[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6307409,"mediaKeyId","2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100","parentId",2433325,"title","County, city and nonprofit leaders expand Veterans Capital marketing and set priorities for veterans services and outreach","audioSeconds",4310,"startMs",6923000,"endMs",11233000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100&start=6923&end=11233","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100/thumbnail_6923000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307409/El-Paso-County/Texas/County-city-and-nonprofit-leaders-expand-Veterans-Capital-marketing-and-set-priorities-for-veterans-services-and-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307409-964ac6806c2f947c423496a7aa953cdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219903&Signature=m1xyQB2hd7JNciAsPJmI4asUhAEaKzO4S2wEWFQ-EDia~tW9firhxQLc-2B0oX4rOPpHulgymYVLw2OjG~ekaP~LzO1ZCkNo6MuZrpDSHP9EwlFMK7kkzbsCJnEmLsR-SVPUaVkF43z4I3hukMgZR62h3uBLfMWUtoPbR5JjUtZ4JqeyJH-4HmX5qcbRV~5rs5p8MuxS9juRcY-KseeI5O2jNx9qJzvlm--Q2BWLfAEmazGmllL11ZgLG3KJLr6C-ctMwuFnC3LNiHlE55Gcxsh84rSWJXKakzGlfz19H4MTN-FD6HImFdIkvpZL6Hmw0cjrbbYW5FVKwZ40iW~X4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-02-26T22:55:32Z","article","El Paso County presented an updated Veterans Capital of The USA (VCUSA) marketing plan on Thursday and heard an overview of the county Veterans Assistance Office operations and the newly focused Veterans Advisory Board (VAB) priorities.

County communications manager Laura Gallegos summarized the VCUSA marketing pillars — internal marketing, external marketing, reputation and recognition — and said the county intends to improve a centralized resource calendar and guide on the VCUSA website, pursue highway and airport messaging in partnership with Public Works and the City of El Paso, develop an initiative video, and create a veteran‑friendly business sticker program. Gallegos said trademark protection for the VCUSA name and logo was completed last year.

City, nonprofit and military partners — including Paul Albright, the City of El Paso chief military officer, and Linda Mays of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation — told the court they view El Paso’s VCUSA work as a national model and encouraged stronger county‑city coordination to pursue federal defense and infrastructure grant opportunities tied to Fort Bliss and military families.

Veterans Assistance Office overview

Tony Antoinette Hunt, veteran county service officer, gave a departmental overview of the Veterans Assistance Office (VSO). Hunt said the office provides statutorily required VA claims assistance (including service‑connected compensation, pension, DIC and PACT/PACTAC presumptive claims), a veterans assistance grant program, unaccompanied‑funeral coordination and community outreach. Hunt described operational impacts from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) grant non‑renewal for grant year 2024–25 and said staff reductions followed the grant change; the office applied for $285,000 in TVC funding for the upcoming grant year to support one grant‑funded employee if awarded.

Hunt displayed intake and claims timelines, noting that VA accreditation and system access add lead time before new VSOs can file claims on behalf of veterans. The VSO handled dozens of resource events and claims clinics last year and coordinated unaccompanied veteran funerals that drew community participation. Hunt and county staff urged additional staffing capacity to expand outreach, West Side and East Side coverage and community engagement.

Veterans Advisory Board priorities

Mike Barnes, chair of the Veterans Advisory Board, and board members outlined three 2025 priorities for the VAB: (1) modernize and digitize a county veterans resource guide and master calendar so veterans can find services and events from one location; (2) strengthen community outreach and communications to ensure veterans and families know available services and VAB outreach channels; and (3) identify and address service gaps that affect veterans and their families, with a focus on measurable recommendations the court can consider.

Partners emphasized broader veteran‑family and military support goals — including spouse employment, school continuity for military children, defense economic adjustment grants and federal defense infrastructure programs — and recommended coordinating city and county strategy to pursue available Department of Defense and Texas Military Preparedness Commission grants tied to Fort Bliss resilience and infrastructure outside base gates.

Why it matters

County and partner speakers emphasized that improved marketing and a better centralized resource guide will help veterans find services quickly; they also argued that taking care of veterans and military families supports broader community and national security goals by improving recruitment and retention. Commissioners and staff asked the VSO and VAB to develop clearer feedback loops to the court, to provide a short client satisfaction survey, and to identify specific staffing and funding requests that could be considered during strategic planning and upcoming budget deliberations.

