Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arts And Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
El Paso County creates pilot arts advisory committee, approves agreement with El Paso Community Foundation
Summary
The County Commissioners Court approved a two-year pilot arts advisory committee and authorized a Chapter 381 economic development agreement with the El Paso Community Foundation to manage commissioner-directed arts projects; each commissioner’s project allocation increased from $50,000 to $55,000.
El Paso County's Commissioners Court on May 5 voted to create a pilot arts advisory committee and authorized the county judge to sign a Chapter 381 economic development agreement with the El Paso Community Foundation to administer local arts projects. The court also approved an increase in each commissioner’s project allocation from $50,000 to $55,000.
County Administrator Michelle Cochran brought the item back after earlier feedback and described the package to the court: “I'm excited to bring this item back to you all after receiving your feedback on the development of the pilot arts committee as well as the agreement for the projects.” Under the plan each commissioner will appoint a member to the pilot committee; appointments will run two years from the date of appointment.
The agreement (contract number 20241031, opinion number 8118) directs the El Paso Community Foundation to manage and disburse funds for projects the commissioners identify. Eric, a foundation representative who addressed the court, noted the partnership’s intent: “I really applaud the commissioner's court and, for and the administration, at the county for coming up with these ideas that that serve every part of this the county that that you all are serving.”
Commissioner Clarence Stout, who moved approval, framed the action as part of a longer effort to support local artists and cultural activities after pandemic-era funding shortfalls. The court discussed how the program ties to tourism and downtown activation and directed staff to provide job/role descriptions to help commissioners recruit advisory members.
The court voted to approve creation of the pilot committee and to authorize the county judge to execute the Chapter 381 agreement; the motion passed after a second. The agreement authorizes the foundation to begin project intake and management work so community-focused arts improvements can move into design and procurement phases.
County staff said offices will provide commissioners with a role description for advisory appointments and a follow-up schedule for the committee’s formation. The foundation and county will begin outreach to identify project leads and community meetings for each commissioner’s allocation.
