by Michael Robinson |Uvalde Hesperian

Top Photo: File Photo from the Uvalde County Commissioners Court

04-14-25

Texas PACE Authority President Charlene Heydinger presented an overview of the Texas PACE Program to the Uvalde County Commissioner’s Court this morning on Monday, April 14th, 2025.

“There are no taxpayer dollars involved. It’s completely voluntary,” Heydinger said.

The problem we are trying to solve is the equipment that makes property more energy efficient or more importantly saves water, is very expensive and has a long return on investment.   So, if you are going to put a new roof on a building and it’s not going to break even in 10 years and the bank wants it paid back in 5… There is a cash flow problem,” she said.

 According to Heydinger, the program applied to business, commercial property and residential property for multi-family use.

 Texas PACE Authority Wins Approval to Provide Financing for HUD and FHA Multi-Family Projects in Texas – Texas PACE Authority

The article states: “Approved by the state legislature in 2015, and established by 83 local governments, the Texas PACE Authority’s programs enable building owners to lower their operating costs and use the savings to pay for eligible water conservation, energy efficiency, resiliency, and distributed generation projects. Owners gain access to private, affordable, long-term (typically 10-20 years) financing that is not available through traditional funding avenues.

Since 2013, the Texas PACE Authority helped mobilize more than $362 million of PACE financing for energy and water efficiency projects across Texas. More than a third of that amount, over $125 million, was used for multifamily properties. Many of these projects also received historic tax credits and other incentives.

With additional energy efficiency tax deductions offered under the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal incentives also on the table, Heydinger said the addition of PACE for HUD and FHA multifamily properties “will be a much-needed game changer for scaling efficiency efforts in affordable housing in Texas.”

Heydinger’s delivered an informational overview of the Texas PACE Program and no vote was taken at today’s Uvalde County Commissioners Court.

STEPS for Local governments to establish a PACE Program:

from How-to Create a TX-PACE Region:
A Guide for Local Government see full .pdf below:

Within those three steps, referenced in Figure 5, there are four items in the Adoption step that
the PACE Act requires a local government to complete in prescribed order to establish a PACE
program:

1. Initiation
2. Preliminary region development including concept socialization and recruitment of key program
   participants
3. Adoption (requirements)
4. Publish a report and make it available for public inspection
   3. Adopt a Resolution of Intent to create a program
   4. Hold a public hearing
   5. Adopt a resolution establishing the program
5. Implementation
6. Establish program administration

pace-guide

Press release from THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS)

04-12-25

DEL RIO – THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on April 10, 2025, at approximately 3:36 p.m., on FM 481, 2 miles north of US 57 in Maverick County.

  A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a gray 2023 Chevrolet blazer, Michael Charles Elkins, 62, from Hondo, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

  The driver of a 2019 red Chevrolet blazer was taken to Fort Duncan Medical Center in Eagle Pass, who died at the hospital. The identity will be released once the next of kin is notified.

  DPS Troopers continue to investigate this fatal crash. We will provide updated information once it becomes available. 

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-10-27

 Uvalde UPS Driver Tyler Cox has filed a Federal Lawsuit (DR 25  cv 0023) against Uvalde County Judge William “Bill” Mitchell over an alleged incident which occurred at the Uvalde County Courthouse on March 27th, 2025.

 The Uvalde Hesperian has reached out to Mr. Tyler Cox on two occasions requesting a comment and has not gotten a response. Additionally, while rumors of an alleged incident have spread, there has been no one as of yet who will go on record with the Uvalde Hesperian to provide an eyewitness account of what happened.

The Uvalde Hesperian learned of the incident on Friday, April 3rd and went to file a public records report at the Uvalde County Justice Center and upon completing the request, was informed by Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office Records Clerk Alaze Almendarez that the records pertaining to this incident may not be released due to the ongoing investigation.

Upon learning the Texas Rangers may have taken over the investigation, the Uvalde Hesperian has also filed a public records request with that law enforcement agency.

