[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6339939,"mediaKeyId","2260559-04122563e04e9cc4ec3700eaaed96815","parentId",2260559,"title","Commissioners debate sending $105.5 million Coliseum bond to May ballot; motion to place it fails for lack of second","audioSeconds",7960,"startMs",0,"endMs",7960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260559-04122563e04e9cc4ec3700eaaed96815&start=0&end=7960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260559-04122563e04e9cc4ec3700eaaed96815/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339939/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-debate-sending-1055-million-Coliseum-bond-to-May-ballot-motion-to-place-it-fails-for-lack-of-second","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339939-6c01f337280a6bf775f9e3739f67f75b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775694521&Signature=KgGo777PL6nRD0DfYVrZpnGH3URQKYJeirpafQr2aLBsXtkzmUKmYxSI~Wlp2CMgkysHmWvDFpVZRoThNpBor10QGu8SjvKcNcKFAINCYpLlmJv-~0e3aSF0Ar9GFfuiXSWrRYfrEToN631pEU-r05QWHPgfsymWWQEHKHFQCsT9tnAS7xv09LP2W0GsK-IYaeLvZfkMTobsFKaIskIpBNsB~SsjjMN5wKMpN-2FBQgL4DLakkP~D52OQZ9PW0BFPrM1qqYaOf-KwgPmtPSl6NRA5bd9f3W35-vsktCqugPiIvM~101u8n2KziGMEjTyK514UG0cyIARfxrG7hofKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-02-10T23:00:25Z","article","Commissioners Court debated whether to place a $105,485,000 general-obligation bond for upgrades to the El Paso County Coliseum and adjacent campus on the May 3, 2025, ballot, but a motion to adopt the order died for lack of a second.

The discussion on item 8C ranged from technical ballot language to the project’s cost and tax impact. County staff and the county’s financial adviser, Stifel Public Finance, estimated the $105.485 million principal would result in roughly $169.7 million in total principal-and-interest repayment over 25 years and would raise the county’s interest-and-sinking (I&S) levy by about 1 cent per $100 of assessed value — an average tax effect Stifel calculated as about $1.67 per month for an average homeowner (roughly $20 per year).

Why it mattered: Commissioners and the public disagreed on whether the failed November 2024 measure — the same principal amount — should be resubmitted so soon. Supporters said the community needs a modernized, revenue-generating campus and that some voters were confused in November about whether the federal government would take the property; opponents said re-running the identical measure three months after a rejection disrespects voters and risks heavier debt burdens.

County staff presented three drafting options: (1) the original November ballot language; (2) an expanded version enumerating campus elements such as the Sherman Barn, pavilion, roller- and ice-rink improvements, food-truck plaza, parking and loading areas; and (3) split propositions by building so voters could approve the Coliseum separately from secondary facilities. Bond counsel asked the court to discuss legal drafting in executive session; the court recessed to consult with counsel under Texas Government Code §551.071.

Public commenters were split. Proponents included Tony Rodriguez, El Paso County Coliseum director, and Corey Herman of the El Paso Hockey Association, who said a second sheet of ice and arena upgrades would allow more sports and tournaments and generate revenue. Opponents included Jenny Solo and other residents who said the November vote had spoken and questioned the project’s scope and the additional $390,000 estimated cost for the county to participate in a May election.

Formal actions and next steps: The court voted to recess into executive session to consult bond counsel and returned to open session. Commissioner David Stout moved to adopt the order using the original ballot language; the motion received no second and therefore failed. The court took no final action to place the bond on the May 3 ballot during the meeting.

Budget and election logistics: Elections administration estimated the county’s share of costs to join the May uniform election at about $390,000, subject to change if other local entities cancel contests after the February 14 filing deadline. Staff noted that school-district cancellations after filing could reduce the county’s proportionate share.

What was not decided: The court did not adopt an order, choose specific ballot language, or set a final date for a bond proposition for the Coliseum. Commissioners discussed pursuing more specific ballot propositions and additional public outreach before any future filing.

