[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6359749,"mediaKeyId","2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c","parentId",2176054,"title","Residents, scientists and advocates urge green infrastructure, first‑time water and praise parks, airport hangars","audioSeconds",16343,"startMs",1561000,"endMs",17904000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c&start=1561&end=17904","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c/thumbnail_1561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359749/El-Paso-County/Texas/Residents-scientists-and-advocates-urge-green-infrastructure-firsttime-water-and-praise-parks-airport-hangars","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359749-269b320696561f93c4a39188297036b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775387877&Signature=Sb0xyZ8im5Iap9QTNgBJR6IiBMzrsuIUhkmD4YV4ij8Q51fdFyyr0oLEKU7AkXn611Hqb6yxo8DUKdycULsyInLv9p-4KZUBiFDp3vnw4LXOJvtEcgpNBVwXQWIX9gM4axUXVE9u0SmYmSf0wvx11sufOqjjMoj2tOt~HvwgiV2EO0TIE86Reafvklyl3sZRtyc2JeN7Q4fgx2m3mt120GyYR0dZFHR6JNWOyZTM7VOI-lVwgwBrz9ivQF26IEF5-BmuhtIV4fLdNE71cJBa7BAJCOxtVOCdhI9NpThTZiVjlMty7sez6zIU0guE03Xg2b04lEms2EfW~4uu8xEB4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-01-31T16:23:29.757Z","article","Speakers during the public-comment portion of the meeting urged broader use of green stormwater infrastructure, highlighted a federal Urban Waters partnership effort for the region, and praised county projects including wastewater connections, Fabens airport hangars and park improvements.

Rob Henryon, U.S. Geological Survey, briefed the court on the EPA's Urban Waters Federal Partnership and said the initiative is locally driven: \"The programs are chosen by the local communities,\" he said, and an ambassador/coordinator would help local groups find federal funding and technical partners for stormwater and watershed projects.

The nut graf: multiple public commenters recommended that green stormwater infrastructure be integrated into the county's capital projects to reduce heat‑island effects, retain stormwater for landscape irrigation, and create workforce and educational opportunities.

Michael Gaglio urged the county to incorporate green stormwater features into sidewalks and medians and emphasized tree planting to reduce urban heat-island impacts. Michael Bray, chair of the Regional Renewable Energy Advisory Council, recommended the county explore geothermal, solar and green hydrogen for long-term cost savings and resilience, noting local research and regional partners have studied geothermal potential.

Other public comments praised city-county partnerships: multiple speakers noted three neighborhoods in the Lower Valley will gain wastewater connections to the Lower Valley Water District with county ARPA support, a project county leaders said would have otherwise taken many years. Joel Bishop and other staff described federal and local grants that helped fund design and construction for three hangars at the Fabens airport; a $5 million Economic Development Administration grant was cited as contributing to an estimated $20 million in airport funding.

Speakers also celebrated parks and recreation investments: the county reported a $2.8 million Texas Parks and Wildlife grant for multiple parks (including a new Estrella skatepark with public input sessions) and described skatepark designs intended for all skill levels.

Ending: Commissioners and staff acknowledged the comments and said the county will continue to integrate green infrastructure and pursue external funding opportunities as staff refines capital-project designs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 30, 2025 El Paso County Commissioners Court Special Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters urged the county to adopt green stormwater infrastructure, highlighted an EPA \"Urban Waters\" partnership effort and praised recent wastewater connections, Fabens airport hangars and park renovations; renewable energy and skatepark projects also drew support.","taxTitle","El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359754,"Commissioner asks court to consider returning Coliseum bond to May ballot after narrow defeat",924,7448000,8372000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c&start=7448&end=8372","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c/thumbnail_7448000.jpg","/articles/6359754/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioner-asks-court-to-consider-returning-Coliseum-bond-to-May-ballot-after-narrow-defeat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359754-097b1f8858137ede26fb2c6ae81e6368/orig.mp4?Expires=1775387877&Signature=R-PGUgAVVVj6Q027TyfZIEf~kaekqzP2TyJjBQPG3NQeenFgQFiM2RqxLFjJWxjZ~lKtPILvuP0~oGGQTU6qR1JZY6dbUmt0ox8lBqWrUthgdEVyD44YY8R1lWXUdy3ev~fCQq93BLbciOuJj4q6o8QwknRTyDNGYsJ6RfhuVaPEkUkpgVlYgbPW28sjtshtMyuhjlekom3DeHapH7go51bqtXeu1c55sxJywF1416ao4xc-v~EF9ALDCy02LZibpjmDBbRMBnQ6i4nnlPldS4MrBlmzGiaQn3BBcHlaMr4tBvF8YGuI5DuVMF2QAy4MOOUNTCG6tL2NwYU2T1hhPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner John Stout told the court Thursday he wants staff to explore placing the Coliseum proposition on a May ballot after the measure lost by a narrow margin in November.

