Claudia L. Rodriguez, District 6 City Representative

From my family to yours, I wish you a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🧡🙏🏼

All Community Clinics will be closed this Thursday and Friday. Regular clinic hours will resume on Saturday, November 26.

To get vaccinated, you can visit any of the clinics below. No appointment needed:

Tues. - Sat. | 8AM - 5PM
• 220 S. Stanton (corner of First and Stanton)
• 7380 Remcon
• 9566 Railroad
• 9341 Alameda

Freeze Warning for El Paso and Hudspeth counties in effect from 2 am through 9 am, Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

Take steps to protect tender plants from the cold. and keep pets inside. Do not use stoves or ovens as home heating systems.

🚨El Paso Electric Transmission Infrastructure Upgrades Project Begins in East El Paso🚨

EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Electric (EPE) will be making improvements to its electrical infrastructure by replacing transmission and distribution power lines and installing steel poles in East El Paso starting November 14, 2022, through January 23, 2023. These improvements will ensure reliability in electrical services to the area. Road closures are expected in the following segments along N. Zaragoza Road to Saul Kleinfeld Drive:

1. Golden Gate Rd. to Vista del Sol Dr.
2. Vista del Sol Dr. to Pellicano Dr.
3. Pellicano Dr. to Rojas Dr.
4. Rojas Dr. to Zaragoza Rd.
5. Zaragoza Rd.- George Dieter Dr.- Esther Lama Dr.
6. Montwood Dr. to Saul Kleinfeld Dr.
7. Saul Kleinfeld Dr.

The work will consist of day and night activities Sunday-Friday:

· The power line preparation will begin each day at 9:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m.
· The night work activities (i.e., new pole installations) are to start at 9:00 p.m. and end at 6:00 a.m.

The El Paso Police Department will assist with the road closures and allow access for those who live or work adjacent to the work areas. EPE encourages all commuters to be aware of construction zones in the area and safely follow all temporary traffic control.

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” —Abraham Lincoln

Have you heard? The biggest holiday festival in the Southwest is back! ❄️ The countdown is on, El Paso. WinterFest is coming to downtown El Paso on Saturday, November 19. Can you believe we are only 10 days away? For more information regarding events and programming, visit epwinterfest.com!

District Spotlight: Your District 6 in Action

There are several ongoing and completed Parks and Recreational facilities projects across the City of El Paso. Check out some of the work being done in your district, here are highlights in District 6:

#915

Join me for a joint community meeting with City Representative Isabel Salcido of District 5, October 24th at 6pm 13501 Jason Crandall. Our guest speaker will be El Paso Police Chief Gregg Allen. Hope to see you there!

🗣Calling all young adults and teenagers ‼️🎉

Teentober Fest is Saturday, October 15, from 12 PM to 4 PM at the Judge Marquez Branch library.

Enjoy live music, free books, prizes, escape rooms, and more!

This year's theme is Stranger Things, and the El Paso Public Library will have more than 30 interactive booths for teens to learn new skills.

See you there!

👻 Boo! 👻 Finding a costume for your kiddos doesn't have to be scary! Join us this Thursday, October 13 from 6 - 8 PM at the Marty Robbins Community Center for the District 6 Monster Mash Costume Giveaway, presented by Representative Claudia Rodriguez, Technimark, ZTEX, and the City of El Paso! The fun doesn't end there - Live Active will host a kid-friendly zumba dance party and vendor booths will also have activities! Available while supplies last and kids must be present to receive costume! See you then!

Schools and nonprofit organizations make plans to participate in a fundraising opportunity and community service initiative designed to improve the visual image of El Paso.

The City of El Paso is hosting multiple w**d cleanup events throughout the community this fall to beautify our street medians.

Volunteers may park at EP Fitness. All participants will be invited to a future volunteer appreciation and award ceremony.

