[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,75,86,98,108],{"_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",6109574,"mediaKeyId","2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a","parentId",2760780,"title","Court OKs Tornillo veterans memorial award and names Agua Dulce skate park for local skateboarder","audioSeconds",1893,"startMs",14265000,"endMs",16158000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a&start=14265&end=16158","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a/thumbnail_14265000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109574/El-Paso-County/Texas/Court-OKs-Tornillo-veterans-memorial-award-and-names-Agua-Dulce-skate-park-for-local-skateboarder","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109574-1af1ff8e6ac94bd00eb4a085da897004/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095147&Signature=Cvzj~Ple5YJ4ul6Hzg0RlphQyyG~GJChgpNDTIW9E1Bn31FPQf7~RhX6XsdTOaw2wpVCCO23zY9qQXeuV0KtP2f7aGdWVsZPxOlac5iDoSUwQzcrHdWS6CG16Vse0b0tziwArSvwnwqZaKe8cFPp4Jx34G6MPiHkVefSSz8ZvWp3EgVLDpPqHsemfBnc3Z4UbnSszeTfXT9u~hM-16cStOo8UOtdJWKAgdDczl3dxSCvjNFCU4O2bzSVTDz0CEnwzfPGd3CX2aXAAcJIbqQ3b2k3JAFcAryJzZlx5l-dbHffRyxl5dpekUwCvh2j8VMjoBz3Iv7R8OLl2hdStXZM9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-03-25T01:53:23Z","article","El Paso County Commissioners Court Monday approved two neighborhood-focused items: an award under the county\u0000s Neighborhood Improvement Program to build a veterans memorial in Tornillo and the renaming of the skateboard area inside Agua Dulce Park to honor Mario Navarro.

Planning staff said the Tornillo Neighborhood Association submitted the only eligible application for this year\u0000s Neighborhood Improvement Program, scored it against program criteria and recommended a scope that could be completed with the available $125,000 appropriation after scope adjustments. The association\u0000s proposal calls for a series of sculpted elements and a commemorative node linking a popular walking path to Coyote Park. Mario Aguirre, president of the Tornillo Neighborhood Association, and other veterans groups spoke in favor of the memorial during public comment.

Commissioners also approved a naming request for the skate area at Agua Dulce Park to honor Mario Navarro, a local skateboarder and mentor to area youth who died in a 2022 workplace accident. Norma Rivera Palacios of the Public Works Department presented the request and described the community support; family members and community leaders addressed the court in support. Judge Samaniego moved the naming and Commissioner Olguin seconded; the court carried the motions for both the Tornillo award and the skatepark naming.

Why it matters: County officials said the Neighborhood Improvement Program is intended to fund small, durable projects that respond to neighborhood priorities and encourage formation of neighborhood associations. The Tornillo memorial and the skate‑park naming are intended to highlight local veterans and community mentorship and to add permanent, low‑maintenance amenities to county parks and rights of way.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 24, 2025 El Paso County Commissioners Court Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners approved a Neighborhood Improvement Program award to fund a veterans memorial in Tornillo and authorized renaming the Agua Dulce skate‑park area in memory of skateboarder Mario Navarro.","taxTitle","El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109578,"Commissioners adopt state, federal legislative positions; back dairy bill to restore permits",0,25931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a&start=25931&end=25931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a/thumbnail_25931000.jpg","/articles/6109578/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-adopt-state-federal-legislative-positions-back-dairy-bill-to-restore-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109578-f51dc14263096f79948ad7e978552f39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095147&Signature=bhj-j6dv36UWybSuvL6-MAoaA7DYsT6i5dor7nkdqNfRqbW8TUN58o-26kQhyy1oLgLgz9Q0rT3KJPmTtBtTSlj5j90BZ5e0Zf3p8VUOeMUeASXMwBZP66GK1nrtlP4rzdcNdEvGOYXFjnta40d8uxkPLCUz8cJfBGx8mCgRdc7tkE48VgJHL3b8WCs3731sRo~Rm1PVflpIB11tnPlNb9~bcrzksV7FvfGXhdqnqs3uIwUR9nsLQDpak6bzwPuGCrvVRGiOiVBKSnY0GgvSb4X6VGCdjT~~BjlfP0RzrXWngf~j4i~jBE1ceOyEunrg1ydIDnJH5DngLkqcXpHCqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday approved a slate of state and federal positions for the 2025 legislative session and voted to support House Bill 1275, legislation to repeal a permit denial related to historical restrictions on dairies in portions of the county.

