[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6194028,"mediaKeyId","3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79","parentId",3864985,"title","Council appoints interim city manager stipend, moves to refine city manager job description and add monthly executive-session alignment","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",3623000,"endMs",3816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79&start=3623&end=3816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79/thumbnail_3623000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194028/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Council-appoints-interim-city-manager-stipend-moves-to-refine-city-manager-job-description-and-add-monthly-executive-session-alignment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194028-93c975b9ef3474929321d754e17ef40f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775904742&Signature=gb9TBAT5HPclx8IHLavFR8BFf2gXsTEHzll70TlXw4mv-w~u1mCZd-6U3rhqgQg62j3ztw85NZEBZv0qc07~kwxZyS-eA9FBh~H-4itYshKfPB5~3t-Mddb9UgAYsvmYc7EtyDhmo4GYOHwscZqkduQVVJVPV1pSU5Cu4bvqXSTE22Q7oQczwo4KXo358B4sxca1jYIW7EoOC~a87-D4DQ8wuVeozDrLEztTp8vcIAG9cWOiIwWRW9f7JrmMSOij7h7A6TKW8ypGKAI4g6pT3OMGVn0KUmNrnWM7-HybqVx0DX4NyAGsPMDAW1FjBeiEyslB1gwBTJ5jVRSTEpWqrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Alpine, Texas","date","2025-06-18T14:37:30Z","article","The Alpine City Council on June 17 formalized interim leadership arrangements and directed staff to refine the permanent city manager job description as the city transitions to new permanent leadership.

The council unanimously approved providing interim City Manager Gio (Geo) Calderon a stipend of $2,500 per month while he serves in the role. The motion followed executive-session discussions about operational alignment and the need for clear periodic check-ins between council and city manager.

Why it matters: Council also debated changes to the city manager job description and recruitment approach for the permanent position. Members discussed education and experience requirements and whether to require or prefer a graduate degree, how many years of public-administration experience to list, and whether bilingual ability should be required or preferred. Several council members favored a required college degree with public-administration experience preferred; the council agreed to include a “preferred bilingual” (English-Spanish) note and to refine experience language for final approval on July 1.

Council members also voted unanimously to add a recurring executive-session line item for “operational and personnel considerations” to ensure council and city manager alignment moving forward.

Ending: Staff will update the compensation-study job description with the council’s edits and return the revised job description for official approval on July 1; the council will consider recruitment approach (in-house posting versus executive search) at that time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Alpine City Council on June 17 formalized interim leadership arrangements and directed staff to refine the permanent city manager job description as the city transitions to new permanent leadership.","taxTitle","Alpine , Brewster County, Texas","taxId",55416,"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},6194033,"Council approves $400,000 hotel-occupancy-tax allocation; committee flags larger restoration projects for separate consideration",900,4957000,5857000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79&start=4957&end=5857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79/thumbnail_4957000.jpg","/articles/6194033/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Council-approves-400000-hotel-occupancy-tax-allocation-committee-flags-larger-restoration-projects-for-separate-consideration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194033-afe3c8d474060a42ba0a0c2c1eef896f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775904742&Signature=MfPJ9v3LzE-zN7AR5Kz6CK05EUea6c6sxKkf8mdxFu8kqEOknowvFAAap-5HRS9ScGIiVqUoVpqWuZhPU~dal5aDMAgumhbxQ6Lgut~Im3uQ74786iVhAPQVv0fZgwUqeVe5jixCBwgV02GMYRNVwPb3k1Sac~mFSwslJaolHk3wseneoChgJHwRpETAglbUJnS0Ky-P6ogvuXygeScaH9DFTJnp0ZchdQTV958Qyk3V7GtHMllMpBQaMfVVFasro9ib-G68xyApU8dd8lK30i70pAm-m0JS4CKSoSCtXFwv62LYWFglGDKYT1UnxZUcn-1qQ7X47n0Ma57ROVAT3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpine City Council on June 17 approved the Hotel Occupancy Tax Committee’s recommendations for fiscal year 2025–26, allocating up to $400,000 across events and projects recommended to generate overnight visitation.

Director of Tourism Chris Ruggia told council the committee received requests totaling $680,400 and used a weighted scoring rubric — including expected hotel-night impact, capacity to host visitors, professionalism of the application and revenue diversity — to allocate the available fund.

The nut graf: Committee members recommended prioritizing events and promotions most likely to bring overnight visitors; two larger requests — for Coconut Field restoration and for stadium improvements to support youth softball tournaments — were not funded from the annual HOT grant pool but were identified as candidate projects for fund-balance or separate one-time consideration.

Ruggia said the committee funded some historic-preservation work (decorative lighting) but suggested stadium lighting and larger-field renovations be evaluated separately because they represent substantial capital needs and could be better supported through specific fund-balance projects or multi-stakeholder plans with the school district.

