Edinburg Mayor Apologizes for Health Insurance Rate Error, Council Recognizes Championship Teams
Edinburg, City Council, Health Insurance, Beast Mode Softball, Rogue Boxing, South Texas Health System, Flock Cameras
Staff Report
Edinburg TX – The Edinburg City Council held its regular meeting Sept. 1, during which Mayor Omar Ochoa apologized for an error in proposed employee health insurance rates, the council recognized three groups for championship and award achievements, and residents raised concerns about surveillance technology and city spending during public comments.
Mayor’s Apology on Insurance Rates
Ochoa said an email sent to city employees the previous Friday listing new health insurance premium rates under the city’s self-funded plan contained significant errors, showing what he described as “massive increases” across different plans. Ochoa said the rates were not final and would be revised before enrollment.
“I take full responsibility for this,” Ochoa said. “I personally take full responsibility that the mistake was not caught before it was sent out to employees. Really, really sorry about that. But I can assure you that we are working on a solution. It will not be what was presented to you.” Ochoa said revised rates would be issued soon and would be “nowhere near what was presented.”
Ochoa also announced new in-person office hours, offering 15-minute appointment blocks with residents every city council Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Proclamations
The council recognized the Beast Mode 6U Select Softball Team for winning the 2026 McAllen Pony International World Series Championship after entering the tournament’s final day needing to win three consecutive elimination games. Head coaches Pedro Rodriguez and Randy Ramirez lead the team.
The council also recognized the City of Edinburg Rogue Boxing Team for five national championship titles and two state titles earned during July and August 2026 tournaments in Houston, Oklahoma City and College Station. Parks and Recreation Director Javier Garza said the boxing program traces back to the 1980s under longtime instructor Martin Martinez. “We’re back,” Garza said. “This is the strongest team we’ve had ever.” Martinez credited the athletes’ courage: “They stepped up, stepped over that line, and put their fists up, and they let it rain, and they came back with belts in their hands.”
The council recognized South Texas Health System Edinburg for being named a 2026-2027 Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth consecutive year in a row, ranking No. 30 in Texas, and for being recognized as a Best Regional Hospital for community access for the third consecutive year. A hospital representative said the recognition reflects the hospital’s focus on quality and patient experience. “We are relentlessly focused on making sure that we bring not just the best care to the Rio Grande Valley, but bringing nationally recognized best practices to the valley,” the representative said.
Public Comments
Resident Elijah Silva raised concerns about the use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras by law enforcement, citing reports of misuse in other jurisdictions. “Isn’t it insulting to our officers on having them rely on dystopian surveillance technology?” Silva said, citing Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up essential liberties to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Raul Granjeno, representing Sacred Heart Catholic Church, thanked the city for its support ahead of the parish’s annual kermesse and announced the parish will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Feb. 6.
Billy Dillard, owner of Cool Breeze Rental Company, spoke about amusement ride licensing requirements under Texas Department of Insurance regulations, saying many local operators may not be in compliance with state permitting and insurance rules.
Fern McClarty criticized recent Hidalgo County Commissioners Court decisions on elected officials’ salary increases and raised concerns about city spending, including a golf course workforce resource center project. She also referenced a previously tabled agenda item, saying she was glad it was pulled after discovering inconsistencies in past project proposals.
Roberto Cuellar questioned details of a management contract with Troon Golf for the city’s golf courses, including a proposed $7.2 million improvement to Ebony Golf Course tied to a planned workforce resource center. “Nothing is free,” Cuellar said. “If everybody was interested in the Workforce Resource Center, $7.2 million can go a long way to get the youth of the city working… not for somebody’s golf course.”
Diane Teter addressed the city’s proposed tax rate, citing federal Medicaid funding cuts she said could strain local hospitals and shift costs to municipal emergency services. “Fiscal conservatism isn’t just about keeping taxes low,” Teter said. “It’s about maintaining financial resilience to survive the next crisis… A responsible tax rate is not a burden. It is insurance.”
Ordinances
The council approved a temporary special use permit for Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s annual Kermesse, to be held Saturday, Sept. 5.
The council also approved a temporary special use permit for the sixth annual HCDA Brides’ March, an awareness event for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Hidalgo County Criminal District Attorney’s Office Victims Unit. A representative explained the event commemorates Gladys Ricart, a domestic violence victim killed in 1999.
Public Hearing
The council approved a special use permit for on-premise consumption of alcoholic beverages for late hours at 225 E. Cano St., for a planned food hall, Las Palmas, described by Planning and Zoning Director Jaime Acevedo as featuring approximately 10 restaurant locations and two to four retail spaces in downtown Edinburg.
Routine Public Hearings
Two routine rezoning items were approved together following aligned staff and Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations.
Variance Tabled
The council tabled a variance request for lot area standards for the proposed AMIG Subdivision at 598 E. Wisconsin Road, requested by HLG Plan Review Services, at the applicant’s request. Acevedo said the applicant was considering eliminating five lots from the subdivision to bring the remaining lots into code compliance without needing a variance. A council member initially moved to deny the variance, citing the availability of a code-compliant alternative, but the motion failed for lack of a second; a subsequent motion to table passed.
Economic Development
The council approved a resolution nominating Azteca Milling, L.P., located at 501 West Chapin Street, for Half Enterprise Project status to the Office of the Governor Economic Development and Tourism.
Consent Agenda
The council approved a consent agenda covering the purchase of body-worn cameras, budget transfers for the general and utility funds, and the disposition of non-vital city records.
Executive Session
The council met in executive session to consult with the city attorney, discuss personnel matters, and consider the conveyance, exchange or lease of real property and economic development matters. No action was taken upon returning to open session.