D I S T R I C T 6 Please join me in my commitment to stopping the rise of non voter approved debt. Tomorrow I will be hosting a petition drive for The Libre Initiative. The Libre Initiative, is an organization helping to gather signatures to stop the county from burdening all of us the tax payer with a $400 million invoice for UMC that we have not APPROVED! If you’re a registered voter stop by sign and be a proud part of stopping this effort! All registered voters welcomed!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement Regarding the
Special City Council Meeting

EL PASO, Texas—City Representative Claudia L. Rodriguez, District 6, is providing the following statement regarding the Special City Council meeting on August 23, 2022. Media is asked to publish the statement in full:

“Today I decided to continue my commitment to my constituents and remain a fiscally conservative member on City Council by voting no to the city budget for fiscal year 2023. The last previous two years I was able to push for no new spending, while holding the line with no new increases to the city portion of the tax rate to property owners and implement a host of savings to our senior citizens and military veterans. I have also never voted in favor for any certificates of obligation (COs) as I believe the decision to acquire new debt should be a decision made by voters.”

“This year while the proposed budget reduces the tax rate on the City’s portion of property tax bill by 4.5 cents, the largest reduction since 1986, it still doesn’t do justice to the massive increases we’re seeing in property values which set painful new records. I also find it very irresponsible that in the moment of a recession local state representatives are not pushing back and fighting against these massive increases on property value assessments by the Central Appraisal District. With property values on the rise, the only fair response to our City of El Paso budget for our property owners is a no-new-tax-revenue budget. Our community is struggling with the rise of inflation, the increase in cost for food, fuel, and utilities; therefore, it is imperative for me to take this opportunity to help our community and my constituents. My hope and expectation is that we continue to push for other revenue sources to reduce the burden for our property owners. We must continue to attract large companies to El Paso to help offset the burden off the taxpayers, we have to push forward in cutting wasteful spending if something is not a revenue source it’s a burden on the taxpayer and it must be shut down.”

“Our state representatives need to push for a fair share of cost and profit between the City of El Paso and the County. We need to continue to partner with our stakeholders to bring down costs. I would like to encourage everyone to reach out to your city council representatives for information on how we work through the city budget process and why it is imperative that we stay alert and more importantly we stay informed.”

The City of El Paso Council recognizes the Santos family and the Fox Plaza Food City Supermarket for their impact since 1972.

The Santos family founded its first store in 1964 with the El Rancho Mart and later ventured out and opened up Food city Supermarkets across the city.

The El Paso City Council approved the first step to lower the City’s tax rate by 4.49 cents—a savings of $19.3 million to City taxpayers—while remaining focused on prioritizing the community’s needs.

City Manager Tommy Gonzalez and Chief Financial Officer Robert Cortinas presented the current year third quarter financial report and proposed budget updates for next year, including a tax rate ordinance that will lower the tax rate to 86.24 cents, per $100.

This year’s budget will support:
• A net increase of 60 police officers and firefighters (29 police and 31 fire) in preparation for new police and fire stations and the purchase new police cars and fire equipment
• A $10 million allocation for street resurfacing projects, plus another $2.3 million for traffic safety and neighborhood traffic mitigation program
• Operating costs for the Children Museum, Mexican American Cultural Center, Penguin Exhibit at the Zoo, Joey Barraza and Vino Regional Park, all scheduled to open next year
• An aggressive plan to invest in the City workforce, by increasing the City minimum wage by 9 percent next year (in addition to the 7.2 percent minimum wage increase made in May 2022)
- General Service employees will see an average increase of about 14 percent
• An increase in fixed costs and contracts due to inflationary impacts, such as information technology, janitorial, security, November election, appraisal services, and utilities

The proposed City budget also responds to the community’s priorities identified through multiple outreach opportunities including the City’s Chime In Survey process, City Council requests, and other community surveys. The City’s approach to this year’s budget includes:
• Providing financial relief to taxpayers through strategic economic recovery
• Continuing our commitment to the community with the completion of bond projects (capital and operating costs) and providing exceptional services
• Investing aggressively in our workforce through compensation, benefits, and incentives
• Adding cost growths in contractual obligations and fixed costs due to current economic environment

