Commissioners Court - Regular Meeting

Hola, El Paso! It's started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have been opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Thank you.

Live from El Paso County, Texas, the Veterans Capital of the USA. From inside the Alicia Chacon Commissioner's Courtroom of the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse, you are watching the El Paso County Commissioner's Court Meeting.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today is Monday, June 8th, 2026. Commissioner's Court is meeting in regular open session. This morning we're joined by ASL interpreters Tamara Marquez and James Garcia. Commissioner Olguin, would you like to introduce this morning's pledge group?

Yes, thank you. Good morning, everyone. So today we are going to be led in the pledge by the new intern in Commissioner Butler's office for Precinct 1, Mario. He was just here. Uh-oh, he may have stepped out. Well, maybe he can lead us next week, Judge, and we can just get started.

Yes.

Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,

Next, we'll receive an invocation from Chaplain David Mayfield, Chaplain for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office and El Paso Police Department.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Again, thank you for the invitation. Thank you for being here. It's always a privilege to come before the court and offer prayer. With that, I invite those present to pray in their tradition as I will pray in mine. Heavenly Father, we pause for a moment before the business of this day to acknowledge our dependence on you. This court carries serious responsibilities. The decisions made in this room affect neighborhoods, families, deputies, detention officers, first responders, county employees, business owners and taxpayers, all of whom are working hard to provide for their households in uncertain times. Grant these elected officials and staff the wisdom to consider matters of public safety, infrastructure, budgeting, and taxation. Help them to balance compassion with responsibility, vision with restraint, and leadership with humility. Remind all of us that behind every line item and every agenda packet are real people, families just trying to make ends meet, officers serving long hours under difficult conditions, elderly citizens on fixed incomes, and communities that simply want to live in safety and peace. Give this court the courage to make difficult decisions honestly, the patience to listen well to one another, and the integrity to serve not for recognition, but for the common good. And in a time when anger and division so often dominate public life, help us all to remember that disagreement does not have to become disrespect. that public service is at its best when guided by wisdom, decency, and care for neighbor. May the work done here today benefit the people of El Paso County and honor the trust placed in those who serve.

Amen. Thank you, chaplain. Appreciate you.

Judge, do you have some opening remarks for us this morning?

Yeah, thank you so much. Just on behalf of myself and our commissioners, we welcome you to Commissioner's Court. Commissioner Coronado is online, so welcome.

Good morning, everybody. Good morning, everybody.

So thank you very much for being here. Today's our business day. Typically we have resolutions, but we do have one great resolution by Commissioner Butler. But just want to reflect a little bit what the chaplain said, you know, reminding us why we're here and how many of the people that are vulnerable, but also our capacity to be able to address those situations to make our community better. Thank you for being here. We always appreciate your attendance to Commissioner's Court, and God bless each and every one of you, and have a great day and a great week. Thank you.

Go ahead, Cesar. Thank you, sir. Item number four is the consent agenda composed of items 4A through 4Q. We do have a request to delete item number 4P from the Public Works Department. Item 4P reads approve the new fee schedules from the Public Works Department covering planning and development, infrastructure services, facilities management, and parks and recreation as presented on May 21st, 2026, and authorize the fees to take effect on October 1st, 2026. Are there any other items that members of the court or public would like to pull for individuals? Yes, Commissioner Butler.

Yes, Judge. Commissioners, I would like to pull item 4G, please.

Or B? G. G, thank you. Item number 4G for Commissioner Butler. Any others? Judge?

No, if not.

Oh, I'm sorry, Commissioner Coronado?

No, I don't want to pull an item. I just want to make reference to item K. I want to thank our Parks Department, especially Sandro and Tim and the County Attorney's Office for helping get this done for Anthony School District so they can do the the the summer food service program at our Gallegos Park. I want to thank them for everything they did to make sure that this got done.

Well, thank you. Thank you for doing that. They always do such a great job, so we appreciate that recognition.

There's not any others.

I'll move to approve, Cesar. Thank you, Judge. We have a motion to approve from Judge Samaniego, a second from Commissioner Stout. The voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Commissioner Aldin, thank you. Motion carries. Item number 5A, resolutions. postponed June 1st, 2026. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Ana Paula Ortiz-Sasueta, a graduating senior at Hanks High School for earning first place in the 2026 Texas 16 Congressional District Art Competition with her artwork titled, The Land I Grew Up On, and for her artistic achievements and representation of the El Paso community. Commissioner Butler.

Thank you. Thank you, Judge and Commissioners. I'm honored to be able to present this resolution this morning to one of the shining stars that we have in the county and in Precinct 1. Can Ana join us at the podium?

Welcome.

Good morning, Ana. I'm gonna go ahead and read the resolution, and then we'd love to hear some comments from you, and we'll go ahead and take some pictures afterwards. Yes, of course. Whereas Ana Paula Ortiz-Sasueta, also known as Ana Ortiz, is a graduating senior at Hanks High School, congratulations, whose artistic talent, creativity, and dedication have brought distinction to El Paso County, Precinct One, and the Borderland community, and whereas anna ortiz was awarded first place in the 2026 texas 16 congressional art competition hosted by congresswoman veronica escobar a nationwide competition sponsored annually by members of the united states house of representatives to recognize and encourage artistic achievement among high school students and whereas this year's competition theme a day in the borderland invited students to reflect on the culture identity and experiences of the el paso region with the top submitted works displayed at the El Paso Museum of Art, and whereas Ana Ortiz's winning artwork, The Land I Grew Up On, captures the shared connection between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez and reflects the experiences, culture, and spirit of the borderland community through a deeply personal and meaningful artistic perspective. And whereas Ana Ortiz has dedicated more than a decade of developing her artistic talents and credits the guidance and mentorship of her Hanks High School art teacher, Lorena Williams, as an important influence in strengthening her award-winning piece. And whereas as the first place winner of the Texas 16th Congressional Art Competition, Ana Ortiz's artwork will represent Texas's 16th congressional district on a national stage through its display in the halls of the United States Capitol alongside winning artwork from across the country. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND COUNTY JUDGE HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE ANA PAULA ORTIZ-SASUETA ON WINNING THE 2026 TEXAS 16 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION AND COMMENDER FOR REPRESENTING PRECINCT ONE AND THE BORDERLAND COMMUNITY WITH EXCELLENCE, CREATIVITY, AND PRIDE. SIGNED THIS EIGHTH DAY OF JUNE 2026.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SALMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE AYE. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries. Well, come on now. Thank you.

Congratulations. I'm wondering if we have, do we have a picture of our artwork to display? We haven't received it. Okay. Well, tell us a little bit about what you created, and maybe we can get one up on the screen while we wait.

Well, my piece is, I started it before, well, I started it while I knew the competition was going on, before the theme ever came out, but I just knew that I had to capture the heart of El Paso and how I feel like living in the city and the border between the two cities, Juarez and El Paso, Texas. I really wanted to put my experience of living here, what I see every day. Every time I go through the city, I see the sights of both mountains, the Franklin's Mountain with the star, and then Juarez Mountain with the... I see the plans every day. I wanted to put that in my painting as well. The train is such a staple to El Paso because every time I go around, especially this area, I always hear the train pass by. Every time I hear the train, I always think, oh, so nostalgic, El Paso. I want to put that in my painting as well. I really wanted to, I also included flowers in my painting as to symbolize marigolds because of Mexico and the Texas state flower because I live here in Texas. Well, I really just wanted to put my emotion and my perspective of the city into the painting. and contrary to last year's painting, where I used a lot of statistics and tried to see what will capture El Paso, but this year I wanted to focus on the soul, I think. Oh, wow.

That's beautiful.

Thank you.

Well, thank you so much. You're so fortunate that you can translate your feelings into art like that. And so we wish you the best that you continue. And we thank you that you do have El Paso in your mind and your heart. So thank you very much for that. We appreciate it. But that's a beautiful artwork. It's got a... you almost would have to sit there for a while trying to figure everything out, but we very much appreciate that. Congratulations on that. Thank you. Thank you so much.

Congratulations, and I hope that whatever you do after high school, you'll be able to continue creating art, especially for the borderland. Congratulations.

So much. Well, go ahead and take a picture, and if your family wants to come up.

from high school students.

Item number six is public comment. We do have one comment from Speaker Elizabeth Crawford that was delivered to be read in.

Good morning, and again, I want to express appreciation to the court administrative coordinators for all their help. I will be in Juarez today, then starting with a kids summer program with New Life Vista Hills mid-June, and I so appreciate the helpfulness of Mr. Nava and Ms. Dominguez in getting me signed up and reading my submissions for me. It has been great to be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of El Paso again. I absolutely love the sunrises and sunsets here. It's a welcome break from the crowded city life of the East Coast. As we honor Juneteenth this month, I would like to share about a lady from East Texas, the first black woman to graduate from Harvard University Medical School, who was affectionately and lovingly called the tiny black woman who changed Ronald Reagan's mind on abortion. Her name is Mildred Faye Jefferson, who graduated summa cum laude in just three years from Texas College in Tyler, Texas, and later became the first female general surgeon at Boston University Medical Center. Mildred Faye Jefferson lived from 1926 to 2010. The daughter of a pastor, she first learned from her father the value of life, starting with life in the womb. Encouraged in her upbringing to be humble and work tirelessly while time and again breaking the glass ceiling faced by women and by black citizens of her day, she earned degree after degree. She was motivated by the truth of Holy Scripture, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Unlike so many women of our day who use personal achievements to boost their own ego, she viewed her high calling of a medical doctor as an opportunity to serve the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. With a sweet smile and conscientious demeanor, she was used by God to make a difference in the world that no doubt saved the lives of countless babies. Ronald Reagan met this influential woman a number of years before his presidency while he was governor of California. By God's grace, her well thought out and passionate arguments compelled the future president to finally see abortion as a grave American societal wrong. After watching her on a 1973 TV program, then Governor Ronald Reagan wrote, I wish I could have heard your views before our legislation passed. He made it irrefutably clear that an abortion is the taking of a human life. As we know, Ronald Reagan went on to become a well-known defender of life in the womb and later took the office of President of the United States. Mildred Faye Jefferson, who continuously argued that abortion is a blatant violation of the Hippocratic oath taken in becoming a medical doctor, left us with a legacy that challenges the narrative of abortion as a women's reproductive right. We live in very, very challenging days. We mourn and stand against the plans for a mega-abortion facility in Las Cruces, which intends to market its so-called medical services to women of El Paso. And though very disappointed with many aspects of the current U.S. administration, I do have to express appreciation for the fact that God has used our current President Donald Trump to protect us as Christians and pro-lifers to give us a window of time to work more freely against the avalanche of the pro-abortion agenda that has been overtaking our nation. Though I cringe almost every day when I see some of the crass remarks that come out of the White House, yet we know it is ultimately God who raises up the leaders of the nations for his sovereign purposes. And we as Christians and pro-lifers are thankful that the Lord has used Donald Trump to prevent us from being like the Christian pro-lifers in Canada and in the UK who are now getting fined and thrown in jail for speaking of Christ in the public square. The life of this beloved petite black lady from Texas whose words God used to influence our nation has encouraged me as I discovered her biography. Thank you, and I hope that you, judge and commissioners, have a very good day and week ahead. End comment.

