By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito City Commission held a regular meeting last week as several changes and approvals were made. Everything from a huge shake up at the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to the return of one of most popular exhibits at the Cultural Heritage Museum was covered. It was just the second meeting for the Commission since hiring Fred Sandoval as the new City Manager with the former City of Pharr Manager continuing to find his footing.
The meeting began with the approval of several changes to the EDC Board in the first few items. After presenting new bylaws by the EDC Board to remove oversight services from the City Manager, Julie Landrum, representing the SBEDC explained an amendment to small business investment programs that would loosen restrictions on who can qualify for assistance.
Landrum concluded her agenda items by requesting the fulfillment of two at-large board member positions within the EDC. San Benito Mayor Rick Guerra appointed Ana Yanez as the Place 6 Board Member while John Flores Jr. was tabbed to represent Place 7 for the EDC. The commission also accepted the resignation of Ramiro Aleman as EDC Executive Director.
The next topic addressed was the funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Commissioners were surprised to discover the amount awarded to the City this year would be significantly less than last year. While 2022 saw HUD award San Benito over $366,000 last year, the grant would only cover $330,000.
“It disturbs me that Harlingen would get more of that grant money when we were just labeled as one of the poorest cities in the country,” said Mayor Pro-tem Pete Galvan. “We’ll have to get a hold of them and have them come into this town and see what he have and figure out why we’re getting less this year.”
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