By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Local LULAC leaders would like to continue hosting an event called “Cafecito y Platica” in the near future, now that San Benito Mayor Pete Galvan was invited to be the guest speaker and honed in on issues such as infrastructure, economic development, and how the fiscal budget affects the citizenry.
This first-ever “Platica” on Aug. 25 drew about two dozen people to Sonia Becerra’s La Chiapaneca Restaurant on Robertson Street.
Federico Garza, the district director for LULAC Council 22347 – Juan Rivera, Sr. and Veterans, said he would like these meetings to be more commonplace around town.
“Not everyone is able to attend San Benito City Commissioner meetings, so sometimes we don’t know what is happening,” Garza said. “This is a way to get as much information as possible about who serves the city and who works with the city.”
In addition to Mayor Galvan, newly appointed City Manager Carlos Yerena and Economic Development Corporation Assistant Executive Director Mario Palomo were also in attendance.
Mayor Galvan delved into the budget, which was still under planning at the time.
“The Commission was able to come to a consensus to lower the tax rate by 1 penny; what it does to the revenue line for the city is it reduces the revenue by $114,000,” Mayor Galvan said. “For every penny we reduce on your tax bill, it will save a resident about $20 for every $100,000 of a home value.”
He said it will give the City of San Benito an opportunity to hire up to three new employees and provide raises to many employees, who would now be paid $14 per hour.
Galvan said the EDC would continue to draw money from its general fund for projects, and that it has the tax dollars to thank for that.
In previous years, revenue was around $2.1 million. It has increased to $4.3 million.
“Over the past five years, our tax dollars have plateaued; San Benito is generating about $7 million in sales tax revenue,” Galvan said. “The EDC keeps a fourth of that penny, and the City of San Benito keeps the rest.”
By talking about the EDC, he went straight into business expansion in the city, which doesn’t always involve tax abatements or a Chapter 380 agreement.
Galvan was referring to the Texas State Controller’s Office, which issues guidelines for Texas cities that provide loans, grants, or tax rebates to a private business in exchange for local economic growth.
The Planet Fitness is not one of those. Leaders were made privy to the construction of a Planet Fitness in February while they were at a San Antonio economic conference.
Those types of events attract franchisees from top-tier retail and food establishments. Elected officials sometimes travel with economic development leaders and attend solely to promote their city.
“Sometimes, businesses decide it’s a good time to come into San Benito,” Galvan said.
Becerra was one example. Her commitment to San Benito didn’t go unnoticed.
Laura Matamoros, the senior outreach coordinator for Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, presented her with a plaque.
The local businesswoman opened her second restaurant in San Benito, following the success of El Fogón on Zillock Road.
Other highlights included conversations with local leaders, including the EDC, about moves here, and outreach to South Texas ISD about space on Paso Real.
“Some things we haven’t spoken about publicly, but there’s discussion underway,” Galvan said.
Other topics Galvan discussed included the possibility of a lift station off FM 732 and a 7-11 with a truck stop along Interstate 69.
He said these large companies are usually concerned with water and sewer rates.
Galvan would like to explore changing the water rate ordinance with small business owners in mind.
“Local businesses do consider that (water rate) to stay afloat,” the mayor said.
Earlier in the week, the San Benito City Commission passed a general fund budget with a $20.9M fund balance but voted down the proposed 1-cent property tax cut.
Commissioner Rick Perez moved to keep the tax rate unchanged. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Victor Manuel Gonzalez. Mayor Galvan cast the sole nay vote.