Earlier in the meeting the court voted to support HB 1275, urged by Representative Gonzalez, which county staff described as removing a prohibition created after a bovine tuberculosis outbreak decades ago and restoring permitting authority so dairies in parts of El Paso and other counties could again apply for permits. The motion to support HB 1275 was made by Commissioner Stout and seconded by Judge Samaniego; the court announced \"motion carries.\"

Later the court reviewed a broader set of state measures and took positions by vote. The court voted to oppose House Bills 1522, 19 and 1453 (items the court identified as potentially harmful to county operations) and to support bills including House Bill 1109 (motor-fuel tax exemption for counties), HB 148 (mandatory appraisal-board training), HB 505 (fee waivers for certain vital records for homeless individuals), HB 1080 (broaden posting options for political subdivisions) and HB 1275 (the dairy bill already adopted earlier). The court also indicated support for state legislation to update how short-term rental intermediaries collect hotel taxes.

On federal priorities the court authorized outreach to the county\u0000s congressional delegation and its state senators to press for retention of the federal tax exemption for municipal bonds and to ask federal agencies to reconsider population thresholds that could make many colonias ineligible for set‑aside Community Development Block Grants. Planning staff noted a Government Accountability Office report that recommended easing population thresholds to preserve eligibility for colonia-targeted funds.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the positions align county advocacy with projects and programs that fund water, wastewater and transportation projects and protect municipal finance tools. Support for HB 1275 was described during the meeting as especially time sensitive because a committee hearing was scheduled and the county wanted to register support before legislators considered the measure.","The court voted to take formal positions on several state bills, backed a bill to restore permits for dairies in parts of El Paso County and approved federal outreach asking Congress to protect tax‑exempt municipal bonds and colonia funding rules.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109583,"Emergency Services District No. 2 clears $7.58 million financing for new Socorro fire station and two trucks",639,13401000,14040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a&start=13401&end=14040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a/thumbnail_13401000.jpg","/articles/6109583/El-Paso-County/Texas/Emergency-Services-District-No-2-clears-758-million-financing-for-new-Socorro-fire-station-and-two-trucks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109583-a75daf95fae7dec9d82619c8e7908514/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095147&Signature=L7tMQEhL9~-GWKgFd4QcI2zojOM0o0NAjomjlhzcjBQ78pdkkBZpz6QRkiwsGrzhLeEwUA33DBh4jIReHxexHxlxnKgjuHx~El1nZ3-WGZA-6pZ0VHCeIqCsM5XQcL3LqSEWQPvym~BOw1N5Y5XjH52jY6VJoPlH-AFKIwGjht2VqqlSnmUIsADnXpiy3TFRwbudJbEMQWcV-B-Wmn7g4D0gV3ycfIL4ZZWvdyVlgv1ljEeb1OsIdpVvlysmz6xsmh3p~~A2VNAZLb6yoG72iFwJrOLZfGtyhfmJB6GXlM5zGxd0fjF~r4CPMs3hWmJKdezCLpIiOwhQiud8vIOq2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday approved a financing plan by Emergency Services District No. 2 to borrow approximately $7.58 million to build a new fire station in Socorro and purchase two fire trucks.

Financial advisor Ramon Tijerina (Tejedina Financial Advisors) presented the plan, saying the ESD had secured land and preliminary design funding and planned to bid the financing in April. Tijerina told the court the illustrative model assumed a 5.5 percent interest rate and estimated the combined principal and interest could translate to roughly a one‑cent increase in the district\u0000s interest-and-sinking tax rate; he said the district hoped market conditions would deliver a lower rate.

Chief Esparza, the district\u0000s fire chief, told commissioners the new station responds to rapid growth along Waco Tanks Road and adjacent industrial and residential development and will reduce response distances in the area. County officials noted the project also supports the district\u0000s efforts to meet Insurance Services Office (ISO) standards; additional stations and hydrants can improve ISO ratings, which in turn affect homeowners\u0000 insurance premiums.