Council members praised the committee’s work. Council Member Stevens said the committee “did a phenomenal job” trimming requests and focusing awards on projects that will drive staying visitors; several members volunteered to help convene stakeholders to explore a coordinated plan for Coconut Field and tournament-capable fields.

Ending: Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 2025-06-23 authorizing the committee’s recommended HOT awards and asked staff and stakeholders to explore fund-balance or one-time funding paths for larger capital projects.","The Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Committee recommended awards totaling up to the available $400,000 from $680,400 in requests. Council approved the committee’s recommendations and members urged separate planning for larger projects such as Coconut Field restoration and youth softball venue upgrades.",{"_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},6194037,"Council approves rezoning of 1009 East Gallego Avenue after property owner testimony",4489,121000,4610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79&start=121&end=4610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79/thumbnail_121000.jpg","/articles/6194037/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Council-approves-rezoning-of-1009-East-Gallego-Avenue-after-property-owner-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194037-8bc4079a91b426aba4f6937da65dde5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775904742&Signature=Q6UcWlFJZpbTChsrCKx6swiGQ94FzA49Hz6i0BTnVeb4FBu16Xhm6vNS9Sw8P16a-WBBgUEQFtOhGoqx6I21HniOZzk7X0RWmCqjbT8UuEcmxdWO-1vT1bIJnnrL~BrP24tpkv-xLBueP4CrTQM~gjPN6-rDAWJ~Mck~pAUM6VgqlUDGDzP54lXpTveB5Ay6x6DAsUKCbjxvulLCRkDvJhTrGd~~nfdIM319YCQS-C-B9w8I9DeCG1ChTX9iMvPUTobWv7WFTUxAisNuKjevwGjmUiceotgWm4EdHsoySci7DLLyemqh0TVt5rk5J25TM-V8bf0qlwu8Nq8cFY4cKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpine City Council on June 17 approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to rezone the property at 1009 East Gallego Avenue from R-4 Mobile Home District to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District.

Property owner Mike Bleyanes appeared at the public hearing to describe the site’s history and use. “We bought that, amount of it, but, you might have heard the last time we bought the property in 1970, and we've had a business that's been ever since,” Bleyanes said, arguing the area has long functioned as commercial and that city appraisal records had listed the property as commercial in the past.

Why it matters: The rezoning formalizes commercial zoning for a portion of Block 33 (Hancock Addition, south of the railroad) and aligns the property’s zoning with adjoining commercial uses along Gallego Avenue, council noted during the second-reading consideration.

Council voted unanimously to approve the second and final reading of Ordinance 2025-06-02 to amend the official zoning map as described in the ordinance language.

Ending: The ordinance provides standard findings of fact, repealer, severability and effective-date clauses and will take effect as specified in the ordinance language.","The council approved second and final reading to rezone property at 1009 East Gallego Ave. Owner Mike Bleyanes spoke in public hearing claiming long-standing commercial use and seeking the zoning change from R-4 (Mobile Home District) to C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194042,"Council hears utility staffing and compliance gaps as utilities director search is planned",800,2059000,2859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79&start=2059&end=2859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79/thumbnail_2059000.jpg","/articles/6194042/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Council-hears-utility-staffing-and-compliance-gaps-as-utilities-director-search-is-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194042-377bde540ef5f303bff4694d191ea050/orig.mp4?Expires=1775904742&Signature=gNzRWJ3v8fENo3yYh5oLnadKGTvFVpdNKLSzACZUp8xAY3yHlMyLdEMbVX7wlKBQNO4Zurqvgn4qrkv57NM4sbJm49LcUdEyhRxtrwlOr5o4EKfNwNj5Gj9TraaLxOCGzw5CkAfckOG~Xfd8CLX8QIOpAG91QjJgsrx9W7S4bfL~JSnOtTHuBkAAcidWuHx5JomRwMjcywm0YOtUGhpVs9VtHQU2~KCbGpi4Hviuwc6thd-oEtVsUySYgcHPfCgkzu28sEFKT0drf4bER6Ecf4xKYADDwElJyv6Fku-gwPAvCCEo-X7qpP5N~PZr3uM3KwMRx2IlrdMFnIAMJbwNyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpine City Council spent substantial time on June 17 discussing continuity and risks in the city’s utilities operations after the utilities director’s departure.

Interim City Manager Gio (Geo) Calderon told council the utilities director (Johnny) was leaving and that Mike Macias would provide operational leadership as a team lead in the interim while HR and the manager pursue either an interim or permanent utilities director. \"I did speak with Mike Macias to provide operational leadership as a team lead until we can get somebody in the position,\" Calderon said.

Why it matters: Council members raised immediate operational and regulatory concerns — including a recent notice of violation from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and a separate noncompliance notice from TxDOT related to Title VI — and emphasized the need for a licensed operator and continuity for SCADA and wastewater projects.

