Cameron County tax rate increase approved

BROWNSVILLE - Cameron County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a one-cent property tax rate increase that includes $1,000 across-the-board raises for nearly all county employees.

The tax rate increases to .35 cents per $100 valuation, up from .34 cents.

The increase is needed to balance the county's $69 million general fund budget, officials said.

However, the vote was not unanimous, with Commissioner John Wood voted against the increase.

Voting in favor of the increase were County Judge Carlos H. Cascos and Commissioners Sofia C. Benavides, David A. Garza and Edna Tamayo.

Benavides said the vote by Commissioners Court was not easy, but it had to be done for reasons that were unforeseen.

"This court is forced to take this step, but reluctantly," Benavides said.

Commissioners stressed that the increase actually accounts for a half-cent increase over the past two budget years since it reduced the tax rate by a half-cent last budget year.

"It's actually a half penny and not an entire penny," Benavides said.

For the past couple of months, Commissioners have tossed around the idea of raising taxes by two cents, but by making some cuts to the budget they reduced the rate increase to a penny.

In other business, the court suggested County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. write to the Texas Department of Transportation to encourage the agency to pick up debris remaining on state highways after Hurricane Dolly.

Commissioners Garza and Tamayo said many state highways in their respective precincts are still lined with debris from the hurricane that struck July 23.

"We need to pressure them to do more," said Garza, whose Precinct 3 includes San Benito, Los Fresnos, Laureles and the Laguna Heights area. "They are doing their own thing, which is doing nothing."

Tamayo said residents in the precinct were told that TxDOT contractors would collect the debris, but they failed to appear.

"It's been more than 10 days. Nothing has been done," said Tamayo, whose Precinct 4 includes Harlingen, Rio Hondo and the La Feria and Santa Rosa area.

"We will send a letter and tell them of the frustration the court has," Sepulveda said.

Commissioners Court also approved hiring Juan Alaniz Jr., as a deputy constable for Precinct 3, which includes parts of the San Benito area.

The appointment will run through either the end of the fiscal year or the current term of Constable Frank Robles, whichever ends sooner, according to the county's human resources department.