The Deliberative Council of Concordia held this Thursday, July 24, its 16th Ordinary Session, under the presidency of the vice mayor Lic. Magdalena Reta de Urquiza. With the presence of twelve councilors and the justified absence of councilwoman Claudia Villalba, the legislative agenda focused on projects of great relevance for the management and development of the city.
Among the most notable approvals, vice mayor Reta de Urquiza emphasized the repeal of the Administrative Commission of the Public Radio of Concordia (CARP), a new ordinance in defense of consumer rights, and the authority granted to the Executive to carry out direct purchase of materials for paving and pothole repair. In total, the majority of the thirty-nine administrative case files submitted were discussed and approved.
The Public Radio, in the hands of the Municipal Executive
One of the most significant decisions was the repeal of the Ordinance that created the Administrative Commission of the Public Radio of Concordia (CARP). As Reta de Urquiza explained, "its original objective was to call for a tender and organize the radio's schedules, but the truth is that it could not be achieved. There was no willingness on the part of the existing programs and there was great difficulty in adapting the radio to what was intended with that ordinance," pointed out the vice mayor.
With this repeal, promoted by the Executive Department and a project presented by councilor Dr. Felipe Sastre, all assets and personnel of the station now depend directly on the municipality. The Executive will now be in charge of evaluating and defining the next steps for the management and operation of this important local medium.
New tools for Consumer Defense
In order to strengthen the rights of citizens, the Council approved a fundamental ordinance for the defense of consumers. Proposed by councilwoman Eliana Lagraña, in conjunction with the municipal Consumer Defense area, the Center of Commerce and Industry, among other agencies, the regulation establishes the obligation to place specific signage in businesses.
This signage will inform citizens "how and where to express their complaints or claims," explained Reta de Urquiza, describing it as "a step forward in that regard." Although the measure is of general application, an open regulation was established so that "small businesses can be exempt from the obligation of having a complaint book and instead have all information related to the different Consumer Defense agencies at hand," seeking a fair balance.
Freezing of salaries and Streamlining of road works
Regarding public administration and finance, the legislative body unanimously ratified the freezing of salaries for all political officials from July 1 to December 31, formally adhering to a decree of the Executive Department.
In addition, the Executive was authorized to carry out direct purchase by exception of materials for paving and street pothole repair. Vice mayor Reta de Urquiza clarified that this procedure does not imply inefficiency, but rather a search for agility and transparency. "Direct purchase, in this case, provides for a price competition," she explained, noting that the few asphalt suppliers tend to avoid initial tenders to later increase product prices. The measure seeks to "optimize times and resources" and "make the administrative procedure more efficient" to quickly improve the city's road infrastructure, a constant demand from residents. Reta de Urquiza took the opportunity to respond to criticisms from the Justicialist bloc, contrasting the measure with the prolonged road emergencies of previous administrations. "I believe it is not an inefficiency," maintained Reta de Urquiza, supporting what was expressed by councilor Felipe Sastre. "In the previous government, we spent practically the eight years in a road emergency, which we as opposition councilors supported because Concordia had suffered a flood and the streets were very damaged. But then that road emergency was extended and extended, a situation that lasted practically the eight years of government."
The vice mayor recalled that "the emergency is what enables direct purchase." She argued that, although in the year and seven months of the current administration the administrative procedure of tenders has been used, "it ends in a direct purchase because there are very few suppliers and, ultimately, this whole process is lengthened and ends to the detriment of the municipality because prices end up increasing."
She concluded by stating that the approved ordinance seeks precisely the opposite: "In reality, what we are doing now is precisely making the administrative procedure more efficient".
The session also left approvals of Municipal, Educational and Cultural Interest:
Tributes
The session was also a space for council members to express various concerns and tributes:
The next meeting of the Deliberative Council will address the remaining administrative case files from this busy session.
Among the most notable approvals, vice mayor Reta de Urquiza emphasized the repeal of the Administrative Commission of the Public Radio of Concordia (CARP), a new ordinance in defense of consumer rights, and the authority granted to the Executive to carry out direct purchase of materials for paving and pothole repair. In total, the majority of the thirty-nine administrative case files submitted were discussed and approved.
