Silvana Villarreal
On Oct. 24, the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (PUB) members discussed initiatives on how the $29 million funds should be returned to the community, but no final decision was made.
“You can start by giving that money back, and we’re not gonna stop before you guys pay the rest of the money back,” said local Brownsville resident Keila Taboada, after the meeting opened with public comment period.
“People that are in service by PUB, they can’t handle it anymore with the bills,” said resident John Shergold about people having to decide on how to spend their money, the high utility bills or things such as medicine.
BPUB director of finance Miguel Perez brought solutions to the board suggesting the use of the Tenaska Fund money towards the Bill Reduction Program.
“The easiest way for us… is through the Bill Reduction Program,” said Perez. “So that everybody shares equally, based on their usage… That’s how it was collected and that’s the easiest way to give it back.”
BPUB Vice Chair Patric Sampayo said the community should be consulted through mediums such as town meetings and workshops before making any decisions on the funds.
“What we’ve heard from the community, is that we should do a better job at listening first,” said Sampayo.
Mayor Trey Mendez said the overwhelming sentiment from the public is wanting the money back and not taking action only delays the matter further.
“How much time, what percentages, is for us to decide,” said Mendez on the logistics of handling the money.
The board unanimously passed a resolution, motioned by BPUB board member Arthur “Art” Rendon, to create a committee and move forward.
It is set to discuss how the money should be further handled.
The committee will be made up of Trey Mendez, Commissioner, District 3 Roy De los Santos and Commissioner, District 4 Pedro Cardenas and three PUB board members, also including Mendez.
