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San Benito manager announces online billing, flood planning cooperation and summer events; regional recovery conference promoted
Summary
City Manager Fred told the San Benito City Commission on June 17 that the city's online utility-billing system is now active and outlined cooperative flood-management talks with Cameron County Drainage District No. 3, expanded FEMA outreach hours, a proposed six-month water-bill relief for qualified seniors, and a schedule of summer events including movies and a concert series.
City Manager Fred updated the commission June 17 on several administrative and community programs, including a new online utilities-billing system, discussions with the county drainage district about regional flood detention, FEMA outreach hours, a pilot utility-relief plan for seniors, and an expanded events calendar for the summer.
Fred told the commission the city's online utility-billing system is up and running. The system will allow customers to review transaction history, manage accounts, set up scheduled payments and request service; staff emphasized that data are encrypted and secure. Fred thanked staff members (Diana, Stephanie's representative, Yolanda) for implementing the system.
Fred and other staff said they met with leadership of Cameron County Drainage District No. 3 (general manager Carla Marin Torres and assistant general manager Ben Escobar) to discuss cooperative efforts including equipment sharing, possible dredging and a regional detention facility (RDF). The city manager described the RDF concept as a potential 130-plus-acre site that could be part of a joint effort to reduce local flooding, though he said details and interlocal agreements are still under development.
FEMA regional outreach continues in the area, Fred said; FEMA is operating Monday'Friday 8 a.m.'7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.'5 p.m., with Sunday closures, to assist flood victims.
Fred also described a CDBG-CV utility assistance plan the city is developing to help qualifying residents age 62 or older. He said staff hopes to provide a six-month billing relief for water service to qualifying seniors, starting with those delinquent on bills; additional eligibility criteria and application steps will be required.
Parks and cultural staff outlined community events for the summer. Eloy Avila, parks director, said "Movies in the Park" will recur weekly on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., rotating among venues including the Cultural Arts Center. The city also unveiled a summer concert series; Roy Garcia of Carpionocks Entertainment confirmed 10 confirmed shows so far at the fairgrounds, nightly fireworks, vendor opportunities and that kids 12 and under will be admitted free. Ticket prices were described as ranging from $25 (general admission) to $125 for premium shows; some local-act slots will be filled by community performers.
In a regional presentation, Cesar Madler, assistant director of public safety for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, invited local officials to the second annual "Listo RGV" regional preparedness and recovery conference scheduled for Sept. 24'26 at Margaritaville Hotel & Resort on South Padre Island. Madler said the conference focuses on regional recovery following incidents such as the March floods and will offer continuing-education credits. Registration is $100 for individuals, free for nonprofits and government tables, and $200 for for-profit institutions; staff asked the commission to help spread the word.
Commissioners asked logistical questions about the events, restaurant coordination and vendor outreach; staff said they would follow up with marketing and vendor recruitment.
