First Budget workshop held for Maverick 

County a veritable roller coaster ride; 

Public hearing on tax rate well received

A.D. Ibarra

-Commissioner's Court

A public hearing on the proposed tax rate for Maverick County went off without a hitch as The Honorable David Saucedo, Maverick County Judge opened the hearing at 5:00 P.M., had one citizen ask whether rates were going up, down or staying the same to which he replied they were going down from .58 to .55, a nearly three cent drop and the most of all four entities.

The new Mexican Consulate Ismael Naveja was on hand to greet the county legislators and introduce himself to the citizens of Maverick County and did so in a very diplomatic, eloquent manner during Recognition of Visitors expounding on his experience in and around the New York area as well as abroad before inviting all to attend the traditional Grito de Independencia marking a major landmark in the history of Mexico before placing himself at the service of Commissioner's Court and the citizens of Eagle Pass and Mexico.

Also in the Recognition of Visitors was Guadalupe Cardona who wished to make his voice heard on the issue of the state of affairs of Maverick County reiterating that he cannot see how Judge Saucedo and Commissioner's Court can say that things are looking up for the county which in his opinion, things are not as bright as they are reported.  According to Cardona, the auditor says they don't know  what is happening in the county as things are still owed from 2007, 2008 and 2009 before his three minutes were up.

It was when item item 21, the Budget Workshop for FYE 2014, that things began to get heated at the Regular Meeting of Commissioner's Court when the issue of a positive fund balance in reference to the Road & Bridge Department was brought up by financial advisor Robert Rodriguez who proudly announced to Commissioner's Court that in fact, the county had been frugal to the tune of $941,806.00.

"Let me get this straight, Mr. Rodriguez," stated County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz, "We're about to close the year and we have $941,000.00?"

"It may be premature to jump into the budget," stated Rodriguez, "You have to have a good sense of how you're entering the new budget year.  I'm using numbers from the auditor and his staff and have verified these numbers with Mr. Ortiz.  Our job is to take the information that the auditor provides and translate it so that you understand it as the amount of information is extensive."

"Whatever I tell you is honest, completely thorough and truthful as federal agencies are trying to clean up the investment banking industry.  The County Auditor does not work for you, but all work for the citizens of Maverick County."

"I want to stress two items, when you start, you set out money from taxes, the general fund has all money coming in from taxes.  The auditor takes that money and allocates Road & Bridge's budget.  You get a separate bank account from R&B so it is in the hands of no one but Commissioner's Court."

This is when he was asked if there was cash available for commissioners to purchase materials for projects to which he explained that it is but it is what is called accrual accounting which says on a cash basis, you are short cash to be able to write a check.

"Revenues will be here, but they will not be here today.  Clearly you have a situation, whatever does not exceed the present budget, it's possible it can be taken out of the general fund."

Judge Saucedo asked County Auditor Fidencio Ortiz to look at a certain page in the new budget and asked about a change in proposed revenues from $2,111,000.00 to $1,226,000.00 to which he adamantly asked "Why?"

"These are taxes we're trying to move in which will be available for Road & Bridge," stated Ortiz.