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El Paso County updates timeline and procurement steps for voter-approved bond projects
Summary
County staff told commissioners the 2024 voter-approved bond program is moving into delivery: the first tranche of funds arrived in mid-2025, the first project completion is scheduled Dec. 11, and procurement steps are underway for the county animal shelter CMAR, park administration building, three parks (Reisinger, Westway, Alwa Dulce) and the sports park lighting completion.
County administration and public-works staff briefed the El Paso County Commissioners Court on Nov. 20, 2025, with a multi-department update on delivering 2024 voter-approved bond projects.
Cristy Martinez (County Administration) summarized the financial management plan for the bond program, saying the team expects a financial dashboard early in the calendar year and that an item to allocate the first issuance (described in presentation slides) will appear on an upcoming Monday agenda. "We expect to have that sometime at the top of the calendar year," Martinez said about the planned financial dashboard.
Procurement and schedule: Karen Davidson, county purchasing agent, said the county is preparing a CMAR (construction manager at risk) solicitation and will negotiate an AIA-based contract intended to speed execution for the county animal shelter; the earliest award to the vendor is projected for August 2026 if the schedule holds. Davidson also described a new competitive-sealed solicitation instrument for the park administration building that weights qualifications and best value beyond the lowest bid and said the parks package will be advertised if cleared by purchasing.
Park projects and outreach: Public Works (Livia Arias and project leads) outlined design workshops, consultant teams and community input steps for Escarate (first public meeting Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at the pavilion), San Felipe (second public meeting anticipated in January), Gallegos (pending IBWC/El Paso Water easement requirements), Coyote Park (legal review pending), Reisinger, Westway and Alwa Dulce parks (community finishes returned and proposal under review). Commissioners repeatedly emphasized broader outreach and requested materials (flyers, banners, QR links) at parks and events to increase participation in upcoming meetings.
Animal shelter and CIP sequencing: The county's design team (Exego) presented visioning and outreach results for the animal shelter; the team will present two alternative designs in January informed by prior community sessions. Infrastructure Services reported the Office of Medical Examiners contractor has been onboarded and the design team is preparing preliminary and value-engineering packages.
Communications and transparency: Communications manager Laura Gallegos said the county has installed 21 bond signs and a public dashboard (with QR code) and is using targeted outreach to interest groups. Commissioners asked for online engagement options and help distributing notices via commissioner mailing lists.
Ending: Staff said many bond projects are moving into procurement or early construction, that the county will present issuance allocation items to the court for approval, and that staff will return with more detailed financial dashboards and procurement packages as items are ready for court action.
