By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Del Rio City Council members approved up to $10,000 in hotel occupancy tax funds for an upcoming cookoff and team roping event during their March 10 meeting.
The funds will go to ARA Promotions LLC for its Border Classic Cookoff/Team Roping event, scheduled for March 27-28.
Councilman J.P. Sanchez made the motion to approve the ordinance, and Councilman Jesus Lopez Jr. seconded it.
During discussion, Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez questioned whether ARA Promotions LLC is a private organization and where profits from the event would go.
Gabriel Amaro, a member of ARA Promotions LLC, said the funds would go to the organization, which hosts events throughout the year to support other nonprofit organizations.
Martinez asked whether the group supports local veterans, and Amaro said it does.
“We do several events throughout the year to contribute to the main event: The Border Bull Mania, which will be in November,” Amaro said.
Mayor Pro-tem Jim DeReus asked whether the organization had requested funding from Val Verde County. Amaro said it had, adding county commissioners approved $1,000 in support.
Councilwoman Carmen Gutierrez raised concerns about whether approving funds for a for-profit organization would set a precedent. She referenced past instances in which organizers of the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding event were denied funding.
Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez said the application process for hotel occupancy tax funds is open to all organizations.
“The application is open to whomever,” Chavez said. “It is really up to the city council whether they want to fund that type of organization.”
The ordinance passed on a 5-2 vote, with Martinez and Gutierrez voting against it.