Commissioner Butler will be on public comment, please. Go ahead, Commissioner. Okay.

Thank you. Thank you, Judge. Thank you, Cesar. I wanted to take a brief moment to introduce the newest member of Precinct One's team, Mario Vasquez. If you don't mind coming up to the podium, Mario. Mario joined us just last week as our newest intern for the summer. And so I wanted to introduce him formally. Mario is a student at University of Michigan. He's getting his master's degree in public policy. And so he'll be working in our office this summer with a focus on economic development policy. And so I don't know, Mario, if you want to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit more about you.

Welcome, Mario. Hi, thank you so much. My name is Mario, lifelong East Sider here in El Paso, graduate of Cathedral High School, pursuing my master's of public policy at the University of Michigan. My hope is to come back here to El Paso after I graduate and utilize whatever skills I develop quantitatively, qualitatively to help advance this community forward. And I appreciate the opportunity to be here with you all this summer and here today and for Commissioner Beller for the opportunity to work to help her community and everything that they need.

Thank you. You have a great team of interns. You're going to love them. You're going to work together. You'll find a great experience in front of you. Thank you, Judge. I appreciate it. Thank you, Mario. Welcome.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

Welcome, Mario. Thank you, Commissioner. We're excited to have you here. Thanks. Thank you, Judge.

Item number 7A from Commissioner's Court. receive a presentation from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts on groundwater conservation districts and discuss the groundwater conservation in El Paso County, groundwater management practices in Texas, El Paso County's history with GCDs, the county's priority groundwater management area, designation, and the current status of groundwater conservation and management in the region.

Thank you, Judge and Commissioners. Yes, please join us, Mr. Foster. You're welcome. I place this item on the agenda after hearing about groundwater conservation districts in other parts of the state, particularly at the last couple of Texas Association of County conferences, legislative conferences. This This issue of groundwater conservation districts has come up repeatedly and has been pointed out that El Paso is one of the counties in the state that does not have a groundwater conservation district. And so initially when I first heard about these, reached out to Representative Gonzalez and I'm very happy to find that she had already been doing some work on groundwater conservation districts. Commissioner Allgain has also been part of those discussions with Representative Gonzalez. And so I was really hoping to have a conversation this morning about what groundwater conservation districts are and what that could potentially mean for El Paso County. As we know, water is a priority for El Paso, for our court, for the work that we've been doing. But that conversation around water is continuing to become more and more complex as the region continues to grow. and we're seeing more demands on our water and our infrastructure now and into the future. And so from my understanding, groundwater conservation districts are a tool that counties can utilize in order to protect our most precious resource. And so I'm really excited to have Mr. Adam Foster here from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts to tell us more about what they are, how they could potentially be a tool for us to use when it comes to water conservation and understanding um water needs for our region into the future so i'll hand it over to you adam thank you very much for being here apologies for my welcome phone hope you all like star trek

I appreciate the opportunity to come and talk to you all today about groundwater conservation districts here in Texas. Again, I'm Adam Foster. I'm the executive director of Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts. I represent 91 of the 98 groundwater conservation districts in Texas. We're a nonprofit. We also have some associate members that are people that work in the groundwater field that work directly with districts. So we have a total of about 145 members. So why is groundwater important? Groundwater supplies roughly 60% of the water use in Texas, and that includes water for agriculture, municipalities, industry, and then obviously groundwater supplies base flows to a lot of the rivers and streams that support ecosystems. It's important that we protect it. Rural Texans rely disproportionately on groundwater resources. A lot of areas of Texas, the only access to fresh water, drinking water, is the water in the ground beneath them. They don't have access to surface water. I mean, that's especially true in West Texas, where there's not a lot of surface water. Also, surface water is completely allocated. So in the state of Texas, surface water is owned by the state and it has basically been permitted out, allocated out, so there's really the only way to get access to surface water rights is to buy them or if someone releases them, then to bring them up, okay? And then obviously it's the most readily accessible source of water for most of Texas. So it's very important that we protect it. So GCDs, essentially what a district is, is a local quasi-government agency. They were created by the legislature in the 1950s with the sole purpose of managing and protecting groundwater resources. They have a mandate to protect and conserve groundwater and they follow Chapter 36 of Texas Water Code. Everything that they have, all their powers and duties and responsibilities are listed out in Chapter 36 of Texas Water Code. In statute, it actually says that GCDs are the state's preferred method of groundwater management. They are the only entities that can manage groundwater. There is nobody else that has any say over managing aquifers. Most importantly, they are designed for local control. When they first came about 50 years ago or 70 years ago, the legislators that put it in, they said, we didn't want control, but if we're gonna have it, it must be local. So the whole way that they're set up is based on local control, and it's very important. Before we also talk about Groundwater, you have to understand that in Texas, the landowner owns the water beneath their land. They have access to that water. Nobody can prohibit them from drilling a well or accessing that water. They are not guaranteed a certain amount, but they do have the right to access that water. districts have the ability to manage, depending on spacing and how much water is available, to limit that water withdrawals, but they cannot deny somebody the access to that. Obviously, if they go too far in their rules, they can be liable for takings. We're seeing a lot of that around the state right now where GCDs are getting sued because more people are using the groundwater resources and people are trying to develop it for various projects. So you're seeing a lot of litigation when it comes to districts and how much water they're actually allowing to be pumped. So there's three ways that a district can be created. First one is enabling legislation. Legislator will file legislation that would create the district and they can tailor the district to the needs of the communities and the wants you know, thereof. The second way is through TCEQ initiation through what we call the PIGMA process, which is the Priority Groundwater Management area. And we'll talk a little bit about that process here in a bit, but that is one option. And then the last is through landowner petition. So if you can get enough people to petition TCEQ to create a district, and supply a bunch of information to TCEQ, they have the ability to create a district from that petition process. Now all three will require some sort of confirmation election unless it's option one through the legislature and it's specifically stated that there's not a confirmation election. If there's taxing authority, you need to have a taxing election to approve that tax rate.

So only when there's taxing authority, that's the only time that an election is required, otherwise it's not?

Well, there will absolutely be a one for taxing authority, but if it's the actual creation. Not for the creation of the district itself. So if it's TCEQ nation or landowner petition, that will require a confirmation election.

Yes, now I'm looking at the first one where it says typically will require a confirmation election, so when would it not be required?

It would not be required if in the enabling legislation it specifically states that there doesn't need to be a confirmation election.

Okay.

