## Tijuana City Council Approves Property Tax Increase
Residents of Tijuana will face an increase in property taxes in 2025 following the City Council’s decision on November 13, 2024. Members of the ruling Morena party, alongside allies like Fuerza por México, Movimiento Ciudadano, the Green Party, and the Solidarity Encounter Party, voted in favor of changes to the income law. The plan passed with 14 votes in favor and 3 against, focusing on an update of property valuations that were last assessed in 2020.
Magali Ronquillo Palacios, a council member from Morena, stated that the purpose of these adjustments is to bolster public resources, which would enhance infrastructure such as street lighting, security, and services for the migrant community. She criticized opposition members, labeling their concerns as irresponsible.
However, Sandra Magaña of the PAN party expressed concerns that the updated income law unduly burdens working-class citizens. She highlighted that this marks the sixth tax increase under Morena administrations and criticized the charges for previously free services like athletic events and birth certificates.
The approved budget anticipates revenues of 12,522 million pesos. Heriberto Lemuel Ramírez from Fuerza por México, who proposed the new income law, defended it as a measure to ensure tax equity. According to Ramírez, aligning property values with actual market prices prevents economic instability and promotes fair distribution of public funds. He also suggested that the move would attract investments by ensuring accurate property valuations.
Arturo Aguirre, another council member from Morena, clarified that the property tax, which is updated from the 2015 to the 2020 cadastral survey, should not directly increase but includes incentives for timely payments.
These changes will take effect on January 1, 2025, under Mayor Ismael Burgueño’s administration.
## Ensenada City Council Approves Income Law and Police Patrol Rentals
In related news, Ensenada’s local council has approved its own income law and has announced plans to lease 80 patrol cars for its Department of Public Safety. The new income law in Ensenada is part of a broader push to enhance public safety and streamline administrative processes within the city.
The decision to rent the patrol vehicles comes as Ensenada seeks to address its growing security needs and improve response times. This initiative is expected to significantly bolster the municipality’s capability to maintain social order and provide adequate services to its residents, aligning with the city’s ongoing commitment to public safety and infrastructure improvement.
Both Tijuana and Ensenada are taking steps towards modernizing their infrastructure and ensuring effective public service delivery, reflecting broader trends in regional governance and urban management.