Stout noted the measure failed by about 700 votes out of roughly 223,000 cast and argued the facility has proven community value as a mid‑sized, centrally located venue. He described the Coliseum as an \"asset that has proven value in the community\" and urged staff to prepare a targeted outreach plan if the court pursues another election.

The nut graf: staff said the court could act to call an election but would need to adopt an order to place a proposition on the May ballot. The window for calling a May election requires court action soon; staff recommended preparing financial and legal analyses for a February 10 presentation and said the court's March 10 meeting would be the next formal notice date for any CO financing if the court plans to pursue that in tandem.

Commissioner Demetria Olkin and others said they support giving voters another opportunity and called for more intentional outreach than the last campaign, including mailers and media buys, to increase turnout and clarify the project's scope and tax impact. Staff said they would provide the same ballot language used in November and circulate analysis and outreach costs to the court ahead of Feb. 10.

Ending: Staff will prepare a briefing for the court on Monday, Feb. 3 (information only) and a potential order for Feb. 10 if the court chooses to call a May election; staff said outreach costs and a community information plan will be part of the Feb. 10 materials.","Commissioner John Stout urged staff to prepare materials to place the Coliseum project back on the May ballot after it lost by roughly 700 votes in November; staff said a call for a May election could be considered at the Feb. 10 meeting with outreach work to follow.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359758,"Court considers reprogramming existing bond and tax-note proceeds to fund East Montana Annex and senior kitchen",3700,13624000,17324000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c&start=13624&end=17324","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c/thumbnail_13624000.jpg","/articles/6359758/El-Paso-County/Texas/Court-considers-reprogramming-existing-bond-and-tax-note-proceeds-to-fund-East-Montana-Annex-and-senior-kitchen","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359758-12db9cde1797a4dbd4e3bfde8024f49b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775387877&Signature=JIKr0BaPrNvAyl7GcEvc2Xfyc~E~CfzCO4iYA4GftDc5XOB9~tucoNfPhRbGjZ5efL-UYjr-D9hF~Ru~L07Msh-8BTYe7YEyvsqMbCSZ5oUVoiCcue5isbF6kha5FYJjMtjsy3q6F1IWcGUR~8IQQxUjnfVYk1qRyxozaroTvMsmlnf20MvR9PXfxSX5lbI~29tBWeWiq1NB45pn18MZUb2WxQ7uXovOqfgZEtcujrZHUmn2pFgbWxYEVd54ZzQ7Uy7hJmmr4ZpeVuXJSi-yjTB4nKKkJAG9QOusSTwlNvezS0ZjZfyKnF-dpYZwsXrMgaiQR9QJ9F5c99fa~8aVmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff asked the commissioners to consider reprogramming proceeds from earlier issuances to cover gaps for two annex projects and to keep a park project moving while additional funds are pursued.

Jose Landeros and Joel Bishop summarized an internal review that identified about $14.2 million of potential reprogrammable proceeds across CO 23A, Tax Note 2022 and Tax Note 23C. The two urgent needs staff identified were the East Montana Annex (developer partner willing to contribute) and a senior nutrition kitchen at the East Lida Annex that has a community-project funding award through Congresswoman Veronica Escobar's office.

The nut graf: staff estimated a combined funding gap of roughly $12 million (about $6 million for each annex as an initial estimate) and proposed moving available funds from completed or delayed projects to enable immediate work before seeking long-term financing or additional grants.

Staff described how shifting CO 23A and tax-note balances and closing out older accounts could free money for the annex builds. The county's public‑works and finance teams recommended repurposing some construction budgets already held across issuances and adding a small amount of funding to a new 2025 CO issuance if the court wanted to fully resolve shortfalls without delaying either annex.

