The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 2, 1986 Page: 1 of 8
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Pharr Memorial Library
200 S. Athol
Pharr, Tx. 78577
PSJA WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR 63 YEARS
I———> i^i in,, - i iM i —
Volume 64, No. 1
i. ?■ hi \im ms*
IJSPS429-660
January 2,1986
Petition Started To Have Roll Back Election
Drive Seeks To Drop Tax From 65<P To 53<P
Copyrighted story of the PHARE
PRESS, January 2. 1985.
Three Pharr residents this
week announced the formation
of a petition drive to have the
City of Pharr call a tax roll back
election to have the voters
decide whether taxes should
stay at the newly adopted 65$
tax rate or be reduced to 53C.
Ray Sanchez. Tito Vargas, and
Mrs. Lorenzo Garcia announced
that they will be spearheading
the drive to gather the necessary
signatures on the petition. The
three will soon announce their
candidacy for city commission
seats in the April. 1986 election, i
“There’s a lot of people that
can’t afford" the new tax rate,
said Sanchez. He added that the
valuations developed by the ap-
praisal board were also too high.
He pointed out that the City of
Pharr should have protested the
high valuations or worked to
have them reduced. “We elect
people in the Citv of Pharr to
protect us, not to give us away,"
he stated.
Sanchez also commented that,
“I 'think they (the city com-
mission) just went out on a wild
guess” in setting the 65$ tax
rate. He pointed out that the
nighfcr -tax rate would hurt many
Pharr residents who cannot af-
ford even the current taxes.
“This needs to be presented t
the voters," said Mrs. Lorenzo
Garcia of the petition. She ad-
ded that “taxes are too high."
Mrs. Garcia also felt that the
valuations were too high.
Garcia stated that even last
year’s taxes were high and that
the new tax rate was just too
much for some people to pay.
“People will lose their proper-
ties." she state. Specifically, she
voiced a concern that older
residents, particularly those on
a fixed income or budget would
need to pay more taxes.
The PHARR PRESS was not
able to reach Mr. Vargas for
comment.
When asked by the PHARR
PRESS how they would reduce
the if a roll back were to take ef-
fect, both Sanchez and Garcia
said they did not have specifics
about where or how to cut the
budget. They did say that
they would have to study the
budget in detail before they
could make such decisions.
When asked by the PHARR
PRESS if they would also oppose
the approval of the proposed
PSJA ISD School Bond, both San-
chez and Garcia said that they
were personally opposed to the
bond issue but were not sure if
the group would organize sup-
port against the bofid issue.
According to Mrs. Garcia, she
has already collected over 200
signatures on the petitions at her
store, not counting petitions
carried by other people. The
petition is availalbe at Mrs. Gar-
cia's store at 501 N. Dogwood or
call 787-2877 or 787-8498 for
more information. The petition
is also available at Professional
Optical at 109 E. Park, or call
781-1781.
Comment was also received
from the city commission about
the proposed recall petition.
“I think it will do more harm
than good," said Commissioner
]im Brewster. “We need the
money for improvements for the
city' he commented.
He added that the city is
already facing reductions of
about 30% from Federal
Revenue Sharing funds as well
as the elimination of the Com-
munity Develop Block Grant fun-
ds. According to Brewster, the
city is already expecting to be
short about $1 million next year.
He added that “it would be a
step backwards." Brewster said
that services would probably
have to be cut including some
jobs.
According to Brewster, the city
needs to expand its services as
new areas are annexed and as
the city grows. “You can’t stop
progress," he commented.
“Twenty years ago, we could
get by with minimal services, ‘ v u
toe wore a small town back' tm it
We just can’t do that anymore,”
he added. “I realize that taxes
had to increase, but we need the
monies for services those people
Cristy Ramos and Trinidad Medina are two of 100 students who took the College Entrance Examination
Board - Scholastic Achievement Test (CEEB-SAT) Dec. 7. as they are vying for the honor of being selected
as one of 10 to 15 students who will be awarded Minnie Piper Scholarships. -PSJA ISD Photo
want and need," concluded
Brewster.
