Hidalgo County proposes $195 million drainage bond issue

Hidalgo County residents will vote on May 6 regarding a proposed $195 million 2023 drainage bond issue program, which will improve the community drainage system and protect more than $17.8 billion in assessed property values, officials say. 

During the Edinburg City Council meeting on April 4, Raul E. Sesin, a professional engineer and general manager of the Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1, presented updates on the county’s 2018 drainage bond issue program and informed the public on the proposed bond issue for this year. 

Early voting for the proposal is from April 24 to May 2 and election day is May 6. Voting is open to eligible voters in the county. 

The projects under the bond issue program would “address critical drainage infrastructure improvements and expansions of these arteries and channels to mitigate potential threats from catastrophic flooding and protect lives and property,” according to the presentation.

Twenty-six projects are included in the proposed bond issue. Among these are the South Main Drain, which would cost $11,510,000, and the North Main Drain III and I, which would cost $17,190,000 and would include improvements in the City of Edinburg, Sesin said.  

Place 1 Councilmember Daniel “Dan” Diaz asked if the proposal has to be open for a vote even though the bond would not result in a tax increase for Hidalgo County taxpayers, as stated in the presentation. 

“The district cannot incur debt without a voter approval, so anytime we have to incur debt for improvements, we have to put it out for the voters,” Sesin replied. 

Diaz also asked if the areas improved are based on severity of need. 

Sesin replied that they are based on historical information that the district has. 

“This bond will interconnect those two projects, one in the east, one here in the central part of Edinburg that initiates from Canton Road going north and north of Monte Cristo [Road] and from that connection going all the way east, almost to Monte Cristo [Road] and Ingle Road,” he said. “That’s just one project of many that we’ve identified to continue developing based on all the projects that are ongoing.”   

He also updated the status of the 2018 drainage bond program, saying 23% of the projects are in the design process, 27% are completed and 50% are under construction. 

For more information on this year’s proposed bond issue program and 2018’s bond program, visit: www.hcdd1.org. 

During the mayor’s report, Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. talked about working on a task force after the city received feedback from resident and self-advocate Juan Lopez regarding accessibility on new city buildings for people with disabilities. 

“We’re going to call it a task force with the purpose of just accessing our buildings, maybe giving us some feedback on new buildings that we’re looking to build so that they’re equally accessible to everybody, especially people with disabilities,” Garza said. 

Lopez has cerebral palsy and utilizes a wheelchair, said Marissa Pecina, a speech-pathologist and disability consultant who the mayor invited to speak during the meeting.

Pecina said the Americans With Disabilities Act is the “bare minimum.”

“There are people who are deaf,” she said. “There are people who are blind and have low vision, as well as people who have physical limitations. We just want to look holistically at everyone to create a more united, inclusive community … because, in a nutshell, that’s what inclusion is.” 

Garza said the next step is to appoint the task force members at the next city meeting. 

In other business, the city will request a $99,000 grant over a two-year period, beginning Sept. 1, 2023, and ending Aug. 31, 2025, that, if awarded, would continue to support the Crime Victim Liaison position after the city council voted in favor of the resolution. 

The city would receive $49,500 per year and the award notification is expected in September. 

“This position ensures victims of violent crimes are protected,” reads a document from the agenda packet. “The Crime Victim Liaison provides community education and victim advocacy by referring them to available resources. All victims that are experiencing grief, domestic violence or the loss of a loved one is offered supportive services.”