Weslaco City Commission approves new contract with mayor’s political consultant

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Weslaco City Commission on Tuesday approved a new contract with a consultant who worked on Mayor Adrian Gonzalez’s campaign.

During a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, the City Commission approved a new, 12-month contract with Prisylla Ann Jasso, 51, of McAllen to handle public affairs.

Jasso worked on Gonzalez’s campaign, according to reports filed with the City Secretary’s Office. He paid her $1,500 in January for “compliance consulting” and $1,000 in April for event planning.

“That’s where I met her,” Gonzalez said. “And that’s where I knew that she could do the job for us.”

Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez. (CBS 4 News)

Jasso worked for Border Health PAC, a political action committee affiliated with DHR Health, from 2008 to 2018. The job introduced Jasso to politicians in Austin and Washington.

Gonzalez, impressed by her contacts, wanted Jasso to work for Weslaco.

They agreed on a three-month contract. Weslaco would pay her $3,000 per month.

On April 29 — the same day Gonzalez paid Jasso for event planning — the city attorney prepared a legal opinion about her proposed contract.

Contracts worth $15,000 or less don’t require City Commission approval, according to the legal opinion, which Weslaco released under the Texas Public Information Act. The city also concluded that consulting is a professional service, which isn’t subject to competitive bidding requirements.

Gonzalez signed the contract on May 1.

“The Consultant shall work closely with and advise the mayor in a variety of public affairs views,” according to Jasso’s contract. “Through strategic communication efforts, the Consultant plays an instrumental role in maintaining the public image of the city, while ensuring that the mayoral office’s mission, values, and initiatives are communicated in a manner that resonates with the position.”

The City Commission discussed a new, 12-month contract with Jasso on Tuesday afternoon.

“This is an item that I placed on the agenda for review,” Gonzalez said.

Weslaco is growing, Gonzalez said, and the city is trying to secure federal and state funding to pay for infrastructure projects.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re out there. And make sure that we talk to the correct people,” Gonzalez said. “Working alongside Ms. Jasso, she has connected us with the right people.”

City Commissioner Josh Pedraza agreed.

On a trip to Washington with the RGV Partnership, the Rio Grande Valley’s regional chamber of commerce, Pedraza said he realized the importance of building relationships with lawmakers.

“That way, when these monies become available, they remember Weslaco,” Pedraza said. “And they remember our exact needs.”

Prisylla Jasso of McAllen is a consultant for the city of Weslaco. (CBS 4 News)

Jasso provided the City Commission with reports on her work, which listed everything from meetings with state lawmakers to attending career day at Weslaco High School with the mayor.

“On my end, I’m looking to use her more on the infrastructure projects that we need to be pushing,” said City Manager Martin Garza. “And making sure that we’re advocating for the ability to reach out to the proper organizations, the proper individuals, to be pushing the interests that we have.”

The City Commission voted 5-1 to approve the new contract with Jasso.

City Commissioner Jose “J.P.” Rodriguez voted against the contract. City Commissioner Greg Kerr was absent.