[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6099220,"mediaKeyId","2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b","parentId",2820578,"title","Commissioner's Court approves county claims payment and a parks special-events license","audioSeconds",124,"startMs",1392115,"endMs",1516330,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b&start=1392&end=1516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b/thumbnail_1392115.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6099220/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-Court-approves-county-claims-payment-and-a-parks-special-events-license","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099220-321695edf170876062f53cabdb63a0e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236141&Signature=joHYN3XEH9TDF3-LvxP8UKUgDZ7tVBPJJM~64XRGUKO60SDugg8J5UF8dwPGnpL~SsENmdzRL57jCXXwk0-QfWIjxCslsQ0F6~4cqoGxEppYub5iZLDO1cx9m4UaNoO-zyiMqakk9gVYo4I0hWUe9LAMZ9QQt6WQRHNMzwsB9IAzt~YdzlL05DpIKL3zgQVTn2JC7lp4GrfQru~ztsu18KIRnCTYI7LoUEGZCM36u3a1h5LlDXIFOSp0Ns2Wc3ZXbj1OTfTDD50qdxLjsAFndnObcEwoLT5mqUIMQG5Ho8180d5Tfk4L8G6THZF8W5kWfLTrMfUIZz58m0TPblAzUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-03-28T21:12:53Z","article","The Commissioner's Court approved two routine items on the special meeting agenda.

The court voted to audit and settle county accounts presented by Michael Lamas, first assistant county auditor, to permit payment of attached claims. Lamas described the request as routine housekeeping needed because the court's next regular meeting would fall after a holiday. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner O'Guine and seconded by Commissioner Coronado; the court recorded that Commissioner Butler was absent. The judge announced the motion carried.

The court also approved and authorized the county judge to sign a Parks and Special Events facilities-use license agreement with Big Fair Entertainment for use of the Escarate Park festival area for an event scheduled March 28 through April 13, 2025 (contract number 20250257). Norma Rivera Palacios of Public Works said the license exceeds $50,000 and required court approval. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner O'Guine and seconded by Commissioner Coronado; the court announced the motion carried.

Why it matters: Payment of claims keeps county operations running; the license authorizes a scheduled large event at Escarate Park and required commissioners' approval because the value exceeded departmental signing authority.

What happens next: The auditor will proceed with disbursements and the county judge will execute the special-events license as authorized by the court.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 28, 2025 El Paso County Commissioners Court Special Session Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The court approved payment of accounts presented by the auditor and authorized a special-events facilities-use license for Eskarate Park with Big Fair Entertainment (contract 20250257).","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},6099225,"Court frames strategic-plan priorities: parks, workforce, Vision Zero and regional economic development",3779,10960490,14740120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b&start=10960&end=14740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b/thumbnail_10960490.jpg","/articles/6099225/El-Paso-County/Texas/Court-frames-strategic-plan-priorities-parks-workforce-Vision-Zero-and-regional-economic-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099225-2fc97546c3260086eb4a430998b65ce9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236141&Signature=JiTmw3ISyIrVYK-eNA1LCXfB-t8syOL2nKExmXho4rymWcwNjzjq0xZJekWP0F3Cvs9QIzuaT0lkpRy-HB-G9hGIhjqiDy2MR4j7nQ22lYBbeNvEH8fV3140ORFgLIsN-SvV-0P2vqAYuMPq3ZvdvoLM~lic20ghBYpWazVVy1Ty8n1L-BirXdlADXrX77Ohz~Tjp1a1MZGMN5j8Mpn-74GHMEKrn~5jLDaxIQ7se6pPFtT62SKpGBcjCxt38ykt98rEhC2XkDPmzCUwlqC1f9FywvtLtHIxfDLDzqcz5mJY9ooy8pD073Z2VsQLwet4VluOmJ8ibMKhxr-YN4YDHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioner's Court used the March special session to shape themes for the county's five-year strategic-plan update, and commissioners urged the court to prioritize programs that create visible outcomes quickly while building longer-term regional strategies.

