By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
All seven members of the Del Rio City Council were present.
Here’s what happened at the meeting:
Mayor commemorates Uvalde shooting victims, DRPD senior officer
• Before the start of Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Al Arreola asked for the council and audience to observe moments of silence to remember and “hold in prayer” the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022, as well as the families, students, educators, first responders and the entire Uvalde community and the family, friends and colleagues of former Del Rio Police Department Senior Officer Joseph Toro, who recently died, and who “left a lasting impact on those who knew him and worked alongside him.”
Volunteers in city initiatives honored
• Community Services Director Esme Esparza presented certificates of recognition to a number of the community’s young people who recently volunteered in city activities. Many of those set to receive a certificate did not attend the meeting because of severe weather in the area. The certificates were presented for community service work in the April/May 2026 Keep Del Rio Beautiful programs, including Earth Day events, Coca-Cola/Southwest Beverages Sustainability Month Cleanup and the H-E-B Our Texas/Our Future Grant Program. Those receiving the certificates included Evelyn Dominguez, Bella Dominguez, Natalia Limon, Marie Nope, Victoria Gonzalez and Nathaniel Diaz. Esparza said the volunteers were members of the 2025-2026 Miss Val Verde court, the 2026 Miss Del Rio court, two classrooms at Buena Vista Elementary, the Heritage Academy student council and two students from Ceniza Hills Elementary, the Brown Plaza Association and the Miss Fourth of July court.
Mayor, council members make announcements
• Mayor Al Arreola told council members and staff he would like to see the city organize and carry out a citywide Memorial Day celebration, possibly an event at the veterans’ memorial at the Del Rio Civic Center. Councilwoman Elsa Reyes announced that beginning Wednesday, June 3, she will have office hours at the city’s transportation depot building, 100 W. Ogden St., from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez invited residents to download a free app from the Val Verde Sheriff’s Office for emergency notifications. Gutierrez thanked former District 2 Councilman Jim DeReus for his service and welcomed new District 2 Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. She also urged Del Rioans affected by mental health issues to reach out for help and resources.
Interim city manager gives informational updates
• Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez reminded the public that the Miss Fourth of July Pageant is ongoing and invited citizens to fill out the city’s annual budget survey on the city’s website. Chavez said the city recently celebrated “Public Works Week” and thanked Public Works Director Greg Velazquez for providing the department with a cookout. Chavez said the city has also been celebrating its police and fire departments and plans a recognition event for the first week of June. Chavez recognized the following city employees who have been with the city for 20 years or more, including Juan Lopez, purchasing department warehouse attendant, celebrating 26 years; Del Rio Fire Department Lt. Edwardo Cruz, celebrating 29 years; Del Rio Fire Department Lt. Daniel Patino III, celebrating 29 years; streets department employee Mike Flores, traffic and control division traffic signs and marking tech, celebrating 35 years; Jose Hidalgo, gas department heavy equipment operator, celebrating 24 years; Sylvia Garza Castillo, finance department finance specialist, celebrating 23 years of service; and Leno Hernandez Jr., retiring after 28 years.
Interim finance director gives updates on budget calendar
• Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto provided city council members with an update to the city’s budget preparation calendar for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Soto said the city’s preliminary capital improvement plan will be presented to city council on June 23, and the solid waste collection and landfill operations rates presentation has been scheduled for a special city council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on July 14. Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez said she attended a recent county commissioners court meeting where it was mentioned the county was unable to send out its tax statements on time due to not receiving information on the city tax rate on time. Gutierrez asked if the city will be able to provide the county with that information on time this year, and Soto said it would be provided to the county by Sept. 8, a week before the county deadline.
Interim finance director presents history of city property tax rate
• Interim Finance Director Roxy Soto presented city council members with a history of the city’s property tax rate in advance of preparation for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 city budget. Soto gave the council a chart showing historical data from the past 24 years about the two parts of the city’s property tax rate – the M&O, or maintenance and operations rate, which funds the city’s general operations expenses, including salaries, supplies and contractual obligations, and the I&S, or interest and sinking rate, which is used to make its debt payments over the course of the next year. Council members spent some time asking questions about the previous year’s rates, and Mayor Al Arreola suggested staff arrange a town hall-style meeting for citizens to hear information and ask questions about the proposed tax rate. Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. said he would like to see the information about the tax rate and budget preparation made available to the public in easy-to-understand language.
Council appoints J.P. Sanchez as mayor pro-tem
• City council members voted 6-0-1 to approve a motion by Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez and seconded by Leno Hernandez Jr. to appoint Councilman J.P. Sanchez as the council’s mayor pro-tem. Sanchez said he would be willing to serve in the position for at least the next 30 days. During that time, city voters will go to the polls for the mayoral runoff election to re-elect Mayor Al Arreola or his opponent, Efrain V. Valdez, former mayor and former county judge. Sanchez said the council might want to reconsider its selection for mayor pro-tem after the mayoral election. The mayor pro-tem serves in the position of mayor when the mayor is out of town or otherwise unavailable. Sanchez abstained from the vote.
Council awards contract for Paul Poag Theatre renovation
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution to authorize and direct Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to award a contract in the amount of $2,529,960 to Jose Ernesto Salazar LLC, doing business as JESCO, for the Paul Poag Theatre rehabilitation project. Councilwoman Elsa Reyes asked that the council be given monthly or regular updates on the progress of the work and asked a representative of Able City, the city’s consultants on the project, how long it would take the contractor to do the work once begun. The representative estimated the project might be completed eight months after it is started.
Council approves contract for youth summer recreation program
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve a resolution authorizing and directing Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez to execute a contract with The Boys and Girls Club of Del Rio Inc. for services to provide a youth summer recreation program to benefit the children of Del Rio. The city will pay $10,000 for the program, which is open to local children ages 5 to 12 years old. The Boys and Girls Club program will run from June 9 and conclude Aug. 1.
Council authorizes HOT funds for Rotary Rodeo
• City council members voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance authorizing the expenditure of hotel occupancy tax (HOT) funds to the Rotary Club of Del Rio in the amount of $10,000 to be used for the 2026 Del Rio Rotary Independence Day Rodeo. According to information provided to the city council, the Rotary Club of Del Rio this year is celebrating 21 years of presenting the annual rodeo. This is the sixth year the Rotary Club is requesting HOT funds for the event. The Rotary Independence Day Rodeo is a fundraiser for the club’s scholarships and support of youth, elderly and disabled, as well as funds for community parks and recreational opportunities. Councilman Leno Hernandez Jr. said in the future he would like more information on annual HOT fund allocations and how those allocations are decided.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
