EAGLE PASS, TEXAS – The appointment of former Eagle Pass Independent School District Trustee Dr. Hector Alvarez to the Eagle Pass Water Works System (EPWWS) Board of Trustees is drawing mixed reactions from the public, following the Eagle Pass City Council’s unanimous approval Tuesday evening.

The recommendation came from EPWWS General Manager Jorge Barrera and was introduced on the council agenda by Mayor Rolando Salinas. During the meeting, Mayor Salinas acknowledged the departure of longtime board member Johnny Ruiz, who served for eight years including time as Board President. Ruiz, appointed in 2017, was recognized for his contributions to utility operations and infrastructure development.

Dr. Alvarez was highlighted as a respected community leader with prior public service experience. He most recently served as an elected trustee on the Eagle Pass Independent School Board. Supporters described him as a valuable addition to the board, capable of lending insight to the city’s growing utility system. The EPWWS Board had previously voted to appoint him and sought formal ratification by the City Council, which passed without opposition.

Despite the orderly process between the board and the City Council, many residents have raised concerns about transparency and fairness in how board appointments are made. Community members question whether the public was given a chance to apply or express interest in the vacant position. Several individuals have pointed out that there was no visible call for applicants or public discussion leading up to the appointment.

“What concerns people is not just who was appointed, it’s how it was done,” said one resident who asked to remain anonymous. “There are qualified, capable individuals in Eagle Pass, but they never even knew this position was available.”

Critics have also raised broader issues about recurring political figures dominating key boards. Dr. Alvarez joins current EPWWS members Morris Libson Jr., who also serves as a current EPISD Trustee, Diana Lorena Salinas, and Benjamin Rodriguez III. The overlapping leadership has led some to question whether the board reflects a narrow political circle rather than the diverse makeup of the community.

“Why does it always seem like the same people are cycling through these roles?” one local resident asked. “There needs to be a more open and competitive process.”

As concerns continue to mount, residents are calling for the City of Eagle Pass and EPWWS leadership to establish a more transparent appointment system, one that invites public applications, discloses selection criteria, and ensures the community’s voice is part of the process.

At a time when local governance and utility oversight directly impact residents’ lives through water rates, infrastructure upgrades, and service planning, many in Eagle Pass are urging leaders to reexamine how such important decisions are made.