Judge and commissioners directed staff to organize the April strategic-planning retreat around several themes that recurred during discussion: implement the voter-approved bond program, accelerate tangible park and trail improvements, expand workforce-development efforts (the county's Promise program), adopt Vision Zero roadway-safety principles, and pursue an economic-development strategy that leverages Fort Bliss, the medical campus and binational advantages.

Commissioner Carl Stout emphasized Vision Zero and a cost-benefit review of outward, low-density growth. \"We need to look at the cost benefit analysis of horizontal growth,\" he said, citing maintenance, emergency service demands and long-term operations costs tied to new infrastructure. Stout urged analysis of whether the county could recover infrastructure investment (connection fees, utility districts or other mechanisms) and whether annexation or different state rules should be pursued.

Commissioner Jose Coronado proposed programmatic expansions, including countywide scaling of the Promise workforce program, commercial-corridor revitalization in Precinct 4, and sports-venue planning such as a proposed west-side sports complex to support tournaments and tourism. Coronado's staff summarized proposals including commercial-corridor revitalization, apprenticeship expansion, revenue/expenditure realignment, and communications investments to boost county messaging.

Judge noted the county's potential convening role across municipalities and emphasized focusing energy into a few large \"pillars\" (for example, aerospace/manufacturing, health care, and destination amenities) so the county and partners can coordinate investments and messaging to attract economic development.

Commissioners also asked staff to evaluate the status of the Border Tobacco building and other space needs after the recent bond outcome, to assess infrastructure constraints (electricity and water lines) that could limit business recruitment, and to coordinate with mayors and municipal staff on shared priorities. The court asked administration to synthesize the topics raised and provide them to the strategic-plan facilitator before the April sessions.

Why it matters: The strategic-plan direction will influence budget priorities and help determine which projects and operating initiatives receive scarce discretionary resources in a year the court expects a tight fiscal outlook.

What happens next: County administration will deliver a synthesis of the court's priorities to the facilitator and present a consolidated agenda and materials for the April strategic-planning workshops.","Commissioners outlined priorities for the county's upcoming strategic-plan update, emphasizing bond implementation, park improvements, workforce development (Promise program), traffic-safety (Vision Zero), and regional economic/healthcare development tied to veterans initiatives.",{"_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},6099229,"County outlines timeline and procurement plan for $155M bond program, says some park work can be accelerated",249,3396580,3646320,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b&start=3396&end=3646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b/thumbnail_3396580.jpg","/articles/6099229/El-Paso-County/Texas/County-outlines-timeline-and-procurement-plan-for-155M-bond-program-says-some-park-work-can-be-accelerated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099229-e2574458034de19c72bed8c5124dd57f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236141&Signature=oOQ083GF4UnwbDkpFtN9GGXub4BogctrLeir53V1ifGrwRrKOxUMQ-eEF3PNgB1aZfYrvLU46B4YTNmNwCTEf5drTh9b0Tm64-8wLNgt4GpsOWAmOFhEls~p4yT04-9czrLX6FQfvoNkHCjEe7wol4ZURE8i-jVt5fbQ69BKCIZCmQRCFk4LPS1A3FtjHPdp3IJiOlu0kmeqpnA9IBbCPUk6o71~cECkidJO26NSKASEp1BuJLxHwThzXYGh~h07yHgS7mdDfoJqytQYk1jJgVT3CMgDeCKyKM~Ww8Mb81IORvL6Ni5VxXR1SseImyAGs0sesqN-0q4WWEl356FJyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County staff presented the commissioner's court with an updated delivery timeline and procurement plan for the $155 million general obligation bond package voters approved in November.

Jose del Meros, deputy county administrator for strategic capital development, said staff had formed a cross-department \"project powerhouse\" team to coordinate legal, procurement, design and finance work and to publish a public dashboard next month that will track project spending and milestones. He described the county's plan to use a mix of delivery methods tailored to each project: construction manager at risk (CMAR) for large, complex efforts such as major park renovations, design-build for energy or sports-lighting upgrades, and competitive sealed bids or cooperative purchasing for smaller, stand-alone items.

