By Juan Pablo Sebastián
Mauricio Aguirre Ruiz, director of Urban Services, highlighted the need to increase the department’s budget in 2026, citing a significant backlog in personnel and equipment that has accumulated over the past 15 years, as well as the growing demand for public services in the city.
In 2025, the Urban Services Department received an annual budget of 163 million pesos, with the same 35 trusted employees in place for more than 15 years—insufficient to meet the needs of a metropolitan city.
Despite these limitations, Aguirre Ruiz acknowledged the efforts of the department’s staff in carrying out their work across areas such as street cleaning, public lighting, pothole repair, and park and garden maintenance.
For 2026, Aguirre Ruiz said he has already submitted a budget increase request that better reflects current needs. He expressed confidence that Mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz and the City Council will provide sufficient support, noting that strengthening basic community services is a top priority.
“Of our current budget, 45 million pesos go to GEN for garbage collection and another 15 million to CFE for public lighting energy consumption. How much is left for other services? That’s why we’re requesting an increase next year—to acquire the new machinery we need and provide better service,” he explained.
During his presentation, Aguirre Ruiz discussed the heavy garbage collection program initiated by Mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz, aimed at helping residents properly dispose of bulky waste, which is often dumped in illegal sites.
He stressed the importance of citizen awareness in keeping streets and vacant lots clean, noting that cleanup campaigns are ineffective if residents do not participate or recognize the cost and consequences of leaving heavy waste in public spaces.
In line with this, he announced a program to require property owners to clean neglected vacant lots, giving them the opportunity to comply with notifications before fines and penalties are enforced.
He also highlighted progress in upgrading public lighting, with nearly 6,000 LED fixtures installed across the city.
Additionally, Aguirre Ruiz mentioned ongoing work at the municipal cemetery, including lighting, the construction of a perimeter wall, and the planned installation of restrooms next year, among other improvements.
“We’ve achieved a lot with a limited budget this first year, and next year many good projects are coming with a higher budget, thanks to Mayor Rocío Adame,” he promised.