The Public Radio, in the hands of the Municipal Executive
One of the most significant decisions was the repeal of the Ordinance that created the Administrative Commission of the Public Radio of Concordia (CARP). As Reta de Urquiza explained, "its original objective was to call for a tender and organize the radio's schedules, but the truth is that it could not be achieved. There was no willingness on the part of the existing programs and there was great difficulty in adapting the radio to what was intended with that ordinance," pointed out the vice mayor.
With this repeal, promoted by the Executive Department and a project presented by councilor Dr. Felipe Sastre, all assets and personnel of the station now depend directly on the municipality. The Executive will now be in charge of evaluating and defining the next steps for the management and operation of this important local medium.
New tools for Consumer Defense
In order to strengthen the rights of citizens, the Council approved a fundamental ordinance for the defense of consumers. Proposed by councilwoman Eliana Lagraña, in conjunction with the municipal Consumer Defense area, the Center of Commerce and Industry, among other agencies, the regulation establishes the obligation to place specific signage in businesses.
This signage will inform citizens "how and where to express their complaints or claims," explained Reta de Urquiza, describing it as "a step forward in that regard." Although the measure is of general application, an open regulation was established so that "small businesses can be exempt from the obligation of having a complaint book and instead have all information related to the different Consumer Defense agencies at hand," seeking a fair balance.
Freezing of salaries and Streamlining of road works
Regarding public administration and finance, the legislative body unanimously ratified the freezing of salaries for all political officials from July 1 to December 31, formally adhering to a decree of the Executive Department.
In addition, the Executive was authorized to carry out direct purchase by exception of materials for paving and street pothole repair. Vice mayor Reta de Urquiza clarified that this procedure does not imply inefficiency, but rather a search for agility and transparency. "Direct purchase, in this case, provides for a price competition," she explained, noting that the few asphalt suppliers tend to avoid initial tenders to later increase product prices. The measure seeks to "optimize times and resources" and "make the administrative procedure more efficient" to quickly improve the city's road infrastructure, a constant demand from residents. Reta de Urquiza took the opportunity to respond to criticisms from the Justicialist bloc, contrasting the measure with the prolonged road emergencies of previous administrations. "I believe it is not an inefficiency," maintained Reta de Urquiza, supporting what was expressed by councilor Felipe Sastre. "In the previous government, we spent practically the eight years in a road emergency, which we as opposition councilors supported because Concordia had suffered a flood and the streets were very damaged. But then that road emergency was extended and extended, a situation that lasted practically the eight years of government."
The vice mayor recalled that "the emergency is what enables direct purchase." She argued that, although in the year and seven months of the current administration the administrative procedure of tenders has been used, "it ends in a direct purchase because there are very few suppliers and, ultimately, this whole process is lengthened and ends to the detriment of the municipality because prices end up increasing."
She concluded by stating that the approved ordinance seeks precisely the opposite: "In reality, what we are doing now is precisely making the administrative procedure more efficient".
The session also left approvals of Municipal, Educational and Cultural Interest:
- Immunization Course "Let's speak the same language": An initiative of councilwoman Celeste Fuscado, this course, which takes place from March to September, was highlighted for its contribution to public health.
- "Entre Ríos Women" Exhibition: An acknowledgment was granted to the Provincial Image Museum for this exhibition. Fernando González, coordinator of the museum, present at the session, emphasized that the work is "part of the provincial heritage" and reflects women in different eras.
- UADER Anniversary: The 25th anniversary of the creation of the Autonomous University of Entre Ríos (UADER) and its 20 years of presence in Concordia were recognized, with a commemorative day scheduled for August 1st.
Tributes
The session was also a space for council members to express various concerns and tributes:
- Council members Cr. Pablo Bovino and Dr. Guillermo Satalía Méndez expressed their concern regarding National Decree 426/2025, which affects organizations such as INTA, underlining the importance of the INTA Concordia for the Salto Grande region.
- Celeste Fuscado and Guillermo Satalía Méndez agreed on their rejection of the presidential veto to the Disability Emergency Law, highlighting the recent march of Concordia residents to Buenos Aires to raise awareness of the issue.
- Council member Dr. Felipe Sastre called on the Partido Justicialista de Entre Ríos to reach internal agreements, avoiding "regrettable tools" like those seen in the closing of candidate lists in Buenos Aires, given the absence of internal party elections in the province.
The next meeting of the Deliberative Council will address the remaining administrative case files from this busy session.
Online session: