The Dilley City Council met on September 23, 2025, to approve next year’s budget and set utility rates for the city. Council members also discussed expensive emergency repairs at the prison facility, decided when to hold Halloween events around the big rivalry football game, and updated rules for how the city posts meeting agendas.
1. Call meeting to order — 00:06:40
Mayor Alexandria Martinez-Inocencio called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. Roll call — 00:06:46
During the roll call, Mayor Alexandria Martinez-Inocencio, Councilmembers Everardo Castillo Jr., Eric Aranda, Alisa Machado, Ray Aranda, and Rudy Alvarez, along with City Secretary Natasha Prado and City Administrator Henry Arredondo, were all confirmed present, with no absences recorded.
3. Pledges of Allegiance to the United States and Texas Flags — 00:07:28
4. Invocation — 00:08:01
City Administrator Henry Arredondo led the invocation.
5. Citizens to be heard — 00:08:44
No citizens to be heard.
6. Discuss/Consider presentation of solid waste rate study by Capex resources group — 00:09:22
Jeff Snowden with CapEx Resources Group presented a comprehensive solid waste rate study to address the city’s contract with Republic Industries for waste collection services. The city’s solid waste system has grown slightly, from 1,260 accounts in 2021 to 1,281 currently, with notable expansion in outside city limits customers (from 113 to 145 accounts) and commercial inside customers (from 86 to 91 accounts).
Commercial inside customers generate the largest revenue at $286,000, followed by residential inside at $214,000, while the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) represents 20% of total revenue at $175,000 through a wholesale agreement with Republic.
The central challenge: Republic Industries has escalated the city’s contract costs by approximately 7.26% since 2022, with annual increases tied to the consumer price index for urban communities. Without rate adjustments, the solid waste fund would reach deficits in 2030, with a negative balance of $43,030.
Snowden proposed a five-year rate plan with annual increases averaging about 4.8% to keep pace with Republic’s escalating charges. For residential once-a-week pickup, the monthly rate would increase from $22.72 to $23.93 on October 1, with similar increases each October 1 thereafter. Outside city limits customers pay a 1.5 times premium, and commercial rates would rise from $39.80 to $41.91.
A significant administrative recommendation involved TDCJ billing. Snowden proposed migrating TDCJ to the city’s ENCODE billing system for water, sewer, and solid waste, rather than continuing the separate calculation method used historically. The original facilities agreement that warranted separate treatment expired approximately 12 years ago, making standard billing practices now appropriate.
With the proposed rate increases, Snowden forecasted that the solid waste fund would generate surpluses over the next five years, which could help offset deficits in the natural gas fund discussed the previous week.
Councilman Rudy Alvarez asked whether council would approve the ordinance at the next meeting. Snowden clarified that a draft rate ordinance was available for consideration that evening, though it had just been finalized and was not included in the published agenda packet. The mayor acknowledged the presentation and moved to the next agenda item without taking action.
… continued after item 9
7. Discuss/Consider & act on Solid Waste Rate Ordinance — 00:20:32
Mayor Alexandria Martinez-Inocencio introduced the solid waste rate ordinance, noting that consultant Snowden had finalized it that day. Council requested to see the physical ordinance document before voting.
Councilman Rudy Alvarez emphasized the importance of having the ordinance before them during the vote, stating they needed to know what they were voting for to proceed properly. The mayor offered several options: reviewing a printed copy immediately, tabling the item until the next meeting, or proceeding with contingent legal review.
Councilman Ray Aranda noted that approval was needed that day for the rate changes to be effective October 1. After brief discussion, the mayor requested a motion to table the item until after agenda item eight to allow the meeting to continue while the ordinance was prepared for review.
Motion: Table the solid waste rate ordinance until after item eight — Councilman Eric Aranda
Second: Councilwoman Alicia Machado
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
8. Discuss/Consider & act on Ordinance No. 25-23-09, an ordinance of the City of Dilley, Texas establishing procedures for placing items on the agenda; repealing any and all ordinances in conflict herewith; providing for a severability clause and setting an effective date — 00:23:56
Mayor Alexandria Martinez-Inocencio explained that the ordinance was brought back for review to comply with new state laws requiring 72 business hours notice for agenda posting. City Secretary Natasha Prado outlined the key procedural change: agenda items must now be submitted to her by Thursday the week before she posts the agenda (typically the first week of the month), rather than the Thursday immediately before the meeting. This extended timeline allows the city attorney and mayor adequate time to review items before the second Tuesday meeting date, while ensuring compliance with the 72-hour posting requirement.
