James DeReus
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Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 7
- Total speaking time
- 24:59
- Avg per meeting
- 3:34
- Segments
- 391
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Top issues during term (16)
Police Contract Negotiations
The union's 10% wage proposal would increase police payroll from $3.34 million to approximately $3.67 million annually.
City Employee Health Benefits
The position carries an annual salary of $140,000.
Public Safety Staffing and Civil Service Exams
Routine testing and staffing costs are covered under existing department budgets.
Fletcher Drive Rezoning
Null
Bridge Toll Adjustments
Pedestrians and cyclists will pay an additional $0.25 per crossing.
Flood Mitigation and Drainage
The city is borrowing over $11 million in total for these projects.
Emergency Siren System
The city has $177,000 currently allocated, but full replacement costs are pending grant success.
Advocacy Services
The cost of legal services will fluctuate based on monthly billing rather than a fixed salary.
City Council Leadership Transition
The city is facing potential costs for severance, outside legal counsel, and recruitment for permanent replacements.
Oncology Infusion Initiative
The project is estimated to cost $1.2 million, with a $200,000 request from the EDC.
airline service reduction
Losing major airline service could hurt local businesses and make it more expensive for everyone to travel.
Traffic Management near Schools
Traffic studies and potential road improvements may be required as a condition of development.
drought management
You'll likely see higher utility bills if you don't adjust your usage, plus potential fines for ignoring new restrictions.
border security facility closure
The city might have to dip into its own budget to cover the gaps in processing and security that the state was previously handling.
police misconduct
Taxpayers might end up footing the bill for potential legal settlements or the costs of an independent investigation into the department's hiring and oversight practices.
border policy and immigration
Our local budget is getting stretched thin as the city absorbs the costs of managing an influx of migrants that federal resources haven't fully covered.
Decisions during term (139)
Recorded while DeReus was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Approval of Surety Bond Requirements
Appointment of Interim Finance Director for Tax Rate Calculations
Resolution 2026-070: Election of Mayor Pro Tem
Resolution 2026-069: Award of Paul Poag Rehabilitation Contract
Resolution 2026-071: Chaparral Estates Utility Easement
Resolution 2026-072: Housing Authority PILOT Payment
Resolution 2026-073: Boys and Girls Club Summer Recreation Program
Ordinance 2026-025: Val Verde County Tax Collection Agreement
Ordinance 2026-026: Hotel Occupancy Tax Expenditure for Rotary Club
ADJOURNMENT
Approval of Meeting Minutes
Set June 2026 Meeting Date
Approval of March 20, 2026, Civil Service Meeting Minutes
Order 2026-012: Police Department Senior Officer Promotional Exam
Order 2026-013: Police Department Corporal Promotional Exam
Order 2026-014: Police Department Sergeant Promotional Exam
Order 2026-015: Entry Level Firefighter Eligibility List
State Advocacy MOU with Val Verde County and San Felipe Del Rio CISD
State Lobbying Contract with Andrade Van De Putte
Voting record (2)
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