Ending

No funding decisions were made. Staff said the county will continue VCUSA marketing activities (airport messaging, event calendars, signage planning) and that the VSO will pursue TVC grant renewal and return with staffing requests or grant outcomes for commissioner consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","February 27, 2025 El Paso County Commissoiners Court Special Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","County communications staff presented an FY25 Veterans Capital of The USA marketing plan and county veteran services staff and the Veterans Advisory Board outlined priorities to modernize a centralized resource guide, expand outreach and close service gaps for veterans and their families.","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},6307414,"County budget staff outline fiscal 2026 tax‑rate context; new construction expected to add roughly $4.5 million in revenue",621,2975000,3596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100&start=2975&end=3596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100/thumbnail_2975000.jpg","/articles/6307414/El-Paso-County/Texas/County-budget-staff-outline-fiscal-2026-taxrate-context-new-construction-expected-to-add-roughly-45-million-in-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307414-b656f31818877f98195efa9d8e4562d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219903&Signature=InKKAqMKGxPBrBCQQF6WuW-zgODT-ELSJDXOePpnxgVWYQ4y1Wo3jaRlYt81lDJOwObCHYIQaFr0kuI2JJ998JtydYwhPgOE19GhSRBM2XqJnbYgnqLkbWmkW-lQGcrF~O7Lj3Ar-GF-Lu5AUADrZMjUpzlJmmDFHS3Mg8~dDY9UTbgD8nYS3jYTLs63lbnVIfhHyeuYQ0AX8-PJPCnE~RddqigO5jaBkcUKiZ~QPx~DPxguMFBWOCMh7Xbgx31s0s6lD0gcWKE4U~H14pzi1on-AWMe74bnubk1oooDWW2Ldrt3WFh9WPGszCEUno1rJMZS4T837bV~xrBHt5x9PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County budget staff on Thursday gave commissioners an early look at tax‑rate history, taxable value trends and preliminary revenue projections to inform Fiscal Year 2026 budget planning.

Jessica Garza of the Budget and Finance Department presented a comparative analysis showing El Paso’s population and budget position against other large Texas counties and explained that differences in county services and the presence of special taxing districts (for stormwater, roads or other services) make direct comparisons imperfect. She told the court the county typically receives four taxable value estimates through the budget cycle and that the certified‑to‑build change has averaged about 12% year‑over‑year in recent cycles.

Garza said, using trend analysis on October build values, staff estimates El Paso’s build values will be roughly $8.7 billion (an increase of about $8.7 billion over the prior certified value in the model cited in the presentation), and that statutory truth‑in‑taxation formulas normally offset much of that value growth so that general revenue will be close to current levels; the primary new revenue is produced by new construction. Garza’s presentation estimated about $4.5 million in new revenue available for the FY26 budget from new construction.

Budget trends and context

Melissa Carrillo, county operations, and Gabby Lehi from Budget and Finance gave a second, monthly update focused on FY25 year‑to‑date revenue and expense trends. Staff reported January collections and an overall revenue year‑to‑date collection of about 65.7 percent of the total revenue budget, and expenditures at about 25.18 percent of budget through January. Lehi and Carrillo also presented a “restoration register” listing items the court deferred in FY25 and the estimated $22 million needed to restore full funding for those items.

Commissioner comments and requests

Commissioners asked staff follow‑up questions about why El Paso’s budget is larger on a per‑capita basis than some counties with higher populations. Staff said differences reflect services the county provides directly (for example, jail services) and the existence of other taxing entities in other counties that shift certain costs out of the county general fund. Commissioners requested additional comparative materials (for example, taxable base comparisons and further breakdowns of how much of the budget is driven by jails, law enforcement pay and other specific services).

Why it matters

Staff said the county’s M&O tax rate historically is among the higher rates in the top 10 Texas counties, while average property values are lower than many other large counties. That combination means careful attention to revenue sources, service levels and restoration of previously cut programs as the court prepares FY26 budget hearings in coming months.

Ending

No budget decisions were taken at the meeting. Staff said preliminary values are expected in April and that they will continue to refine revenue estimates and return to commissioners with more detailed comparisons and restoration options ahead of formal FY26 budget hearings.","Budget staff presented a comparative tax‑rate and taxable value overview to frame fiscal year 2026 planning, showed El Paso County’s budget per capita and M&O trends versus other large Texas counties, and estimated about $4.5 million in new revenue from recently certified new construction.",{"_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},6307419,"El Paso County staff outline $52 million certificate of obligation plan to fund water, sewer and storm projects",2231,2425000,4656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100&start=2425&end=4656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2433325-ff67518e1c13d5fc2d87851c00754100/thumbnail_2425000.jpg","/articles/6307419/El-Paso-County/Texas/El-Paso-County-staff-outline-52-million-certificate-of-obligation-plan-to-fund-water-sewer-and-storm-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307419-8cf7518c6cb9fc4828dab04733fea240/orig.mp4?Expires=1771219903&Signature=kVs634cIDF-BFu-ygS0RWB9nH-d7JoZscQquS2PWEHXak74dLc9-Ki7ZQzXE8GfEPcFPI9fyCm3qotw2Lw6iq-Ac2WfUCPk9raQ01CiS~HC~626osK3Mau8LmrwwCvFP~IzmVzj8KUm32ZwzHllIdQJbmhF02L38A2LQtNJK06Suf1xnnZUEuAW9PQLpz7R9vKehQ0zodVuQp6naveMhR~NVWg3uGL8kLr~MThi8HKXepkrHsjTHz6v1qWM1KJHBySTRsOlLb-JFweONj3FhpLnO08s3rpq3n61dOECdovnjpI0Mdsq8hkENDhv9SlAqP-KWqRuBY4YnCfqWU0Dhdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County officials on Thursday presented a staff plan to issue up to $52 million in certificates of obligation (COs) in 2025 to finance water, sewer, stormwater and road projects they said are “shovel ready.”

