Brownsville city commission votes on BPUB rollback rate

During Monday’s special meeting, the Brownsville City Commission approves Ordinance 2022-1702-A, which makes the 22% utility rate rollback effective Dec. 1, 2022, instead of May 3, 2023. Jesse Valencia/THE RIDER PHOTOS

During Monday’s special meeting, the Brownsville City Commission votes to approve establishing a subcommittee of commissioners to collaborate with a similar Brownsville Public Utilities Board committee. The subcommittee will report “other options related to proposed use(s) of fees, rates and other funds collected to support the, now terminated, Tenaska Project, other fees and rates related to electric services, and overall operation of the Public Utilities Board,” according to a memo to the commission from Helen Ramirez, interim city manager. The commissioners also discussed possible nominations for the committee.

During the public comment portion of Monday’s special meeting, Brownsville resident Susan Ruvalcaba acknowledges the mayor and city commission’s steps in being a “defender up to now for the people in unraveling Tenaska’s deceptive web.” Ruvalcaba asked that the commission continue on its path in “financial and emotional ratification for the people,” saying that “the current PUB board has failed us in every aspect regarding Tenaska and the aftermath.” She also urged commissioners to vote for the removal of BPUB Chair Sandra Saenz, saying that the city chart allows one removal of any board member every 12 months by unanimous vote.

During the public comment portion of Monday’s special meeting, Ezequiel “Zeke” Silva, a Brownsville resident and owner of S&M Transport, says the commissioners “knew what was happening and yet the rates continued to rise.” Silva asked the commission to “enlighten” the community regarding how much it is going to give back to BPUB customers.