Commission Approves Budget for FY 2017-2018

Budgets for Utilities Board, Industrial Development Corporation and Economic Development Board Also Approved

by Martha E. Ibarra/LFN

The La Feria city commission held a regularly scheduled city meeting on Tuesday, September 26, in the city commission meeting room. Following the invocation, pledge and determination of quorum, Mayor Olga Maldonado opened the floor for public comments. La Feria resident, Joan (Jan) Kuran, went before the commission upset at the fact that she had not been made aware of the public hearing that took place on Tuesday, September 12, regarding a smoking ordinance.

“We were very sorry to arrive too late to voice our opinion on your not passing the no smoking ordinance. Why are all important items on voting always done when no one is down here, as in the late spring and summer? About 75% of our park has not even arrived yet. How do you find out about important items to be voted on or brought before this board,” asked Kuran.

Commissioner Eric Hoff then announced that all agendas pertaining to city meetings are available online and encourages La Feria residents to go to the city’s website and inform themselves of the upcoming meetings and events.

After approving the minutes of the previous city meeting that took place on September 12, the commission approved the city’s budget for fiscal year 2017-2018. Budgets for the La Feria Utilities Board, La Feria Industrial Development Corporation and the La Feria Economic Development Corporation were also approved.

The commission also established an Ad Valorem tax rate at .76 cents for tax year 2017.

Gold Star Petroleum is currently supplying the city of La Feria with gas and diesel. However, the commission has approved for staff to issue advertisements requesting proposals for fuel services. The commission also approved the establishment of a bank account for the La Feria Volunteer Fire Department. City Manager, Jaime Sandoval, said the account, being handled by BBVA Compass Bank, will serve to segregate funding so that the volunteer fire department will have its own separate funds.

As part of a resolution, the commission went on to approve a nomination for Rick Morado to serve as the Cameron County Appraisal District Director.

The La Feria Zoning Board of Adjustment will be replacing member Gloria Loya. Taking her place will be Joanne Mireles. The commission approved Mireles’ application after Loya resigned her seat.

Before adjourning, the commission approved an amendment to an ordinance regarding a 9.71 acre tract of land. The land, located out of Block 4, Potter Subdivision, was previously voluntarily annexed and will now be a C-2 general commercial zone.

The meeting was then adjourned.