Sandoval: San Benito is in better shape than Pharr was when I first got there

Rio Grande Guardian
BY STEVE TAYLOR
DECEMBER 13, 2023

RANCHO VIEJO, Texas – San Benito’s new city manager, Fred Sandoval, says the city is in better financial shape than Pharr was when he was first in charge of that city.

The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service wanted to see how Sandoval was settling in, having been in the San Benito hot seat for just six or seven weeks.

We secured an interview whilst Sandoval was attending the recent North American Development Bank listening tour event at Rancho Viejo Country Club. During the interview the Guardian reminisced on all the industrial development and big box stores he brought to Pharr as their city manager.

“I’m settling in just fine,” Sandoval said, in answer to the Guardian’s first question. “It’s been it’s been an interesting six weeks. I am excited.”

And the similarities with Pharr?

“(With everything we did in Pharr) I’ve got the blueprint. And, to be honest with you, San Benito reminds me of Pharr in ’97 when I got there. And that is the absolute truth,” Sandoval said.

“Actually, San Benito is in a lot better shape financially than when I got to Pharr in ’97. Pharr had just recently lost Walmart, Sam’s, their sales tax was in the dumps. We grew it quite a bit, and, you know, I left it better than I found it.”

Sandoval said when he looks at the potential of San Benito he can see similarities with Pharr. Both have international bridges, although, of course, San Benito has to share the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios with Cameron County and Harlingen.

“San Benito is in way better shape, financially, than Pharr was when I got there. I’m starting here at a higher level. The city council has been really, really cooperative. I think they’re hungry for success, they’re hungry for somebody to take the helm. And just, you know, bring people together.”

Sandoval said he has a plan to bring the people of San Benito together.

“The citizens of San Benito are very passionate about their city and about what their potential is. And I just think they need to be nurtured. They need to be brought into the process. And so we’re going to start a little program that I’ve been working on for a while now. We’re going to start in January. We’re going to set up mobile city halls, going to some of the different areas of the city and just reach out to these citizens. Make them aware that the city (administration) is here for them. That we’re here to serve them. So a lot of potential and a lot of growth. And I’m really excited. I’m real passionate about it.”

In a press release announcing Sandoval’s appointment as city manager, it was stated that his contract was only for one year. Asked about that, Sandoval said:

“The contract is for a year. They chose to do it that way because it just came out of an interesting contract dispute with their previous city manager. And, I’m okay with that. We talked about a six-month kind of probationary period and kind of a 360 thing. They wanted to see if I was a good fit. I think I’m getting there. I’m think I’m a good fit. But also, I told the council I’d like to do the same. It’s a big move from me, but it’s city work. I mean, I’ve been doing this all my career and, you know, I love it. And it’s just a great opportunity. The citizens are great. The council is great. The mayor is great. It’s time to get to work.”

Asked what challenges and opportunities San Benito has, Sandoval said:

“Well, the challenge is, it’s a bedroom community and so it’s a little bit… it has been in a position where other cities in the area have taken a lot of the opportunities from them only because of their size. There are some challenges on ETJ (extra territorial jurisdiction) and city limits and some of the neighboring cities are growing and so San Benito is trying to hold its own.”

Sandoval then ran through some of San Benito’s assets.

“You’ve got a city that’s got plenty of good land, decent infrastructure, a great bond rating, and is in a great financial situation. And an excellent, excellent, location,” Sandoval said.

“I think it was Commissioner (Thomas) Goodman who asked me, what do you think of San Benito? I didn’t even hesitate. I said it was a sleeping giant. It is a sleeping giant. It really is.”

Asked to expand on that, Sandoval said:

“It’s our time. I think with all the growth in Cameron County, at the Port of Brownsville, with SpaceX, and all the other stuff, I think there are opportunities for residential growth, commercial growth, and also retail growth. It’s just a matter of putting it all together, of having the right mindset, getting the elected officials to work together and to work towards a common good for the citizens of San Benito. That’s really all it is. 

“We’ve got a beautiful city, we’ve got resacas all through it, a lot of water features that most other cities would kill for. It is just a matter of capitalizing on all that, and letting people know that we’re here, letting them know that we have opportunities, letting them know we’re open for business.”

Speaking of sleeping giants, the Guardian asked Sandoval about the Free Trade Bridge. Sandoval responded:

“I had a quick conversation with the county judge. Obviously, the county runs the bridge. So this is on my to do list in the first six months, I kind of have my six-month plan to get with the judge and find out what we can do to grow the bridge collectively. How we can push it. From where I came from, owning an international bridge is just a great asset. It offers a great opportunity for economic growth at the city. And it can subsidize a lot of the growth that the city is already experiencing. So, yes, this is really interesting for me. How can we grow that franchise and actually capitalize on it.”

Sandoval said San Benito can also capitalize on the growth happening at the Port of Brownsville, and at Boca Chica with SpaceX.

“There’s going to be so much growth at the port. And there is going to be an overspill in the secondary and tertiary type supply chain, the service type industries that are going to have to be a part of that process over there. It is going to be a boon for the area, a boon for Cameron County. And, to be honest with you, a boon for South Texas.

“And so for San Benito it is a matter of being in that position, of having the infrastructure in place, and having the right mindset to embrace some of these businesses. I mean, go out there and recruit him, show them that we do have some great opportunities for residential development, great opportunities for commercial and heavy industrial development. And, we just want to be a part of it.”

Sandoval said he has already started his discussions with port officials.

“We’ve already started our talks with the Port of Brownsville and the Chairman, Steve Guerra. Steve is a great friend, a great friend of the city. We are looking to work with him and his folks at the port. And the same thing with SpaceX. We’re going to reach out to them as well. It’s about being present and being part of the process and actually being able to be where we need to be. And I think we are already there.”

And any story about San Benito would not be complete without discussing the indelible mark it has made on the region’s culture. Sandoval acknowledged arts and culture is a unique asset for the city, and something he plans to highlight.

“Our music and culture is a fantastic selling point. The birthplace of Conjunto. We’ve got the museum, the Freddy Fender birthplace aspect. I think it is another piece that just.. that cultural heritage, the tourism it can bring. I just I don’t think San Benito has played it up enough. 

“I’ve been talking to some folks that may have the possibility of doing some sort of documentary to embrace this rich history. To really let people know what San Benito is all about, the rich musical history the city has, and how it contributed to a lot of different things. Because it was a big industry back in the day. And it drove a lot of economies. It put a lot of food on the table for a lot of folks. I think San Benito is in a position where they really need to put that out there so people can learn and visit.”