This article in El Diario de El Paso tells us that the city is considering transferring the administration of our international bridges to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.
The article indicates that the city manager is going to recommend this change to city council.
Quoting the article:
“RMAs have the authority to study, evaluate, design, finance, acquire, construct, maintain and repair any transportation project,” …
This includes roads, highways, airports, border safety inspection stations, toll booths, public transport, initiatives to improve the quality of air, pedestrian and bicycle facilities and international bridges.
Bridge revenue is about $17 million per year. In 2012 $10.5 million of that was transferred to the general fund. In other words it was pure profit. City staff tells us that the profit number will grow to $11.2 million this year.
What now?
Will we see the profit disappear and our taxes go up if the transfer occurs? Is this a plan to pump more money into the downtown scheme? I don’t know.
Maybe the money situation will not change and this is a prudent management decision. Then again I have a bridge that you might like to buy.
We deserve better
Brutus
elpasospeak 
While I share your concerns, I also recognize that much of our electorate does not take time nor trouble to evaluate proposals. I invite members of city council to tell us on this site why they will vote for or against such proposals. This is the only site to my knowledge where a civil, thoughtful discussion is offered for informing the voters.
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What would be really interesting would be if some of the city council and management actually took the time to respond in writing to some of the comments and questions posted here. However, it seems they prefer to only put their true thoughts in writing when they are using their personal e-mail accounts.
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Transfering the money to the RMA adds another layer of opacity so the Borderplex vampire Squid can send some of it their way.
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I think Anonymous is correct about there being a hidden agenda behind this transfer. I’m betting there is already a preconceived plan about how the money will be used. Something tells me to watch and follow the money. The following is from the Camino Real RMA’s website:
“A Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) is a political subdivision ….”
“RMAs have the authority to study, evaluate, design, finance, acquire, construct, maintain, repair and operate “transportation projects”.
Transportation projects may include: turnpikes (highways), rail facilities, certain roadways, ferries, airports, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, intermodal hubs, border crossing inspection facilities, air quality improvement initiatives and mass transit systems.
RMAs may also enter into contracts or operating agreements with other local, state and federal governmental bodies of the United States or Mexico.
In furtherance of a transportation project, RMAs may: issue bonds, enter into Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDAs), acquire or condemn property, seek funding from federal, state and local sources, and collect tolls and fares, as applicable.”
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I believe the hidden agenda is this – CRRMA is how they are going to get their Yarbrough bridge crossing. CRRMA doesn’t need voter approval and it insulates the players from any political fallout. The bridge gets done the same way the AAA stadium got done; the decision is kept away from the voters.
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Ask who on the PDNG controlling group and the RMA and prominent politico in DC own or have family members who own substantial warehouse and industrial warehouses and will benefit greatly by altering and controlling international commercial movement of goods and routes. Follow the money.
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