So currently there are 98 groundwater conservation districts. There's a map on the right of the current 98. On the left is a map of all the major aquifers. You'll notice that a lot of the districts overlie those major aquifers. In Texas, we have nine major aquifers and about 24 minor aquifers. Essentially what a major aquifer is, it's an aquifer that has a large aerial expanse and has a lot of water in it. A minor aquifer either is a large area, small amount of water, or a small area, small amount of water. You can see that a lot of the major aquifers have the districts overlying them. You'll notice in West Texas there are no districts other than there's one in Hudspeth County and then in Culberson County, but there's nothing in between those in the Mexican border. So one of the important topics of districts is how they're actually funded. They can be funded through either taxes or production fees. For taxes, the operating tax is up to 50 cents per $100 valuation. Districts have the ability to do bonds. No district currently has ever issued a bond, but they do have that authority and there's no cap on that. For production fees, it's $1 acre foot for ag and $10 acre foot for other users. If water leaves the county, the district can require an export permit for that transfer of water outside of the district. For a tax-based district, that's equal to or less than 20 cents per 1,000 gallons. And a fee-based district can be less than or equal to 20 cents per 1,000 gallons or a 50% surcharge on that transfer. And then also, a couple of sessions ago, they did allow for an increase 3% beginning in 2024. So there was a flat fee of 20 cents and then after every year after that they can raise it by 3% if needed, but that only applies to the export fees. And then also they can do administration fees and basically the cap is what it costs the district to run the district. GCDs, again, are funded through fees or taxes. Currently, 57 are tax-based and 27 are fee-based, and then there's 16% of districts that are some combination of the two. So they may have taxing authority, fees coming in from that, and then they may also do export fees or something like that. So there's some that have the combination of the two. Governance, all districts are governed by a board of directors. There's a minimum of five directors that's outlined in Chapter 36. Districts can have more. There are some districts that have up to 16 or 17 directors, and these are typically local businessmen, local farmers, local politicians. Throughout the state, it's a wide variety of members that govern these boards. It really just depends on the location of the district, the water use, and the politics of the county or the area in which the district is. 70% of them are elected. 23% are appointed, and then 7% are a combination of the two. So there's several districts out there that you'll have one appointed member, maybe the head director, and then all the other directors are elected. And that can be appointed by county commissioners, county judges. There's a couple that have appointments from the governor himself. Most districts are single county districts, but there are 38 that are multiple counties. We do have several extremely large districts out there that span like five or six districts, but the majority of them are single district counties. And then some have single district and then slightly overlap into neighboring counties, especially if they follow aquifer boundaries. Exemptions. We get a lot of questions about what districts can permit. Chapter 36 outlines certain exemptions. This can be found in 36.117. That is all surface mining wells or really any mining wells at all are exempt from district permitting. Any oil and gas wells, either drilling or operating, are exempt from district permitting. And then any domestic and livestock well that's on greater than 10 acres of land and cannot produce more than 25,000 gallons per day, which is a lot of water, those are exempt from permitting. On top of that, districts have the ability to exempt wells by rule. And what we see is a lot of districts throughout the state go above and beyond those normal exemptions. For instance, there's some districts that exempt all ag wells. There are some districts that exempt all domestic wells, regardless of how much they pump or how much acreage the landowner has in the wells on that property. So 36 gives the boards the ability to exempt additional wells beyond those three. And then for the exempt purposes, it's really just for permitting. So districts still can require drilling permits or well reports and obviously meeting spacing rules, which we'll talk here in a second. So one of the most important things that a district does is come up with spacing rules for wells in their area. And this is a diagram showing what we call the cone of depression. So anytime a well turns on, starts pumping water, the water around that well is going to go down. And those impacts, the closer you are to the well, the greater those impacts are going to be seen, right? And so what a district is tasked with finding out is how much production is going to limit impacts to neighboring wells. Right, so if you have a very transmissive aquifer that moves water very quickly, those impacts are maybe gonna be less if it's not and it takes a lot more time for water to come to that well or get to the production zone of that well. So all of this would be done through data collection, gathering, looking at the science of the aquifer, understanding those properties to determine the spacing requirements of the wells. And they could just be simple from property line or from well to well. It also could depend on the amount of production that well is capable of producing. So another very important aspect of what districts do is they participate in the joint planning process. So the state of Texas has a very robust planning process, and districts essentially perform the backbone of that planning process. So every five years, every district within the GMA or groundwater management area comes together and they decide on the desired future condition for the aquifers that they manage within that GMA. And we'll talk here in a second about what a desired future condition is. But the water that's available that they come up with in that GMA then feeds into the rural water or regional water planning groups and then ultimately the state water plan. So when they're looking at how much water is available for the state water plan, they're looking for the amount of water coming from the districts or through the GMA, the groundwater. And you'll notice that El Paso is in GMA 5. There are no other districts in GMA 5, so if a district were to be created in El Paso, it would be the only district in GMA 5. So DFC, the DFC is essentially what a aquifer should look like in 50 years. So they come together, districts come together every five years and they decide what they want the aquifers to look like in 50 years. It could be related to amount of water left in the aquifer. It could be related to draw down in the aquifer, say we only want 10 feet of drawdown over the next five years, it could be tied to spring flow. I'm not aware of any major springs in El Paso County, but that's something that it could be tied to. There are a lot of districts in the Hill Country that are tied to spring flow, so they want to maintain those spring flows, so they don't want water being pumped out to dry up those springs. So they tie them directly to a certain spring flow. So it's that expression of local groundwater management. And it's typically given in a volume. That DFC is then sent to Texas Water Development Board. They run those scenarios in what they call groundwater availability models that they build. And then that basically turns out a volume of water that can be pumped over the next 50 years. And they break it up into yearly production rates. So they say, based on this DFC, you can draw this amount of water from the aquifers in that area. to maintain those DFCs or to meet those DFCs. And statutorily, they're required to meet those DFCs. So when they set a DFC, they have to come up with rules and a management plan to meet those DFCs because that's where they that's really the metric that they're looking at. It's not the total amount of water in the mag. It's really are they meeting those DFCs? So they have to continuously monitor aquifer levels or spring flow or whatever to make sure that they're meeting those DFCs. Okay, switching gears a little bit, I wanna talk about the local aquifer. So out here in West Texas, you have the Bolsones. It is a major aquifer. It's one of the nine major aquifers in Texas. On the east side of the Franklin Mountains, you have the Hueco Bolsones, and then on the western side, you have the Mesilla Bolsones. These are deep aquifers, lots of water. In some areas, it's extremely deep, up to 3,000 feet. It's a mixture of freshwater and in some areas you have a lot of brackish water, especially deeper formations you have brackish water. And then along the river there's also some brackish areas. But it does hold quite a bit of water. And then on the left side of the Franklin Mountains you have the Mesilla. It's a much shallower formation. Can't produce as much water as the Hueco, but it is considered a major aquifer. It's also made up of silk clay and a little bit of sand, so it is a productive offer. You can get quite a bit of water from it. Okay, lastly, I wanna talk about the PIGMA process, or the Priority Groundwater Management Area process. So essentially, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, the state created this process through which the Water Development Board, TCEQ, and Texas Parks and Wildlife can identify an area that needs groundwater management. For a variety of reasons, it could be over-extraction of the resource, it could be water quality concerns. They have the ability to designate an area prior to groundwater management area. They also have the ability to form a district in a designated PIGMA area. In 1987, there was a local politician that wanted the area designated as a PIGMA. It took about eight years, but they finally got it designated as a PIGMA. In their report, TNRCC, which is the predecessor of now the TCEQ, They essentially said that there is a need for a district, but we are not going to create a district through that PIGMA process, and we're going to defer that to the legislative process. Essentially, there was the need, but it's quite complex, and we really think that this should be done legislatively and not come from TNRCC, again, the predecessor to TCEQ. The portions of the Hueco Bolsones east of the Franklin Mountains was designated as the Pigma. They did not designate the western side, the other Bolsone, in the Pigma. I did do some research for this presentation. And again, it was designated in 1996, 1997 area or timeframe. That report came out in 98. For about 15 years, they continued to monitor the status of the PIGMA. Every year or every biennium, they submit a report to the legislature on the progress of the PIGMAs. And each year up until about 2013, they said they still recommended a district be formed. And then in 2013, they stopped reporting on it. And I could not figure out why in 2013 there was no mention of that. So that might be something that we can look into through Water Development Board or TCEQ. So with that, I'm happy to answer any questions about GCDs or the local aquifer system.

Betsy, anything else from your perspective?

Judge, I'm sure members of the court have questions, but I have a lot of questions as far as the information about the election and the formation process, if this is something the court is interested in. I also am curious why did the PGMA quit reporting, if there was any discussion at the court at that point, if it was brought to the county just as awareness. I don't know. But very interesting and very great overview. I appreciate it.

Commissioner Butler?

Yes, Judge. I want to recognize State Representative Mary Gonzalez who is in the chambers and really helped to- I'm sorry I didn't see you come in.

Oh, well, thank you. We're very privileged to have you here. Thank you.

She's the one who connected us to Adam and helped to facilitate the presentation this morning. And I know that she's been working on the legislative end on what other counties have done. And I don't know, Representative, if you have any comments you want to make at this time or?

Do you want to ask a question? Okay.

Well, I do have several questions, and I know Commissioner Longin does, too, so maybe we can wait until the end.

We'd love to have you. No? Okay. No. Thanks. Good morning.

Thank you. Well, good morning, Court. It's a pleasure to be here. Gosh, I don't even know where to start. I'm very privileged that the Speaker of the House not only appointed me to Vice Chair of Appropriations, but also appointed me to the Natural Resources Committee. What we have learned in that committee is that this groundwater conservation district conversation is becoming a statewide conversation. with over, in the last few months, 100 interests from the deepest red parts of East Texas to the Panhandle, even down here, of considering creating their own groundwater conservation districts. So no matter what El Paso decides to do, it is a conversation that is gonna be a statewide conversation that I hope our county will have a role in playing. Second of all, I do think it's important for us to think about the future of water. I mean, John Ballew, recently said right here in this Commissioner's Court that he didn't have the tools in his purview to ever say, no, you can't have that much water. While we have been really grateful that we have wonderful storage of our water, it doesn't prevent somebody from coming in right now and saying, I want to build something in San Elisario, Texas. right there on the river and suck up all the river water and all of the water and leave all of our agricultural community with nothing left. So it's really important for us to think about how do we have and utilize all the tools that the state has given communities to protect our community for the future. The thing that We've been talking about whether it's for a variety of different reasons is that water is a sacred resource and we have to be really conscious about how we protect it. And so groundwater conservation districts are great. Do we get to create them the way we want to create them? So to answer Betsy's question, like, is it an election or is it an appointment? I'm obviously interested in creating this. I'm obviously interested in drafting legislation to create this. That would be a partnership that we would create together. I mean, if I'm gonna just spitball off the top of my head, which my staff is like, please don't do that right now on a microphone that's being recorded, but I guess to say we were, I could see a world where each commissioner gets an appointment each. That way the entire county is represented. Because right now, unfortunately, a lot of our water policy making is so siloed. You have the PSB, you have Lower Valley, you have Favens, you have Tornillo. Well, water doesn't work like that, right? And so having a regional board would help us look at that. So that is a way to approach it. I also think for those of you who know me, which everybody, you know that farming and agriculture is critical at my heart. I mean, my dad's a farmer. I'm a farmer. It's my whole existence. When I retire, I will be a farmer, more farming. So protecting agriculture is really critical to me. I think this is a way to protect agriculture and exempt agriculture in the legislative policy that would create the groundwater conservation district. So it is my intent, should we create the policy, to exempt all agricultural wells and all household wells. So that would already, so all we're really talking about are these big giant wells that are manufacturing wells that could potentially take out a significant percentage of water that would forever transform our access and would also dramatically increase the price of water for our local communities and I invite you to ask Adam a little bit about that science because He's a scientist and I am not, I'm a farmer. And a professor and all the other things. But nonetheless, I do hope and I'm very grateful that y'all are having this conversation. Thank you Commissioner Butler for putting on the item. Thank you Ileana for talking to me for hours. And the rest of the Commissioner's Court who I love dearly. But I think the question in front of the court today is do we need a groundwater conservation district? I think back 30 years ago when they did the PIGMA, they did say yes. They did say that we should have created through TCEQ, which was another agency then, but that we did need something. I think this is the same question in front of a lot of commissioners courts all over the state and all of them are saying yes. It is a very valuable tool. It's one of the only tools the state gives us locally and we should take advantage of it sooner rather than later because it does take a couple of years to get off the ground. That being said, happy to answer any questions, but also Adam is the expert, and I'm so glad he's here. And he had dinner at Mamacita's last night, which surprises nobody.

Thank you, Representative. Questions?

I was hoping, thank you, Representative Gonzalez. Thank you for your efforts in this very, very timely matter. Adam, I was hoping that maybe you could give us a little bit more, just educate us about how things are working now. So obviously we know El Paso doesn't have a groundwater conservation district. So who's overseeing our Bolson? The Hueco Bolson is one of the nine major aquifers in the state. So who's overseeing that now? What's happening now?

So, I mean, Water Development Board has some water monitoring wells throughout the area, so they're looking at water levels and declines in water levels, but there's nobody managing the system itself.

So who's deciding now if someone's taking too much water from our aquifer? Or nobody is making that decision right now? Nobody's making that decision. Wow.

I, sorry, I guess we can go back and forth on the question. So the context for me personally in bringing this conversation forward is around these hyperscale data centers, right? That is the conversation that's been happening statewide, especially with counties, especially with counties trying to figure out what authority we do have. We don't have land use authority. We don't have zoning authority. We do not have a say on our local water utility boards. And so that is kind of the context that I've been introduced to this topic, which is groundwater conservation districts are a tool. THAT CAN BE HELPFUL TO COUNTIES IN AT LEAST BRINGING CLARITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO LARGE SCALE WATER USERS. DO YOU HAVE ANY INSIGHT ON THAT, ADAM? HAVE YOU SEEN WHERE OTHER GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS ARE DEALING WITH HYPERSCALE DATA CENTERS? And what are the actual authorities of a groundwater conservation district when it comes to those kinds of- Yeah, absolutely.

