El Paso County moves forward with proposed funding for 'infrastructure, investment needs'

El Paso County Commissioners Court
Credit: KFOX14/CBS4

KFOX 14
by Staff
Monday, November 14th 2022

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County commissioners voted on two items Monday that could bring improvements to county facilities that would address "infrastructure and quality of life needs."

On Monday, El Paso County commissioners court unanimously approved to adopt its first major capital plan that addresses a list of projects.

That plan would guide future debt issuances for spending on improvements, according to Jose Landeros, director of capital planning for the county.

The capital project plan outlines $200 million in projects for improvements to existing and new facilities, regional transportation infrastructure, including at the Fabens Airport and park updates.

"That plan includes all of those uses and then starts to lay the foundation for any future debt program that the court may consider to finance some of these projects to bring them to fruition," Landeros explained.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego, along with three other commissioners, then voted in favor to direct staff to finalize the project list and vote on publishing a notice of intent to issue the certificates of obligation.

If approved, the county could fund some projects with up to a $100 million in certificates of obligation, a debt that wouldn't require voter approval.

Samaniego said he voted to move forward because the county has dropped its debt and outside companies have shown an interest in expanding in El Paso.

"El Paso is very attractive. I know we are going to increase revenue, but in order to do that, we can't just focus on infrastructure. The quality of life is very important," Samaniego said.

Landeros explained the proposed certificate of obligation would address "immediate needs" such as infrastructure projects that would improve the El Paso County Detention Facility, Jail Annex and the courthouse.

"There's a lot of infrastructure needs, like equipment in some of our buildings," Landeros said. "Like at our jails, especially because of the state's inspection of our facilities."

Landeros explained the "quality of life needs," like renovating the county's largest park, Ascarate, would be determined by voters on the November 2024 ballot.

Samaniego believes investments in "quality of life" would help attract and spur economic development and not leave El Paso behind.

"El Paso has to keep growing. We're headed to the San Antonio, Austin levels, very quickly, so we can't leave certain things behind," Samaniego said.

Landeros said both proposals would not increase the tax rate, but if property values rise, residents may have to pay more.

"Home property values may change, if property values go up, and the tax rate stays the same, residents may have to pay a little bit more, but the tax rate would remain flat," Landeros explained.

Commissioner, Iliana Holguin, voted against directing staff to structure a potential certificate of obligation issuance.

“So I think any time that we’re considering taking on debt, that’s a really really important issue. Especially, since we’re still in economically difficult times because of the pandemic. I think we have to be very, very conscious and considerate of the tax burden that we’re placing on our citizens," Holguin said. "So from my perspective, I felt like if we’re considering issuing debt, we really, really need to narrow the scope of that debt. The amount of that debt, and really look at projects that are priorities.”

The court will vote on Thursday on whether they issue a notice of intent for the proposed 2023 certificate of obligation.

The public can comment on Thursday by calling 1-888-835-7276 or 1-888-8 EL PASO.

Members of the public can also join videoconference by visiting the county website or in person at Commissioners Court Chambers at the courthouse downtown.

The El Paso County Courthouse is located at 500 East San Antonio Room 303.

If passed, the issuance would be done in January 2023.

You can reach out to the county commissioners about their opinion at their emails listed below:

Carlos Leon: commissioner1@epcounty.com

David Stout: commissioner2@epcounty.com

Illiana Holguin: commissioner3@epcounty.com

Carl Robinson: commissioner4@epcounty.com

Ricardo Samaniego: countyjudge@epcounty.com