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Commissioners approve federal community-project funding submissions including animal shelter, water and public safety projects
Summary
El Paso County approved a slate of Community Project Funding (CPF) submissions to U.S. House offices for FY2026, including carry-forward requests and new proposals from the sheriff's office and county departments.
The El Paso County Commissioner's Court on April 21 approved the county's recommended federal fiscal year 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) submissions for Congressional Districts 16 and 23, directing staff to finalize forms and supporting letters.
Jose (Strategic Capital Development) presented the package and said the slate mixed carry-forward requests that were not funded in FY25 and new proposals. Recommended resubmissions to Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (CD-16) included the county animal shelter (to complete equipment, furnishings and operational launch), the East Montana water tank replacement (to replace a failing 75,000-gallon tank with a 750,000-gallon elevated storage facility), and a Challenge Academy expansion to add vocational classroom space and training equipment.
New or revised proposals included a detention facility radio system upgrade, a Mission Ridge regional annex feasibility study to plan a consolidated county facility in the Sparks/Mission Ridge area, ADA-compliance modernization for the downtown courthouse and annex office space, and a Waco Tanks water system feasibility/planning project. For Congressional District 23 the court considered sheriff's office patrol fleet replacement and a proposed substation along El Centurion Road; the draft substation request included a placeholder cost to be finalized by Public Works.
A county official noted a potential late inclusion: additional federal support for Fabens hangars at the local airport, which commissioners asked staff to consider adding to the submissions if technically feasible within deadlines.
Nut graf: The submissions aim to blend infrastructure, public safety, and social-service facilities — seeking federal supplemental funding for projects that county staff said align with economic development and community-service goals.
The court approved the submission package by motion from Commissioner Butler, seconded by Commissioner Stout; voting was recorded as aye by multiple members and the motion carried. Staff will finalize applications, assemble letters of support, and the county judge was authorized to sign letters aligning with the county's strategic goals.
Ending: Deadlines were imminent: the CD-16 deadline was this Wednesday (per the presentation) and CD-23 had been extended to the week by the congressman's office; staff said they would finalize submissions immediately.