So this is a statewide issue right now. There's a lot of data centers coming in. They're coming into areas that don't have districts, and they're coming into areas that do have districts. And the areas that do have districts, they have the ability to put a cap on the amount of water that is being used for them. not deny somebody a permit, but they can absolutely limit somebody's production. As long as they have got a management plan and DFC set, they have to manage to that. So they cannot allow more water to leave or be pumped than can meet that DFC. In my experience, I have noticed that there's a lot of data centers that are focused on areas that don't have districts because they don't have to worry about how much water they can pull. They say they're going to be good stewards of the water, but there's nothing keeping check on that. I don't want to disparage these companies. They say they're gonna do something, time will tell, but really the only way that you could actually look into that would be having a district and making sure that they aren't pumping more than the offer can sustain.

You mentioned that groundwater conservation districts cannot deny a permit, but what are the limits of the authority of a groundwater district?

They can limit production and they can come up with spacing rules so that the impacts from production will not affect neighboring wells. Again, that is a key point of what a district does. They cannot deny anybody a right to or access to the water, but they can limit the amount of water that is produced through the permitting process.

And how is that typically monitored? Are there like meters on wells?

On permitted wells, there is the ability for districts to have metering requirements for a permit. There's also monitoring associated with permits. So somebody might come in for a permit and it's 10,000 acre feet per year. they're gonna say, well, you can have that or you can have less than that, but we're also gonna monitor the impact, so we want you to put monitoring wells around that production area and see how that pumping is affecting the regional aquifer levels, right? And maybe in five years or 10 years, we come back and we reassess that production permit. And if there are impacts seen, they may, curtail that pumping or permitted amount, or they may say we're not seeing anything and you can actually produce more. It just depends. It's all science-based. Every decision that a district makes, every decision a board makes, it has to be based in science. So they can't just furiously say we're only gonna do something. They have to know how much water's available and the impacts from that pumping is gonna be. And the way that they do that is they collect data. So it's not just, districts don't just permit. They're also there for education. They're also there for gathering scientific information on the aquifer. They're gonna look at aquifer properties. They're gonna gather aquifer properties in conjunction with you know, cooperators within the district, also the Water Development Board. So it's not just the permitting. They also have abandoned well programs. They have rain harvesting programs that they can initiate. Obviously this is not something that's gonna be done on day one, but as the district grows and develops their programs, there's additional things that a district can offer the locals too. It's not just about permitting.

You said that you're seeing data centers targeting counties that don't have groundwater conservation districts across the state?

Yeah, and it's not just data centers. It's also water purveyors. They're looking at areas that don't have any sort of management, and they're targeting those areas. So we've seen that in East Texas. We've seen that in North Texas. So there is a big push currently right now to get in districts. So I'll go back to the... Well, that map I showed, all that white, there's no groundwater management there. So that is literally where the rule of capture applies. For those of you that aren't aware, rule of capture in Texas basically says you can pump as much water as you want without liability to your neighbors. So if some were to drill a well, suck up all the water, their neighbor would not have any legal recourse for that loss of water underneath their land.

So right now, and I'm really thankful that we had El Paso Water here a couple of weeks ago to talk about, you know, I guess the status of water here. And I know that El Paso Water Utilities is really world renowned for the work that they've done, the conservation efforts, the desalination, the diversifying of water resources and sources. And Mr. Ballou went over that in pretty good detail a couple weeks ago. But from what I understand, they're the major drawer of water in the aquifer now. We don't typically see people coming in drilling their own wells without going through El Paso Water Utility. But from my understanding, there's nothing preventing a company from doing that, correct? Correct.

And they wouldn't even have to necessarily report anything. So there might be somebody coming and all they would have to submit is a well report after the fact the well was drilled. There's no, you know, say you have to report how much water you're using to anybody. So there could be a company out there right now that's drawing a large amount of water and nobody would know about it.

Wow.

I don't want to be an alarmist, but, you know, these are the things that you need to think about when, you know, if you're going to form a district or not. And I don't want to disparage EP Water. I think they do a fantastic job. We've had Scott Reinert at our events multiple times over the last five years to come and talk about what they're doing to conserve water. So I think El Paso Water's doing a great job as stewards of the resource, but this would really be, if y'all were to form a district, it wouldn't be for EP Water, it would be for all the other users.

Have you seen counties that have groundwater conservation districts that also are large counties that have a large water utility operating in it that work well together? I think when I think about creating a groundwater conservation district, my primary concern would be to make sure that it's in partnership and collaboration with our water our water utility, which is preeminent here. They're the ones who manage our water.

Yeah, absolutely. And that's a benefit of their recommendation was to go through the legislative process. So if y'all were to create a district, you could tailor the legislation to work with EP Water and any other municipalities out there. So there's the ability to be flexible there.

Okay, thank you. I have more questions, but I'll gather my thoughts. Are you sure? You can keep going. No, no, no, go ahead, Commissioner.

Okay, I was just wondering if you could give us, I know in going back to the map that was just on the screen, Texas is a huge state and every district is different, but could you give us an example of what a water, a district would look like here in El Paso, like size-wise, employees-wise, budget-wise, just looking at maybe other districts that exist comparable throughout the state, just to give us an idea of the scope of a district.

So if it was a single county, El Paso County, I would say there'd probably be three or four staff. I think the budget would be kind of the average of the single county districts around the state, which is approximately $650,000. There are some districts that have much higher budgets, but those are typically much larger districts, and they've got a lot of ag use, and so they need a lot of employees to manage all the... the water use. So you don't have a lot of users currently in El Paso other than the main ones. So I don't think you would need a large staff just to get off and get going. Yeah, so the districts in the area, there are some smaller districts. So there's one in Presidio County, there's one in Brewster County, there's one in Culberson County, and then there's one in Hudspeth County. Those are pretty small districts as far as staff, and their budgets are kind of on the lean side, but they also aren't in a major metropolitan area. So I would anticipate the need to be more staffed here, a higher budget than that.

But about three to four staff you think is probably ideal?

Yes, a good starting point, yeah. And then, you know, if future, it could be less than that or it could be more. But I think that would be a good starting point.

And the staff is paid for by the fees that we charge? There's a tax, right? Taxes or fees. For the tax, yeah.

So what the slide showed on that, so you know right now the ESD districts have a 10 cent taxing. These have up to a 50 cent taxing ability for $100 valuation.

That is the cap. The average around the state is .016. Okay. So districts don't go anywhere near their cap.

because they get fees from production and

No, I mean, they're basically, they just need enough taxes to operate. And so a lot of districts don't need, I mean, if they were to have full taxing authority, they would have way more money than what's needed. So they only tax what they need to operate.

So when you create the district, if there's already wells that have been drilled, are they grandfathered out? Or do all those wells automatically have to start again?

That would be a discussion to be put into the enabling legislation. Traditionally, historic use gets premises. If you've got an existing well, the districts typically work with those industries or those users, but it really depends on how you set up the district. You have the ability to either grandfather them in or require them to start from scratch.

One of the things I imagine we would do is look at who the existing users are and I don't know if we can get information by like volume. Like to see who our current, to help us guide the legislation like maybe we wanna like categorize other groups depending on who the high utilizers are or.

Have we involved our GR team in these discussions? We probably should if we're talking about passing legislation. It would be important to bring them into the conversation as soon as possible.

Well, I think today was just an introduction to the conversation, and I was hoping that if we decided As a body that this is something that we should pursue, then have it have a discussion about our legislative agenda and priorities for the next legislative session. My next question is for Representative Gonzalez along that line, though. If we did, if we did decide that this is something that that would be a valuable tool for the county to have, what does that process look like? Like, what would you need from the county?

I mean, I love y'all. I don't need anything really from y'all. We're here because I want to be a good partner. If I decided tomorrow I want to file a bill to create a groundwater conservation district, I could file a bill. I mean, obviously, I'm not going to do that without having conversations. I've been sitting in these committee hearings learning about groundwater conservation districts and thinking, gosh, and then I know you've been in meetings learning about groundwater conservation districts and thinking, maybe this is a tool we should consider. So my next step personally is to have informational sessions that we've organized with Adam with every single elected official in the county so that they can ask their questions. I think when people first hear it, they get scared. Like, oh, is it gonna hurt agriculture? Oh, is it going to hurt like my dad's on a well right now? Is it going to hurt homeowners? Or how is it going to impact the PSB? I mean, but really, if you start to dig into the actual policy, it's a benefit, right? It helps our farmers preserve their water and their wells are not exempt. It helps our homeowners make sure that if they have a well, they actually will have a well in the future because they're exempt. It helps the PSB. because it gives them a tool that they would not have otherwise, right? And so this is really a benefit add, not a negative. But I guess to answer your question more succinctly, what I need from the Commissioner's Court is a thought partner, a co-creator in building legislation, a... Helpful support, if you get questions from your constituents, please send them my way. I love talking to people, especially if they want to come to Mamacita's in Clint. I'm like their commercial. But I think that's the three things I would need. And again, we're still exploring. There's no legislation drafted. There's no legislation filed. We are in the very early stages of having a conversation and asking the questions to each other, is this a step we want to take together? To go back to what I said originally, does El Paso County need a groundwater conservation district? If someone was asking me, I would say yes, based on... wanting our people to have a tool that they could use in the future. And just really quickly to answer the question a little bit about taxing and all this can go into the enabling language. While the state provides a .50 cap, we could provide a lower cap, a higher cap, whatever, a cap that, I mean, we could, If we wanted to do the average, which is 0.016, that's $37 per the average household. We don't even need all that. So we could even say it's $11 for the average household. And that would still be enough money to run what we'd need to do. And maybe we don't want to tie its hands like that. But I also don't want us to get stuck on, well, the state has this larger bar, so that's where we're at. And it's not where we're at. And that's no intention, of course, You know, I live in San Elisario, one of our more low-income communities of the county. Of course I don't want to overtax our community. There's ways to provide resources, protect our water for the future, and take care of our community in a financially responsible way. Yeah, okay. Thank you so much.

And representative, I'm sorry, no, I was just gonna ask. I know you had mentioned having stakeholder meetings. Yeah. Do you have those scheduled yet? Would we be able to get those dates from you? Yes. So that we could participate as well?

