The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1990 Page: 1 of 8
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Lino's
Pharmacy
Specials,
Page 2
THE RIP SimNDE HERALD
PubUabed weekly In Mo Crude City. Tru* every Thursday by The Rk> Grande Publishing Co.
H.E.B.
Inserts
Inside
USPS 466-200
Vol. 80, No. 44, Thursday, October 4,1990
25 Cents
?
s
t
II
Commissioners Approve
1988-89 Audit Report
Ilit' Rattler Hand is pictured above preparing for the Pigskin Jubilee this Saturday
night in McAllen. I he Rio band will perform at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, and will be the
last band to perform in (lit- contest.
RGCCISD Officials Praise
Court Ruling On Financing
I wo officials ol the Rio Grande
( 11v ( ISI) have praised the ruling
ol a stale district |udge declaring the
recently passed school Itiiaiicmg
bill unconsliiutional but stress that
the path ahead is uncertain
St.itc District Judge Scott
McCown ol Austin ruled on
I uesday Sept. 25 that Senate Bill
I the equalization landing package
ipproved by the Legislature in June
alter months ol wrangling, did not
go lai enough in eqn li/ing landing
toi pooi and wealthy school
districts and was therefore
iih oiistiiniional
Mc( ow n uav e the
e x a s
Legislature until Sept. I, 1991 to
come up with a new plan that
would meet his standards.
Superintendent Dr. Lcobardo
Cano said, I think the judge made
a good decision, one that was in the
best ilUcrests ol the Kio Grande
Cily CISD and other poor school
districts
< ano added There is a lot ol
uncertainty now about what is to
couii in the future. Right now,
Senate Bill 1 .-.lands as it is I he
only thing found unconstitutional
was the funding part The reform
part of the bill remains intact."
The superintendent commented,
Hospital Hoard Okays
1990-91 Budget
■\t their regular monthly meeting
on Wednesday night iept. 26. the
Hoard ol Directors ol the Starr
Counts Hospital District voted to
approve the entity s 1990-9 I
biukvt. w Inch proiei is total income
ol almost S(i.ii million and a net
operating loss ol almost $364,000.
I he directors approved the budget
alter a briel discussion.
Administrator I halia Munoz noted
that total income is projected at
$6,581,157, with total revenues
amounting to $6,399,620. I he
total ol other income amounts to
six I S37.
Deductions Irom t< venue,
indicated Munoz. is protected at
$ I ,5 Ml, I SO. Icav ing a projee lion ol
$\057,997 lor net patient income.
The total ol salaries and other
expenses is predicted to be
$5,414,295, with salaries protected
at $2 498,198 and other expenses
forecasted to bea $.! 910,097. The
net operating loss is projected at
S Vi \8 I8
I lie directors also voted to
the ellectivi tax rate ol
1890 per $100 valuation lor the
1990 tax rale. Munoz noted that
this is a slight decline Irom the
1989 tax rale ol 1981 per $100
valuation.
Munoz noted that a 15-passenger
v an had been purchased for the LVN
(Licensed Vocational Nurses)
school in Vic Allen which is being
undertaken under the auspices ol
lc\as Southinosi College Munoz.
said We purchased this an so that
students can commute Irom here to
McAllen The new van was
purchased Irom Ramirez ford in
Rio Grande City at a cost of
$19,995.
( oncerning the planned
expansion and renovation of the
hospital's laboratory area, Munoz
said. We're still awaiting approval
Irom the Texas Department ol
Health on the expansion
The directors voted to approve the
bid ol local CPA lose A Hinojosa
to carry out the audit for the
1989-90 liscal yeai Hinojosa s bid
which totaled S7200, was one ol
two bids
'I do not expect a quick decision by
the I egislature next year. I expect
this issue to remain before the
courts lot some months. I don't
think the state has a leg to stand on
m the appeal,
RGLC1SD Business Managei
Romeo Lopez, declared, We
continue to have hope for the future
ol our studenis in the properly poor
school districLs. The District Court
obviously sees that Senate Bill 1
did not go all the way in bringing
about equity.'
Lopez contended that under
Senate Bill I, "the strategies remain
the same Perhaps the judicial
system is demanding the adoption
ol new and different funding
strategies. Senate Bill I made some
special efforts, but not to the level
of proficiency demanded on the
equity matter.
Lopez, commented, There is
little direction Irom the court. 1
don't feel the judicial system has
given specific instruction to ihe
Legislature.''
The business manager concluded.
The reality is that dollars definitely
have a major impact on the quality
ol educational services, especially
concerning quality ol teachers and
technology.
