El Paso County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in El Paso County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Travel Expense Disclosure
El Paso City Council unanimously agreed to publish city-funded travel expenses after a Channel 7 investigation. That means your tax dollars spent on trips will now be on the public record. It’s a straightforward transparency win for residents who want to see where the money goes.
Jail Inmate Death
An inmate in El Paso County custody recently died at the hospital, prompting state regulators to step in and investigate. This tragic event is likely to raise serious questions about jail conditions and the quality of medical care provided behind bars.
Food Bank Contract Notice to Cure
The county issued a formal notice to cure to the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank due to concerns over ARPA grant compliance and workforce development program administration.
Montana Vista Transmission Line Concerns
The county voted to intervene in El Paso Electric's proposed high-voltage transmission line project to protect community and environmental interests.
Election Administration and Polling Sites
The county recognized election workers with 'Election Hero Day' and reviewed legal rights regarding polling sites and security preparations ahead of elections.
Darrington Roadway Improvement Project Amendment
Staff presented funding and scope updates for the Tierra Este and Bob Hope roadway expansion projects, alongside public improvement district assessments.
Ascarate Park Master Plan and Lake Improvements
The county is reviewing public feedback on Ascarate Park designs, including road layouts, pedestrian pathways, and whether to undertake minor repairs or a major $7.2 million renovation of the small duck pond. Commissioners debated the balance between park amenities and water conservation.
Countywide Park Wi-Fi Feasibility Study
IT and Parks staff presented a study showing that providing free Wi-Fi across 16 major county parks would require an initial year-one investment of over $4.8 million, followed by ongoing annual maintenance costs exceeding $700,000.
Zoning Violation
A popular Central El Paso bookstore was forced to shut its doors to foot traffic after getting hit with a city zoning violation. Local business owners are getting frustrated over strict municipal rules squeezing their shops.
Chapter 381 Economic Development Negotiations (Project Potomac)
The court will hold a closed session discussion regarding economic development negotiations for a potential Chapter 381 Agreement with a private business prospect.
Sheriff's Office Budget and Staffing
The sheriff's office is managing ongoing overtime pressures and jail compliance while collaborating with county leaders on budget adjustments.
Strategic Leadership and Governance Plan & FY26-FY27 Budget
County leaders discussed long-term goals, operational management, and financial planning to prepare for the upcoming fiscal years. The session focused on aligning county resources with future community needs and projects.
Sheriff's Office Personnel Policy Updates
Proposed changes to Section 11.3.08 will reshape how deputy sheriff promotions and selections are handled.
Strategic Leadership and Governance Planning
The county reviewed its upcoming strategic plan, setting new goals for economic mobility, employee support, financial management, and AI technology use.
EPATS Transit Executive Employment Transition
The county successfully transitioned the employment agreement of transit head John Christian Andoh III over to EPATS as part of ongoing public transit restructuring.
Domestic Violence Awareness
The El Paso County Domestic Relations Office presented information on how they assist with Office of the Attorney General child support cases, particularly focusing on cases that involve domestic violence indicators.
Suspension of Live Broadcasting
The board considered whether to suspend live broadcasting for its January 22 special session. Public access and transparency are key elements of this discussion.
'Close the Gap' Summit Planning
The commission discussed planning details for the upcoming 'Close the Gap' Summit, evaluating potential topics, key stakeholders, and available County resources.
Centennial Museum HVAC and Programming Updates
El Paso County is bringing the management of Los Portales Museum and the Old County Jail in-house, creating two new jobs to boost tourism along the Mission Trail.
Infrastructure, Subdivisions, and County Facilities
The county is reallocating unspent bond funds to fix a badly leaking courthouse roof and upgrade critical power and security systems at county facilities.
Acknowledgment of Human Resources Personnel
The county intends to honor HR professionals for supporting the county workforce through recruitment, benefits, and employee relations.
Veteran Support and Advocacy
The advisory board coordinated efforts among local, county, and city veteran programs to improve support services for El Paso veterans. Discussions focused on legislative involvement, strategic goals, and community outreach.
Water System Rate Increases
The county evaluated proposed water and sewer rate increases for the East Montana system to cover rising wholesale costs from El Paso Water and necessary infrastructure upgrades.
Sheriff's Office Budget Deficit
Public commenters and financial reports highlighted a multi-million-dollar deficit in the Sheriff's Office budget, sparking community debate over spending and accountability.