Yes. They're in my calendar, which if you want to look at it, it's a mess. But there are two dates which you should be emailed either today or tomorrow. It was Friday. I'm not sure. But yes. And those are going, again, to every single elected official, water districts, irrigation districts, school districts, city councils of all the councils, a TEQA governing entity. Every elected official is getting invited. And then I will also say that we're holding one for... The general public so farmers who might be interested or community leaders who might be interested. We're also hosting that and and if you okay Sorry, Jackie going Commissioner Butler going back to your request if you wanted to have a town hall meeting and bring Adam. Sorry, Adam. And me, we would be glad to go. Because again, I think with the information, everyone's like, this is a great idea. I've never heard even like, again, people from all across the political spectrum, once they understand what it is, they're like, oh, that is a necessary tool. Like we should have accountability. We should have transparency. We should have some protection for our future water. These are not partisan ideas or bad ideas. These are very responsible leadership ideas for a region, especially one like a desert, in my opinion.

Do you, Representative See, what is the conversation around these in Austin? Do you see a window of opportunity here, or do you think that I don't know. Could there be backlash because so many counties are trying to develop their own?

Well, that's a good, I mean, I guess it's a legislature. Who knows what's going to happen? It could always be backlash. But I do think there's a window. And it's like, because I think there's going to be so many created, there's going to be also a financial window. So one of the... that we have been exploring in my office is the first year groundwater conservation district is created, it doesn't have any financial foundation because we're waiting for the taxes to come in. So how does it get off the ground? Well, there is a fund in the Texas Water Development Board that does provide money to groundwater conservation districts to get off the ground, but it hasn't had any money in it. So as vice chair, here's what I'm putting on both hats, as vice chair of appropriations, and because a lot of members are already asking for support because they're creating theirs, there has been requests to put money into that fund to help all of them. So I think if you're going to create one, now's the time to create it because you're going to, A, have access to the financial support, and B, it was not a partisan issue, right? Because you see... Republicans, Democrats, East Texas, West Texas, all doing the same exact thing for their communities, and it just kind of, I think, depoliticizes the conversation.

Judge, may I? Go ahead, Commissioner Stout. Real quickly, so if we created this district, it would be countywide? Yes. Or it would just be in certain pockets of the county?

So again, the legislation gets to determine all those things. So that would be defined as we write the- But I would say, again, I think part of our problem in El Paso County is that we have all these piecemeal water decision makers, and having a countywide entity would really be for the protection of all. And also, I mean, Adam, not to put you in the spot, love you. one of the conversations you were having with Adam in a previous conversation is there even is like some anecdotal examples of people putting wells on the very far west side of the county for New Mexico, right? And we should just know that, right? Like information is not a bad thing when it comes to water. So I think for it to be effective, doing a whole county would be helpful. I think doing piecemeal would just,

Creating the same problems we're in right now and and so we would work with the with the with the PSB. There there's not a mechanism for them to be like the countywide like water like like a countywide water authority or I don't know that. I feel like I remember reading that there were, there was like an effort, I don't know, like 10 or 15 years ago to have like the PSB or the water utility become like a countywide water authority, but then it somehow like went away. I don't know. I don't know the context.

There is a lot of policy.

So I'll give you a... And I'm not saying I want to like give our authority to the city or the PSB, but I'm just asking, you know, what...

I mean, I'll give you an example. I'm served by the Lower Valley Water District. We get all of our water from the PSB. The PSB, their board is appointed only by the mayor of El Paso. If the PSB decided one day, we are at capacity because we have a data center, therefore, Lower Valley, you don't get any water, which actually couldn't happen, but let's, you know, the Lower Valley folks would have no representation, right? So... I think it's really important for us to think of a larger entity that could support the PSB. And again, this, in so many examples, if you look at Bexar County, SAWS, and their groundwater conservation district, they're partners. They're not enemies. They work together. The idea is we preserve the water so PSB can have the water to give to the people. But the PSB, even if you were to make a county-wide one, which I think would be impossible one time, when I was a baby rep 14, 15 years ago, I had this brilliant idea. I'm like, let's just merge all the water districts together, Tornillo and Fabens and Lower Valley. And let me just say, that was a really bad idea. Nobody liked that idea. And I learned my lesson. So I don't think that would ever actually happen. Even if you were to do that, the PSB is not statutorily given the same type of tools that a groundwater conservation district is given.

If for some reason we have an issue or the city doesn't like it or the PSB doesn't like it, they could possibly advocate against it.

Of course. My dad could advocate against it. That's the reality. I that is never the intent. I am very grateful for all of our water entities. They have done an amazing job getting water and wastewater infrastructure to our community. And I think if we work together, they wouldn't be against it. And again, this is And I think if you were to ask the average El Pasoan, do you think we should have accountability, transparency, and some future planning when it comes to water conservation? I don't think anybody in El Paso would say no.

And so when it comes to future development, so you have a developer wanting to build a bunch of houses out there in the unincorporated part of the county. And they want to build, because I've spoken to colleagues of mine in other counties, like in Wise County. I know Wise County is, I mean, one of my colleagues over there, Commissioner Kevin Burns, has worked extensively on this issue in his county because they're seeing a lot of developers building housing and things like that in their county, and they're just drilling wells and taking the water without, I mean, any... You know what we're talking about, right? And so. Uh, so so so with the it just whoever drills the well would have to be the would have to get the permit and be it would be would be monitored. With the developer or the homeowner or?

So that's not the way we do water here, for the record. Most of our folks, our developers, tap into a water district and then get their water through the water districts. No developer has an actual well for a subdivision that would service a whole subdivision.

Okay.

Because you still have to process that water, right? You still have to have a water processing, cleaning, et cetera. I mean, that would never happen in El Paso. We don't have... clean enough water, like my dad doesn't know well, but we don't use it for drinking water, right? Very few people, in fact, I don't really know anybody who has a water for just drinking. So that would actually not be, happen in El Paso. Okay. They tap into the water.

Commissioner Guadalupe, please.

Thank you. Thank you, Adam and Representative Gonzalez. You know, I've always been, this is exactly what I've been talking about, that we ought to be working on conservation issues. And it's not just because of the data center that's coming in. We need to look at all the areas. For example, we have, and maybe this question goes to Adam, what can we do with respect to these artificial lakes that we have in the county? For example, the county has a lake, an artificial lake. We have Ascarate, there's also one far lower valley, Hideaway Lakes. How do we, is this something that would also apply to these entities and the water conservation with respect to this district applied also obviously to the government entities?

Yes, it would apply to everybody as far as the vanity ponds or the lakes that you're referencing. So a district cannot deny a permit or treat a permit differently depending on use. So whether the water is being used for municipal use, agricultural use, or a vanity pond or some sort of lake, they can't distinguish between the two. So they can't limit it just because it's going to a lake.

Right, and so that's been my point all along is that we all need to do our part, especially if, for example, these water uses are in a government entity that we can do something about it and control it. For example, our lake over at Azcárate, we haven't really gotten a clear indication of the daily water usage, but it's somewhere between 800,000 gallons per day to 1.2 million gallons per day. This is more than what MEDA is going to use out in the Northeast. So I think it's incumbent on everybody. And even though we can't deny permits either, even under the water conservation entity that we're going to create, we need to start putting out some kind of recommendations to everybody to do that, that we need to strive voluntarily to try and do some conservation efforts, just like what Mehta says they're going to do. They're going to do the closed loop system, but can we improve on that? Absolutely, I just heard a new process by Project Jupiter that they're going to do in terms of the water conservation. It's got less to produce you know, instead of the natural gas that they're working on other issues, for example, to lower the energy, to make more energy conscious rather. So I think it's incumbent on all of us that even though we may not be able to completely deny access to some of these users, we ought to be able to provide ways that people can do conservation. And when it comes to government entities, I think we ought to really strictly recommend to government entities that they do their part, including us.

I will just add, you mentioned that you don't know how much water is actually being pumped. One of the things the district could do is require water reporting. So how much water is actually being pumped into those rivers, that would be a requirement of any permit.

Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner.

Would it also apply, can these rules also be applied to the federal government if you have federal properties that have wells?

So federal properties, it's kind of tricky. I reached out to a couple of districts that are overlapping Fort Hood, and they said that technically because it's a military installation, they're not required to report anything, but they do have good working relationships. with Fort Hood. So they don't have access to all the water that they're using or knowledge of all the wells on the property, but they have a good working relationship and sometimes they're allowed to go onto the base and install equipment on the wells. So as long as they're open to that.

And I do, one of the things that the court is wanting to add this, I mean, I do think there's a lot of things that we could work on with the representative's office as far as other information that the court would probably want, again, about who are our well owners now. And if we were to grandfather or not grandfather them in, how it would impact different ones. The El Paso Water Utility obviously is a major utilizer of the Bolsons. And they also do at times limit us because we have a water system. but we have made a range, we buy all of our water through them. But there are times where we have a cap on us on how much water, how many connections we can have because of the availability of water through them. And so how will that impact, you know, like just looking at how, what governance it would give us over that in the future.

That's an infrastructure issue. So it's not really like a water capacity. And I asked John when he was here, right? It's a We only have, our tank only holds so much water and we only have so much capacity in our pipe and we would have to expand that capacity in order to get more meters. But, so there is, I think when it comes to infrastructure, that's where El Paso Water Utility does have the ability to say, well, you know, you'd have to invest X amount of money in order to expand the system for us to provide the water to you, which could be a constraint to some development like we're seeing in Montana Vista. But it's not, I think what this does is it actually tells us what the water capacity is for future use.

And so back on the question about the permits, and you can't deny a permit based on what it's going to be used for, but you can, based on what it's going to be used for, limit the amount of water?

Correct.

That they can take?

So there's very little that a district can say as far as use, like the end use of water. I mean, people own the groundwater, so you can't dictate how they use the water, but you can limit how much water they pump based upon impacts to neighboring wells. So if that water is gonna be overdrawn and have impacts, they can reduce that pumping, they can require

Yeah, how are those limits determined? I mean, they can't be determined arbitrarily, right? And they can't be like, you over here only get this much and you over here only get this much.

Yeah. No, I mean, they have to treat everybody the same. Right, there's no singling anybody out. Again, the first thing that the district's gonna do is try to get as much information, knowledge on aquifer properties. So how actually water moves through the system and how pumping affects the water or the water levels around those wells. And so once they gather that information, then they will be able to make educated decisions on permits. so it won't be a day one type thing it'll be you know it'll take a while to get going and make sure everything is done correctly because again they're liable for any decision they make so they're not going to make a decision that's going to open them up for litigation so it all has to be backed by the science.