What would cause a routine package delivery to the Uvalde County Courthouse to result in an alleged incident and an investigation by the Texas Rangers and a Federal Lawsuit.

Press release from Emma Trimble; President of the Uvalde County Republican Women

April 10. 2025

In the interest of peace and safety and due to threats of acts of violence the decision to canceled speaker Lucas Denney scheduled for today April 10th, has been confirmed.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and disturbance of heart this may have caused.
My hope is that at some point, some will take the time to listen to his personal experience.
Emma Trimble

04-09-25

By Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Approximately 30 people attended tonight’s Uvalde Southwest Neighborhood Association’s meeting held at the Tomas Valle American Legion 479. At the meeting, Uvalde CISD superintendent Ashley Chohis discussed the District’s after school programs including working with the Uvalde Boys and Girls Club. She stated the school has partnered with the organization and said students who want to participate in activities and sports offered can do so at a reduced or no cost fee depending on the family’s situation.

 Chohlis fielded questions about the Texas Legislative Session and the proposed School Voucher Bill which is expected to pass. District 8o Representative Don McLaughlin seems to support the school voucher bill according to a recent mailer received a few weeks ago by local residents.

 Chohlis stated that under the current voucher plan, parents who decide to send their students to private schools would be eligible for $8000 property tax credit which she believes will take away money from public schools. She said that if a student has learning difficulties or has other difficulties, private schools can choose what students can enroll. Uvalde CISD accepts all students. Another difference Cholis pointed out between public and private schools is that teachers at public schools are required to be accredited under most circumstances while private school teachers do not have to be accredited.

  When asked about the future of Batesville School, Cholis said the district is planning on making Batesville school an Agri-Tech school where students can learn about agriculture, artificial intelligence and other specialized learning experiences.

  She hopes this new emphasis will draw students to want to attend Batesville School.

  Simon Ortiz discussed a $1.5 million grant the neighborhood association is seeking to add sidewalks on the westside of Uvalde and connect the new and existing sidewalls to the new sidewalks TXDOT is planning on adding. The grant is through the City of Uvalde Grant Committee that the association successfully lobbied to form, and association members participate in its work.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-09-25

Top Picture (Left to Right): Councilmember Con Mims, Mayor Hector Luevano and Councilmember Ernest Santos

After meeting in a closed-door executive session, the Uvalde City Council reconvened into open council where Mayor Hector R. Luevano moved to nominate Gustavo Sorola, a retired Texas Parks and Wildlife Ranger for his pick for the City’s Municipal Court Judge. But when the votes were cast, the mayor’s nomination failed to pass with three votes in favor and the against, effectively thwarting the nomination bid.

The three votes in favor of Sorola were cast by Mayor Hector Luevano and Councilmembers Eloisa Medina and Ernest Santos. The three nay votes were cast by Councilmembers Con Mims, Don “Mac” McLaughlin Jr. and Ernest “Chip” King.

 This nomination defeat follows Luevanos nomination of Kyle McKeon which failed for lack of a second at the February 25th, 2025 Uvalde City Council meeting.

 Several citizens have expressed interest to the City Council for the position of Uvalde Municipal Court Judge including: 

  Rene Nolasco, J. Anson Bills, Justin Wolbert, Mona Southward and Mario Valdez. 

 The appointed interim City of Uvalde Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Casburn will continue to preside until the council approves a nomination for the position.

Press release by the Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mario Rangel

04-09-25

Photos by Michael Robinson

Press Release from Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation

UVALDE, TX (April 8, 2025) With the construction of the new Legacy Elementary School in Uvalde CISD moving closer and closer to completion, the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation announces that the costs of the physical building and its construction are fully funded.
This announcement is a result of a combined investment of $21 million from Chase,
Empowerment Reinvestment Fund, National Community Investment Fund, and Nonprofit
Finance Fund. The investments were made through New Markets Tax Credits (NMTCs), a
federal program designed to encourage private investment in underserved areas.