The court carried the financing plan on a motion from Commissioner Olguin and a second from Commissioner Coronado; the clerk announced \"motion carries.\" The administration said the ESD board approved the plan and expected bids in April, with funds to be available soon after closing.

Why it matters: County and ESD officials said the station and vehicles are needed to keep pace with new warehouses and subdivisions in the Socorro area, reduce mutual‑aid strain on surrounding volunteer departments and improve fire protection. Officials also warned that equipment and apparatus costs are high and that delaying construction could increase overall project costs.","The court approved ESD No. 2\u0000s plan to borrow roughly $7.58 million to build a Socorro fire station and buy two fire apparatus; financial adviser said the loan could add roughly one cent to the ESD tax rate at a 5.5% illustrative rate.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":78,"_43":101,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109588,"Commissioners oppose state effort to eliminate countywide polling places and electronic poll books",6834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a&start=6834&end=6834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a/thumbnail_6834000.jpg","/articles/6109588/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-oppose-state-effort-to-eliminate-countywide-polling-places-and-electronic-poll-books","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109588-0f19fb57af02dfac5f38192c854ba978/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095147&Signature=i33vuzj5cyOlJv~PpWGrMR~fGwRNLqIU856a2Q-uwQervkjhXlQ3kXRloK0t7fZ-USUamK2umHN3hScAUmrugjFDXpoilrh1D3LdCGuJxd8rHYFF0WqSqP1~S-smLbN4GEkq6zOHOL-7rm1cdj7i5pQL96uK-98xYZYKqxEHurjKKUqd8Dp~9wbzeG5vvHSfdhbrLBezQCjrCkAwaKdzJhKsg8To0kVdo5jfErE2e4PEm3LZm-rQSPvPkeekOV4E9XNSD7Rjyhq5FZSCm6DgUsE72ZtFDxJ7UzJQJffE-N9rxYDFPaNNVPjEejqgsPTyVadromSJJy7kGCZg2TcRvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday adopted a resolution opposing any effort by the Texas Legislature to eliminate countywide polling-place programs and the use of electronic poll books.

The resolution, approved by voice vote, says countywide polling places let voters cast ballots at any location within the county on election day rather than being limited to a single precinct, and that the program had boosted turnout and reduced provisional ballots. Lisa Wise, the county\u0000s elections administrator, told the court that the county\u0000s November 2020 rollout of the program coincided with the highest recorded turnout in the county\u0000s history and that subsequent elections saw rising use of outside‑precinct election‑day voting.

\"This past presidential election, we had 42,000 voters who on election day chose to cast their ballot outside of their precinct,\" Wise said at the meeting. \"In 2020, about 27 percent of election‑day voters cast outside their precinct; this last presidential we saw about 60 percent choose outside their precinct on election day.\" She told commissioners county staff had received overwhelmingly positive feedback on shorter lines, more parking and improved convenience.

Claire de Yoliferla, executive director of Move Texas, told the court that countywide polling places are a \"tangible, proven solution to expand access to the ballot box,\" especially for young people and working families who juggle jobs and school. She urged the court to oppose state bills that would narrow voting access.

Commissioner Stout moved and Judge Samaniego seconded the resolution; court minutes show \"motion carries.\" The resolution requests that the county oppose state legislation that would remove countywide polling places and electronic poll books and affirms the county\u0000s support for the continued use of both.