The presentation by Jose Hernandez, strategic capital development staff, laid out a 30‑year debt structure with an estimated interest rate “a little over 4½ percent” and total projected debt service of about $92 million. Hernandez said the proposed structure would use the county’s 5¢ debt service tax rate capacity and would be issued as tax‑exempt debt because there is no private use tied to the projects.

County staff said the $52 million cap reflects a scenario that anticipates leveraging interest buydowns and loans if available from the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) State Infrastructure Bank (SIB). Staff noted an $18.5 million carryover for two stormwater projects on Road and First Avenue already directed by the court, which reduces the remaining borrowing capacity; the proposals under consideration include about $33.5 million for first‑time water and sewer connections and fire hydrants in multiple unincorporated neighborhoods.

Hernandez told the court the water and sewer projects would benefit about 600 homes and roughly 2,100 residents in neighborhoods including Hillcrest Estates near Montana and Saragossa, Ponderosa, Western Village, Schuman and Serene Acres. He said hydrant networks reduce development costs by lowering the need for large sprinkler systems, improve emergency response and can lower insurance costs for both residences and commercial development.

Why it matters

County officials emphasized the projects are framed as essential public purpose work — replacing or adding fundamental infrastructure rather than discretionary amenities — and that the proposed CO structure is intended to be tax‑rate neutral by using the county’s existing debt service capacity. Commissioners raised the possibility of a citizen petition to force a public vote on debt issuance and urged a robust outreach campaign.

Discussion and next steps

Commissioners and staff discussed a two‑step statutory process for COs: the court could adopt a Notice of Intent (NOI) at its March 17 meeting, which would start a 46‑day waiting period; authorizing the sale would require a second vote (staff proposed putting that authorization on the May 5 agenda). Hernandez emphasized adopting an NOI does not automatically authorize a sale and that the court must still approve a May sale authorization vote.

Staff outlined alternatives the court could request: a tax‑note issuance (shorter repayment term, seven years) with a lower maximum (previously analyzed at $35 million) or a split approach — covering the carryovers with a tax note and reserving a general obligation or CO for the remainder in November. Staff warned a tax‑note approach could shrink capacity to take advantage of Water Development Board buydowns or TxDOT SIB loans and might require raising interest and possibly the interest & sinking (I&S) side of the tax rate to cover larger projects.

Commissioners stressed outreach, transparency and rapid public information to counter possible misinformation from petition groups. Several commissioners asked staff to prepare mailers, media briefings and other communications describing which projects would be funded, where they are located and why the county considers them essential. Staff said a news release was sent after Monday’s discussion and that a mailer design is in development if the court approves the NOI.

Risks and uncertainties

Staff and commissioners identified several contingent elements that could change the final structure or timing: (1) whether the Texas Water Development Board will confirm buydown terms before May 5 (staff said the county expects notice in April but there is no guarantee), (2) whether TxDOT SIB loan terms and any federal BUILD (formerly RAISE) grant outcomes are confirmed, (3) the potential for a citizen petition that would force a ballot measure, and (4) possible state legislation that could alter the county’s ability to use COs. Commissioner comments noted that petition drives can be targeted and rapid, citing prior petition experience.

Staff requested direction from the court on whether to proceed with the March 17 NOI timeline or to return with restructured scenarios (tax note vs. CO) for further court consideration. Staff noted project estimates are being confirmed with Public Works and that public outreach planning and project readiness work continues.

Ending

No final vote was taken. The court’s next opportunities to act on the debt issuance schedule are the March 17 NOI item and a potential authorization vote on May 5; staff said they will continue to refine project budgets, coordinate outreach and follow up on state loan/grant outcomes that could affect financing needs and timing.","County staff presented details of a proposed 2025 certificate of obligation issuance that would generate up to $52 million to fund shovel‑ready water, sewer and stormwater projects, preserve $0 impact to the debt service tax rate and leave space for state loan programs; commissioners discussed timing, outreach and the risk of a petition drive.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County, city and nonprofit leaders expand Veterans Capital marketing and set priorities for veterans services and outreach

County budget staff outline fiscal 2026 tax‑rate context; new construction expected to add roughly $4.5 million in revenue

El Paso County staff outline $52 million certificate of obligation plan to fund water, sewer and storm projects