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Daily Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Pecos Country of West Texas
Tuesday, September 9, 2003
County promises city water payment by October
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 9, 2003 -- Reeves County Commissioners discussed ways
to acquire funds to pay the Town of Pecos City $422,320 owed for construction
of the South Worsham Water Field, during an Monday evening meeting held
at the Reeves County Courthouse.
"This is an issue that has been before the court and we had asked the
city to have the payment changed from August to October," said Reeves County
Judge Jimmy B. Galindo during the meeting. Commissioners later voted to
authorize a payment to the city by Oct. 15.
Galindo told the court that the city was required to receive a formal
request for the change in payment date. The original payment date was Aug.
31.
"We received a letter from the city attorney letting us know that we are
in arrears," said Galindo.
Town of Pecos City Mayor Dot Stafford was on hand for the meeting. "It's
pretty well stated in the letter," said Stafford. "One of your commissioners
went to our meeting and guaranteed payment to the city."
Stafford said that the payment from the city to the Texas Water Development
Board is due in November and if the county did not make the payment the
city would have to do it. The uncertainty over the payment has hampered
the city's efforts to set a new budget by the Sept. 30 deadline.
"Like you all, we are trying to work on our budget for the next year,"
she said.
During a budget workshop last week, council members said property taxes
would have to rise by over 50 percent to pay the $422,320 bill if the county
fails to make its payment.
Reeves County is supposed to pick up the first 10 years worth of payments
on the project. The initial payment was due this week, but the county delayed
payment in order to make bond payments on the Reeves County Detention Center,
which also were due this week.
"I understand your situation and that you have a responsibility, but I
as Mayor have a responsibility to the community as well," said Stafford.
"I'm obligated to run the city."
"Should we not receive a payment to make the payment to the water board,
taxes will have to be raised or we'll have to provide less service," said
Stafford. "We're already short on personnel, we're trying to cut back, but
we don't want to cut any more personnel."
Stafford said that the city appreciated anything the county could do to
help at this time.
"We're in a very difficult situation, the situation could be resolved
if we had additional inmates, but we don't and cash flow is tight right
now," said Galindo.
Galindo said that the agreement signed two years ago called for $422,320
to the city would be put in an escrow account for two months and then sent
on to the development board. That meant the payment due in November would
be given to the city by Sept. 1 of this year.
"The portion of the county's responsibility is for the first 10 years
and at the end of 10 years the city would take over," said Galindo. "That's
a portion of the $8.5 million that we borrowed for the construction," he
said.
Galindo told the group that at the time of the agreement the county was
on sound footing. "Because we were on sound footing in March of 2000, we
agreed to do the first 10 years," said Galindo. "This was to benefit not
only the county, but the city as well."
Galindo said that if the county and city were to share the payment equally
it would just be $200,000, not the $422,000.
"It was at your suggestion to handle the first 10 years," said Stafford.
"But it's a 20-year note and ultimately it will help the community, that's
why I made that suggestion," said Galindo.
"And you have water out at the Reeves County Detention Center," said
Stafford. "If you didn't have water, you wouldn't have the RCDC."
"I didn't foresee this type of situation and we're the city's consideration
in asking for a deferment in the payment," said Galindo.
Galindo said that he was asking the city on holding off the payment until
Oct. 15.
Stafford said that she understood the county's dilemma, but that the
city was very strapped also. "Especially if we have to make that payment,
it will mean a 36 cents increase in taxes or a cut in services or both,"
she said. The city's current tax rate is .6967 cents per $100 in valuations.
Stafford said that she would be happy to take the county's request back
to the city council. "We'll meet this Thursday, but won't be able to discuss
it," said Stafford. "But we do meet again before Oct. 15."
Galindo said that the end result would dwarf the 36 cents. "There is
a lot that is involved at the Reeves County Detention Center," he said.
"I have to look at it on behalf of the city and understand we have to
work on this because it's crucial, but I'm accountable," said Stafford.
Stafford asked Galindo that if the council did defer the payment, when
would they receive the payment and from where would the funds come from.
"I'm just wanting some assurance that we will receive our payment in October,"
said Stafford.
The court took a recess at this point to find methods to procure the
funds to make the required payment. Galindo met with county auditor Lynn
Owens to go over the finances and a way to fund the payment, which is due
soon.
Following the recess, Galindo told the group that they had found some
items that were reimbursable and would bring money into the county that
would allow them to make the payment.
