Baja California Governor Marina Avila-Olmeda issued Tuesday a free water decree that exempts vulnerable residents from paying for water
Baja California Governor Marina Avila issued Tuesday a free water decree that will exempt senior residents and people with disabilities from paying for water.
The decree also covers widows over 50.
However, the decree includes provisions to limit the such exemption to those who consume a certain amount of water per month and are dependent on income levels.
Beneficiaries must earn up to 448 pesos or around $22 USD daily.
In coastal cities, beneficiaries must not exceed 15 cubic meters or 3,962.58 gallons per month.
In Mexicali and San Felipe, consumption is limited to 30 cubic meters per month.
“My administration has as a priority the wellbeing of those who needed it the most and were historically ignored by the government,” Gov. Avila said in a statement.
State Secretary of Water Management and Protection Armando Fernández said beneficiaries must undergo a socio-economic study in order to get the benefit.
Mayor speaks on bullring events
Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante said events held at the Plaza Calafia bull ring have a cost for the city.
Such cost is much more than what the city charges in fees and rent, the mayor said.
Given this, the city plans to hold as low events at the site. However, Mayor Bustamante assured the bull ring is not closed.
Every day an event is held at the bull ring means a loss of about $5,000 USD for city coffers.
The issue has led city officials to turn their eyes on the fairgrounds — located blocks west of the bull ring.
Mayor Bustamante said the Aguilar’s event producers requested two days of training, which cost the city $15,000 USD.
City officials plan to approve and hold events at the bull ring only for acts that can pay the price tag.
The mayor said the city plans to build a slide and an ice rink that works in January in order to raise additional funds.
According to the mayor, the fairgrounds need to be self-sufficient.
Busy intersection undergoes rehabilitation
The City of Mexicali broke ground days ago with the rehabilitation of López Mateos Boulevard.
The over USD 1.3 million project will take about three months.
City Public Works Director Alberto Ibarra said the project includes the pavement of the surroundings of the overpass at the intersection with Lázaro Cárdenas Boulevard.
Although the project is not expected to affect the railroad drivers will see an impact as some areas will be closed to vehicles, Director Ibarra said.
The authorities asked drivers to take additional precautions or drive through other streets to avoid being impacted.
City officials discuss police body cameras
While a city official said the authorities plan to purchase body cameras for police officers Mexicali’s Mayor said such investment is not a priority.
City Comptroller Héctor Ceseña said installing body cameras in police agents’ uniforms would protect residents and police officers.
The project would first start with 200 cameras for the Mexicali Police traffic division.
The city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico has already implemented the installation of body cams in police officer uniforms.
Comptroller Ceseña told La Voz newspaper expects support from city council members to move forward with the project.
The city official assured that the City Treasurer’s office has said the project is financially feasible.
Comptroller Ceseña said while protecting people from crime lies within other agencies addressing corruption is his office’s business.
The city official minimized the 5 million pesos body cam expenditure compared to the Police budget of 1.7 billion pesos.
Although Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante admitted the purchase of body cams for police officers would help residents and agents, she considered the Police Department has other major needs like uniforms and firearms.
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