Dilley Public Library Receives $4,000 From Medina Electric and CoBank

Pictured Left to Right: Councilman Gilbert Eguia, Steven Herrera, Councilman Sabino Mena, Library Director Norma Herrera, Ken Gajdos of CoBank, Librarian Maria Gauna, City Clerk Noelia Rodriguez, City Administrator Rudy Alvarez, Everardo Castillo, and Medina Electric CEO Mark Rollans

Medina Electric Cooperative and CoBank partner on donation

Medina Electric Cooperative presented the Dilley Public Library with a $4,000 donation on Friday, October 27. The presentation took place at the new building, with Mark Rollans, CEO of Medina Electric, and Ken Gajdos, with CoBank, and various Dilley residents. The donation was made possible through the members of Medina Electric Cooperative, and through CoBank’s Sharing Success charitable contribution program. CoBank, a national cooperative bank, is one of Medina EC’s financial partners.

Library Director Norma Herrera plans to use most of the donation for computers, a popular feature among Dilley residents. “They use them for applications, income tax, job searching, emails. Kids use them for school projects,” said Herrera. Assistance is available when appropriate, as well as printing and copying for a fee.

The donation was made possible through the members of Medina Electric Cooperative, and through CoBank’s Sharing Success charitable contribution program. CoBank, a national cooperative bank, is one of Medina EC’s financial partners. Through the Sharing Success program, CoBank matches an annual donation of up to $5,000 that Medina EC makes to up to three nonprofit organizations. Each year, Medina EC selects organizations located in a different parts of their 17-county service area to receive the donation.

There’s a City Council Meeting tonight… And It’s a BIG One…

At tonight’s 6pm Dilley City Council meeting, some of the most pressing issues facing the city will be discussed, all related to water rates and the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) violations. Notice of the meeting was posted on Friday at 5pm.  Continue reading “There’s a City Council Meeting tonight… And It’s a BIG One…”

Dilley Voted to Adopt This Year’s Property Tax Rate. Has CoreCivic Been Paying Their Fair Share?… Part 2 of 3

On Monday October 10th, Dilley voted to adopt a property tax rate of $.802301 per $100 on approximately $158 million dollars of appraised property tax value. For the past year, however, city attorney Bobby Maldonado has argued that the total appraised value should be far higher due to an alleged $60 million dollar under-valuation of CoreCivic’s South Texas Family Residential Center. Continue reading “Dilley Voted to Adopt This Year’s Property Tax Rate. Has CoreCivic Been Paying Their Fair Share?… Part 2 of 3”

Dilley Voted to Adopt This Year’s Property Tax Rate. Has CoreCivic Been Paying Their Fair Share?… Part 1 of 3

On Monday October 10th, Dilley voted to adopt a property tax rate of $.802301 per $100 on approximately $158 million dollars of appraised property tax value. For the past year, however, city attorney Bobby Maldonado has argued that the total appraised value should be far higher due to an alleged $60 million dollar under-valuation of CoreCivic’s South Texas Family Residential Center.

A story in three council meetings… Continue reading “Dilley Voted to Adopt This Year’s Property Tax Rate. Has CoreCivic Been Paying Their Fair Share?… Part 1 of 3”

Disputes over Input, Transparency Stall Budget & Tax Vote

CITY COUNCIL TABLES THE BUDGET & TAX RATE VOTES

Disputes over transparency, lack of council input.

By the time the September 26th Dilley city meeting had started, the council was aware of extra revenue that was not included in the budget they were about to vote on- more than $84,000 in projected revenue, and $60,000 in eliminated expenses. If it had been included, the council would potentially have two new options: either keep the tax rate the same instead of raising it, or allocate those funds to departments and projects. City Manager Rudy Alvarez, who was hired well after the budget process began, suggested that it was too late to make wholesale changes, but made an offer to the council. Continue reading “Disputes over Input, Transparency Stall Budget & Tax Vote”

BUDGET SEASON: City Manager Rudy Alvarez Finds $60,000 at County Meeting

Budget Season: City Manager Rudy Alvarez Finds $60,000 at County Meeting

City of Pearsall asks for forgiveness from upcoming interlocal agreement payment, City of Dilley asks for equal treatment.

The Frio County Commissioners court was packed with more people than usual. The commissioners were set to approve their new fiscal year budget. Citizens and department heads waited to make their cases for or against pending budget cuts. Continue reading “BUDGET SEASON: City Manager Rudy Alvarez Finds $60,000 at County Meeting”