“A roll back would be a
disaster for the City or Pharr,"
said Mayor Fidencio Barrera.
“There is no way the city can get
operate through the year on a
53$ tax rate.”
Barrera pointed out that ser-
vices were being expanded this
year. He also pointed out that
insurance rates had more than
doubled the city’s insurance
premium to over $190,000 for
general liability coverage for
only half the protection. Police
and fire protection services
were also being expanded. In-
surance rates for these two ser-
vices are also expected to go up
in the next month.
“Are the people willing to cut
down police and fire protection
and have the city do without in-
surance?” asked Barrera.
“What are they going to do when
there’s a disturbance or robbery
and the police can’t respond
because we don’t have enough
men or a fire can’t be put out
because we don’t have the
proper equipment?"
Barrera added that other jobs
would be lost in the future as a
result the rollback. Barrera
staged that industry might not
kfeite. si Pharr if adequate fir’e
or police protection could not be
provided. “Who is going to take
that responsibility,’’ he
questioned. “I don’t think the
people of Pharr will take it
seriously.”
I think it would be a mistake,”
commented Com. Roberto
Ramirez. Ramirez added that
the city commission and staff
had worked hard to develop as
effecient and economic as
possible.
“The expenditures are needed.
If we have to reduce the tax
rate, we’ll have to cut services.”
“People don’t want to go back
to garbage pick-up once a
week," added Ramirez. He also
pointed out that the city was ex-
panding its city limits and
needed to expand its services.
Texas law, in the Property Tax
Code, provides the mechanism
for a tax rate rollback election in
the case where a city increases
its tax rate more than 8 percent
over the effective tax rate. For
this year, the Pharr effective tax
rate is 49$. The effective tax
rate is a calculation of what tax
rate the city would need in order
to have the same amount of
revenues as in the previous year.
An 8% increase over the 43$
rate would be 53$. However, the
city set the tax rate at 65$. The
mayor and the six com-
missioners had all voted in favor
of the tax increase.
In order to get the tax roll back
election, a petition must be
signed by at least 10% of the
qualified voters (from the most
recent voters list) from the city.
At press time, the PHARR PRESS
had not received confirmation
from the Secretary of State’s of-
fice or the State Attorney
General’s office on whether the
10% figure referred to the total
number of registered voters in
the city or 10% of the voters in
the last city election. If the 10%
refers to all the registered
voters, the required number of
signatures would be 750. If the
10% applies to the number of
voters in the last city election,
the required number of
signatures would be about 300.
Once the necessary number of
signatures are on the petition, it
is presented to the city com-
mission.
The City then has 20 davs to
review the petition to determine
if the petition is valid, checking
for proper wording of the
petition, the number of
signatures, checking for
qualified voters, and other
details.
After the 20 days, the city must
take action on the petition to ap-
prove it or. reject it. If the
petition is found to be valid, an
election must be called no
earlier than 30 days and no later
than 90 days after the 20-day
examination period.
If the election is called and a
simple majority vote for the
rollback, the city must reduce its
tax rate to only 8% over the ef-
fective tax rate, which would be
53$ for the City of Pharr.
If the rollback is approved, the
city would have to reissue tax
statements and push back the
delinquency deadlines by
several months.
According to City Finance Of-
ficer Ernesto Ayala, the reduc-
tion to 53$ would mean that the
city would lose $389,410 in ex-
pected revenues. The city would
also have to refund any differ-
ence in the tax rates for those
who have already paid their
taxes. He added, however, that
the existence oi the petition does
not mean that the current
delinqueny deadlines still hold.
Taxes are still due by the end of
January.
While the petition is being cir-
culated, it could be presented as
soon as the first meeting in
January. If the petition is
presented and found valid, it is
possible that the issue may
result on the April City Election
ballot since that is the next day
permitted by state law for local
elections.