The City leadership, with Council direction, has developed a Strategic Economic Recovery plan to include:
• No tax rate increase for the last two years and tax decrease provided last year for 52,000 seniors & disabled
• Tax rate decrease proposed for upcoming budget
• State constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the homestead exemption savings from $25,000 to $40,000
• $196 million in savings on Texas Gas costs (Winter Storm URI)
• $28.3 million savings on El Paso Electric rate case settlement (about $117 savings on the average residential bill)
• $268 million in new property tax revenue for all taxing entities as a result of City Economic Incentive Agreements
• $37 million for rental and utility assistance, $29.4 million in Community Development from CARES and ARPA, and $35.9 million for small business assistance

Additional important budget dates to note:
• August 16: Public Hearing on FY 2023 Budget
• August 23: Adopt FY 2023 Budget and Tax Rate

Time eases pain, but we will never forget the tragic event that took place in our home of El Paso. Today we remember the victims who lost their lives and the survivors who are always in our hearts. We honor you today and always…we are ! 8.3.19🤍

Todays backpack giveaway event at Marty Robbins park was a great success!!!! Thank you to everyone who came out and participated in the 3k walk/run. The highlight for me was seeing the smiles on the kids faces receiving their free backpack! 😊

A special Thank You to Live Active EP for putting together this great event and to El Paso Neighborhood Coalitionfor your support and donation of backpacks.

Wishing the kiddos a great and safe school year! 📚

We are El Paso Strong! 🤍

Calling all teens in grades 9-12!

If you have an interest in the legal field, you don't want to miss the opportunity to join our Teen Court Program.

Visit https://www.elpasotexas.gov/municipal-courts/court-case-process/juveniles/, download the Youth Volunteer Application and email it to [email protected].

For additional information call 915-212-0229.

News Release l July 28, 2022
Live Active El Paso Hosts Free Backpack, School Supply Drive
3K Walk/Run Back to School Edition

EL PASO, Texas — Live Active El Paso is hosting a free backpack and school supply drive as part of the citywide 3K Walk/Run Series starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol.

The event will begin with a 3K Walk/Run for families through the park followed by a backpack giveaway, which will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis to school-aged children.

“We’re very thankful to our partners who have donated over 400 backpacks to give to our community,” said Cultural Affairs and Recreation Managing Director Ben Fyffe.

In order to receive a free backpack, visitors must walk or run around the park at least one time. Children must also be present with a parent to receive a backpack. Backpacks are limited and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Backpacks and school supplies have been donated by District 6 Representative Claudia Rodriguez, the El Paso Neighborhood Coalition, the Management and Training Corporation of Chaparral, New Mexico, El Paso Public Libraries, El Paso Health, Liv3 Athletics, the Hilton Place Apartments, and the Alzheimer’s Association West Texas Chapter.

ABOUT THE 3K WALK/RUN SERIES
The 3K Walk/Run series happens the last Saturday of each month June through September at different parks. Registration is not required to participate in the family-friendly challenge that is open to all ages.

Saturday, July 30
8 to 10 a.m.
Marty Robbins Park (11600 Vista Del Sol)
Featuring a back-to-school backpack drive giveaway

For more information, follow Live Active El Paso on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) or visit

Live Active El Paso Live Active El Paso is a city-wide movement to promote better health and wellness.

It's National Water Park Day on Thursday, July 28!

Visit any Water Park and take part in a free fitness class from 9:30-10:30am and receive a $5 discount to the water park!

Preregister for the free fitness class with this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GCTLCVH

See you there!

District 6, don’t forget to join me this Saturday July 30th at 8am for a 3k Walk or Run event at Marty Robbins Park! I’m partnering up with for a Back to School backpack giveaway at this event. Registration is not required to participate in the family-friendly challenge that is open to all ages. I hope to see you there!

*For more info please call 212-0006 or visit www.liveactiveep.com/events