“At Chase, supporting impactful projects such as Legacy Elementary School through New
Markets Tax Credit equity is at the heart of our mission and we are grateful for the opportunity to
collaborate with the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation,” said Melissa Pillars, Executive
Director of the New Markets Tax Credit team. “Making the New Markets Tax Credit permanent
is crucial for sustaining support for transformative projects like this, ensuring that communities
continue to thrive and grow. We eagerly anticipate the day when the building becomes a
nurturing space that fosters learning and community spirit for its students.”

The net benefit from the investment is $3.6 million toward the building of the elementary school.
All of the funds invested through NMTCs are being utilized for the physical construction of the
new school and a portion of the furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
“We are proud to be part of this community-driven effort to support Uvalde families with a new
school,” said Onika Lewis, Vice President of New Markets Tax Credits at Nonprofit Finance
Fund. “It is a powerful example of diverse capital sources coming together to quickly and
thoughtfully construct this critical landmark.”

Other investors agree with the significance of the project and the investment:
“Empowerment Reinvestment Fund is proud to be a partner and investor in this incredible
project which will provide the children in Uvalde with a safe place to learn and grow,” said
Monica Edwards, SVP – National Director of NMTC for Empowerment Reinvestment Fund.

“This project goes beyond providing funding for a new building; it’s about making a tremendous
impact in the lives of the children and families in the Uvalde Community.”

“This project reflects the power of community-driven investment in places that need it most.
We’re proud to support Uvalde CISD and the Moving Forward Foundation in bringing this
school to life—one designed not only for learning, but for healing, equity, and long-term
opportunity,” said Kyle Harvey, Senior Vice President of Lending and New Markets Tax Credit at
the National Community Investment Fund.

An initial round of investment through NMTCs to the Legacy Elementary School project was
made in December. That round totaled a combined investment of $24.5 million made by Chase,
Prestamos CDFI, a division of Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), and Raza Development Fund.
“The collaboration and capital investment in this new school has been more than just rebuilding.
It’s about resilience and community-grounded private-public partnerships to ensure that every
child has a safe place to learn and grow. At Prestamos CDFI, a mission-driven lender, we believe
that access to high-quality education is fundamental to every community” said Teresa Miranda,
Senior Vice President, Prestamos CDFI, a division of CPLC. “Our staff at the nearby early
childhood education center were impacted by the tragedy. This investment represents our continued
commitment to helping our Uvalde community continue to move forward with strength, provide
students, educators, and families with the resources they need to heal and succeed.”

This round netted $4.2 million to the construction of Legacy Elementary School.
“It is an honor to support the Uvalde community in bringing this vital project to life,” said Annie
Donovan, President & CEO of RDF. “This effort goes far beyond constructing a new
school—it’s about investing in healing, resilience, and the long-term prosperity of Uvalde and
communities like it. We are proud to walk alongside the people of Uvalde, helping to create a
space where a new generation of children can feel safe, learn, grow, and thrive.”

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

04-08-25

An RV might be considered by many to be a home away from home, but what is the City’s ordinance on parking one’s RV on residential property?

At tonight’s City Council meeting, an RV ordinance change is on the agenda for discussion.

The following will be up for discussion and a possible action by the City County amending the existing ordinance:

Section 2. 1 Amend 17.36.010 Permitted Accessory Uses by adding:

E. A recreational vehicle may be stored on a residential lot if:
1. It is parked on an all-weather surface and is provided with a similarly improved driveway connecting to a street or alley, and
2. It is parked behind the front building line and side building line for corner lots, and
3. It is parked 5 fee from the side and rear property lines, and
4. It is not permanently connected to electricity, water, or sewer, and
5. It is not used as a dwelling, and
6. It has a valid license plate and current registration, and
7. No more than one (1) recreational vehicle may be stored per residential lot.

Tonight’s City Council agenda packet including the existing ordinance and proposed amendment can be found below: