It was a pleasure to read about something that we think is good in the Times the other day.
The city and EPISD are entering into an agreement that will allow members of the public to use recreation facilities at 31 schools.
Quality of life will improve and we thank both groups of elected officials for this.
This was better
Brutus
4 Comments | 
City government, El Paso Independent School District | 
Permalink
Posted by Brutus
This came in from Michael Bray the other day:
Apparently a portion of the route for our new trolley system exceeds a 7% grade and will cause problems for our streetcars. We may have stumbled upon a way to combat obesity in El Paso as riders may be asked to get out and push!
Brutus
9 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
It seems that some people want the east side sports complex to be even bigger than the ten million dollar project the voters approved in the 2012 quality of life bonds.
It looks like the expanded bill will be $23.6 million.
The city plans to create a “Public Improvement District” that would assess fees to homeowners in a nearby new subdivision. According to an article in the Times the fees would bring in about $6.8 million.
The city has already approved a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) that will get go keep 42.5 percent of property taxes collected above the current tax base in the development. That will amount to between $43 and $55 million.
In other words an area of town wanted a bigger, better, nicer park. City council is allowing them to carve out part of their city property taxes that would normally have gone into the general fund. Instead the money will be used to pay for bonds that the city wants to issue.
We deserve better
Brutus
2 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
Take the time to follow the first meeting (Tuesday, June 27, 2017) of city council with the newly elected representatives at their seats. We will soon have four new members as well as a new mayor.
New coalitions will be formed.
Pay particular attention to important agenda items that some people try to run through before the new members gain first hand experience.
In the gift that keeps on giving, we will have to have yet another election to select the representative for district 8.
We deserve better
Brutus
1 Comment | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
We recently witnessed the retirement of the city’s municipal clerk after 30 years of service to the community.
Mrs. Momsen was a steadying influence on the groups that have constituted our city councils.
Without her even more of the rules would have been ignored and we would have worse off than we are now.
According to an article in El Paso Inc.
She politely declined to be interviewed, but when asked why she’s retiring now, she said, “You know, you just know.”
Unfortunately we do.
She often seemed to be the only one at a city council meeting that was concerned about the citizens.
We thank her for her service and will miss her.
Brutus
2 Comments | City government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
You are currently browsing the archives for the City government category.
elpasospeak 
You must be logged in to post a comment.