Pharr lowers property tax rate
NEWS IN BRIEF: Pharr city commissioners have kept an election promise. At a special meeting of the Pharr City Commission on Wednesday, city commissioners approved a new budget and an ordinance setting a property tax rate of $0.654. This is a 2.6 cent decrease from previous years’ rate of $0.68. Mayor Ambrosio ‘Amos’ Hernandez said it is the largest decrease in property taxes adopted by Pharr for the last 14 years. “I am excited to be a part of this administration that has made history today,” Hernandez said. “This is the largest property tax reduction that our citizens have seen in 14 years, and demonstrates our commitment to the citizens of Pharr that we are making responsible decisions with their best interest in mind.” City Commissioner Robert ‘Bobby’ Carrillo agreed. “I applaud the leadership of our city commission, our new city manager and his staff for demonstrating responsible financial decisions that will benefit Pharr taxpayers without affecting our overall budget,” Carrillo said.
Weslaco EDC working with UT-Rio Grande Valley
NEWS IN BRIEF: UT-Rio Grande Valley and Weslaco Economic Development Corporation are working with the UT System Office Historically Underutilized Business Development. The entities are holding a meet and greet event for the RGV contracting community. Those attending can learn about new capital improvement projects, renovations, and job order contracting at UTRGV. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m at the Weslaco Business, Visitor & Event Center. Refreshments will be provided by the Blue Onion Weslaco.
Valley Metro to open maintenance facility in Harlingen
NEWS IN BRIEF: Valley Metro, the Rio Grande Valley’s regional provider of public transportation, is to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Sept. 28, to announce its new vehicle maintenance facility and transit fleet for the lower RGV. The facility will house the Valley Metro fleet that operates in Cameron and Willacy counties. The facility and transit fleet is made possible through a mixture of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, City of Harlingen, TxDOT, and Federal Transit Administration funds. “We want the public to attend this event and celebrate the expansion of public transportation in the region,” said Tom Logan, Valley Metro’s executive director. The ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on Sept. 28 at 4410 Glasscock Avenue in Harlingen.
