[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6579579,"mediaKeyId","3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80","parentId",3075023,"title","Aransas Pass approves hotel-occupancy tax awards for local festivals, raises Saltwater Mardi Gras grant to $6,500","audioSeconds",1845,"startMs",2311000,"endMs",4156000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80&start=2311&end=4156","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80/thumbnail_2311000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579579/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Aransas-Pass-approves-hotel-occupancy-tax-awards-for-local-festivals-raises-Saltwater-Mardi-Gras-grant-to-6500","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579579-7d074613fe3cbc5bf4440c324d28f2e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163628&Signature=nRaAZRBOfjdzH5o4-oNeeIWrj9F1LGSH1rtZZXGrhgDuUZjj-4AfV8XlCbzg9cOORQsSzBkNSsq5Am95CqvR8B~ww2shV4y6wZaDM4AlE8jsQtJewMCzyUeX9zUyODUnts~6de0vsJXe8TrP3soogXYcCc9JJfC1MjZg-x2rEbmz~dxvMhcCHw3ApEsPuiyFigliHNRrtJP8kvgB-D1mEXTwSnH7KcT2j9siFVDvlGJ17pGnhjjCekMetwn38xJtiLJcHwO3AxuOfXIpqW1eTvP7q6oEfbCpA0fSm1XD6xWjeM4ddQ4bLMTvNvmoekDCO9A97ktmCccAE5lsOKZrow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Aransas Pass TX","date","2025-04-22T00:18:29.04Z","article","Aransas Pass — The Aransas Pass City Council on April 20, 2025, approved hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) grants for multiple local events and organizations, including an amended $6,500 award to Destination Aransas Pass for the Saltwater Mardi Gras.

The HOT fund balance available for awards was reported at $288,011. City staff said awards must be limited to activities that promote tourism, per Texas law and guidance the city used to review applications.

City staff member Mary, who presented the applications, told the council that seven applications were received by the March 31 deadline and that applications were reviewed for eligibility with guidance from an attorney with the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. “The balance that we have available to award is $288,011,” Mary said.

The council voted on each application individually. Actions taken included:
- Destination Aransas Pass — Saltwater Mardi Gras (advertising): initially approved for $5,000; afterward the council reconsidered and amended the award to $6,500 (a $5,000 advertising award plus $1,500 for a sporting-event designation). The amendment passed after a motion to reconsider and a subsequent amendment vote.
- Fishfest — awarded $6,500 (split described in staff paperwork as advertising, arts cap applied to the arts portion).
- Salsa Fest (DNA Productions, held Nov. 2024) — awarded $6,000 after council adjusted award to reflect documented out-of-pocket and donated advertising value.
- Smoke on the Water (Redford Ranch Foundation) — awarded $6,308 (per staff recommendation rounding noted in the record).

Organizers and applicants spoke about how funds would be used and about post-event reporting. Rosie Spinks, a representative of Destination Aransas Pass, said event recipients are required to file a post-event report listing costs and receipts: “There is a requirement that after the event, they are required to submit a post event report,” Spinks said. Donnie, who represents Fishfest, described his event’s draw: “We bring people from out of town that competed in this event,” he said, noting plans to expand advertising to San Antonio, Houston and Austin.

Several applications that had incomplete qualifications were deferred. Organizer Hector Rios had three requests the council moved to the May 5 meeting at his request; one of his events was disqualified because it is to be held in another city (Schertz, Texas).

Council members required post-award documentation in some cases. For Destination Aransas Pass, council members asked for a breakdown of advertising expenses and receipts during the post-event report period.

Why this matters: Aransas Pass’s HOT funds are restricted to tourism-promoting uses under state law (Chapter 351 of the Texas Tax Code). The council’s awards distribute public lodging-tax revenue to events intended to draw visitors and spending to the city, and the council attached documentation and category conditions to several awards.

What’s next: Several deferred or out-of-jurisdiction requests were rescheduled for the May 5 meeting; awardees must submit required post-event reports and receipts.

