By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Property tax refund checks and commercial air service were among the city initiatives discussed by Interim City Manager Manuel Chavez during the city council’s most recent meeting.
Chavez gave council members an update on city projects during the council’s Feb. 27 meeting.
He spoke first about refund checks the city is mailing to some Del Rio homeowners.
“Back in late September, city council authorized a homestead alternate exemption to those over 65 (years of age) and those who qualify for homestead (exemptions). And as we came across a legal requirement, the city council opted to provide a tax refund in lieu of the exemption, and we are preparing tax refund checks. For those that qualify, (for) the homestead exemption, the check would be $69.70. Those who qualify for homestead and over-65 exemptions, their refund check is going to be $91.61,” Chavez told the council.
“And just so that everybody knows, checks are currently being printed and stuffed, and they should be going out this week and into next week as well. So again, for those who do qualify, you’ll be receiving refund checks in those dollar amounts,” Chavez added.
Chavez also spoke about the city’s ongoing efforts to re-establish commercial air service at Del Rio International Airport.
“We had a meeting with a potential airline service provider (in mid-February). The airline service provider was very intrigued by our statistics and our presentation, but the earliest that they could possibly provide air service to Del Rio would be in the year 2025,” Chavez said.
But the city isn’t giving up, the interim city manager told the council.
“We’re still pushing forward. We are scheduled to meet with other airline service providers. We’re going to be advocating for air service providers during our Washington, D.C., trip next week, and that’s something that we’re going to push forward so we can try and get airline service (back) here in Del Rio,” he added.
Chavez’s final announcement was to recognize two long-time city employees.
“As I’ve said in prior meetings, I want to acknowledge every city employee who achieves 20-plus years of service with the city, and I’ll be doing this once a month, during the second council meeting of the month.
For this month of February, I want to recognize two individuals who are in the fire department. They are DRFD Engineer Edgar Escobedo, who has 24 years of service with the city, and DRFD Chief David Harrison, who is celebrating 32 years of service,” Chavez announced.
He and Mayor Al Arreola presented certificates to Harrison and Escobedo. They also had a cake to honor the two firefighters’ years of work for the city.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
