Eagle Pass council reviews sweeping fee updates across city departments

City of Eagle Pass officials presented a citywide package of proposed fee and ordinance updates at a November special meeting, asking the council for policy guidance and a path to a December first reading rather than immediate adoption.

The proposals covered many departments. Police staff, represented by Captain Kenneth, proposed adding or raising fees such as funeral‑escort charges ($50 to $75), heavy‑equipment escort fees that would charge $75 per officer assigned, police report and accident‑report fees ($8 to $10), fingerprinting ($15 to $20) and letter‑of‑clearance fees ($25 to $30). Animal‑control recommendations included implementing animal tag fees ($3 to $5), instituting impoundment fees comparable to neighboring jurisdictions (examples discussed included $20 for a standard impound and $50 for dangerous animals), a $25 fee for surrendered animals and a proposed $15 fee for microchipping that had been free during a trial program.

Public Works proposed increases to solid waste rates to close a roughly 20–30% gap since last updates in 2012, citing growth in accounts and higher disposal and parts costs. Staff proposed residential inside‑city increases to about $17 from $13.50 and county increases to about $20, new deposit proposals for 96‑gallon containers to encourage returns, changes to roll‑off rental and monthly charges, and higher extra‑pickup fees ($15 to $25). Public Works also described potential new monthly roll‑off rental fees and container‑deposit policies to improve equipment circulation and revenue stability.

Parks and Recreation recommended raising swim‑lesson rates (from $25 to $100) to secure sufficient lifeguard staffing and improve instruction, restructuring seasonal pass pricing (example: adult $80, child $60), standardizing open‑gym and field rental fees, introducing proportional tournament and league fees, and modest increases to youth league pricing. Library staff proposed new rates for nonresident library cards and modest room‑rental and copy/lamination fees while retaining most resident services free. The fire marshal presented inspection fee updates and new cleanup fees and fines, including a proposed $5,000 cleanup fee for fuel‑tanker spills that require hazmat response. Development services and building‑permitting staff said many permit and plan‑review fees were set below the time and third‑party review costs they now incur and outlined several increases and a possible reinspection or courtesy inspection fee.

Mayor Orlando Salinas, Jr. and council members thanked department staff for the presentations and noted the adjustments reflected rising costs and growth. Council members asked staff to refine several items (notably the tree‑removal/mitigation section, floodplain review costs tied to third‑party consultants, and clarifications on senior discounts and payment processes handled through Waterworks). Staff confirmed the package is a "living document" and will return to council in December as a first reading; no ordinance amendments were adopted at the meeting.

The council did not take final action on the fee package at the meeting. The city manager and department heads were asked to schedule a workshop and provide clearer ordinance language, fee tables and any associated administrative procedures before the next formal vote.

The presentations and council discussion highlight the city’s effort to reconcile long‑unchanged fees with current operating costs while balancing affordability and service availability.