Joel Bishop (County Administration) said Corbin Sombrano park demolition is already underway with ARPA and other local funds supporting removal; the county had identified about $2.1 million that could be used to begin park improvements while the court works to secure larger funding sources, including a previously pursued federal appropriation and private partners.

Commissioner discussion focused on reconciliation: several commissioners said the projects matter and asked staff to return with reconciled line items and an explicit recommendation on whether to add modest sums to a 2025 CO issuance or reallocate from the CO pool. Commissioner Coronado requested executive session to discuss a real property purchase tied to the annex program; the court recessed under Texas Government Code section 551.072 to deliberate the matter in closed session.

Ending: Staff will return with reconciled accounting for CO 23A, tax-note balances and a written recommendation for funding the annex projects and the Corbin Sombrano park phase.","Staff proposed shifting completed-project proceeds and select reserves from several 2022/2023 issuances to cover a funding gap for two annex projects and to advance Corbin Sombrano park work; commissioners asked for precise reconciled numbers and options.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359762,"Asuncion Road rebuild shortfall, gas‑line conflict force county to weigh four options",525,14246000,14771000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c&start=14246&end=14771","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c/thumbnail_14246000.jpg","/articles/6359762/El-Paso-County/Texas/Asuncion-Road-rebuild-shortfall-gasline-conflict-force-county-to-weigh-four-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359762-c9e5e5082bc42b7ab9411d03c7f06dae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775387877&Signature=SLl4MadUmEKNmal829AFURyDIOIVtvwYc3gX67oNejqYuJePCRw3DR0CaXEQKnzEVSU2TDgJlLCQiihl6BdX~1wkY2xEoS3gN2GDU6mGl6vmvop2Zw2H1z0JNRkmxz97o4PkLhG~s6odk67K-BmnoKRJxnC4RAlYAHFY8PJsAtlT2sY793FLk36070el9uqH7fEiJDsvFDW4vAYrRLpDYUsixZJktkg4NRE825lh6bpk1OJaXSsv~pTXzXoJCgGMXr68~K69wkwIe0R6qSUYV3JG9rNJb5ls6Rd1259HlBjaXSf7u2A45xn1OY-~TmdTW5jwXnUz9Ez4QydgQEKffA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County engineers told the commissioners Thursday that a redesign of Asuncion Road now shows major drainage and a utility conflict that together create a multi-million-dollar shortfall for the previously planned four‑lane rebuild.

Fernie Hernandez, director of Infrastructure Services, said new topographic and drainage surveys revealed five arroyo crossings and sedimentation that require large culverts and embankment earthworks. He said those unanticipated needs create roughly a $6 million shortfall for construction under the current scope.

The nut graf: the project also encounters a high‑pressure 10‑inch gas line that parallels and then crosses the corridor; relocating that line would cost far more than the current shortfall and triggers four principal options the county must consider.

Hernandez laid out four options:
- Pay the utility owner to relocate the gas line (county estimate presented at the meeting: about $50 million);
- Adjust the roadway alignment and acquire additional right-of-way (rough estimate presented: about $8.5 million);
- Reduce scope to reconstruct the existing two-lane alignment (the option Hernandez and staff noted would require addressing the $6 million shortfall and would be disruptive but faster);
- Seek federal funding via the MPO as a federalized, multimodal project (Hernandez reported an engineer's estimate of roughly $65 million; if funded through MPO the county's typical match would be about 20 percent, roughly $13 million, though staff said some disadvantaged-area credits could reduce that requirement).

Commissioners said they wanted both near-term stabilization and a long-term plan. Commissioner John Stout said the road has long been a priority because of heavy wear and safety concerns; Commissioner Demetria Olkin and others stressed that maintenance crews have been keeping the road passable while options are evaluated.

Hernandez recommended a realistic near-term approach: either reduce scope and close the $6 million gap so county crews can rebuild the existing lanes now, or advance the federal funding path while continuing maintenance until federal funds are secured. Staff emphasized that some right-of-way acquisitions and design changes will be required regardless of the chosen path.

