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El Paso County presents FY26 recommended budget; court narrows options ahead of tax‑rate vote
Summary
County staff presented a FY2026 recommended budget and revenue projections, discussed staff suggestions for additional paid leave in lieu of general pay raises, and previewed tax‑rate options including the no‑new‑revenue and voter‑approval rates ahead of a scheduled tax‑rate hearing and vote.
El Paso County officials presented the recommended fiscal year 2026 budget to Commissioners Court on Aug. 11, 2025, and asked the court for immediate direction on employee pay/leave options and on a tax‑rate path to fund county obligations including voter‑approved debt.
Why it matters: Property tax revenue is the dominant funding source for the county general fund; changes in taxable values, voter‑approved debt service and state legislative actions all affect how much the county can collect without a public election. The court must set a tax rate in public hearings ahead of adopting a final budget Sept. 15, 2025.
What the court heard: County Administrator Betsy Keller and Budget staff presented the FY26 recommended budget (total budget listed in the staff presentation: $608,471,219) and a projected general‑fund reserve of roughly $78.7 million as of mid‑year. Auditor Barbara Parker reported an updated projected general‑fund reserve of roughly $78.7 million (about 3.6% of expenditures under current assumptions), down from earlier estimates. Staff said that, after routine adjustments, the county’s projected available reserve would be tight (staff cited a projected reserve around 3–4%…
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