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 25-23-09, an ordinance of the City of Dilley, Texas, establishing procedures for placing items on the agenda, repealing any and all ordinances in conflict herewith, providing for a severability clause and setting an effective date — Councilman Ray Aranda
Second: Councilman Everardo Castillo Jr.
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
9. Discuss/Consider & act on Halloween day/Event and time for trick or treating — 00:26:49
Council discussed whether to change the city’s designated trick-or-treating day from Halloween’s actual date, October 31 (a Friday), due to conflicts with local school events, particularly the district rivalry football game at Cotulla.
Councilman Ray Aranda recalled that approximately 10 years ago, the city changed Halloween once, which created significant backlash. Residents celebrated on both the designated day and Halloween itself, and the city has not changed the date since. Councilman Rudy Alvarez confirmed the experience and noted that people prefer to stick to the traditional Halloween date.
The mayor acknowledged the concern but noted that the item was placed on the agenda to ensure all perspectives were heard. Discussion shifted to city-sponsored events like trunk-or-treat and how to accommodate families attending Thursday’s junior varsity game and Friday’s varsity game.
City Secretary Natasha Prado mentioned that local business owners have children playing in Thursday’s junior high and JV games and Friday’s varsity game. Councilman Ray Aranda pointed out scheduling challenges throughout the week, including Wednesday church services and Tuesday games.
The mayor confirmed that October 31 is a district-wide early release day for schools, allowing children to begin trick-or-treating by 4 p.m. Council agreed to keep Halloween trick-or-treating on Friday, October 31, but move the city’s trunk-or-treat event to Monday, October 27, to allow council members and city staff to participate without conflicting with the football game.
Councilman Everardo Castillo Jr. noted after the vote that the motion did not include a specific time for trunk-or-treat, though 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. had been discussed informally.
Motion: Hold the city’s trunk-or-treat event on Monday, October 27, and keep Halloween trick-or-treating on October 31 — Councilman Eric Aranda
Second: Councilman Ray Aranda
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
7…continued Discuss/Consider & act on Solid Waste Rate Ordinance — 00:33:24
(Item tabled earlier, now reconsidered)
Council reviewed the printed solid waste rate ordinance, City Secretary Natasha Prado designated the ordinance number as 25-23-09-D, continuing the city’s lettering system for related ordinances.
Extended discussion addressed the policies for two-yard containers versus roll-off dumpsters. The city secretary explained that two-yard containers require a three-month minimum commitment due to Republic Industries’ charges, while short-term needs (days or weeks) require roll-off dumpsters arranged directly through Republic. When a customer requests a two-yard container, the city typically picks up the standard residential cart unless the customer specifically requests to keep it.
Councilwoman Machado raised concerns about construction companies bringing their own roll-off dumpsters instead of using Republic Industries, as required by the city’s contract. Councilman Castillo noted the city lacks personnel to enforce the policy. The city secretary explained that when the city had a code enforcement officer, violations were addressed by sharing the Republic contract with violators. Councilman Eric Aranda suggested advising contractors of the requirement when they obtain building permits, and the mayor agreed this information could be included in permit packets.
City Administrator Henry Arredondo confirmed that CapEx would help implement the new rates in the billing software the following week.
Motion: Accept Ordinance 25-23-09-D with the new rates for solid waste — Councilman Eric Aranda
Second: Councilwoman Alicia Machado
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
After the vote, Councilman Ray Aranda reminded the mayor to read the ordinance caption. The mayor read: Ordinance Number 25-23-09-D, an ordinance of the City of Dilley, Texas, amending the master ordinance, adopting new utility rates for solid waste, increasing collection charges each year from October 2025 through October 2029 at the levels indicated in the rate tables provided within this ordinance. The rate increases would automatically take effect on October 1, 2025, and each subsequent year through October 2029, unless City Council takes action to revise the ordinance. The mayor corrected the effective date from September 23, 2025, to October 1, 2025.
