by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian
03-12-25
The Uvalde City Council eventually approved the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement (TIRZ) which was initiated in 2024 by Jared Capt on proposed residential and commercial developments planned for the City’s east side. The agreement allows for the developer to be reimbursed for the costs of building new streets, widening Leona Road and constructing a new water tower with the increased portion of the property tax for the development,
The Discussion of four TIRZ related agenda items lasted over an hour with questions posed to Capt’s attorneys, Jonathan Earl and Jeffery Earl of the San Antonio based Earl and Associates law firm.
At the beginning of the discussion, Simon Ortiz criticized the City Council for the appearance of not being transparent with the process. Diana Olvedo-Karau acknowledged the TIRZ deal would likely pass but started while the State of Texas TIRZ program was legal, it would primarily benefit those with money and resources.
Mayor Hector R. Luevano seemed to consider delaying the vote until another public forum on the TIRZ to provide citizens with the opportunity to get their questions answered. However, Capt’s attorneys said it was necessary to get the TIRZ approved due to the construction timeframe of the new Legacy Elementary School and the need to have Leona Road widened.
City council representatives and the public asked the attorneys questions about the project and after an hour into the discussion it seemed the tension in the council chambers abated. The Council eventually approved three of the four TIRZ agenda items leaving the appointments for the TIRZ board for another meeting.
Editorial Comment: Mayor Luevano allowed all citizens in the room to ask questions and helped navigate the often-tense discussions to a point where the atmosphere in the room seemed to change and an agreement could be reached. The new Mayor’s leadership at last night’s City Council meeting was commendable. Councilman Ernest Santos asked questions that were concerns of his constituents- Uvalde Hesperian
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