example, that the city manager's proposed pay proposal was for a 2% salary increase across the board for all employees. What has been discussed in the past... as being able to raise the minimum wage of those earning under $15 to $15 to provide them that living wage. And so as a counterproposal to the city manager's budget of a 2% increase, I would like to consider instead reallocating that amount so that we can increase the workers who are under 15 215 and then the rest of the of the staff receiving a one-time one percent retention incentive payment my understanding is that that particular that particular set of numbers right if we were to move forward with doing that the budget as provided there's a line item right that allocates for for some some type of pay plan adjustment that that number it's it's neutral right it is not we won't have to pull any money from any of the programs it's already provided for in the budget?

MR. That is correct, sir.

MR. Okay. So at this point, we could either give a 2 percent pay increase across the board to all employees, or we could do a fifth – bring everybody under $15 to $15, and then every other employee besides that receives a one-time 1 percent of their – of their base salary retention incentive payments. We have both of those options.

Yes, Mayor and Council, we do.

Okay. Well, I would urge the alternative option. Looking through the numbers, what I see is that we have 182 positions in the city of Edinburgh where their base rate is under $15 an hour. And when you look at them, it's groundskeepers, sanitation workers, custodians, building maintenance, park rangers, maintenance operators, and street maintenance techs. And so these are frontline workers who are out in the sun, who are literally working with trash, but are providing a very important service to the city of Edinburgh. And I know this has been under discussion for a couple of years to try to get that under 15 to 15. There was some litigation over this. There was a resolution over this. And in my opinion, it's time to do that. So I would encourage... that we move forward with an alternative pay plan proposal where we raise anybody under 15 to 15, and then the remainder of the city employees receive a one-time 1% retention incentive pay.

Okay.

Mayor.

John, this is really the first time I heard. Where do we find the extra money to help? Where did that come from?

That came, we looked at our, we had already on August 14th, we had included the 2% already. So that was already included. The additional funds, we looked at all our revenues as we do in our budget process. And in the last two months, our sales tax revenue has increased. We were budgeting a 5% increase for the last two months. It's gone to 9.47. And then this last, just this month, we got an increase of 10.40. So the trend is trending. The sales tax is increasing. We re-evaluated those two line items for sales tax, and we feel comfortable presenting a 5.5% increase for our budget. So it's still a comfortable revenue projection that we feel very comfortable that we'll obtain that. So it came from a sales tax increase.

When was this discovered about this proposed tax policy? I guess the money that we found. When did you all figure this part out? Because this is the first time I heard it from you all, the staff, about finding this kind of money.

Yeah, it's through our budget process. Anytime there's any changes, additions, or decreases from our upper management, from our council through our upper management, we do follow a chain of command. We do look for funding, any sources, if we're aware of any additional grants coming in. BEFORE WE ADOPT, WE DO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO UPPER MANAGEMENT AND MAYOR AND COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THOSE. BUT IT IS A PROCESS THAT WE DO WITH THE REVENUES. AS YOU KNOW, A BUDGET IS PROJECTED FOR NEXT YEAR, WHAT WE ANTICIPATE GETTING. SO IT'S AN ONGOING THING THAT WE LOOK AT MONTH BY MONTH OUR REVENUES. AND THAT'S WHEN IT CAME UP. WHEN IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THAT PAY PLAN ADJUSTMENT OR PLAN. THIS IS JUST RECOMMENDED FROM OUR SALES TAX AND WE FEEL COMFORTABLE INCREASING THAT TO 5.5% OVER LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE TWO MONTHS THAT WE GOT THIS LAST TWO MONTHS AND BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN THE TREND THAT WE'RE SEEING, WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE IF MAYOR AND COUNCIL WERE TO CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

Are you, so you're asking about the difference in cost between the 2% across the board pay increase and the alternate?

No, I just, I just didn't, this is the first time I heard from staff about having extra monies to cover certain expenses, so I hadn't heard about it. It's from the staff, so.

Well, just to be clear, the 2% pay plan, that was built into the original proposed budget?

That is correct.

Okay.

That was proposed by our city manager, included on August 14th when we presented that budget.

Right. So the extra money to do some type of a pay is not money that was found. It's money that was already there in the proposed budget.

It was adjusted. What was there, we had projected a 5 percent increase because of the trend we were seeing. But this last two months, we've seen an increase which is above what we were projecting. Like I said, we were projecting about a 5 percent increase. THIS LAST TWO MONTHS WE HAD A 9.47% INCREASE FOR ONE MONTH AND THEN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND THEN THIS, JUST THIS MONTH, WE HAD A 10 POINT, I THINK IT WAS 10.64 INCREASE, 10.5 SELF-TEX INCREASE. SO WE FEEL COMFORTABLE THE TREND IS GOING TO CONTINUE. SO WE FEEL COMFORTABLE. WHEN WE PROJECT REVENUES, WE'RE VERY CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE WE NEED TO REACH THOSE REVENUE PROJECTIONS BECAUSE IF NOT, WE'LL HAVE A SHORTFALL. But we do feel comfortable with this at this time.