Can I add it?

Absolutely.

I also think what I've learned in natural resources is that each conservation district is required to create a number of, help me here, the , what is it called? Management plan? No. The desired- The desired- DFC. Thank you, the DFC. So the desired- Future conditions. future conditions, so where you want your aquifer to be in 50 years. And based on the DFC, that's how you determine the metric and the science for how much water should be removed. So if a Let's just say someone said, El Paso has healing waters or whatever. And so a company wanted to come and take out water from our aquifer because it's healing. And if they took out too much, that we could say, okay, that's going to impact our DFC. Thus, you can take out water, but here is to the level you can take out. So we can't deny people, but we can say what you're asking for would impact the aquifer. The other thing I think I've learned is one of the things we've heard over and over again is El Paso has so much brackish water, we'll be fine forever. And that is actually not true. So once you take out more than 2%, does that feel accurate, 1%? roughly one or two percent it does impact how much the cost of the rest of the water you're trying to take out it will increase the cost of water removal by multiple times more so by again creating groundwater conservation district you're also maintaining the levels of water um expenditures so that the cost can be maintained maintained at a level that is something we can afford I've learned a lot. Okay, thank you.

Yeah, I mean, I think it's something we should definitely look at. I would just ask that we make sure that we include our GR team since we haven't at this point. And moving forward, I mean, it sounds like it's something that we're going to be probably putting on our legislative agenda. And they have, I think, good contacts and resources and can help us out. Because we're gonna, I mean, if you're already talking about doing stakeholder meetings and understanding kind of like what the dynamics are here locally and what kind of pushback you may be getting, it's just, I think, a good idea. That's why we have them.

Judge, I'll go ahead.

Commissioner now go ahead. Commission record.

I was just going to say I know that we had an originally we were going to have our discussion on the state legislative agenda today, which is very timely. I think it's going to be next week that it's going to be on the agenda so. So ideally we can. If there's consensus, put it on our agenda as our official request to pursue this further through the legislative process. And then at that point, obviously, work with our GR team and our lobbyists to figure out the next steps forward. And obviously, in coordination with our state delegation and seems ready to move this forward on her end. So I think that, just to close up some of the thoughts that I have, It's a constant discussion that we have whenever we're talking about our authority as a county and especially in the last year as we talk about economic development and these high utility users coming into the county. And we're always talking about the state trying to remove local control from cities and counties. And so as I learn more about groundwater conservation districts and the ability they give to local communities to have some local control over the most precious resource we have, which is water, it seems to me like it's something that it's good to have and not need versus need and not have and the the sooner we can bring this tool into our toolbox as a community whatever that looks like um you know and i don't have a i don't have a you know prescribed um vision of what that looks like i just think that if it's a tool that we can have then it's a tool that we should have so thank you very much again commissioner coronado

Yes, I agree. We need to start looking at this. But beyond that, I think we also need to maybe create some kind of committee or commission that works with individuals or, you know, I'm talking about companies and everybody in the county where, for example, like Adam told us, we can't really prevent people from hooking up, we can try and limit that. But even beyond that, we need to start making sure if we limit the, we can limit their conservation, but the other idea is we need to make sure that we maybe require them to do some other kind of water conservation, not just limit their water, And that this goes, I don't know whether we can do that with respect to the water conservation district. But besides that, I think as a County, we can certainly create an entity that can work with individuals and recommend all these things and start looking at those issues, including all government entities. I think everybody needs to do their part even beyond the water conservation district. And so I think to that end, we ought to do everything we can. Right now we have an opportunity ourselves to see what we're going to do that we have bonds dedicated to Escarate and our parks as to what we can do in terms of the water conservation. And my thought is, especially at Escarate, what are we going to do about limiting the water that we pump out for this lake now that we have funds to improve that park? So I think it's incumbent that we do everything possible, not just the Water Conservation District. Thank you, Judge. And thank you, Commissioner Butner, for bringing this to the court.

Thank you, Commissioner.

I actually do have one more question for Adam. I'm sorry. So one of the things that we see, that we're seeing with... Meta, for example, is that it's really hard to get a firm number in terms of water usage that they're proposing and projecting. And what I've seen in my research is that a lot of these kinds of companies will say that their water usage is proprietary information. So when it comes to the authority of groundwater conservation districts, do they have the authority to get that information from private companies? Yes, they do.

They're permitted, yes.

It's part of the permitting process that they would have to disclose that.

Yeah, and the district can work out what that looks like, whether it's annual reporting, biannual reporting, continuous reporting. And are there penalties? There would just be a stipulation in the permit.

Are there penalties? Or what is the enforcement mechanism?

Yeah, so the districts have enforcement abilities under Chapter 36. So if they over pump or if they violate any part of the permit agreement, then there's the ability for a district to collect fees or penalties for that. So in the legislature, the House Natural Resources Committee actually passed a bill last session that would give districts more increases the amount that they can apply to penalties because what was occurring in certain areas of the state is the penalty was so low that the water companies were essentially, they would rather pay the fee or the fine than reduce the pumping. And so they actually increased that, the amount that they could charge per day per violation. So they do have quite a bit of authority in that space.

And again, that's an authority that doesn't currently exist in El Paso County.

Correct. There's nobody managing the aquifers at all. There's no entity that has any oversight over how much groundwater is being withdrawn.

Yeah, I think that one of my worst nightmares is that somebody would come out, you know, in the vacant land out in Waco Tanks, a company that can't afford to build their own wells, to build their own desal plant, and just draw from our aquifer. And we have no say. We have... no way to know how much water is being drawn. We have no authority to have transparency or accountability. And that's basically the current status of things, right?

Correct. Yeah. And it is happening. So if anybody's interested, they can read up about what's happening in Houston County right now in East Texas. More reading stuff.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it. And I think that we can get those stakeholder meetings and work with you.

You got an email on Friday, so they're June 23rd.

June 23rd and 24th.

Thank you.

And Betsy, can we have our GR team participate in those as well? I mean, it's not just about legislation. Intergovernmental relations is...

I love you, David. Those are my meetings and they're only for elected officials.

Okay, well.

I'm happy to talk to your team. This is, my role is. Then she can go and she can go. Well, no, we have two meetings so that you two could go and then another two could go because they're my meetings to create information for all elected officials. Love you.

Okay. Then any other involvement, I think it's important to have intergovernmental relations. That's what they're there for, to have them help us out. I mean, that's what they're there for. If they're not invited to certain meetings, then so be it.

Thank you. Well, Representative Gonzalez, as always, thank you so much. Always a pleasure. We really appreciate you here. Adam, I think we have the classic supply and demand. I think for the longest time, we're more concerned about the demand, and we sort of ignored the supply, and I think we're now, more than ever, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A MAJOR CONVERSATION, EVERY SINGLE MEETING THAT WE HAVE HERE IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR THE FUTURE? AND WE DON'T HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY, AS WE KNOW. AND I THINK SOME PEOPLE FELT THAT WE HAD A LIMITED SUPPLY. AND SO THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT. ANYTHING THAT WE COULD DO TO of this supply and demand situation. I think it behooves us to be on top of it. So thank you both for being here today. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Representative Gonzalez. We appreciate you doing this.

Judge, Commissioners, I just want to confirm what we want out of this. Okay, so elected officials will attend the meetings June 23rd and 24th. We will start gathering more information. You want it to be part of the presentation we bring back next week with government legislative agenda. like as a support, not a bill that we would submit because Rep. Gonzalez is working on this separately, but a bill for us to consider in our bills we would support.

I think we can have that discussion next week about what that looks like, definitely. It doesn't have to be something we decide today. My, I guess, wish would be that we elevate this as a priority item for the county to support during the legislative session. And however, whatever that looks like, I think it could take different forms.

And I agree, Betsy. I think understanding, we talked about it this morning, like really have a good understanding of the collateral impact, you know, what we have to do, the cost, the expenses. Because we do, I think everybody agrees it's very important, but I'm not sure we understand the entire impact of being involved in this. So I think if you could help us understand that better and then the legal component that we spoke about this morning would be really important.

Judge, I do think that would be part of what, when the court discusses it next week, I do think the impact will depend on the design of the legislation. That's something we would work closely and make sure to bring to the court. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Betsy.

I mean, not to interrupt, but just like your legislative agenda with any bill, we're working on the tire bill. We don't know all the details and it could be amended and you never know, but in theory, this county supports the tire bill. forget what we're, the tire disposal bills, you know, like.

Absolutely.

You know, we work through it together knowing that we all have the same kind of goals. And so it's one of your listed things as I guess is what.

A value type statement.

Or even, I mean, I think you have a difference in your legislative agenda between value statements and policy proposals. I think the value statement would be is El Paso County values supporting conserving water and whatever, investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. The policy would then be that El Paso County supports the creation of a groundwater conservation district and or relative tools. Not to give you the language, but if I were creating language in my head, that's what I would create.

And as we said earlier, we deal with so many components from you know El Paso water and you know lower Valley and and says we got the the entire spectrum I mean we really have to understand how it interacts with each other because I think right now there's everybody's isolated and we don't know what it means is how do we bring it all together so I think it's going to be really important to for the county thank you very much thank you

Item number 8A, County Administration. Postponed May 21st, 2026. Receive and discuss a presentation and update from the bond performance team regarding the voter approved bond projects in the capital improvement plan.