Why it matters: County officials and voting advocates said countywide polling places and electronic poll books increase accessibility, help maintain continuity in emergencies when a single precinct location may be unusable, and contributed to higher turnout during recent elections. The county elections office underscored the operational benefits during disruptions such as vandalism or water-main breaks, when voters could be redirected to nearby vote centers with minimal disruption.","El Paso County approved a resolution opposing any legislative attempt to end countywide polling places and electronic poll books, citing higher turnout and voter convenience; Elections Administrator Lisa Wise and voting-rights groups testified in support.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_47":114,"_49":115,"_51":116,"_53":117,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":118,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":119,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6109592,"El Paso County votes to publish notice of intent to issue up to $54 million in certificates of obligation",1982,22484000,24466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a&start=22484&end=24466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2760780-1e6a657a408aedfb41619c16de2eb07a/thumbnail_22484000.jpg","/articles/6109592/El-Paso-County/Texas/El-Paso-County-votes-to-publish-notice-of-intent-to-issue-up-to-54-million-in-certificates-of-obligation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109592-d95191403df343617d4c3b174261d4d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095147&Signature=euU6-NZuZ~lS2IUfBFaQ~BGrBTHgPMOiIP6ST5GjkRx3EEeQM09~1ieSSYnam9aMIqLidpsxDjY5N-S9gM130bJESI4apJd-f7PAVTwh49ljzT-ASXUm28Y8TVOnDfY-CwpdZrh~xCiul0OHY7E9Y8Y0F0YecvUfC43pfC3Vg~48Ov8n14raN3KNwyrMbMFRAaUGYms0gOkSjdDj06rmFmGmoib-N7xBi~Nz45J28T99m21EPlCe3p091w378Dv6-XupzBBCwJMVd9t8iWoumctPEckRguyrxlrubnouw1yxd2cIlT5btnOgu66i5G0Kdqw1JkKHbVWQLceC7MYTbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County Commissioners Court voted Monday to publish a notice of intent to issue up to $54,000,000 in combination tax and surplus-revenue certificates of obligation to pay for street, utility and flood-control improvements and HVAC work at a youth services building.

County officials said the proposed issuance would fund several projects prioritized in county capital planning, including first-time water and wastewater connections in Hillcrest Estates and other unincorporated areas and certain roadway improvements. The court directed staff to publish the required notice this week and return on May 12 for further action on a possible sale.

The county\u0000s financial presentation estimated an interest rate for the planned offering near 4.74 percent, with total debt service of about $96.3 million and average annual debt service near $3.3 million. The administration told the court it structured prior issuances so the county\u0000s debt-service (I&S) tax-rate component would remain at roughly 5 cents per $100 valuation; county staff said the new certificates were intended to be funded within that same debt-service envelope to avoid increasing the county\u0000s I&S rate.

The list of projects attached to the court order included several water and wastewater projects: Hillcrest Estates (about 60 initial connections, roughly 197 residents), a Northwest-area sanitation/water project (about 400 sanitary connections and 15 first-time water connections, roughly 1,200 residents), plus scope for other utility improvements and street projects. The order also added Pelicano Drive between Loop 375 and Darrington Road to the list of eligible roadway improvements; the inclusion gives the court flexibility to direct funds there if it chooses but does not commit county funds to Pelicano automatically.

Commissioners also discussed timing and the procedural steps: publication of notice (to be run in the newspaper), a 45-day statutory period during which petitions may be filed, and a potential May 12 court action to authorize sale if no successful petition intervenes. The court carried the motion to publish the notice; the record shows a motion from Commissioner Coronado, second from Commissioner Butler, and the court\u0000s vote was announced as \"motion carries.\" The judge and commissioners did not provide a roll-call tally in the public record.

Why it matters: County officials said the measure would accelerate long‑deferred water, wastewater and road projects in unincorporated neighborhoods and give staff public‑lawful authority to seek market pricing so the court can decide whether to proceed with a sale. Opponents during the meeting urged caution and recommended considering alternatives such as grants, federal funding or a smaller tax note to reduce risk.

The court asked staff to publish the notice later this week and to return with the sale authorization, financing detail and final bond documents on May 12, 2025.","Commissioners authorized publication of a notice of intent to issue up to $54 million in combination tax and surplus revenue certificates of obligation to fund roads, water and other infrastructure; court staff said the issuance is structured to avoid increasing the county\u0000I&S tax rate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Court OKs Tornillo veterans memorial award and names Agua Dulce skate park for local skateboarder

Commissioners adopt state, federal legislative positions; back dairy bill to restore permits

Emergency Services District No. 2 clears $7.58 million financing for new Socorro fire station and two trucks

Commissioners oppose state effort to eliminate countywide polling places and electronic poll books

El Paso County votes to publish notice of intent to issue up to $54 million in certificates of obligation