By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The city council approved two ordinances on Tuesday for the use of city hotel occupancy tax
(HOT) funds for the upcoming “Birding the Border” event and Del Rio Comic-Con (DRCC).
Council members first discussed an ordinance authorizing the use of HOT funds in the amount
of $6,000 for the advertisement and promotion for the Birding the Border event taking place
from May 1 through May 4.
As mentioned in a memo submitted by Assistant City Manager Manuel Chavez and provided to
the council, the Birding the Border event is organized and hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service, and it has been a yearly event dating back to 2018.
The event is described on the A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s official website as an
“extraordinary event set against the vibrant backdrop of the Central Flyway.” Birding enthusiasts
take part in the event by flocking to Val Verde and Kinney Counties and observing diverse
species in the wildlife of the southwest Texas border regions, the website notes.
City council members discussed approving an ordinance authorizing the use of HOT funds for
this year’s bird-watching event. Texas A&M submitted an application requesting $6,000 for
advertising and expenses towards promoting tourism and local hotel business growth.
Texas A&M submitted an application requesting $6,000 for advertising and expenses towards
promoting tourism and local hotel business growth.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilman J.P.
Sanchez gave the second.
The second ordinance discussed during the meeting was a request to authorize the use of HOT
funds not to exceed $8,900 for this year’s local comic convention, known as Del Rio Comic-Con,
set for May 3 and May 4.
Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilwoman
Ernestina “Tina” Martinez gave the second.
The DRCC has been an annual pop-culture celebration continuing for more than 10 years and is
put together by Paul Mancha, executive director; Haven Mancha, second director; assisted by
Krystal Torres, Jessica Hernandez and Mario Alfaro.
As mentioned in the second memo submitted by Chavez and provided with the council’s agenda
packet, 2025 is the first year DRCC submitted an application for HOT funds. DRCC requested
$10,000 in HOT fund revenues, but according to the memo, $1,100 of the request does not
meet expenses eligible for HOT funds.
The council unanimously approved both ordinances without further discussion and then moved
on to the next agenda topic.