Good morning, Judge, Commissioners, Betsy Keller, County Administration. Sorry, give me just one second. I am covering for Christian today. Give me one second while I pull up the presentation. So from the administrative side, this is our update that was going to be delivered back on May 21st. So the update today is as of May 21st. We will have another update on during the June special meeting. The administrative milestones we want to mention are we did issue our second tranche of the funding that was previously approved, and it was authorized April 27th. The underwriting team was assembled in early May. We had rating meetings with the rating agencies May 13th. And then in the last couple weeks, we actually went out to the market and sold those bonds. Our upcoming milestones at that time were coordinating the bond sale for early June and closing and coordinating the flow of funds that we will expect to receive in early July. And again, the issuance A, the budget was $12 million. We've encumbered and allocated 5.9. We have $2.9 million available from those funds. This was as of May 21st. And our actual expenditures were $3.1 million. We'll touch a little bit on that when we go through the actual projects. And, again, this is how they were broken down. Proposition A for parks. Proposition B for medical examiner ‑‑ I'm sorry, parks was the largest at 8.2 million. Proposition B was medical examiner, 1.7 million out of this first tranche. And then Proposition E, animal shelter, was $2 million. And I will turn it over to purchasing for the next slides.

good morning judge good morning commissioners karen davidson your county purchasing agent and we are really excited our powerhouse team to let you all know that the construction manager at risk for the animal shelter is ready to be awarded and it's on the june 15th agenda along with the agreement we did say we were on track for august but again we're bringing this one even earlier in for the award on June 15th. And so we're really excited about that. We also have already awarded the May 18th, the parks headquarter building. If you can go to the next slide, please. And we're looking forward to the RFP construction manager at risk for Scarity Park. So this will be our largest and our last CMAR for this bond. And anybody out there that wants to jump in and get into this project, I would say that it will be advertised towards the end of June or beginning of July. and this will be the last CMAR for the bond project. So this one's a really great opportunity. Everybody that wants to get into it, please do so. We're on track to bring it back to the court in January of 2027, and hopefully sooner than that. Our shelter bundle, which we've talked a lot about, goes into the multiplicity of parks. We are ready with this one. It's in our PR for final review, and we have it slated for July 13th to give the award And if you remember, Court, that was where we put all the different shelters, picnic tables, benches, and trash cans together. And we have one vendor giving us a great economic... discount for this bundle and this economy of scale. So we have that ready for July 13th. And then the last is the skate park bundle, which we have the contracting process down in county attorneys, and we just have some final community meetings, but we hope to be bringing this to you all in the summer of 2026. And with that, I'll turn it over to our wonderful engineering team and public works. Next slide.

Thank you, Karen.

Oh, sorry.

Thank you. Good morning, Judge, Commissioners, Eric Rosales, Nagaglione, Assistant County Attorney. Here are the legal updates for today. So Ms. Davidson actually covered quite a few of them. So I would just want to highlight, if you all recall, for these contracts for the CMARS, For the CSP, we are using the AIA templates, and what we're finding is very positive. If you remember, once you all award, there's time that you build in to negotiate the contracts, right, the vendors, and so far, everything has gone really smoothly. I think that the contracts have been accepted by the vendors, and so that's a really big positive, and it saves us a lot of time, and it shows that they're just very familiar with these contracts, so that's been a really smooth process. The only other update I have, it'll really come at the special meeting, but as we've discussed, there are four parks that involve another governmental entity, so that's Gallegos, Coyote, Veterans, and Sparks. In order to move the projects forward, we've been in communication with those governmental entities since shortly after the voters passed the parks projects In November of 2024, our public works team has been in regular communication where those entities are using an attorney. Our team has been in communication with their attorneys. We are reaching a point where we need to finalize these communications and contracts so that we can enter the design and construction phases for these parks in order to finish these parks in a timely manner. So our public works team is going to be sending letters out to these governmental entities to emphasize those deadlines that we have to communicate to them to ask them to please help us meet those deadlines. We are planning to ask them to respond before your special meeting so that we can brief the court on the status of those projects and the communications we received from the other governmental entities at that time. Thank you.

Good morning, commissioners. Lydia Arias with Public Works. First, we'll start with Escarate. And again, as a reminder that this is some of the updates from May. In the month of May, we coordinated focus group meetings. We had, I believe it was six focus group meetings. And they were smaller groups where we invited families. We had a families group. We had a sports group. We had an events group. And we had, of course, our fisherman group. And we talked kind of at a smaller scale to get their feedback and see what they thought of the plan that we were proposing. Now, we will have... more information on the outcome of that and what was presented in meeting number three in our next meeting, which will be June 18th. So we'll have a special presentation just for Azcárate, but I wanted to touch up on those because we did do quite a bit of outreach to those focus groups. Again, we've completed meeting number three and we will, as the team mentioned, we're working on the CMAR, a little bit more details on the CMAR. I know that the legal team has been great about getting us some more information as far as what I requested to have a little bit more stringent liquidated damages, for example, for the festival area because if for whatever reason we encounter any type of delays, we want to make sure we have that protection. for liquidated damages if we encounter any delays. Also, again, on our next meeting, we will talk deeply into the lake. We'll talk about what we've presented to the community, and we hope to get feedback from the commissioners. And our next project is San Felipe. In this project, we have now received our construction documents. The documents right now are with our internal team and we're reviewing the construction documents. I can say that we have changed now our project completion date. Now we're looking at fall of 2027. So we're very excited about that. And as Ms. Karen Davidson mentioned, this is one of the projects that does have that shelter bundle. So we will also be seeing that as part of this project, the shelter bundle. And I think that's the update for that. Our next step would be to finalize the construction documents and start the purchasing process. For Gallegos Park, we have been in coordination with our legal team and also with our consultant. They have provided their comments and we're moving forward on that. Just a reminder that on this project will consist of the crossing of the river trail but also the perimeter trail. will be included in this upcoming design contract. For Estrella Park, we presented this concept to the community. We received the feedback from the community and we are in the design development phase. Again, similar to San Felipe, now that we have our consultant on board and our project is moving along, the new project completion date for this is winter of 2028. Our next step would be to develop construction documents to complete the design development and start the construction documents. On Sparks, we have the, as legal mentioned, the Region 19 were working to do their lease, their new lease for this property. That has been finalized by legal. And I've also received the comments from our consultants. So that's on my desk for you to send back to legal. For Coyote Park, we're still continuing to work through the legal process of this. We do have a consultant that has been reached out to. As soon as we have the legal defined, our legal agreement defined, we will kick off design for this. And then for veterans, I have been in contact with the water district. The last time I reached out to them, they asked for more time to review the documents. I think as I became aware just recently, I think there's some coordination that we have to do with their EDA grant. So I will go back to legal and give them an update of what I know now regarding the EDA grant so we can revise their agreement and move forward with that. And I'll turn it over to Malia.

Good morning. On to our Westway Trail. This is A7. If you remember or recall, A7 was actually split into two, so this one would be the Westway portion. Sparks was combined with the prior update. So as we're looking at this project, it has kicked off. Construction's underway. We're showing pictures here from the groundbreaking, which occurred in late April. Construction is expected to go through... late August, early September, but we're making a very significant headway. The June update will have a little more pictures on the current activities on site, and you'll see a little more significant progress that's a little more noticeable. This is the Westway Park improvement. This is A17. Here we split it back up for the sake of being able to show you the progress made within it. So A17 is actually split into two. We have the basketball shade structure, and then we have the part of the shelter bundle. So as Lydia mentioned and Karen mentions, the shelter bundle's on a different timeline. Did you wanna elaborate on that one? Or is that a June? So in June, you'll hear a little bit more on the shelter bundle. For the shade structure, we do have an on-call service for the design of the footings for the basketball shade structure. That item was on the consent agenda today, so we'll be kicking off design for that one. For Rising Earth, again, in May we had significant progress. The pictures you're seeing here is the water installation, or the water fountain installation that was placed, along with the little concrete pad for people to be able to approach it and avoid the muddy mess. If you notice, it also has a little doggy bowl at the bottom. All the water fountains have the doggy bowl at the bottom as well. And then in the other picture, you can see that the yellow post, those are the columns holding the light post. So the lights will be coming and you'll see that in the June update as well. For Agua Dulce, these are the May updates. As you're seeing here, the parking lot was fully paved and striped. Again, the same water fountain was brought to the site, and the entire path, the new walking trail, was completed for a subgrade and the concrete curb that holds the asphalt walkway. June's pictures are very lovely. I'm excited to show those to you. And here for Maine, Park Administration Building, otherwise known as Park Headquarters, was awarded. Thank you, Purchasing and Legal, for that once again. We are currently coordinating with the contractor for preliminary submittals, all the behind-the-scenes items that allow them to mobilize. We have a few other updates such as meeting with the adjacent neighbors, the departments that are gonna be affected by construction. So we've had significant conversations with them and making sure that we're all planning ahead as construction is scheduled to kick off soon. In the June update, we'll have a little more defined dates for you regarding ground breakings and any other events related to this one. For the county animal shelter, this one, as you notice here, and I hope you've noticed that some of the pictures are now starting to change to actual activities on site, like the Azcarate one had the renderings that Lydia and the team were working on. This one on animal shelter, we're seeing the renderings that were Almost the finalist from the review, the survey that was put out to the public to see what kind of aspect they would love to see on the facade. So this one has the, as they called, the doghouse style with the little, the peaked roofs. And it's gonna be carried throughout. So that update will be coming soon, a little more in detail. But this, in May, we had, significant progress as design was developing. We were going through the conceptual phase. Conceptual is like a mini phase right before we go into schematic design. And May brought a lot of significant discussions that impact the design with the sheriff's office, with animal services, and everybody has been really, really helpful bringing their ideas to the table and also troubleshooting some interesting concerns that develop from these ideas. Additional items we wanted to talk about in May, we did have the CMAR review as Karen mentioned, so that one is wrapping up soon. This ties into the Office of the Medical Examiner. FOR THE OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, THIS ONE IS ON SCHEDULE. THE ARCHITECT HAS COMPLETED THE DESIGN OF THE PROJECT AND HAS PROVIDED 100% CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS. THIS WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE TEAM. THIS IS THE COUNTY TEAM AND THE CMAR AS THEY ARE REVIEWING THE FINAL SET AND IN THE PROCESS OF MODIFYING THEIR PREFINAL GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE, THE GMP PACKAGE ACCORDINGLY. WE ARE ANTICIPATING BRINGING THE GMP PACKAGE FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. And are there any further questions? Any questions on the project? Perfect, thank you, everyone. So we'll have another update. Sorry, go ahead.

I do have a question. Go ahead, Commissioner. Yeah, we've had some concerns from the community of Westway that the project over at the park has come to kind of like a standstill. Can you let us know what's going on with that? Doesn't have to be now, but.

Yes, we actually have that as part of our June update, but as a preview, we did have some significant deteriorations on some of the rock walls. I did have to get a, with purchasing, to get another purchase order to cover the expense of repairing those rock walls. Luckily, they've helped me so much last week, and we were able to close that up, so that was issued, and you should see more activity on site.

All right. Are we still on track for the July?

They've been very responsive. I believe they're still working on staying on track. Mm-hmm.

Correct. Okay, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Judd, commissioners.

So we'll have another update really soon at our June special meeting, and we look forward to providing additional information at that time.

What's that, Betsy?

We'll have another update really soon at our June special meeting here in a couple weeks, because this was our May update. So we'll have another update here in the next couple weeks.

Okay, thank you, Betsy.

