County sparks deal to pay for colonia lights

Cameron Park and Laguna Heights residents could soon see the installation of some long awaited street lights in the colonias.

Cameron County Commissioners Court last week approved the installation of the lights after they reached an agreement on who would bill the 1,650 accounts or residents that will benefit from the installation. The county will handle the billing.

The project had been slowed because the county was trying to find a company or office to bill the residents. Cameron Park residents also needed to be informed that their monthly bills will increase by $1.18 once the additional lights are installed.

The initial installation cost was at about $52,877 or lower, however the price has now dropped to $12,000, said County Tax-Assessor Collector Tony Yzaquirre Jr.

The price is lower because the county won't have to purchase additional computers or hire more personnel.

Instead of hiring an additional person to handle the billing, Yzaguirre will split up the billing process among three employees who will be provided with salary stipends.

Cameron Park leaders thought the initial estimate was too high and suggested the county seek other options.

Now, the installation will provide as many as 36 street lights in Laguna Heights and an additional 43 street lights in Cameron Park.

Raul Garcia, with the county's planning department, said the target date for the lights installation is Oct. 1. The county is contracting with American Electric Power to do the actual installation.

Cameron Park was home to nearly 6,000 residents, the 2000 Census reported. The colonia, which is located off Paredes Line Road, was designated the poorest community in Cameron County by the Census Bureau.

Because it is unincorporated community, Cameron Park does not benefit from city services, but does receive county and state services.

Laguna Heights, a community of about 2,000 residents, is located between Laguna Vista and Port Isabel off Highway 100. Although streets along the roadways leading to the colonia have lighting, streets inside the colonia have none, which poses safety issues for residents living there.

This is the first time the county has attempted a street light project of this type. The effort could serve as a model for other counties considering such a project.

The county has secured funding from the Texas Community Development Program for the first-ever project in the state and found an electricity provider that will supply the electricity. Last year, the county secured $89,860 in state funding to purchase and install the lights in the two colonias.