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Eagle Pass council moves legal question on proposed solid-waste fee increases to executive session
Summary
City staff proposed raising solid-waste collection fees to cover rising vehicle and parts costs and to fund city services; after council questions about justification and reporting, members voted unanimously to take legal questions on the ordinance into executive session.
City staff brought back a second-reading ordinance to update Eagle Pass municipal solid-waste rates, proposing new monthly surcharges of $20 for city residents and $25 for county residents to help cover rising equipment, fuel and parts costs.
Mr. Rivera, the staff presenter, framed the increase as necessary to maintain service levels and support quality-of-life projects funded through the general fund after departmental obligations are met. He cited higher capital and operating costs, saying older refuse trucks that cost about $280,000 in 2010 now approach $500,000 and referenced a recent parts/fuel figure of $600,000.
Councilmembers pressed staff on justification, timing and accountability. A council member asked when fees were last raised; staff replied records show the last substantive increase around February 2010 (a 2012 code update was also noted). Members asked staff to provide an annual evaluation and year-end reporting showing how fee revenue is used. Mr. Rivera said he would work with finance to produce visual materials and a plan for the next fiscal year.
Councilmember Garcia moved — and Councilmember Cruz seconded — a motion to take a legal question related to the ordinance into executive session; the motion passed unanimously. The council did not take final action on the ordinance in open session and agreed to discuss the legal issue behind closed doors under Texas Government Code provisions.