By KENNETH ROBERT S
Friday s special meeting ol the
County Commissioners was
highlighted by the approval of the
audit report for F iscal Year 1988 89
by a McAllen CPA.
CPA John Mitchell of McAllen
told the court I hat the 1988-89
report reflected positively on the
county. He indicated, "Everything
in the combined statements is in
accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Mitchell added, Starr County, in
the luture, could be awarded a
government certificate lor excellent
financial reporting by the GFOA in
Chicago. Being awarded this
certificate helps a lot in the bond
ratings and debt ratings."
Mitchell indicated, As ol Sept
U), 1989, there was a surplus ol
$162,000 in the General Fund and a
$49,000 surplus in the Road and
Bridge Fund. As ol Sept. 30, 1989,
there was a combined surplus ol
$21 1 ,'a)0. Interest and Sinking has
a .urplus of $51,000, so that fund
is in very good shape.
Mitchell stressed. The county is
in complete compliance with
repaying the debt on the 1985
refunding bonds...Everything with
restricted assets is in compliance
He indicated that the total
outstanding debt in Enterprise
Funds amounts k> S5.89S 000
The ratio ol Debt Service
expenditures to General Fund
expenditures was seven percent,
which Mitchell called a perfectly
gixxi ratio.
Mitchell indicated that the
unreserved surplus of S211,000 is a
cash surplus for the most part.
On the negative side, said
Mitchell, we still do not have an
inventory of fixed assets and a total
ol delinquent taxes Tor all prior levy
years has not been arrived at...I
would suggest having another
meeting or a workshop to address
my recommendations.
County Auditor Jose Guadalupe
Villaireal said. My report shows a
surplus ol $158,000 in Road and
Bridge and $2000 lor the General
Fund Tor a combined surplus ol
$160,000 There is a total ol
$130,000 m the bank Tor right ol
ways, including interest.
Mitchell's request that his lirm be
hired to undertake the audit lor 'f c
1989-90 fiscal year was approved
by the court.
CouMy Judge J.M. Martinez., Jr.,
discussed the recent budget approved
by the Appraisal District Board of
Directors. He said, I've been
contacted by people Irom the San
Isidro ISI) and the Rio Grande City
CISD concerning the Appraisal
District We have 30 days to protest
their budget il we desire
Precinct < )ne Commissioner Jose
Maria "Cheina" Alvarez contended,
We should wail lor Mr. (Eloy)
Garza to be here, because he
represents us on the board."
Precinct Two Commissioner
Amando Pena contended, "The
board has approved this because
they think its best. San Isidro has
been complaining all along."
Martinez insisted, These people are
being very liberal with the money
they ask us to put up.
Martinez continued, "We have
asked our county people to wait on
raises and retirement. The Appraisal
District exists because of us and
other government entities."
Concerning the Appraisal District
retirement system, the judge
complained, "The retirement system
calls lor an employee to contribute
anywhere Irom a minimum ol 4
percent to a maximum of 7 percent.
The Appraisal District went wiih
the maximum of 7 percent. The
Appraisal District paid this entirely
out of their funds
Martinez, said. "II this gets
unreasonable, we can contract this
out. I lavor the local jobs: I only
favor contracting il the price
becomes unreasonable " He
complained about the projected
$40,000 salary of ihe Chiel
Appraiser.
Pena argued, Comparing prices
with other places, this is in order.
San Isidro just wants someone (an
employee) there. We just need to
have Commissioner Garza explain
things. Alvarez said, I don't agree
w ith the $40,000 fmure. Some ol
I'm sure,
them (the employees),
deserv e the raise."
Martinez said. We would
simply, by this resolution, be
asking them to reconsider '.his
budget."
The commissioners reached a
consensus to delay a final decision
on the matter until Commissioner
Garza could be present to discuss
the happenings :u tiic Appraisal
District
The County Clerk s request to go
out on bids Tor microfilm and
indexing was approved. County
Clerk Juan Mills said, "Two years
ago, the Dallas lirm with whom we
now deal was the only one that did
this kind of work. They have done
good work."
Mills continued, "The pricc ol a
Valley firm, as quoted to us, would
save 45 percent on the price alone.
They will be doing the
microfilming themselves. They
have everything the state requires
on microfilming This item is in
the budget.
Commissioners Alvarez, and
Reynaldc; Moreno" Alaniz were
authorized to advertise for bids on a
lease purchase basis concerning two
pickups.
The list ol election clerks as
recommended by Mills was
approved by the commissioners.
Mills said, I'm recommending at
least a v percent cut in election
clerks Tor November. I'm
recommending at least one more
clerk Tor three precincts.