Ending: Commissioners left open the option to revisit the issue; no schedule or unanimous direction was recorded. The court moved on to other items on its agenda.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 10, 2025 El Paso County Commissioners Court Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners Court debated whether to send a $105,485,000 general-obligation bond for the El Paso County Coliseum and adjacent campus to voters on May 3, 2025, but a motion to adopt the order failed for lack of a second after public comment and an executive-session briefing.","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},6339934,"Commissioners approve recognitions, appointments and a slate of grant applications; several purchasing and debt items postponed",5452,1442000,6894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2260559-04122563e04e9cc4ec3700eaaed96815&start=1442&end=6894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2260559-04122563e04e9cc4ec3700eaaed96815/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","/articles/6339934/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-approve-recognitions-appointments-and-a-slate-of-grant-applications-several-purchasing-and-debt-items-postponed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339934-6df17b3f4030e82bffc2573f2d1d8b73/orig.mp4?Expires=1775694521&Signature=BMIYvG7gNnEEKmiSrHOKqdeZi0hIyPDRxBthVsRWHYiuIUPw3nkEUSEw346ERFWWR6nKp1vBdB7QKNqCW3YUsOXbrAFCp-NlVK2-iDLekARpfNn-yQw0WCI9fnpoENRIycYrREw-aLydwAn00FymHBIPRKP6V3iVcuZK-iexKLnYe6STMZ99tHMrufK8QjxImEGTQAKxy4FSH1DSoA8~SAX2lavt6ShGjc7sV830IJ-3y~OXjHyPcFtTjzxvX441okTRK4xn7c7UKfnxFSwPDe9gvgQduVCNiknigGvPG-hXcuTyyqUlz~yon~9lw2Oj4nCERuoSSHgkDADlujDXsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County Commissioners Court on Feb. 10 approved a set of ceremonial resolutions honoring community groups and individuals, confirmed two board appointments and approved several state grant applications in a single motion, while postponing a set of purchasing items and debt-allocation discussions for two weeks.

Key approvals and votes at a glance
- RISE Federal Credit Union / Opportunity Knocks: Court adopted a resolution recognizing RISE Federal Credit Union and Jamie Strayer, producer of the TV series Opportunity Knocks. (Motion: Judge Samaniego; second: Commissioner Coronado; outcome: adopted.)
- El Paso Children’s Hospital Day: Court approved a resolution declaring Feb. 14, 2025, as El Paso Children’s Hospital Day. (Motion: Commissioner Stout; second: Judge Samaniego; outcome: adopted.)
- Black History Month: Court approved a resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month in El Paso County. (Motion: Commissioner Stout; second: Judge Samaniego; outcome: adopted.)
- Black El Paso Democrats banquet: Court adopted a resolution celebrating the Black El Paso Democrats’ 39th annual political awareness and awards banquet. (Motion: Commissioner Coronado; second: Judge Samaniego; outcome: adopted.)
- Daniel Dominguez recognition: Court adopted a resolution commending Daniel Dominguez as the first Mister Teen Universe from El Paso, Texas. (Motion: Judge Samaniego; second: Commissioner Stout; outcome: adopted.)

Appointments
- DeBeau Wakefield was appointed to the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term ending 11/30/2025. (Mover: Commissioner Coronado; outcome: approved.)
- Mark Paz was approved as a joint appointment (County Judge and Hospital District) to the Emergence Health Network Board of Trustees (term to 12/31/2026). (Motion: Judge Samaniego; outcome: approved.)

Grants and fiscal approvals
- The court approved a bundled slate of Office of the Governor and other state grants submitted by multiple county offices (Protective Order Court, County Attorney, District Attorney, Domestic Relations Office, Community Supervision & Corrections, Parks & Recreation, Sheriff’s Office) and authorized the County Judge to sign resolutions and applications. County matches and in-kind matches were disclosed in each grant summary on the record. (Motion: Judge Samaniego; second: Commissioner Olguin; outcome: adopted.)

Postponements and procedural votes
- Several purchasing award recommendations (IT equipment leasing; paving emulsion materials; paving rock; road and bridge projects) and debt-restructuring items were postponed for two weeks by a single motion. The court also postponed grant/contract purchasing items 9a–9d and county debt allocation discussions (item 8b) for two weeks. (Motion carried.)

Why it matters: The resolutions formally recognize local institutions and individuals and are ceremonial but reflect county priorities. The package grant approvals secure federal and state funds for victim services, parks/tree canopy, substance-abuse treatment and other county programs; required local matches were recorded on the record. The postponement of purchasing and debt items preserves time for staff review and community considerations and delays any immediate contract awards.

Ending: The court completed the remaining agenda items after the recess for executive session and adjourned at 3:41 p.m.","At its Feb. 10 meeting the El Paso County Commissioners Court adopted multiple ceremonial resolutions, confirmed board appointments, approved a package of grant applications, and postponed several purchasing and debt-restructuring items and award recommendations for two weeks.","actionData","errors"]

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Commissioners debate sending $105.5 million Coliseum bond to May ballot; motion to place it fails for lack of second

Commissioners approve recognitions, appointments and a slate of grant applications; several purchasing and debt items postponed