Nogales mayor's planned Polanco trip approved after council debate on priorities and transparency

The Nogales City Council on Oct. 1 approved a request for Mayor Jorge Maldonado to attend a binational mayors meeting in Polanco, Mexico, after a lengthy discussion in which several council members expressed concern about the meeting's timing, the lack of detailed agenda materials and whether the trip served pressing local priorities.

Maldonado told the council the event was organized by the U.S.-Mexico Border Mayors Association and that invited U.S. participants included other border mayors from Arizona and neighboring states. He said he planned to use the trip to arrange follow-up appointments with Sonoran and federal officials on issues including ports of entry and agricultural transport.

Vice Mayor Bohorquez and Councilwoman Montiel raised questions about the limited backup information in the council packet and asked whether the invitation was publicly announced. Bohorquez said the city should focus first on local infrastructure and services, while Councilman Bonilla and other members defended the value of mayors maintaining cross-border relationships to attract business and tourism.

Maldonado said the trip would be financed from the mayor's discretionary budget, not the city general fund, and he agreed to provide a detailed report to the council after he returns. The council approved the trip by voice vote after discussion; several members asked for a post-trip briefing on who the mayor met and what benefits the city obtained.

The council did not record a formal cost estimate in the packet. Council members asked staff to confirm and provide any relevant appointment details and to include a report about outcomes on the next possible agenda after the mayor's return.