San Luis City Council adopted an amendment to a previous resolution to permit an increase in the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) bond authorization tied to a proposed hospital project by the Regional Center for Border Health. An attorney representing the IDA told the council the original resolution approved Oct. 2 authorized up to $80 million for the bond issue; because construction bids and costs rose, the expected bond size grew to about $93 million and the IDA seeks authority up to $100 million.

The presenter said the proposed bond issuance would not involve any city funds and that the IDA bonds would be issued on the credit of Regional Center for Border Health only. The attorney said, "it doesn't involve $1 of city money," and explained the urgency: a TEFRA hearing is valid for only one calendar year and the related deadline runs out Oct. 2, so the amendment was presented with an emergency clause to meet timing requirements.

Amanda Aguirre, president and CEO of the Regional Center for Border Health, addressed the council and said all construction documents and permits were ready and that the city’s continued support was requested. Council approved resolution 23-75, including the emergency declaration, by voice vote and the mayor announced the motion carried.

Staff and the attorney emphasized the bonds would be the responsibility of the Regional Center for Border Health and that neither the city nor the IDA would be liable for repayment. The council’s vote preserved the IDA’s ability to proceed with bond issuance pending investor and USDA processes described by the presenter.