Council discusses cutting community center costs

WAELDER — Tuesday night’s Waelder city council meeting featured a discussion on whether or not the city should continue to pay for the community center’s utilities. Community Center Board President Felipe Martinez spoke to the council regarding the utilities, noting that the city has been paying the bills since the community center started in 2007. The council, however, wants to change the policy to make the center be responsible for paying them.

Martinez said the decision came as a shock to the board, and told the council he plans to save money by making sure the air conditioning is turned down when the center is unoccupied. He also said the board is planning to purchase LED lights to lower the light costs.

Mayor Roy Tovar asked how much money the center had in its budget, and Martinez responded that is was about $25,000.

Councilman Valentino Hernandez said that since the center charges rent for public use, they should be able to use those profits to go toward utility payments.

“Yes, but we also have major maintenance expenses to cover every year,” Martinez said.

Tovar said he didn’t feel it was right for the city to foot the bill.

“Plus, the library and fire department pay their own,” Tovar said. “It’s going to be hard for the city to pay it. I think the community center should be more self-sufficient.”

The council said they will consult City Attorney Richard Crozier regarding legal aspects on the matter, and will further discuss the item during their next meeting.

The council also tabled discussion on hiring a city manager and the city’s water rates until their next meeting. In addition, they appointed Mike Harris and Oscar Melchor as representatives to the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission General Assembly. Their term will begin on Sept.1, 2017 and last through Aug. 31, 2018.