Cameron County judge asks Brownsville ISD to consider backing 2% venue tax for proposed multiuse arena

Cameron County Judge Trevino urged the Brownsville ISD Board of Trustees Facility Committee on Feb. 10 to consider supporting a county ballot measure that would dedicate a 2% venue (hotel occupancy/short‑term rental) tax toward a proposed air‑conditioned, multiuse arena in North Brownsville.

Trevino told the committee the county has already authorized a resolution to place venue‑tax funding for the arena before voters and that the tax would be paid only by hotel and short‑term‑rental guests, not by property owners. He said county leaders will send a proposed letter of support or resolution to the school board for its consideration, and that the district would have the opportunity to act at a later meeting.

The venue tax is a two‑percent hotel occupancy charge approved by Cameron County voters in 2016 for tourism‑related projects, Trevino said. He described the tax as restricted by state law to voter‑approved projects and said the proceeds previously funded the Isla Blanca Amphitheater and the South Texas Ecotourism Center. Trevino said the county’s current proposal would put a multiuse arena on a site north of Brownsville, across from Rancho Viejo, and he highlighted potential benefits to schools and higher‑education partners, including ceremonies and athletic events.

“Will the venue tax increase my property tax? No it will not,” Trevino told the committee, adding that the tax is collected from people staying overnight in hotels or short‑term rentals. He described the county’s plan as relying on a mix of the venue tax, debt issued against that revenue, and a public‑private partnership for operation and event management. The county envisions reserving a set number of community events — Trevino said they are considering set‑aside nights each year for community uses such as high‑school graduations — in any operating agreement with a private operator.

Board members asked how the arena’s operation would affect BISD. Frank Ortiz, vice chair of the facility committee, asked directly whether the district would be charged to use the arena for graduations; Trevino said the county has not finalized costs and said “I’m not gonna say that there is. I’m not gonna say that there isn’t.” Trevino added that the county’s study contemplated some community events being provided at no charge, but he cautioned that operating details would be negotiated later with whoever runs the facility.

Trevino estimated a 2‑to‑5‑year timeline from approval to initial groundbreaking and said cost estimates vary by design: a hybrid (partially covered amphitheater) option was described as lower cost — he referred to broad ranges of roughly $125 million to $175 million for some hybrid designs — while a fully enclosed, 7,000–10,000‑seat arena could approach $300 million to $350 million in current price ranges cited during the meeting. He said UTRGV had sent a letter of support and that the county’s Commissioners Court had initiated the resolution process.

No formal vote or vote request by the BISD committee occurred at the Feb. 10 meeting. Superintendent‑level staff and board members thanked Trevino for appearing; the administration said it would expect to receive a proposed letter of support or resolution from county staff for the board’s consideration. A special called board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 13, was announced elsewhere in the session as the next formal opportunity for the district to act on bond‑ or ballot‑related items.

If BISD considers any formal action, the board would receive the county’s proposed language and could elect to place a supporting resolution or letter on a future agenda. Trevino emphasized state limits on venue‑tax use and repeatedly told the committee that only voter‑approved projects may receive venue‑tax funding under state law.