Calderon told council staff will interview two applicants and aims to present a recommendation for council action at the July 1 meeting. He said the city will evaluate whether to appoint someone on an interim basis or hire permanently, and that licensing can be obtained for the successful candidate: \"If we get somebody in place, we can get the required license,\" he said.

Council and staff also discussed operational steps to reduce workload and billing errors: the city plans a utility-billing software launch in October, a pilot for smart meters was discussed (estimated pilot cost reported around $40,000 for one option), and staff are working to improve meter-reading processes and SCADA access for remote monitoring.

Several council members urged faster action to ensure permitted operations: council asked staff to explore temporary licensed oversight from neighboring utilities if necessary and to prioritize TCEQ compliance issues. Calderon said staff had already identified areas for immediate oversight and would seek council approval for candidate appointments.

Ending: The council unanimously agreed to continue recruitment and directed staff to return with recommendations at the next meeting; the SGR executive recruitment proposal for utilities director was postponed by council vote.","Council and interim city manager discussed the utilities department transition after the utilities director’s departure, temporary operational coverage, plans to recruit a utilities director, Title VI notification from TxDOT and TCEQ notices, and a planned October launch of new utility-billing software.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6194047,"Council accepts clean audit but auditors flag repeated billing-system control issues",5151,825000,5976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79&start=825&end=5976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3864985-f10770ed556b5cf8765e4a44a5290d79/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6194047/Alpine/Brewster-County/Texas/Council-accepts-clean-audit-but-auditors-flag-repeated-billing-system-control-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194047-eceea3f13b1404d64f22ef614aeec8eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775904742&Signature=F9J2m2ffGGKNU07XL7wEmudtiP9jWAuV34GSiNEHpGm~-GltkMvS7PJySxPKg-~ehl0Lye0V8oQoxCvO~ciOqdayc3nn611sbq6fupoxvyT-3oKRLc9-71AGM2BXlwtFGxgo1hf-OLDUWgd4E0z69LJcCJFmIYVhE04oQWWEVQbVlhXndkJFkkgNT7qP3Le41uXlqrD1EYkSANtRzrWq~E-RTdYmq6ZTLH~3dfc8m~mIls4RuOAC2GzKfhDsu-UwgZU4d-lvWMR1dS~WR7k2mxfKcVsgvQcMgwpWf2pgCcC9s4WNjULW5RgpD7FcGJ-CAWaBNpEWDQPMrxbPTvc4Xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpine City Council on June 17 accepted the fiscal-year 2023 financial audit after a presentation by auditors from Gibson, Ruddock & Patterson, LLP.

The audit firm gave the city an unmodified opinion — commonly called a “clean” opinion — on the financial statements for the year ending Sept. 30, 2023, meaning the statements were presented fairly in all material respects, auditor Marlene Schickler said during a council presentation.

The nut graf: While the overall audit was clean, auditors reported a repeat finding on the city’s utility billing system reconciliation and included a management letter with recommendations for internal controls and process improvements.

In her presentation, Schickler summarized revenue and expenditure trends across funds and said the city’s general fund balance and unassigned fund balance increased as of Sept. 30, 2023. She listed program-specific changes — for example, decreased public-works spending in 2023 after street projects completed in 2022 — and explained the basis for the clean opinion.

Schickler also described a repeat audit finding about discrepancies between reports produced by the billing system and the general ledger. She told council the finding had appeared in the prior year and recommended strengthened reconciliations and improved documentation. In addition to that finding, auditors provided a separate letter of recommendations covering procurement, journal entries, accounts payable/receipts, inventory valuation for the water department, payroll review, and vendor-list maintenance.

Council members asked clarifying questions about whether committed funds shown in the audit had been spent; Schickler replied the committed amounts shown on Sept. 30, 2023, had not been expended as of that date. City staff said work to finalize later-year trial balances was ongoing and that they expected to complete conversion entries to the full-accrual exhibits that auditors presented.

The council voted unanimously to accept the audit.

Ending: The auditors encouraged the city to follow the management recommendations and pursue the planned utility-billing software implementation, which council and staff said is scheduled to launch in October and should address several billing and reporting issues noted by auditors.","Auditors delivered an unmodified (clean) opinion on the City of Alpine's fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023, but noted a repeated finding related to the utility billing system and made management recommendations; council formally accepted the audit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council appoints interim city manager stipend, moves to refine city manager job description and add monthly executive-session alignment

Council approves $400,000 hotel-occupancy-tax allocation; committee flags larger restoration projects for separate consideration

Council approves rezoning of 1009 East Gallego Avenue after property owner testimony

Council hears utility staffing and compliance gaps as utilities director search is planned

Council accepts clean audit but auditors flag repeated billing-system control issues