Where do we find that extra million to put back in the streets?

That's a work in progress. I think we've been looking at... I can speak to that.

I can speak to that. So part of it, a chunk of it, is a deferred payment for purchase of property from the EDC. We were budgeted to make a payment this year. The board discussed it last night and is allowing a deferment of that payment. So that's a chunk that could go back into the street improvement program. And then aside from that, there's additional bond savings that can be applied for street improvements.

That's the first time I'm hearing about that too. I was just concerned about that because we've been trying to help out with everything else and take it away and actually put it back in. That's news to me.

My concern is that why is this the first time we're hearing about this?

So we just heard As the mayor stated that the EDC allowed for the deferment of the payment. That's not something that was communicated until last night, actually today. So during this public hearing, we figured that it would be discussed. I did not get confirmation until like earlier this afternoon. So I just heard it. So now the council is hearing it as well. That's why it's being communicated during this public hearing.

Mr. Yeah, literally working on it until the last minute. I think two other kind of points of clarification. One, what we're talking about on the pay plan, on any type of pay plan, whether it's the 2 percent or whether it's the alternate pay plan proposal, this is for non-civil service, correct?

Mr. Non-civil service, yes. Fire, a meeting confirmed that they already have a 3% built in. And right now the proposed amount for, it's a proposed, I think there's some negotiations going on and I don't know if I can discuss any of that for the police officers. But right now there's a 3% budgeted for a proposed for the police officers.

And then I think the other point, right, to raise is, so the way that this is budgeted, there is an amount, right, that's allocated within the budget for some type of a pay plan adjustment, right, or pay plan incentives, correct?

Right. The way it's budgeted right now is one line item depending on what's decided as far as the pay plan, whether it be a 2% or this alternative pay plan, we will distribute that within the funds and within the departments. It has not been distributed. It's a one-line item with an amount allocated so we could adopt the budget. So it's a one-line item to be distributed depending on what is decided as far as which plan or what adjustments are decided. And then we'll allocate that. We do need to keep in mind that we can't go over if the budget's adopted, We can't go over that amount. So if it's less, then it's budgeted, but does not need to be spent. So that's what we have right now being proposed to Mayor and Council.

Right.

And so if approved, right, if the budget as presented is approved, there is an amount available for some type of a pay plan, incentive pay, allocation, right, however it ends up being. That doesn't necessarily need to be decided tonight?

That is correct. The plan does not need to be decided tonight. Just to keep in mind that we have the amount budgeted, that we don't go over that amount. Because that's what's been approved by – if it is approved, will be approved, and that's the number we need to work with, either that amount or less. Okay. And if it's – an increase over that, then they would have to come back to amend the budget if this budget is adopted today. We would need an amendment to the budget ordinance.

Okay. Other discussion? Other questions?

So, Mayor, my question is on the million that's been added to the street paving. When did that happen and how did that get allocated there and not somewhere else?

Well, it was literally just now. EDC discussed it last night and allowed for the deferment of the payment.

And so, Tony, what I understand is we can adopt the budget as long as we don't go over the proposed line item, let's say for the raises.

Right.

So we could say 2% and be under that, but if we say 1%, we can't go over that?

No.

We can't go over it. We need to amend the budget.

Right now we have to stay within what's that line item, which is we need to stay within that. If it's less, it's budgeted. It doesn't need to be spent because it will be allocated according to what you all propose, whatever is approved, whether it be mayor and council or city management. We'll adjust everything. But right now the dollar amount is budgeted. If we go above that, we'll need to come back, and if it's adopted, we'll need to come back and amend the budget. If there's money that's not used, it's budgeted, but it does not need to be used. It stays within our budget. It doesn't need to be spent. Just because we budget an amount does not mean that we have to pay that out.

Okay.

And for the record, I'm for raising the minimum, the lowest paid in our city to $15. I'm just wondering if there's a way that we can find a happy median between Because what I understand, if we allocate more money to the street payment program, we need more employees to make sure that that happens. And so I just don't want to discuss that. But I want to make sure that we don't have to come back, so.

I understand, sir. Thank you.

Other discussion? Other questions?

I do want to mention that at the end of the day, our fund balance did not, there was no net change in our fund balance. We did not use any additional fund balance amounts, and we did not increase any transfers in for general funds. So fund balance is at no net change from what we proposed on August 14th, or 18th, August 18th.

So basically your projections doubled on the sales tax from 5% to almost 10%?

