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Emergency Services District 1 approves $17.9 million FY2026 budget to expand staffing, facilities and reserves
Summary
ESD1 presented a $17.867 million budget that funds staffing increases, a headquarters facility, a farm marshal investigation division and a move to a 5‑month operating reserve; commissioners approved the budget.
Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1 on Aug. 18 presented and the county commission approved a $17,867,140 FY2026 budget that funds personnel increases, new facilities and a larger emergency reserve.
Chief Chris Menendez and administrator Catherine Ames briefed the commissioners on ESD1's board‑approved budget, explaining the district requests six additional full‑time employees, is creating an in‑house fire marshal investigation division, will open a dedicated headquarters and intends to expand training, wellness and paramedic certification. Menendez said the district is unique in the region for maintaining an all‑paramedic paid staff and that volunteer recruitment and retention have been strong.
Ames said the board adopted a 10 cent tax rate for ESD1 that would generate projected property tax and sales tax revenues to support the budget. The district is increasing its emergency reserve to 150 days (five months) of operating expenses and set a longer‑term goal of six months. Ames said the budget represented a 1.83% decrease versus the prior year primarily because of completed one‑time capital costs for headquarters construction; at the same time, payroll and operations rose to cover staffing expansions and operating the new headquarters.
Commissioners thanked ESD1 leaders; Judge Samaniego moved to approve the ESD1 budget and Commissioner Coronado seconded. The court approved the request on the record.
Why it matters: ESD1 covers rapidly growing portions of eastern and southern El Paso County; the increase in staffing, in‑house investigations and training capacity are intended to improve response times and local fire investigations as development increases in the district.
