Paying for our roads again and again

June 7, 2017

The city adds $1.10 per month to our garbage (ESD–environmental services division) bills.

They list this as “FRANCHISE FEE(NO TAX)”.

Franchise fees are usually explained by local governments as charges for the use of public right of ways (streets).  The fees are charged to private companies that use public roads (electric, telephone, gas, cable, private ambulance companies).

Our streets

The problem here is that this franchise fee charges residents for the use by our own city garbage trucks of roads we have already paid for.

If this is permissible then might we then see new franchise fees charged for police, fire, ambulance, animal services and other city department’s use of city roads?

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Spending on the way out the door

May 31, 2017

The city of El Paso district four representative did not stand for re-election since he had served the maximum number of terms allowed.

No fewer than 7 agenda items are on the Tuesday, May 30, 2017 city council agenda that will allow the outgoing representative to spend discretionary funds.

The total comes to $53,981.

Each representative is allocated a flat amount every budget year.  Evidently he did not see the benefit of spending the money as it became available but now wants to use it rather than leaving it for his successor.

His constituents cannot hold him accountable for how the money is spent since he is leaving office.

We deserve better

Brutus

3 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Wrong and in plain sight

May 28, 2017

The Times printed a picture that showed political signs for both of the mayoral runoff candidates placed right in front of our county courthouse.

 

 

Placing the signs on public property is a violation of the intent of our state constitution:

[T]he Legislature shall have no power to authorize any county, city, town or other political corporation or subdivision of the State to lend its credit or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual, association or corporation whatsoever.

Does either one of the candidates care about the rules?

Is the Times deliberately ignoring the rules or don’t they have anyone left who cares about the public?

We deserve better

Brutus

5 Comments | City government, El Paso Times | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

Stanton street status

May 27, 2017

1 Comment | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

District 8 runoff?

May 23, 2017

Will the city representative district eight election result in a clear winner?

We are told that a run-off election will cost us about $40,000.

We hope that the voters in district eight pay attention.

We deserve better

Brutus

2 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus

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