10. Discuss/Consider & act on Ordinance No. 25-23-09-A, an ordinance by the city of Dilley, Texas amending the adopted budget for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, and establishing an effective date — 00:45:43
City Administrator Henry Arredondo presented the amended budget. The proposed changes affected several funds: no changes to the general fund, an increase in the hotel tax fund for engineering work on the park trail if invoiced during the current fiscal year, and a balanced increase of $64,650 in both revenues and expenditures for the utility fund.
The most significant changes involved the prison fund, with a $267,000 increase in revenues and a $509,000 increase in expenditures. Arredondo explained that a major issue at the prison facility required removing and replacing all old well casings. The work necessitated purchasing a new, thinner pump to go deeper, as the existing pump type was incompatible.
An electrical complication arose when the city attempted to obtain an easement from the state agency that owns the land (not TDCJ itself, but a state department working through TDCJ). After three to four months of negotiations, the agency denied the new easement request, requiring the city to use an existing easement instead. This forced expensive changes including relocating power poles, upgrading to a larger transformer, and redoing all electrical work from the pump to the facility house. The original electrical estimate had been approximately $30,000, but the easement denial substantially increased costs.
During the months-long repair process, the facility had no power. The city attempted to obtain a generator through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) but ultimately rented one through a contractor. Daily diesel refills were required to maintain power for approximately four to five months until repairs were completed.
The mayor asked whether these expenses were the city’s responsibility. Arredondo explained that once all details were compiled, they would present the expenses to TDCJ for reimbursement. According to Arredondo, the city had successfully obtained payment from TDCJ in similar situations.
Councilman Rudy Alvarez asked whether TDCJ would be billed directly or if costs would be incorporated into next year’s rates. Arredondo confirmed the rate consultant indicated that recovery could occur either through a new rate structure over time or through another MOU. Alvarez suggested the rate approach might be easier and quicker for recovering the costs.
Brief discussion touched on an $85,000 item from the upcoming 2025-26 budget, which Arredondo explained included a $55,000 transfer to the general fund for Convention Center maintenance and an additional $30,000 for services: $10,000 for engineering services, $8,000 for contract services, and funds for the hotel-motel tax audit expense under the council-approved audit contract.
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 25-23-09-A, an ordinance by the City of Dilley, Texas, amending the adopted budget for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024, and establishing an effective date — Councilman Ray Aranda
Second: Councilman Everardo Castillo Jr.
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
11. Discuss/Consider & act on Ordinance No. 25-23-09-B, an ordinance adopting a budget for the ensuing fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2026 appropriating the various amounts thereof, and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict therewith; and providing for an effective date — 00:56:21
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 25-23-09-B, an ordinance adopting a budget for the ensuing fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026, appropriating the various amounts thereof, and repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict therewith, and providing for an effective date of October 1, 2025 — Councilman Everardo Castillo Jr.
Second: Councilwoman Alicia Machado
Vote: 5–0 (recorded roll call vote) — Motion passes
12. Discuss/Consider & act on Ordinance No. 25-23-09-C, an ordinance of the City of Dilley, Texas levying an ad valorem tax for the use and benefit of the City of Dilley for the Fiscal year commencing October 1, 2025 and terminating September 30, 2026 — 01:12:52
Mayor Alexandria Martinez-Inocencio read the full tax rate ordinance. The ordinance levies a tax rate of $0.827540 per $100 of assessed valuation on all taxable real, personal, and mixed property within the city limits for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026.
The tax rate is divided into two components: $0.394785 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operations of the general government general fund, and $0.432755 per $100 valuation for the interest and sinking fund to retire bonded indebtedness.
In accordance with Section 26.065 of the Texas Tax Code, the city stated that this tax rate will not increase more taxes for maintenance and operations than last year’s tax rate.
Motion: Approve Ordinance No. 25-23-09-C as stated — Councilman Ray Aranda
Second: Councilman Eric Aranda
Vote: 5–0 (recorded roll call vote) — Motion passes
The mayor announced the time as 7:46 p.m. following adoption of the ordinance, which became effective October 1, 2025.
13. Adjournment — 01:17:49
Motion: Adjourn the meeting — Councilman Everardo Castillo Jr.
Second: Councilwoman Alicia Machado
Vote: 5–0 — Motion passes
The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
– Written by Jose Asuncion with Claude involved.
Disclaimer: This post is a summary of what was said during the meeting. It has not been cross-referenced with any other records, so if something was misstated in the meeting, it may be misstated here as well. This is not intended to serve as, or replace, the official minutes of any meeting.