City Council Holds Second Budget Workshop

by Tony Vindell/LFN

A second workshop to discuss the City of Los Fresnos new budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 was held as the deadline to approve the financial package gets closer and closer.

The new budget takes effect Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30.

A budget of a little more than $8.1 million is being proposed to all city services, including utilities, pay for its debt service, fund the Community Development Corp. and for its general fund.

The city has workforce of about 60 employees that get paid close to $100,000 in wages every two weeks.

The workshop was held during an Aug. 27 special meeting.

Representatives from a number of departments such as public works and the police department talked about the expenses required for their operations.

Carlos Salazar, the city’s public works director, made a report about the materials, supplies, repairs and maintenance – something which has to be done every year.

The building that still houses the city administrative offices and LFPD will undergo some changes once the new city hall opens, either late this year or early 2020.

A project to tear down a couple of walls and install new tile will take place to make some sections of the building a little larger and more suitable for police to do interviews and other jobs.

City Manager Mark Milum said the city will keep its property tax rate at 71.5 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation.

“It’s the same as it has been in the last twelve years,” he said. “The city is growing but we are keeping the rate steady.”

In another action, the council voted to buy a van for the city’s senior citizens program.

Money for the $36,000 comes from a state grant with the city contributing $10,171.

“It will be purchased immediately as we have the funds available,” Mayor Polo Narvaez said. “It’s a pretty good deal.”