The 2020 census highlighted something many have already recognized: HidalgoCounty’s “rural” population is growing. The reality is that many of these areas are not rural at all; what we are seeing is the development of unincorporated urban communities.
These developments are full of wonderful people who have created vibrant communities that contribute to our unique identity in HidalgoCounty. However, many of these communities are not being serviced equally.
Police, fire protection, utilities, proper drainage and broadband internet are all lacking in these areas. In this modern age, we must recognize that every resident should have equal access to these basic services. Unfortunately, these basic services come at a cost. These costs are oftentimes compounded by poor development and lack of planning.
Illegal dumping, unattended pets, illegal burning, emergency services — addressing these challenges in the unincorporated area account for a disproportionate share of our tax dollars. Beyond that, these challenges have come to represent serious public safety issues throughout HidalgoCounty.
In the words of poet John Donne, “No man is an island,” and so it is with HidalgoCounty. None of our communities are immune from the consequences of the actions of our neighbors. So where do we begin? To answer that, I find myself drawing on the advice of retired Navy Admiral William McRaven, who famously said during a 2014 commencement speech, “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.” That is why I propose we begin our path to progress by cleaning up.
We have all seen the effects of illegal dumping: piles of trash in drainage canals and along rural roads. Some have felt the effects of trash via flooding and disease because of debris in canals and drainage ditches.
But we all pay for it. Last year, HidalgoCounty spent more than $8 million on sanitation. It is important to note that this figure does not include expenditures by the Hidalgo County Drainage District, all of our irrigation districts and private citizens who bear the costs of illegal dumping. These $8 million are projected to grow to more than $10 million over the next few years. These expenditure are not only unsustainable, they are unfair.
Most residents of HidalgoCounty municipalities have access to a sanitation program; however, most residents of unincorporated HidalgoCounty do not.
Without a reliable, secure and accessible means of waste removal we are left with our current unsustainable model. What I propose is the development of a countywide sanitation program that will serve unincorporated HidalgoCounty.
My proposal will provide weekly curbside garbage pickup, monthly brush removal and quarterly tire service at an affordable fee to all residents. More importantly, it will decrease the motivation for illegal dumping, clean up critical drainage canals and ditches, decrease the incidence of vector-borne disease and equally distribute the costs of sanitation.
While this is only a first step in addressing service disparities in our unincorporated communities, I believe it will set a foundation for improving the quality of life in HidalgoCounty. But we cannot do this alone. Over the next few weeks we will be hosting a series of town hall meetings throughout HidalgoCounty. At these meetings county residents will have an opportunity to voice their concerns, share their experiences with illegal dumping and propose solutions.
I am confident that working together we will begin to improve equitable services in HidalgoCounty for everyone.
Richard F. Cortez is the Hidalgo County judge.