"There's a very strong likelihood that we can be reimbursed for some
amount of the water payment," said Galindo.
Galindo said that they would have to meet with Barry Friedman in regards
to other reimbursables.
Friedman is President of Carlyle Capitol Markets, which financed the
original prison in 1986 also financed the 960-bed RCDC III, which was completed
in March but which has not received any inmates from the U.S. Bureau of
Prisons. The lack of inmates and payments for housing them, has caused the
county's current financial crisis.
"Lynn has already applied for $87,000 in reimbursables, from equipment
purchased by the county," said Galindo.
Other reimbursables included from labor construction on the visitation
area and warehouse at the Reeves County Detention Center in the amount of
$213,000 and one account that accrued interest in the lease rental deposit
of 1999 series, in the amount of $84,000.
"Borrowing any unforeseen circumstances, we'll have additional funding,
which we can use to make the payment," said Galindo.
"We'll be able to make that payment and hopefully sooner than Oct. 15,"
said Galindo. "We ask the city for their help in this matter and I'll call
you as soon as we hear from the reimbursable items we discussed."
Galindo said that he knew the city wanted an answer before the end of
the week and that he would work diligently to get one. "I'll turn in all
the paperwork as soon as possible and we have the city's invoice to turn
in as well," he said.
Galindo made a motion to authorize that a water payment be made to the
Town of Pecos City on or before Oct. 15.
"Certainly our intent is to pay the money to the city as soon as the
money is transferred to us and we ask the council's help to defer the payment
until Oct. 15," said Galindo.
Stafford requested a copy of the minutes of the commissioners meeting.
Commissioner approve lobbyist pact
By ROSIE FLORES
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 9, 2003 -- Reeves County Commissioners approved a new
contract with a lobbyist in an effort to help find inmates for the Reeves
County Detention Center, following a discussion Monday evening at the
Reeves County Courthouse.
The court discussed and then approved a contract agreement with Randy
DeLay, with Public/Private Strategies Consult, Inc. of Houston. Commissioners
voted 4-0 in favor of the one-year agreement, with Precinct 4 Commissioner
Gilberto Rayos abstaining.
The county is contracting with DeLay, the brother of House Majority Leader
Tom DeLay, to lobby for it in Washington, D.C., in an effort to get additional
inmates assigned to the Reeves County Detention Center III unit. The 960-bed
addition was completed in March, but was unable to get any additional inmates
from the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. The BOP houses about 2,000 inmates in RCDC
I and II.
The only inmates the county has gotten for RCDC III have come from the
U.S. Marshals Service.
Reeves County Judge Jimmy B. Galindo told the group that he had some
concerns about the contract and that some changes had been made.
"Some terms that need to be measured on performance," said Galindo. "The
consultant is working for Reeves County instead of Reeves County working
for the consultant."
Galindo read out the terms of the contract which consisted of in part:
The client (Reeves County) agrees to pay the consultant the following: $120,000
payable, $10,000 per month for 12 months beginning July 1, 2003.
The third item on the contract called for reimburseables, which Galindo
said did not apply to this particular contract.
Item #6: Consultant agrees not to accept any other employment that would
conflict with the interest of the Client; should any conflict arise between
client and consultant, the matter will be immediately discussed between
both parties and resolved to the satisfaction of the client.
"I believe we should work as a team," said Galindo. "I believe that the
consultant should have a responsibility to Reeves County and a good relationship."
Galindo said that Item #7 dealt with legal issues. "We're not engaging
in legal representation from him so this item doesn't apply to us," he said.
Item #8: Client acknowledges that consultant has made NO GUARANTEE regarding
the successful results of the initiative, and all expressions relative thereto
are consultant's opinion only and shall not be considered as express or
implied warranties of outcomes.
"And one of the most important items is Item #5," said Galindo.
That item states that to terminate the agreement, the terminating party
must so notify the other party, in writing, 30 days prior to the termination
date. The termination date must be at the end of a calendar month. This
agreement is revocable and cancelable for cause.
"This gives both the client and the consultant an out," said Galindo.
"We can cancel this agreement at any time."
Galindo said that Item #10: The consultant will provide weekly written
updates on the status of the "initiative" to the commissioner's court of
Reeves County and communicate the efforts and actions of the consultant
on behalf of Reeves County during a weekly teleconference call.
"I think it is very important that he provide us with reports, especially
for the community," said Galindo.
"Is the money coming out of the General Fund?" asked commissioner precinct
I Felipe Arredondo.
