Pharr City Report for September 20th, 2021
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a regular meeting on Monday, September 20, 2021, and considered an agenda that included the following highlights:
City Approves Proclamation Declaring September 20th as Joyce Mitchel Vaughn Day in Pharr
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Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. and Pharr City Commissioners approved a Proclamation declaring September 20, 2021, as Joyce Mitchel Vaughn Day in Pharr in celebration of Pickle Ball Day. A dedicated Parks and Recreation staff member, she is responsible for introducing the popular sport of Pickle Ball to the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “I am honored by your recognition today and for the ability to be able to play, promote, and teach an activity that I feel very passionate about,” said Vaughn during the recognition. “To start a program from nothing and build it to what is now, the premier program in the valley for players of all ages and all skill levels, took some support from our officials, the Parks and Recreation Department, our local residents, and so many others,” added Vaughn. “I thank you for this support and am proud to see how much our program has grown.”
Commissioners Recognize Assistant City Attorney Kriselda Hinojosa who has been Appointed Associate Judge of Title IV-D Master Court I in Hidalgo County
City Attorney Patricia Rigney announced to the City Commission that Assistant City Attorney Kriselda Hinojosa has been Appointed Associate Judge of Title IV-D Master Court I in Hidalgo County by Presiding Judge Missy Medary. “Kris has served an instrumental role to the City of Pharr as an Assistant City Attorney and we are incredibly proud to see her grow in her career through this appointment,” said Rigney. Hinojosa has served as the Assistant City Attorney in Pharr and also previously served as the city’s Deputy Prosecutor at the Pharr Municipal Court since 2018, where she investigated and reviewed Class C citations, negotiated cases, and plea agreements, and conducted bench and jury trials. Hinojosa’s previous experience includes working as Assistant District Attorney for the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office. In her earlier career, she worked as a Juvenile probation officer for both Hidalgo and Travis County. In Her new role as Judge of the Title IV-D Master Court I, she will hear cases that the Texas Attorney General has provided services under including locating an absent parent, determining parentage, or the establishment, modification, or enforcement of child support or medical support. “It has been a great pleasure having you here and it gives us great pride to see you move up in your career,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “We wish you nothing but success, congratulations!”
City Sales Tax Highlights Growth
City Manager Ed Wylie announced that the sales tax activity for September 2021 continues to see a positive growth increase. The report shows an increase in sales tax of 22.9% true growth compared to last year (September 2020) and a 17.85% growth in sales collections compared to last year. Pharr continues to be ranked #2 compared to neighboring cities.
Commissioners Approve Ordinance amending Appendix A, Zoning, Article VII, Section 1.70, A(7), to the Code of Ordinances
Pharr City Commissioners approved Ordinance amending Appendix A, Zoning, Article VII, Section 1.70, A(7), to the Code of Ordinances. The City finds that the current building setbacks along Interstate corridors put a burden on new construction developments and therefore should be reduced to help attract new commercial projects. As stated in the ordinance, the following will now apply to building setbacks. The minimum building setback along Interstate Highway 2 and Interstate Highway 69C shall be 50 feet. If the distance between the right-of-way line and property line most nearly parallel to the right-of-way line does not exceed 150 feet at any point for properties 2 abutting Interstate Highway 2 or Interstate Highway 69C, then the minimum setback shall be 35 feet. If the distance between the right-of-way line and the property line most nearly parallel to the right-of-way line does not exceed 100 feet at any point for properties abutting Interstate Highway 2 or Interstate Highway 69C, then the minimum setback shall be 20 feet.
Commissioners Approve Ordinance amending Ordinance 0-2021-27 SEC. 50-96. -ALLOWABLE CHARGES, adding the charges for fixed wing and for special event services
Pharr City Commissioners approved Ordinance amending Ordinance 0-2021-27 SEC. 50-96. -ALLOWABLE CHARGES, adding the charges for fixed wing and for special event services. This new amendment to the current ordinance will allow the EMS department to bill for fixed wing (airplane) services and special events (football games).
Commissioners Approve Ordinance adopting Tax Rate for FY 2021-2022
Pharr City Commissioners approved an Ordinance adopting the Tax Rate for FY 2021-2022. The property tax rate will be increased by the adoption of a tax rate of ¢.7176, which is effectively a 1.92% percent increase in the tax rate.
Featured Event: Pharr Public Works Fall Sweep – September 11- November 20, 2021
The Pharr Public Works Department is holding a Fall Sweep event for the community in an effort to Keep Pharr Beautiful. Fall Sweep will be held from September 11th to November 20th where Pharr Public Works will be providing the following items (while supplies last) to groups of 10 or less for their own neighborhood/park clean-up: Trash Bags, Litter Pickers, Vests and Gloves. Make sure to use the hashtag #PharrFallSweep to show everyone your clean up! For more information call our Pharr Public Works Department at (956) 402-4350.
