Laredo City Council members are taking significant steps to modernize the toll system and improve efficiency for local businesses. During the meeting on June 16, 2025, council members discussed a series of recommendations aimed at addressing ongoing issues with toll account management, particularly for smaller companies that frequently encounter financial difficulties.

One of the key proposals involves revamping the Laredo TradeTech application, which has not been updated in over 15 years. The current system relies heavily on manual processes, leading to inefficiencies and confusion among users. Council members emphasized the need for an online application that includes an authorization clause, ensuring that account holders cannot remove their credit card information or auto-replenishment options. This change aims to reduce the number of turnarounds and financial discrepancies that have plagued the system.

Council members noted that while larger companies generally manage their accounts effectively, smaller businesses often struggle with cash flow issues, leading to insufficient funds and subsequent penalties. To address this, the council is considering implementing a minimum balance requirement for accounts and increasing application fees to discourage poor financial management.

Additionally, the council highlighted the importance of providing application forms in both English and Spanish to ensure all users fully understand the policies and procedures. This move is expected to enhance accessibility and reduce misunderstandings that could lead to fines.

The council is committed to following through on these recommendations and plans to report back in two meetings to assess the effectiveness of the changes. By modernizing the toll system and improving communication with local businesses, Laredo aims to facilitate smoother operations and support economic growth in the region.