Ending: The council handled HOT awards item by item and recorded motions and votes for each grant. Several applicants who were not present were rescheduled for May 5 to present additional information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 04/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Aransas Pass — The Aransas Pass City Council on April 20, 2025, approved hotel-occupancy-tax (HOT) grants for multiple local events and organizations, including an amended $6,500 award to Destination Aransas Pass for the Saltwater Mardi Gras.","taxTitle","Aransas Pass, Nueces County, Texas","taxId",57358,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579572,"Aransas Pass council updates drought plan, approves budget amendment and renews emergency-service agreements",1109,3477000,4586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80&start=3477&end=4586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80/thumbnail_3477000.jpg","/articles/6579572/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Aransas-Pass-council-updates-drought-plan-approves-budget-amendment-and-renews-emergency-service-agreements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579572-9c7a278815f46cc6b3911bf916fc1da6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163628&Signature=RkZ8IDnLZmh24MgsrH3ml2WL8p8A9zww1zkQqUM-2LOZtPKrrIw7vWUzvvNbThJIitFcKAFG7ge-5n2WU6BMdA~7ifCNcuJK2llIera14jK4L83yPCbwkqaD9I1gSA9EqV4qYkbPzHvjZALs6u-azV6WbwDo75LRHtfjSO6d~PucOEKqS4RiSXByXdVQ4KQkxkX139a9RO2GpdmkPe~D2tdi4PlIeq-DVN71XIxihbDRbEbWdmAq2Ldt6ddBq8U1DPvSlY~dThQD486peMriAYDSi36LMq0B6jcQJsCPCKN9Jze2hhi~tKCst1jL01iNqMF0BunzQ~6OcM0-ag71hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aransas Pass — The Aransas Pass City Council on April 20, 2025, approved several administrative and policy items including an updated drought contingency plan, a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment, one-year renewals of emergency-service agreements, and codified changes to fees and park rules.

Drought contingency plan
The council adopted an ordinance updating the city’s drought contingency plan to align with changes made by the City of Corpus Christi and the San Patricio Municipal Water District, the city’s wholesale supplier. Brian Williams of the San Patricio Municipal Water District and other presenters told the council that combined lake levels in the Nueces Basin were near 17% and that, absent substantial watershed rainfall, the system could reach a water-emergency designation within months. The plan codifies staged restrictions on nonessential outdoor uses as lake levels decline, consistent with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements. The ordinance passed on voice vote.

Budget amendment
Council approved a budget amendment ordinance for fiscal year 2025 to record donations and cover insurance claims, allocate funds for the aquatic center (for pool tarps tied to a Fourth of July fireworks event), finalize an $11,000 HOT allocation to the civic center concert, and permit a police vehicle purchase through federal forfeiture funds. City staff described the line-item transfers and donations; the ordinance passed by voice vote.

Contract renewals and memoranda
The council renewed a one-year extension of the agreement with DRC Emergency Services for debris removal (no cost unless activated) and extended a memorandum of understanding with Bay LTD for crane services used to install and remove sea gates and rail gates for storm surge protection. Staff said deployments would be activated only in storms that require the services; both renewals passed on voice votes.

Ordinances: aquatic center and parks rules
The council approved an ordinance increasing nonresident daily admission and season-pass rates for the Aransas Pass Aquatic Center and amended the city code to adopt general park rules and hours. Council clarified that Harbor Pointe Park would retain an exception so that no hourly restriction applies to its fishing pier (allowing fishing outside the standard park hours); the parks ordinance passed as amended.

Consent and minutes
The council approved minutes for the April 2 special meeting and April 7 regular meeting as part of the consent agenda.

Why this matters: The drought contingency ordinance affects household and commercial outdoor water use as the region’s water-supply indicators change; the budget amendment adjusts spending and records donations and insurance reimbursements; contract renewals keep emergency-response options available; and the ordinance changes affect user fees and park operations.

Ending: Council members approved the items by voice vote; staff will implement changes and follow up on budgetary and reporting requirements as recorded in the adopted ordinances.","At the April 20 meeting the council approved an updated drought contingency ordinance consistent with San Patricio Municipal Water District and Corpus Christi plans, a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment, extensions for debris-removal and crane-service agreements, and ordinance updates to aquatic center fees and park rules.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579574,"Residents tell Aransas Pass council of alleged retaliation, unclear complaint process at Housing Authority",554,1428000,1982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80&start=1428&end=1982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3075023-67377945fef5caf2d930186b42c48b80/thumbnail_1428000.jpg","/articles/6579574/Aransas-Pass/Nueces-County/Texas/Residents-tell-Aransas-Pass-council-of-alleged-retaliation-unclear-complaint-process-at-Housing-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579574-4ef63484c4edcdcd6a57d6e8a23e6ade/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163628&Signature=mLqZF2ZLKu4gDcm57eU-FvtFZepswjcW4z2tIuEJ~pJmpRpO8VlU786vu8L-s4Vi1bWCvEbnH0ksXML6LJAemvP6rMPmMsx9E3vNqSODx~Yzkc34g~K3gCR2LwY32nBsQtkhrVH6j0x94~cUhXogOwNQtAg3X28tvCsDDntZ0niCFMWyV3ZNJVs2lIk1nAQ7ooRvf8F~LuX2KjKEbRH6wOL9U3SGO79pjhc8-zuVD4jX3lLCu8v4zRUAkt1YF7nPktmaJSFhzvfCqCecPVn1~sKoLL33mBlBaQxBOKJ~XJ0FfhJKtjBnrsVZdyBWFult-6M80R4PeCP7vxG3GOQnCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aransas Pass — Several residents told the Aransas Pass City Council on April 20, 2025, that staff at the Aransas Pass Housing Authority had mistreated tenants, levied a $45 replacement-key fee against a disabled resident, and made it difficult for residents to file complaints.

Kelly Volmering said her mother-in-law, an elderly, disabled tenant, waited more than a week for a replacement key and was then charged $45 — about 5% of the tenant’s total income, Volmering said. Volmering described an encounter she characterized as confrontational and said she believes the conduct violates federal fair-housing protections and retaliation rules passed in 2016.

“She is inappropriate. She is vile. She is loud. She is mean,” Volmering said of the housing authority employee, and she told the council she would pursue the complaint until there was a fitting consequence.

City staff provided a jurisdictional clarification in response: the city does not have operational control over the Housing Authority. “The city has no jurisdiction over the Housing Authority,” a city staff member said, noting the Housing Authority is a separate entity and that federal oversight (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; HUD) and regional HUD offices handle many complaints.

Volmering said she had met with the Housing Authority chairman, who indicated an investigation would be pursued; she also said some residents are afraid to come forward because they fear losing housing. Other speakers in public comment echoed concerns about staff behavior and the difficulty of filing complaints.

Why this matters: Although the city’s mayor appoints Housing Authority board members, the Housing Authority operates separately; complaints alleging discrimination, retaliation or violations of fair-housing law are typically pursued through HUD and related administrative channels. Residents said they want the council to press the Housing Authority and to ensure a complaint process that protects tenants.

What’s next: The Housing Authority’s chair was reported to be looking into the matter and an investigation was referenced in public comment. The council did not take formal action at the meeting to change Housing Authority operations; several residents said they will pursue external complaint channels.

Ending: Residents urged clearer complaint processes and enforcement of fair-housing protections; city staff reiterated the limits of municipal authority over the housing authority’s personnel and operations.","Multiple residents told the April 20 council that a Housing Authority employee treated tenants abusively, charged an unaffordable replacement-key fee, and that internal complaint routes are unclear; city staff said the Housing Authority is a separate entity under federal oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Aransas Pass approves hotel-occupancy tax awards for local festivals, raises Saltwater Mardi Gras grant to $6,500

Aransas Pass council updates drought plan, approves budget amendment and renews emergency-service agreements

Residents tell Aransas Pass council of alleged retaliation, unclear complaint process at Housing Authority