Recognition of Forensic Science Professionals
The county is planning to formally recognize local forensic scientists and crime scene investigators for their role in criminal investigations and due process.
Water Treatment
Worried about germs in your tap water? Don't stress—finding pathogens in wastewater doesn't mean they're in your drinking water, and El Paso's upcoming Pure Water Center is designed to keep things totally safe.
Meta El Paso Data Center Negotiations
The court held a closed-door discussion regarding economic development agreements for the Meta data center project.
East El Paso Abandoned Lots Policy
The county is moving forward with a first-of-its-kind policy to address 82 square miles of abandoned "paper plat" subdivisions in Far East El Paso, aiming to clear fractionalized ownership and bring utilities and development to the area.
Regional Transportation Planning & MPO Funding
Commissioners reviewed upcoming El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization agenda items, including funding for border highway connectors, Socorro microtransit vehicles, and trail construction.
Community Recognition and Awards
The advisory board was scheduled to choose the recipient of the 2027 Veteran of the Year award, recognizing community service and military contributions.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget and Tax Rate Proposal
El Paso County is reviewing its $696.8 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Commissioners are balancing property tax rates, revenue projections, and essential services while trying to minimize the tax burden on residents.
Sound Compatibility Between Live Music Venues and Residential Areas
Austin is exploring how to protect its live music culture while ensuring residents can sleep, balancing the needs of venues and neighborhoods through better rules and technology.
90th Texas Legislative Session Agenda
The board planned to discuss and potentially take a position on Senate Bill 235, affecting veteran services or rights.
Horizon City Regional Sports Park TIRZ Agreement
The county approved expanding its TIRZ participation with Horizon City to help finance a major new regional sports park and a future county office building.
Arts Masterplan Development
The committee reviewed updates on the county's Arts Masterplan and ongoing arts projects funded by the Commissioners Court to support local culture.
Purchasing Agent Professional Development
The board received updates from the Purchasing Department regarding ongoing procurement activities and departmental administration.
Small Municipality Infrastructure Support
El Paso is dropping $31 million to expand the Paso Del Norte Trail, which means way more room for your weekend bike rides and morning jogs. It’s a big step toward making the city more walkable and connected without having to rely on your car for everything.
Socorro Mission Rehabilitation Project
Local business owners and church representatives are raising funds to rehabilitate the historic Socorro Mission by diverting rainwater from the adobe walls and replacing the roof.
Community Inclusivity and Accessibility
The Court is prioritizing accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents by declaring September as Deaf Awareness Month.
Statewide Wireless 9-1-1 Funding Modernization
The County supports state legislative action to update the 1997 wireless 9-1-1 fee to ensure sustainable funding for next-generation emergency communications.
Addition of TMJ Coverage to County Health Plan
The board evaluated a proposal to remove current exclusions and provide medical insurance coverage for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction starting September 1, 2026.
County Employee Attendance Standards
HR presented survey results showing strong employee support for extended holiday leave, leading the court to approve a structured winter holiday break to boost morale and productivity.
Emergency Services Districts No. 1 and No. 2 Budgets
Both ESDs presented operating budgets to support growing call volumes, increased staffing, new fire stations, and equipment purchases across unincorporated El Paso County.
Flood Damage Prevention Order Update
El Paso County residents are pushing back against a proposed mosque, turning a routine zoning request into a heated local debate. The county planning commission is now expected to step in and decide whether the project gets the green light.
2026 Advisory Board Goals and Commissioners Court Submissions
The board was scheduled to outline its primary priorities and operational objectives for supporting local military veterans throughout 2026.
Property Tax Rate Ceiling
Think your property taxes are out of control? A new report shows El Paso actually has lower rates than most other big Texas cities, even if your bill still feels like a gut punch.
Sheriff's Office Budget and Staffing
The Commissioners Court held an extensive special session and work session to review the budget, operations, and security deployments of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Much of the discussion occurred behind closed doors in executive session, with no final action taken on funding or policy adjustments.
Castner Range National Monument Preservation
The commission was scheduled to receive a presentation on preserving the Castner Range National Monument from the Frontera Alliance executive director.
Election and Tax Rates
The county is balancing the need for employee raises and infrastructure investment with the goal of keeping the tax rate manageable for residents.
Employee Compensation, COLAs, and Minimum Wage
Commissioners debated raising cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from 1.5% to higher tiers, aiming to reach a $16 hourly minimum wage and address pay compression across county staff and attorneys.