"RCDC funds can't be used for lobbying," said Galindo. "Federal money
can't be used for lobbying."
"Have you had a report from him for July?" asked commissioner precinct
3 Herman Tarin.
"I haven't gotten one, but I think it's important for him to provide a
written report to each of you and to make it available to the community,"
said Galindo.
Galindo said he has talked to him on a weekly basis, but felt that the
communication should extend to the commissioners and the community.
"Do we have the funds?" asked Tarin.
"We have no funds period," said county auditor Lynn Owens.
"We're tight on finances, but it's important to get folks that know what
they are doing and how it works, to help us out," said Galindo.
"We owe him $20,000 already and what has he done?" asked Precinct 2 Norman
Hill.
Galindo said that he had already helped the county by changing the wording
on a bill presented to the legislature. "Through the efforts of DeLay and
(Congressman Henry) Bonilla we are back on the bill," said Galindo.
Galindo said that a Senator from Louisiana had helped changed the wording
on a bill, that would help with the Reeves County Detention Center.
"There isn't going to be an issue of what the state directs the BOP, of
which prisons to send inmates to," said Galindo. "They were directing BOP
to use only public and privately-owned prisons, and because Delay and Bonilla
outlined a good cause they are no longer required to."
"Think about the consequences of being turned out of the ballgame, but
now we're back in," he added.
"We need some results, how long can we go on waiting?" asked Tarin. "We
need some results yesterday."
He said that the court was accountable to the community and that individuals
at the Reeves County Detention Center were taxpayers as well. "They need
some assurance as well," he said.
"How much do we owe the General Fund at this time?" asked Tarin.
"Nothing is owed at this time," said county auditor Lynn Owens.
"My hope is that we can have everything resolved by the end of the month,"
said Galindo. "I think we have a good possibility of doing it."
Ex-Pecosite IDed as body discovered in Odessa
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 9, 2003 -- A former Pecos resident has been identified
as the man whose body was found Friday afternoon in an alleyway behind an
Odessa shopping center.
Frank Salas Hidalgo, 43, of Odessa, formerly of Pecos, was found dead
behind the One Energy Square Shopping Center, in the 3100 block of Andrews
Highway, according to the Odessa American.
The paper said a trail of blood was found from the spot where Hidalgo's
body was found to an alley behind 37th Street. Odessa police said the body
had been there for about 10 hours before two children found it.
A rosary for Hidalgo will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the
Martinez Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa. Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday,
at the Holy Redeemer Church in Odessa with burial in Rosehill Cemetery.
Family's move changes 2003's Cantaloupe girl
By JON FULBRIGHT
Staff Writer
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 9, 2003 -- The runner-up at this year's Little Miss Cantaloupe
Pageant has assumed the duties of this year's pageant winner, after her
family moved out of town.
Bryce Salcido, the daughter of Bruce and Belinda Salcido, will take over
the role for the next 10 months, after Jacqueline Barrera, moved out of
town with her parents, Ramon and Yvette Barrera.
"She moved to Odessa with her family," said pageant co-chairperson Robin
Lebouf. "Bryce Salcido will assume all duties."
"We just found out by accident last Tuesday," that the Barreras had moved
out of town, Lebouf said. Their daughter won the Little Miss Cantaloupe
Pageant on June 27 at the Pecos High School Auditorium. Maritza Sandoval
was crowned the 2003 Golden Girl of the Old West during the same pageant.
Lebouf added that Jacqueline would be back in Pecos this weekend. "They're
both going to ride in the 16th of September parade as a farewell event.
It will be the last thing Jacqueline does as Little Miss Cantaloupe."
The parade will be held on Saturday through downtown Pecos, as part of
the annual 16th of September Fiestas.
Weather
PECOS, Tues., Sept. 9, 2003 -- High Mon. 103. Low this morning 68. Forecast
for tonight: Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms in the
evening. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Wed: Partly cloudy
with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. SW winds
10 to 15 mph. Wed. night: Partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.
Lows in the mid 60s. Southwest winds near 10 mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy
with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 90s. Northwest
winds 10 to 15 mph. Thursday night: Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance
of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s. Friday: Partly cloudy with isolated
showers and thunderstorms. Highs near 90. Friday night: Partly cloudy.
Lows near 60.
Obituaries
Frank Hidalgo and Don Joseph
Pecos Enterprise
York M. "Smokey" Briggs, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail news@pecos.net
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
Copyright 2003 by Pecos Enterprise
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