Clinic Saturday
In the wake of the first confirmed
case of rabies in the La Grulla area,
a vaccination clinic will be held
this Saturday in La Grulla.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S.
Margo indicates that the clinic will
take place Irom 11 a.m. to noon in
front of the Catholic Church in La
Grulla.
Dog Confirmed As
Rabid In (irttlla
Salinas New Foundation
Exeeutive Director
Man Charged with
Assaulting Officers
A Fronton man remains
iih arcerated in the Man County Jail
on charges ol assaulting three
Sheriff's deputies and firing a
weapon at a man sitting outside his
residence
Shi 1111 Gone Falcon indicated that
Artemio Belinonies li v0. was
arraigned Tuesday beloro justice of
the Peace Arnoldo Gonzalez and
charged with aggravated assault and
aggravated assault on a peace
officer Bond was $50,000 for the
aggravated assault charge and
$25,000 on the i hargc ol issaultinc
the officers
Falcon said that during the
daylight hours Monday, deputies
responded to a call at a Fronton
residence. The residence told officers
that he was sitting outside his
residence when Belmontes allegedly
stopped and pointed a weapon at
him and then Tired off a round.
The sheriff said "We have a
description of the weapon, but no
weapon was recovered The shot
came pretty close to mtung itu
gentleman, pist a couple of feet
away
Falcon said that Belmontes
allegedly then took oft and as
olhcers were at the scone, that same
poison passed again in a blur/Mown
Chevrolet Suburban The shenll
indicated that the officers utilized
their lights to stop the vchicle,
(See CHARGED, Page 6)
Crisanlo Salinas ol Roma has
been named the new executive
director ol the Starr County
Industrial Foundation alter his
predecessor Rene Monialvo resigned
to take a similar position with a
new economic development agency
in Mission.
Salinas, who has worked at the
Foundation since March 19N4 as
Research Assistant, commented.
"We'll keep basically the same
program ol the past five years of
helping small business, and helping
and encouraging business and
industrial prospects. A number of
companies, industrial and retail,
have been showing a lot of interest
in Starr County
Salinas stressed. Basically, my
goal is to help the county overcome
its economic development
problems, improve our
infrastructure, and lowei >ur
unemplovment significantly
Salinas said he is prepared to
work hard, and added, Personally,
this is a g(xxl opportunity for me
Monialvo, now working wiih the
city of Mission's Economic
Development Agency told The Rio
Grande Herald Tuesday afternoon. I
lelt this was a good opportunity i
decided to interview over here, and
ihcy made me a gixxl offer
Monialvo stressed, "I leel the
Foundation is in very good shape
-v uh l ns and Mainly (tiarza i. 1
know that ihcy will continue to do
a good job. I feci very good about
my years with the Foundation The
(See H)l M>A I ION. Page 5)
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Ihe continuing rabies epidemic
continued to spread late last week
with the first confirmed case in ihe
La Grulla area.
Veterinarian Dr. Roberto S.
Margo said, The dog died by itself
on Friday , li was a female, mixed
breed dog with puppies. The owner
told me that the dog had had a Tight
with a coyote two to three weeks
ago 1 he dog started to have trouble
swallowing and then had paralyzed
law s
Margo indicated, The owner was
told to dig up the dog's body. The
puppies will need to be put to
sleep
The veterinarian said, "Indications
are thai no one was bitten, but
more investigation is needed.
Exposure to rabies is possible
through saliva. To our knowledge,
the dog did not bite any other
dogs."
Margo called ihe new ease a
serious development bccausc "we
had not had rabies in dial part ol the
county before. The problem is still
there: we just need to stay on top ol
ihe problem."
Margo indicated that a
vaccination clinic will be held
Saturday Irom I I a.m. to noon in
front ol the Catholic church in La
Grulla.
There have been 33 confirmed
cases ol rabies in Starr County this
year, and f>4 confirmed cases slncc
the outbreak began in September
1988.
Members ol (he Industrial foundation and other interested persons honored
departing foundation fxiiutive Director Rene Monialvo las) week. In the Iront row
Irom fell to i ight are Bruno lievino, ( anuta Monialvo, Olga G. Monialvo,
Armandina Garza, and Sam \ale. In the middle row are Roma Mayor Jose Carlos
Saenz. Rene Monialvo. and County Judge .1 M. Martinez. ,|r In the hack row are
Holly Guerrero, Joel Guerrero, new Executive Director Crisanto Salinas, Adriana
Lopez, and Leonel "Nene" Lopez.
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Roberts, Kenneth. The Rio Grande Herald (Rio Grande City, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1990, newspaper, October 4, 1990; Edinburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth195257/m1/1/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rio Grande City Public Library.