Palmquist To Join Bagwells
In Wagon Train Trail Drive
Mrs. Patsy Palmquist, 1985
Citizen of the Year, Pharr, Texas
will arrive in Sulphur Springs,
Texas December 31, 1985 to ride
with the Wagn sponsored by the
Pharr Sesquicentennial Commit-
tee in the Texas Sesquicenten-
nial Wagon Train leaving
Sulphur Springs January 2,
1986, for six months trail ride
circling the State of Texas and
ending in Fort Worth, Texas,
July 3, 1986.
Mrs. Palmquist a member of
the Texas Wagon Association,
Vice Chairman of the Pharr
Sesquicentennial.Committee and
member of the American Legion,
Department of Texas Sesquicen-
tennial Committee will travel
with the Pharr Wagon intermit-
tently throughout the six month
trip.
The Pharr Wagon is the only
Wagon from south Texas en-
tered in the Wagon Train. Mr.
and Mrs. Floyd Bagwell of
Pharr, Texas are supplying all
the equipment necessary for the
trip and will make the trip as
Ambassadors for the City of
Pharr. Wagon Master Bagwell
and wife Lois left Pharr on
December 21st en route to
Sulphur Springs where they will
.draw for line up position in the
Wagon train on December 31,
1985 and the Wagon train will
depart at 8:00 a.m. on January 2,
1986. Mrs. Palmquist and the
Bagwells will distribute
brochures about the City of
Pharr, as they visit in ap-
proximately 150 cities during the
six month trail ride also Mrs.
Palmquist will have brochures
for Women Veterans pertinent
to Veterans Benefits.
Pharr Art Festival Jan. 25-26
An exhibition and sale of fine
art from Pharr and the Valley
will be Saturday, January 25 and
Sunday, January 26 at the Pharr
Civic Center, 1011 W. Kelly in
Pharr.
The Show is a “Juried Fine Art
Show" in which art is judged.
Admission is FREE, and those at-
tending will be able to view the
exhibits and also purchase pain-
tings. The Pharr Greeters Club
will have a snack bar at the
show.
Last year more than 50 artists
exhibited their work at the
Show. Many of the spaces for
this year's show have already
been reserved, and as space is
limited, the Art Show Committee
is urging artists to go to the
Pharr Chamber of Commerce of-
fice, 308 W. Park in Pharr, and
fill out an entry form.
Committee members are
Maurice Robinson, Paradise
Park; Martha Robbins, Tropic
Star Park; Mildred Meitz, Pharr
South; Betty Fann, Betty’s
Gallery; and Stella Schar-
nweber, Tip-O-Texas Park.
The Show runs from 12:00
noon on Saturday, January 25 to
5:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 26 to 5:00 p.m.
Two categories will be judged.
Residents from Pharr at the time
of the show.will be judged, and
the second category includes art
from throughout the Valley.
Paintings are to be oil,
acrylics, water colors or any
media accepted in the field of
fine arts. All entries must be
framed. Paints must be on can-
vas, canvas board masonite, or
water color material.
Registration deadline is
January 20. For information call
the Pharr Chamber of Commerce
at 787-1481 or stop by and fill
out an entry form at the Cham-
ber office at 308 W. Park in
Pharr.
Alive 55 Drivers Course To
Be Held January 13th, 14th
McAllen-A 55 Alive Mature
Driving Course, a program
designed to help older persons
Improve their driving skills will
be offered at St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church, on January 13, and 14.
A1 Eblen will be the instructor.
This course is prepared and
sponsored by the American
Association of Retired Persons
and presented by volunteers.
Successful completion of this
course entitles the participant to
a 10% discount on most car in-
surance. There is a $7.00 fee for
materials.
To register phone, Fay Smith,
781-4523, or A1 Eblen, instruc-
tor. 787-6614.
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Mata, Arnoldo. The Pharr Press (Pharr, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 2, 1986, newspaper, January 2, 1986; Pharr, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth866665/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Pharr Memorial Library.