5.5. We went up to 5.5%. Half a percent. Half a percent. Oh, I'm sorry. Half a percent.

All right, no other questions or discussion. There's a motion and a second to adopt the budget as presented. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes.

Mayor, I'm going to go ahead and take a record vote.

Yes, okay.

Council Member Lozano? Yes or no? Yes? Okay. Council Member Diaz?

Yes.

Mayor Ochoa?

Yes.

Council Member De Leon?

Yes.

And Mayor Pro Tempest?

Yes. All right. Next item is the ordinance adopting the tax rate and levy for the city of Edinburgh for the tax year 2026. My understanding is there is a very specific way that this motion must be made. Mr. City Attorney.

Mr. Mayor, I have had a discussion with the finance department for the tax rate. So I believe what's being proposed currently is a no new tax revenue rate. So because of that, after looking at the statute and case law, the statute under the tax code, section 26 or chapter 26, I believe in this one there is not any specific language that is required. I believe the finance director may be able to speak more to that. But because there is a proposed no new tax revenue rate, there would not need to be any specific language that's required.

but that is correct that we do have some recommended language not required because we are below the no new revenue tax rate is there a motion would you like to read out the motion please mr city attorney just so that we're familiar with it mister mayor so

It would be my recommendation, city staff's recommendation, for a motion to adopt the ordinance for the City Council, I'm sorry, of the City of Edinburgh to adopt a property tax rate of 0.06300 per $100 of taxable value consisting of a maintenance and operations tax rate of 0.5243 per $100 of taxable value and an interest and sinking debt service tax rate of 0.1057 per $100 of taxable value. So moved. Second.

Motion and a second. Any discussion on this item? Seeing none, all those in favor of the motion, or do we need a roll call on this one too? I'll do this one. Please, go ahead.

Council Member Lozano? Yes. Council Member Diaz?

Yes.

Mayor Ochoa?

Yes.

Council Member De Leon? Yes. And Mayor Pro Tem Salazar? Yes.

All right.

Next item on the agenda are ordinances. Let's see. 12A, the Secretary can read the caption.

Consider ordinance providing for a temporary special use permit for Fandango 2026 to be held Saturday, October 3rd, 2026, as described, located at 224 North Gloucester Boulevard, as requested by Francisco Guajardo, Ph.D.

So moved.

Second.

All right. Motion to second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right. Motion passes. Item B, Secretary, read the caption.

Consider ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Edinburgh, Texas, at Title III Administration, Chapter 30, Administrative Code, Section 30.021, to update the structural organization of the city.

Is there a motion? Motion approved.

Second.

Motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? Motion passes.

Item C. Consider ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Edinburgh, Texas at Title III Administration Chapter 30 Administrative Code Sections 30.071, 30.072, and 30.075. Provide a change to the City's current classification compensation plan for non-civil service employees. So moved. Second.

All right. Motion and a second to approve. Any discussion?

What does this do?

Good afternoon, Mayor and Commission. Erica Bay, Director of Human Resources. So your question was, what is the compensation being changed to? So normally every year, if there's any type of adjustment on the compensation plan, this is where we would amend the ordinance. So, for example, on this one, there's been a change in the rate of pay for one grade, and then we're adding one position to one grade.

Yeah, so it's adding the director of public facilities to grade one.

That is correct. And then the rate change for grade 250, I believe.

Any other questions? All right. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right, motion passes. Item D.

Consider ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vandenberg, Texas, a Title III administration, Chapter 30 Administrative Code, Section 30.073, to provide changes to the Civil Service Classification Compensation Plans.

So moved.

Second.

All right. Motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? All right. Motion passes. Next item, the awarding of bids, 13A.

Consider awarding RFP number 2026-016, Development Impact Fee Nexus Study, for the City of Edinburgh, Texas, to Wolden Financial Services, the highest-ranking proposal, and authorize City Manager to enter into a professional services contract pursuant to the City's ordinances and procurement policies.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve.

Second.

Motion to approve and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand.

opposed motion passes item B consider awarding RFP number 2026 0 2 0 veterans Boulevard drainage improvements phase 2 to blue dot site and utilities LLC for an amount not to exceed seven hundred and sixty thousand and authorize the city manager to enter into professional services contract and execute any documents related thereto pursuant to the city's ordinances and procurement policies motion is there a second second all right there's a motion and a second any discussion

All right. All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed? Motion passes. All right. Item 14A.