Ending: The court asked staff to return with precise updated cost estimates, a recommended procurement path and implications for existing bond or CO proceeds at the next workshop.","Design and field data revealed low‑water crossings and a high‑pressure gas‑line conflict that raised the estimated cost and forced staff to present four delivery and funding alternatives, from reducing scope to seeking MPO federal funding.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359767,"El Paso County weighs multiple financing options for 2025 capital plan as lawmakers pursue limits",5858,1105000,6963000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c&start=1105&end=6963","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2176054-b663bc4805da74410288d60d9a53143c/thumbnail_1105000.jpg","/articles/6359767/El-Paso-County/Texas/El-Paso-County-weighs-multiple-financing-options-for-2025-capital-plan-as-lawmakers-pursue-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359767-518be4aa9e72f0c897fdf24b54c4b74d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775387877&Signature=CWnBXe4f-HolzpUcRurTko3gaoeo~5rboJtig6DoHqj7HAjj10WdPMpxLnw5SLW68DVkQxBejZJeoQ0tsQR4UH9AIawEPJmb99MkxW-SafBOHNB7hjjDx4Tsg~9kmoxXFB83g-up850QVpkrcL7bd3xH~lNtJ2-~LnS9pWZienKvxtpHX3rekLMGhzrYdsLC9NGCO85WI8xhErecP1PB7W-yMYruwX7TQnmYhR4O~InSP8b9bCgPQ-8y77~KB242W4RhLh9ZEamfrj8OE4linduTnE2I5Glhq~feZNaWapSSDPnelrckF5l9s9TuqNqqDy02nUt6Ca8EuRlReTP65Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County officials on Thursday outlined choices for financing projects in the county's multi-year capital plan, presenting scenarios that range from short-term tax notes to multi-decade certificates of obligation and pairing local debt with low- or zero-interest loans from state programs.

Jose Landeros, Strategic Capital Development, told commissioners staff and the county's financial adviser had prepared a range of financing scenarios the court could consider as it plans potential debt issuance in 2025 and beyond.

The nut graf: The court faces a near-term decision window (staff asked the court to aim for a structure choice by early to mid‑March) on how to balance a 5-cent \"INS\" (interest and sinking) debt-service tax rate that has funded essential public-purpose projects and the first tranche of the 2024 voter‑approved general obligation (GO) bond.

Brad Anks of Stifel Public Finance presented the financial detail. He said the county's current INS structure yields recurring capacity and a declining debt-service schedule that could allow new issuances without increasing the INS tax rate. Scenarios shown to the court included: a larger certificate-of-obligation (CO) issuance this year in the $50 million range; a smaller 7-year tax note only (about $35 million) that would concentrate repayment near term; and hybrid approaches that pair a 2025 issuance with a larger CO in 2028. Stifel also modeled a contingency that preserves capacity to accept potential Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) awards: holding $41 million for a TWDB zero‑interest loan and $14 million for a State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan while issuing about $50 million in COs this year.

Landeros and Anks warned the court that award notifications for some TWDB applications likely will arrive this spring and that the county should factor any grants or low‑interest loans into its capital plan because such awards reduce the tax‑financed portion of project costs.

Commissioners asked about timing and public outreach. Landeros urged the court to follow a calendar that would permit a March decision so staff can meet appraisal district deadlines for the 2025 tax-rate process. Anks outlined a tentative timetable: staff recommendations in late February, a notice of intent on March 10 if COs are pursued, authorization in late April, pricing in early June and a late‑June closing to meet a July 15 appraisal deadline.

County staff also flagged pending state bills that could change what the county may issue using COs or tax anticipation notes. Landeros summarized several proposals on file that would constrain use of COs for certain facility types or restrict tax-note uses after a failed ballot proposition; he said staff and bond counsel would continue to monitor legislative movement.

The court did not take an immediate financing vote but moved the discussion into subsequent workshops: staff scheduled follow-up sessions on Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and Feb. 27, with final decisions recommended in early March.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to refine the scenarios, explicitly model TWDB and SIB outcomes, and return with updated numbers and outreach plans as the court considers a March financing decision.","County staff presented debt scenarios including tax notes, certificates of obligation and pairing with low- or no‑interest state loans. Commissioners were warned of pending legislation that could limit use of COs and tax anticipation notes; court scheduled further decisions for early March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, scientists and advocates urge green infrastructure, first‑time water and praise parks, airport hangars

Commissioner asks court to consider returning Coliseum bond to May ballot after narrow defeat

Court considers reprogramming existing bond and tax-note proceeds to fund East Montana Annex and senior kitchen

Asuncion Road rebuild shortfall, gas‑line conflict force county to weigh four options

El Paso County weighs multiple financing options for 2025 capital plan as lawmakers pursue limits