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HARLINGEN — The stage is being set for the city’s first State of the City Address that won’t cost taxpayers.
Instead, sponsors are footing the bill for Mayor Norma Sepulveda’s first address Thursday at the Harlingen Convention Center, where she’s set to give residents a report detailing her accomplishments a year after becoming the first woman elected to the city’s highest position.
Last year, the city spent $14,395 staging the annual address, with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Harlingen, which sponsored the event for decades.
“It’s important to me not to use taxpayer dollars,” Sepulveda said during an interview.
Meanwhile, the sold-out event’s guest list will include residents paying $25 a ticket for seats at tables for the main entree.
“I wanted the State of the City to become more inclusive to give the community a chance to participate,” Sepulveda said. “This is the first year the city has organized the Harlingen State of the City, opening up the event for the community to attend by securing tickets. We are fully committed to ensuring it is accessible to all members of our community.”
Proceeds going to charities
The event’s proceeds will help local charities and nonprofits including the Family Crisis Center, the Literacy Center of Harlingen, Loaves and Fishes, the Children’s Bereavement Center and the Texas Ramp Project.
“We’re also investing in the local community. These nonprofits we selected will make a significant impact in our community,” Sepulveda said. “As such, the source of funding for this event comes from our valued community partners, with proceeds going towards benefiting local nonprofits and charities that help children, people who have disabilities, homeless members of our community, those who have experienced domestic abuse as well as community members working to attain a GED.”
‘Community-centered city’
During her speech, Sepuleveda’s planning to make announcements impacting the community.
“It’s going to be an exciting night. We’ve got a lot to share on the state of the city,” she said. “Over the past year, administration has been diligently working towards building and transforming Harlingen into a city that prioritizes accessibility, transparency and inclusivity, with a strong focus on community. As we continue our ongoing efforts to create a community-centered city, we will reflect on the tremendous progress we have made and the numerous achievements we have accomplished. There are also future goals to discuss, as we strive to meet the diverse needs of all members of our community, including entrepreneurs, prospective business owners, local talent, our youth and beyond.”
Opening up to working residents
The event, to run from 5:30 to 8 p.m., will be the first to be held during the evening.
In previous year, organizers have held the event at noon.
Last year, City Commissioner Rene Perez helped put the State of the City Address into the city’s code of ordinances, designating it as an evening event as part of a plan to help working residents attend amid a historic election campaign in which Sepulveda challenged longtime Mayor Chris Boswell.
While the event drew about 400 guests last year, this year it’s sold-out, with an audience of 800.
“I think this just proves what we fought for last year,” Perez said during an interview. “When you give the people of Harlingen an opportunity to participate and come to these events by making it at a reasonable time for the working people of Harlingen, they will come. This is going a long way in showing our city government has changed because we’re encouraging community feedback and communication.”
Dropping ticket prices
At $25 a ticket, the event will feature dinner, including an entree of steak and chicken, appetizers, drinks and dessert, Cristina Garcia, the city’s spokeswoman, said.
“We tried to make it as reasonable as possible,” Perez said, referring to ticket prices.
Last year, organizers priced tickets at $75.
This year, city leaders picked the convention center as the event’s venue after considering other sites, Perez said.
“We looked at other places but the convention center is the only venue that can hold something like this,” he said.