The court was given project-level estimates and milestone dates. Highlights include:

- Escarate Park festival-area improvements (bundle A1-A5): estimate $30,960,000; design start targeted next month, construction currently forecast to begin in 2027 with completion in 2029. Staff said utility coordination (notably with El Paso Electric and El Paso Water) constrains some schedule elements but that phased packages and the CMAR method can allow visible activity to start earlier in selected work packages (for example, shelters and trail segments).

- Veterans Park (Fabens) improvements: estimate about $7.4 million; project is pending land access negotiations with the Fabens Water District and would proceed under competitive sealed bid once access is secured.

- Gallegos Park and River Trail: estimate about $3.2 million for the trail; design to start in late 2025 and construction targeted for late 2027 to early 2029. The county said it will pursue required easements and coordinate pole relocations where utility poles conflict with planned trail alignments.

- Office of the Medical Examiner: authorized budget $26.7 million; CMAR delivery selected, design to begin May 2025 and construction scheduled to start March 2026 with an estimated completion in March 2027.

- County animal shelter (Prop E): authorized budget $32.71 million; CMAR selected; design to begin summer 2025 with construction planned to start May 2026 and completion estimated in late 2028.

Staff emphasized a conservative financing approach. Rather than 1 or 2 large bond issuances, the county's financial advisor is considering smaller, more frequent issuances or a short-term tax note to match cashflow needs and reduce interest costs. The county estimates the propositions would raise the county's debt-service tax rate by about 1.5 cents.

Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff to accelerate visible elements of park projects so voters can see progress. Public-works staff and project managers noted some lower-complexity components\u0014prefabricated picnic shelters, trail paving segments, benches, lighting and landscaping\u0014could be procured and installed earlier through cooperative purchasing, job-order contracting, or targeted construction packages.

Betsy Keller, county administrator, directed teams to coordinate with precinct offices on stakeholder engagement and to install standardized signage and QR-coded links at construction sites to drive the public dashboard. \"We want people to see activity and understand project milestones,\" she said.

Why it matters: This is the county's largest capital portfolio to date; procurement choices and financing structure will affect schedule, costs and near-term debt-service requirements. Commissioners asked for clarity on which project elements can be advanced quickly and asked staff to use signage and public reporting to show progress to voters.

What happens next: Staff will finalize cashflow needs, present recommended issuance structure and a draft public dashboard, and return with updated project timelines and a procurement plan for each major project ahead of the next court update.","County staff presented a detailed timeline for the voter-approved capital improvement bond program, described procurement choices (CMAR, design-build, competitive sealed bid), and identified which park elements could be advanced sooner to show visible progress.",{"_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},6099234,"El Paso County officials review dozens of state bills; commissioners flag housing, MUDs and solar proposals",1239,1531420,2770510,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b&start=1531&end=2770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2820578-2e46c1322fbfd4548817c13061bbd01b/thumbnail_1531420.jpg","/articles/6099234/El-Paso-County/Texas/El-Paso-County-officials-review-dozens-of-state-bills-commissioners-flag-housing-MUDs-and-solar-proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6099234-8d0d6fa20a06cc21161808a9ec06ea93/orig.mp4?Expires=1776236141&Signature=kbrQL2YPvPmjvgVUO3fJSw~uHR7BsP146FNu-ZBQdnPB8cjAJW994IyvaeAWJQ9Kj5bSOAaTX7DExJ~p0rBvpqosOhP4pqQbPI6NAzFgX5HOdnPwQFw0~w8DOL6oR8gTQMCqCqLXeugQQhRikXpF3iyrPg-w7MFFIi7-8aXkz2hr4OpZ819Uh76Efg6Bo3rq4eG~rcQcitUkwqWqn-oR2O~--~iNX7ReROG540Uou3CnUbVbSLfOUvwlHzjSz-2Jv4nRP3bZT1MTUs8FdArj8KC6Z43syGgPeUuk~-VLOIleI5hdXsxfAuIF7F1z6cbBzyL-6XVxDP~cTPqNScQ~gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County officials and their state lobbying team briefed the Commissioner's Court on a long list of bills filed this legislative session and on actions the county has taken to track or support county priorities.

