Working Class Heroes Speak at the City Commission Hearing on Taxes

by Jim Barton on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 7:50pm

Fernando Reyes calls the city commission's actions illegal.Dagoberto Barrera says "Read my lips. No new taxes."

     Unfortunately for the Tony Martinez-led City Commission, the very nature of a "public" hearing prevents the city from flipping the off switch on public comment.  If you're looking for point/counterpoint the foursome pictured above brought it.  Yes, Dagoberto has a flair for the dramatic.  Yes, Fernando Reyes's gestures sweep into the audience and sometimes menacingly in the direction of public officials.  Yes, Robert Uresti comes into the commission chambers meeting after meeting with sharp little questions no one on the city commission or in the city's finance department has ever thought of.  And, finally, yes, Letty Perez-Garzoria sets a reasoned, professorial tone that makes one melancholy she is not actually on the commission.
     City Finance Director Pete Gonzalez opened the festivities with the nutshell of the city's financial position: His figures are based on a 6.11% rate increase that he describes as not a tax increase.  The 2012 city budget faces a 2.3 million dollar shortfall, even after the fine tooth comb of his department cut 1.3 million.  The actual increase he proposes would add $23.82 to the tax bill of the median-price Brownsville home valued at $80,582.  One primary factor is the 3% COLA increase owed by contract to the police department, an annual revenue loss of $390,000 by freezing the tax evalution for diabled and over 65 homesteads and the loss of 1.8 million subsidy for the transportation system when the city's population exceeds 200,000 which is expected soon.
     Mayor Martinez asks Gonzalez when was the last time taxes were raised as sort of a leading question.  Gonzalez mumbles something about not ever having raised them.
     Dagoberto Barrera opens up the public comment section of the hearing with this forceful missile:  "I thought by electing a non-hard drinking mayor, we would not hear anything about raising taxes, but I was wrong!"  Then Barrera parodies George Senior Bush's empty campaign promise with this order to the commission:  "Read my lips.  No. . .new. . . taxes!!"
      Commissioner Longoria always has to respond to Barrera.  He did not disappoint.  He says that Dagoberto comes after the commission every year.  "Give us a break" he states.  "This is an annual ritual."
     Next up is Fernando Ruiz.  He calls for an audit of the appraisal district, stating that promises to lower evaluations to reflect the sagging economy and actual house values has not taken place.  He describes many of the commission's actions as illegal.  "If I take a leak on Elizabeth Street Chief Garcia will arrest me.  What this commission is doing is just as illegal."
    Robert Uresti, as usual, is full of ideas.  He says ridership on the city's transit lines is stated to be up 1.5 million at $1.00 per ticket.  He wants to know if that's been included in the budget.  He wonders why the city is responsible for increased police presence and trash pickup at the Farmer's Market and not the vendors themselves.  He asks about overtime pay for police officers during Charro Days, suggesting the festival itself foot the bill, not the city.  He suggests converting city vehicles to propane at a substantial savings.
     In her schoolteacherish fashion, Ms. Letty Perez-Garzonia gently chastises Commissioner Longoria for ridiculing the citizen speakers as participants in an "annual ritual."  "It's not a ritual, commissioner, but a concern."  She states that the city has a revenue problem, always going to the taxpayers.  She suggests making Brownsville "business friendly."
    Mayor Tony Martinez concludes the session with:  "Trust me.  Keep the faith."