SCREENSHOT TAKEN BY FERNANDA FIGUEROA TUESDAY DURING THE EDINBURG CITY COUNCIL MEETING VIA ZOOM
Fernanda Figueroa | THE RIDER
The Edinburg City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 property tax rate and $129.4 million budget.
The FY 2021 property tax rate will be $0.06800 per $100 valuation. The tax rate is the same as the one for the current fiscal year.
Fiscal Year 2021 begins Oct. 1.
The new budget totals $129.4 million and the money is allocated as follows:
–$67,865,000 for the General Fund
–$1.5 million for the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund
–$1,150,000 for the Community Development Block Grant Fund
–$6,614,018 for Debt Service Fund
–$23,500,000 for the Utility Fund
–$1.800,000 for the South Texas International Airport at Edinburg Fund
–$430,000 for the City Ebony Hills Golf Course Fund
–$22,500,000 for the Solid Waste Management Fund
–$2 million for Los Lagos Golf Club Fund
–$2, 120,000 for the Boys and Girls Club Fund
The budget will also add 45 new positions as per City Manager Ron Garza.
New positions include:
–11 in City Hall and a 2% employee salary increase
–seven in the Police Department
–six in the Fire Department
–five in Public Works
–six in Utilities
–four in park facilities
–and six at Los Lagos golf course.
Garza also provided a quick update on the CARES Act, which is an allocation of $11.5 million provided by the county. City officials are working to ensure the products they ordered are received in a timely manner and in the quantity they were ordered.
He said the county has scheduled teleconference with city managers to clarify the next steps needed to be taken to qualify to receive an additional $1.821 million in funds and the city is planning a budget amendment for Oct. 6.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act spending includes:
–$2,325 in COVID-19 employee testing,
–$8,932.50 in UV sanitizing light disinfectant wands,
–$6,795.80 in foggers,
–$2,482.70 in hand sanitizer gallons,
–$80,700 in HEPA room air purifiers and filters,
–$15,775 in sanitizing and disinfecting Boys & Girls Club
–and $2.5 million for SPARC (Stimulus Program Aimed at Recovery from COVID).
In other business, Mayor Richard Molina also reminded residents that as flu season approaches, they should follow safety measures and, “not let our guards down.”
“Let’s continue the social distancing, the personal hygiene and the safety measures from state, county and local officials.” Molina said.