Elisa Tamayo, the county's governmental affairs manager, said the county's state lobbying team had filed hearing requests and was coordinating directly with authors on multiple bills. \"We passed the filing deadline,\" she said, and noted the legislature has seen an increase in filed measures this session.

The update covered many measures the county is monitoring, including several bills filed by Senator Blanca and Representative Gonzalez involving municipal utility district (MUD) director residency rules, scrap tire and junkyard programs, reimbursements for surviving spouses, and disclosure of water connections on property sales. Tamayo and the lobbyists told the court they had submitted hearing requests and were working with committee staff and the county attorney's office on language and amendments.

Commissioners pressed staff about specific priorities. Commissioner Coronado asked how potential BRF funding might be used and whether it would require a public vote; staff noted such funds often require voter approval and said the county would need to coordinate with other delegations if an amendment were required. Several commissioners urged meetings with local delegation members before taking a position on amendment vehicles.

The court also raised public-safety and infrastructure concerns tied to legislation: Commissioner Stout described recurring problems with fire hydrants in areas served by MUDs and said the hydrants are sometimes designated by MUDs for flushing rather than emergency use. \"We take on a huge liability but we don't have any sort of power to be able to monitor,\" Stout said, urging staff to look for vehicles that could require MUDs to maintain hydrants for emergency-service districts.

During public comment Joshua Simmons, a Precinct 1 resident, urged the court to oppose House Bill 912 and Senate Bill 1003, bills he said would change compensation rules for distributed renewable generation outside of ERCOT and potentially undermine rooftop solar adoption in the El Paso Electric service territory. Simmons testified that El Paso Electric already charges a $30.25 monthly minimum to solar customers and that changes in net-metering or demand-based billing could extend payback periods for homeowners.

Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with the city attorney and county legal staff to analyze the bills and any pending El Paso Electric rate case impacts. \"We should reach out to Representative Moody and Senator Blanco to understand a little more deeply what this bill is about,\" a commissioner said.

County staff also flagged a separate bill filed by Representative Perez (HB 4259) that would transfer authority for the county purchasing agent from the existing purchasing board to the Commissioners Court; staff said they had already met with the author and planned to keep the court informed when hearings are requested.

The county's lobbying team reported that several county-priority bills have been filed in both chambers and are moving at different paces; the Senate had already advanced a number of lieutenant-governor priorities, and staff warned commissioners the House was about to enter an accelerated period of floor activity. The lobbyists said they would circulate detailed bill lists and budget items to the court and follow up before the court's April update.

Why it matters: The March briefing mapped which bills could affect county operations and budgets, from public-safety and water-infrastructure rules to taxes and purchasing authority. Commissioners directed staff to pursue clarification and, where appropriate, seek amendments or legislative support before taking formal positions.

What happens next: County staff said they will provide written bill summaries and recommendations ahead of the court's next briefing, arrange meetings with delegation offices, and coordinate with the city attorney on rate-case or regulatory impacts related to utility/solar bills.","County staff and outside lobbyists updated the court on the county's 80th/89th legislative priorities and pending bills; commissioners raised local concerns including use of BRF funds, water infrastructure, and recently filed bills affecting solar compensation for rooftop generators.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioner's Court approves county claims payment and a parks special-events license

Court frames strategic-plan priorities: parks, workforce, Vision Zero and regional economic development

County outlines timeline and procurement plan for $155M bond program, says some park work can be accelerated

El Paso County officials review dozens of state bills; commissioners flag housing, MUDs and solar proposals