Consider approval of the Edinburgh EDC Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Program of Work and Budget.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My name is Raul Del Garza. I am the Executive Director for Edinburgh Economic Development Corporation. And I'd like to thank you on behalf of the Edinburgh Economic Development Corporation for all the support that you have provided to the EDC and to the surrounding businesses as well. At yesterday's Board of Directors meeting, the Board approved the budget for the fiscal year 26-27 and the program of work associated with that budget at a 7-0 vote. Both the program of the work and the budget are included in your packet, and I would like to review some of the highlights from that packet. The program of work comes from the strategic plan that was adopted several years ago. And it's a continuation of that plan. It's year three of that plan. And it focuses on various priorities to encourage private investment, job creation, and improvement of quality of life. Our focus this upcoming year will be to continue to work on attracting new businesses, including retail, commercial, and industrial entities who create opportunities for large job creation. working with the existing industries and with local companies, small businesses, to help them be more profitable and, of course, in creating a better quality of life for our citizens. Some of the programs and incentives which we will continue to use include lift fund, flip, commercial recruitment program, investment grants, infrastructure grants, job creation grants, and others that qualified businesses are eligible for. We will continue to invest in our city's infrastructure at the airport in parts of downtown and some of the commercial areas that we have to continue to boost our tax rate. Our budget has a total of over $13.3 million in revenues and $11.3 million in reserves that we're going to be using for some of these projects. We will be expanding well over $7.5 million in various parts of the city in infrastructure and, of course, finishing off our workforce resource center and pro shop at Ebbing Hills as well. These are some of the top priorities. They include investments in downtown and midtown, which is between basically City Hall and the courthouse and the university, and near the Burdock and arena, and of course the airport. Our targeted industries continue to be health care, advanced manufacturing, tech companies, retail, family entertainment, logistics, food processing, and others. And I'll be happy to answer any specific questions on the budget.

All right, Harry, no questions. Thank you. Do we need action on this item?

As per the bylaws, we would need action from the City Council to adopt the budget and the program of work.

Okay. So requesting a motion to approve the EDC's program of work and budget.

Okay.

Is there a motion?

Motion to approve. Second.

All right. Motion and a second. Any discussion?

All right.

All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand.

All those opposed? Motion passes.

Thank you. Consent agenda. Can I get a motion to approve items A through E?

So moved. Second. Hold on. There's one. Now you have one, right? That's right. Thank you.

Which one is that one? C, I believe? Yes. Okay. Okay. So then items A, B, D, and E, excluding C, can I get a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All right. Motion and a second. Any objection to the motion? Hearing none, those items are approved. Is there a motion to table item 15C? Motion? Second. And a second. Any objection to the motion? Hearing none, that motion passes. Item C is tabled. 16, other business A. Any future items requested by the council? Okay. Item B. Secretary, read the captions.

Discussion of possible action regarding resetting the time and place of public hearing to be held jointly by the City Council and the Planning and Zoning Commission regarding the City's Unified Development Code and prescribing the type of notice to be given of the time and place of the joint public hearing.

All right. So on this particular one, I know there's a particular motion that we need on this one. Mr. City Attorney, what would that motion be?

Mr. Mayor, I would be recommending a motion by Council prescribing that notice of the time and place of the joint public hearing with the Planning and Zoning Commission on proposed amendments to the City's Unified Development Code be given by publication in a newspaper of general circulation stating that the hearing will be held on October 6th, 2026 at 5 p.m. at Edinburgh City Council Chambers.

Is there a motion?

So moved. Second.

All right. Motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor of the motion, raise your right hand. All those opposed?

Motion passes.

Item 17, executive session. Can I get a motion to enter executive session? So moved.

Second.

Motion and a second. Any objection? Hearing none, the motion is adopted. We are now in executive session. Time is 7.38 p.m.

Item A, consultation with city attorney. Item B, consultation with city attorney regarding personal matters. Item C, discussion of possible action regarding the conveyance exchange or lease of real property. Item D, discussion and possible action regarding economic development matters. Number one, project phase.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. . . Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

time is 10 o 5 we are exiting executive session can I get a motion to enter into the open so move second all right any objections to the motion hearing none motion passes we are back in the open mr. city attorney I believe we do need action on an item.

That's correct, Mr. Mayor. There is one item needing action for item 17D. At this time, I recommend a motion to approve the action of the EDC Board of Directors approving Project Fizz as to the terms discussed in Executive Session.

Is there a motion?

So moved. Second.

Motion and a second. Any objection? Hearing none, motion passes. Any other business?

No further items needed for action at this time, Mayor. Okay. No action required. All business done. This meeting is adjourned.

Time is 10.06 p.m.

Here in the Valley, this culture is very rich, and with a lot of global movement and a lot of other genres, we need to make sure that we don't forget what our true traditions and heritage is down here, which is Conjunto, Norteño, and Tejano. Making sure that we archive, promote, and also get as much as the youth to get involved as much as possible will help push things forward.

Today we are celebrating our 20th anniversary of our big squeeze semifinals here in Edinburgh, Texas. Texas Folklife is a 41-year-old nonprofit. We're a statewide organization that's committed.