Lower Valley incumbent Limón owes property taxes

April 29--Lower Valley city Rep. Líly Limón, who is running for re-election, owes nearly $1,800 in 2016 property taxes on her home near the Eastwood Heights neighborhood, records show.

Limón is on a quarterly payment plan for the $3,553 property tax bill on her home, records from the El Paso Consolidated Tax Office show. Her home, which she owns with her husband, Jose, is valued at $167,000, Central Appraisal District records show.

"You have the wrong person," Limón said in an initial email in response to a request for comment from the El Paso Times on Friday. "Neither my husband or I owe taxes. Please double check your sources."

The Limons paid about $888 in property taxes on Jan. 23 and again on March 20, and have a remaining balance of $1,776, tax records show. Of that, $463 is owed on the city's portion of the tax bill, according to the tax office's breakdown of taxes due by jurisdiction.

In a follow-up email to the Times, the 66-year-old Limón acknowledged being on a payment plan, adding that the final payments are automatically scheduled to be paid in May and July.

"Senior citizens in El Paso are legally entitled to pay their property taxes in quarterly payments under a law passed about 16 years ago," she said in the email. "My husband and I have exercised that option, making two quarterly payments so far this year."

Under the El Paso City Charter, a person who is "indebted to the city" in any sum of money, including a valid tax levy or assessment, cannot take office.

City attorneys could not be reached for comment Friday about whether that applied to a candidate on a payment plan.

Limón called the payment plan "a sound financial planning tool for seniors" and said she'd continue to use that option.

A retired teacher and principal who was elected to office in 2013, Limón faces Enrique "Henry" Rivera, a longtime officer with the El Paso Police Department, to represent the Lower Valley and a portion of East El Paso. Early voting for the May 6 election runs through Tuesday.

Related: Everything you need to know about the May 6 election

MORE: Where to vote? Early, mobile voting sites

In email responses to the Times, both candidates said improving El Paso's streets and completing projects on time are their top priorities for District 7.

Limón said that if re-elected, she will work to complete all quality of life bond projects in the district, including the Lomaland recreation center, the aquatic center at Lionel Forti Park and the public art piece at Travis White Park.

Another of her top priorities is to ensure streets in the district are resurfaced or reconstructed "as swiftly as possible," she said in the statement.

Rivera also listed improving the district's streets and completing projects on time and on budget as priorities.

He also wants to restore trust and respect on the council.

"My opponent is currently under criminal investigation. I have served this community for 35 years as an El Paso Police officer and I want to restore transparency, trust and respect to City District 7 and El Paso," Rivera said in an emailed statement.

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In January, the Texas Rangers and the El Paso District Attorney's Office launched an investigation into whether Mayor Oscar Leeser and four members of the City Council, including Limón, violated state law when they allegedly conducted secret meetings in December to discuss the location for the proposed $180 million Downtown arena.

Limón, who has denied any wrongdoing, said that if re-elected she will focus in the resolution of the location and construction of the arena and complete the 2012 city's street infrastructure plan.

"It is time for the city manager to develop a plan to make these issues priorities. I intend to help make that happen on behalf of District 7 residents," Limón said in her statement.

Rivera said he plans to finance projects for the district without raising taxes.

"The city needs to be committed to increase our tax base through economic development initiatives to attract business, grow local business, and retain current business. Find cost savings and keep projects on time and on budget," he said in the statement.

He said that his career as a police officer has given him an insight to the needs of District 7.

"It has provided me with the training to effectively communicate with diverse populations and effectively deal with difficult situations both in the community and in government," Rivera said.

If elected, Rivera said he plans to work effectively with neighboring council districts.

"Ultimately, build an effective, collaborative team environment on City Council and be transparent with the public," he said.

Limón said her four years on council have been filled with learning opportunities that have allowed her to serve the district with an experienced voice.

Partnering with Las Palmas Neighborhood Association to increase the size of Argal Park from 10 to 23 acres, working to have a state-of the-art aquatic center to replace the Lionel Forti swimming pool scheduled to open in 2018, and pushing for the construction of the Independence Hike and Bike Trail are some accomplishments during her first term, she said.

Lorena Figueroa may be reached at 546-6129; [email protected]; @LFigueroaEPT on Twitter

Name: Líly Limón

Age: 66

Education: Bachelor's, master's, University of Texas at El Paso

Occupation: Former longtime teacher/principal; District 7 incumbent

Name: Enrique "Henry" Rivera

Age: 59

Education: Attended UTEP; peace officers license with a specialized emphasis on mental health, domestic violence, gang intervention and physical and cyber bullying.

Occupation: Senior patrolman, EPPD

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