Item number 9A, auditor. Pursuant to Texas local government code section 114.023, 114.024, and 114.026. Receive the attached presentation and the interim financial report for the month ended April, 2026. Welcome, Michael.

Hello. Good morning, Commissioners. Michael Almas, First Assistant County Auditor. Today's presentation is on the April 2026 Interim Financial Report, and we're a little bit delayed because of that cancellation of Monday's meeting. First off, we have the executive summary, which shows you information on revenues and expenditures for the current year. Please note that throughout the presentation, amounts have been rounded to thousands or millions whenever necessary. This is the condensed financial report for the month of April 2026, which was published in a local Sunday newspaper earlier this last month. Starting off, we have a revenue section. On this slide, you can see all the revenue collected by the county by fund type. The focus throughout the presentation will be on the general fund, which is the main operating fund of the county. And for your information, during the current month, the general fund collected approximately $16.3 million. On this slide, you can see the property tax information for the month of April, 2026. As you can see, it increased $40.4 million in aggregate, which includes debt service and general fund. Here you can see year-to-date general fund revenues compared to the same period last fiscal year. Total revenue collections have increased compared to the same period last year by about $31.2 million. Our top areas of increasing collections are property taxes, which increased $28.5 million, charges for services, which increased $6.5 million, and this is primarily due to our federal prisoner revenue, which increased $5.7 million. We also have intergovernmental, which increased $1.1 million. And this is also mainly due to OLS reimbursements. However, as I've said in previous months, the difference is expected to decrease as we received large payments last year during the latter part of the year. Our top areas of decreasing collections are the sales and use tax. And again, this is just due to an accounting change where we've moved one of the periods over to last fiscal year. However, for month to date, for April, we saw increasing collections of $1.1 million over prior year. Calendar year collections are up 9.5% from last year. However, please note that not all of the increase that we're seeing in sales tax revenue stays in general fund. Statutorily, the excess is transferred to pay off debt, and currently we have projected excess of $1.8 million. For interest, you're also seeing a decrease in $1.4 million, and this is due to decreasing rates. This next slide shows you an overview of actual revenue compared to budget. As of April, we are through 58.3% of the fiscal year, and so far, the general fund has collected 83.8% of total budgeted revenues. The largest revenue collections for budget include property taxes, which has collected 98% of its budget, sales and use tax, which has collected 46%, charges for services, which has collected 88.4%, interest, which has collected 51.4% of its budget, and intergovernmental, which has collected 76% of its budget. In this chart you can see general fund revenue by source as of April. Year to date taxes comprise 90.9% of all revenues received with 80.1% of that being property taxes. In this next slide, you can see trends in total revenues in the county's two largest revenue sources, which are property taxes and sales taxes. The bar groupings display actual versus budgeted amounts remaining to be collected for property and sales tax by year. As a percentage of budget, the current year's general fund total revenues collections has increased 11.4% compared to last year. And for prior years, for FY24, Total revenue collections have been at 83.7%. For fiscal year 25, 82.5%. And for current year, we're at 83.8%, which means we're right on track where we should be compared to prior year. On this slide, you can see total sales and tax use collections by month, as well as month-to-month percent changes. On May 10th, 2026, the County of El Paso received its fifth sales and use tax payment for fiscal year 2026 for a total of $7.6 million, an increase of $1.1 million or 16% when compared to prior year. This leaves us with a year to date increase of $4.1 million or 10.6%. That's a big increase. Yeah. And with everything else, a lot of, not a lot of it, but a portion of it could be related to inflationary pressures. This next slide, you can see sales and use tax collections for the top four industry categories contributing to the county sales and tax receipts. First off, we have retail trade, which increased 14.3%. We also have accommodation and food services, which increased 5.63%. We also have manufacturing, which increased 47.2%, and wholesale trade, which increased 7.3%. Are there any questions on the revenue portion? No? Thank you. Now let's move on to expenditures. In this slide, you can see total expenditures for the county by fund type. For the month of April, the general fund recorded total expenditures of $31.4 million and year-to-date totals of $217.9 million. In the following slides, you can see a detailed breakdown of the general fund expenditures. This chart provides an overview of the county's general fund budget, breaking expenditures down by function of government, 47.8% of the budget has been expended and of that public safety accounted for 43%, general government accounted for 28.5%, admin of justice 22.5% and all other functions make up that remaining 6%. Total general fund expenditures by function are shown on the slide. The percentage of year expired, as previously said, is 58.3%. And the percentage of budget expended is 47.8%. And for your information, last year we were at 47.4%, so we're still right on track. Giving you a further breakdown, you can see that general government 40.7% of the budget has been expended, admin of justice 50.9, public safety is at 54.9%, and all other functions are at 36.1% of budget expended. General fund expenditures as of April increased in comparison to prior year by 1.8%. Personal and operating increased, while capital outlays and transfer out decreased. For personnel, you're seeing an increase of $4.9 million, and this is primarily due to public safety, which showed an increase of $4.3 million, primarily due to salaries and overtimes at both jails. We also saw an increase in general government, primarily due to information technology salaries. And this is due to ARPA salary transfers that occurred last year. And we also saw an offset in admin of justice with a decrease in their personal expenditures of $621,000. For operating, we saw increases of $3.5 million, and this is primarily due to general government, which saw an increase of $5.9 million. And this is related to elections hardware and software expenditure increases of $2.9 million. Legal settlement increases of $1.3 million. travel account expenditure increases of $273,000 and contractual increases of $350,000. However, these were offset by public safety, which showed an operating decrease of $1.3 million. Transfers out also showed a decrease of $4.2 million and capital outlay showed a small decrease of $289,000. This next slide shows us general fund changes by government function in comparison with the same period previous year. Our top areas of change are general government, which show an increase of 4%, admin of justice, which show a decrease of 3%, public safety, which shows an increase of 3%, and public works, which increased by 46.2%. Do you have any questions on expenditures? No, if not, I'll move over to fund balance or last section. As I stated in previous presentations, FY25 has been closed with general fund revenues of $403 million and expenditures of $393 million for a projected general fund balance of approximately $105.8 million. This leaves you with an uncommitted fund balance as a percentage of general fund budget of 12.39%. For FY26, you can see a projected fund balance of projected revenues of $437.7 million and projected expenditures of $428.8 million. Combined with that updated FY25 fund balance, this results in a projected FY26 fund balance of $114.7 million. For federal prisoner revenue projections, we are currently seeing a 15.6 million percent collection rate based on actuals and with an average of 300 prisoners per day based on remaining months. And this is still what we're seeing in the prior month. Revenue changes from last month included an additional 3.6 million in sales tax based on recent collection trends. almost a million dollars related to state relief for disabled veteran exceptions, and $273,500 for reimbursable salaries. Expenditures are projected at $428.8 million based on trends and based on adjustments recommended by the budget and finance department.

Just on that on that chart, I think. You know, it's a good thing to see those top three lines converging, right? Like what we want to see at the end of the fiscal year is that they're all aligned because that means we budgeted properly and we're within our our expenditures and revenues, correct?

Correct, and I'm I'm sure the budget Department would agree with you, Commissioner Butler. For your information, years after FY26 are based on a 2% increase in property values and expenses increases of 5%. This is just our table of contents for the full report, which is available online. And at this point, do you have any questions on the fund balance or any of the other parts of the report? If not, thank you.

Appreciate you, Michael.

Oh, I do have a question. I'm so sorry. But I think it's for Betsy. OK. On the revenues from the federal inmates, have we had more discussions about where that money is going?

It's paying for the cost. It's not even paying for the cost, but it covers a portion of the cost of housing those inmates. So we have always relied on that. But the court started having a conversation about that. recently during strategic planning, and we can definitely continue that conversation further.

Well, because it was unbudgeted, I thought we had a conversation about where that money sits as it comes in. It goes to fund balance. It goes to the fund balance currently.

Right now, it will go to the general fund revenue, and it will close out to fund balance at the end of the year.

Wait, so it goes to the general fund? Right, it's general fund revenue, and that's where we pay the expenses from. But the, so another thing, too, just for, if we did not plan to have those detainees, so our revenue is down, however, our expenses were expected to stay the same, but whether or not those were going to be state inmate expenses or federal inmate expenses, they ended up being federal inmate expenses, so we're using Because the expenses are not state detainee expenses, we're using local taxes to cover the cost of the federal detainees. It will close out to fund balance, general fund fund balance, at the end of the year, the additional revenue. And, of course, if there's any areas where we came in under what we projected for revenue, it'll be a net of what those differences are.

Correct, so it's not, it's not budgeted revenue, but it's still in excess of the budget, and that will eventually, like Betsy said, close out to fund balance. However, we still have to stay within the budgeted expenditures that we have for, not only for that department, for, for the rest of the county.

But we're not, well, we're, we're, we think we'll stay with the recent reductions the sheriff's made. We think we'll stay within budget if those continue. or will be very close on budget for the sheriff's office. Okay, thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Betsy, what do you want to cover before the lunch?

If we could do just item 10A, then I think we could break for lunch.

Item number 10A, Judiciary and Corrections, postponed for May 21st, 2026 and June 1st, 2026. Receive a report on items addressed by the Justice Leadership Coordinating Council provided by the council's facilitators, Joel Bishop and Michael Kukaro.

Welcome, Michael. Joel, thank you.

Good morning, commissioners, county judge, Betsy. I think you're probably tired of seeing me, but I came back one last time. So we're pleased, Joel and I are pleased today to give the commissioners a presentation on the Justice Leadership Coordinating Council. The Justice Leadership Coordinating Council, or what we call the JLCC, was formed during 2019 with bylaws that were adopted at the council's first meeting in January 2020. It was patterned off of a national model for criminal justice coordinating councils and these are interagency planning bodies which meet to discuss evaluate and improve the local justice system they're supposed to be organic local there's some best practices many of which we incorporated and but there's a particular local flavor to this to the justice leadership coordinating council our purpose again was to use data and collaboration to support reforms among the key justice stakeholders and while there are recommended practices for forming coordinated council we spent nearly a year i think speaking with different county officials about what they'd like to see about the scope of its work and how we could turn this into a forum for active discussion The council itself relies on the existing authority of its members to make justice improvements. So that's a key point to understand. It doesn't have any authority of its own to go out and take action. Again, it relies on the membership to get that done in a collaborative fashion. Once the discussions were complete, the Council of Judges and Commissioner's Court each passed resolutions supporting the formation of the Justice Leadership Coordinating Council. The proposed members met and brought the JLCC into existence with the passage of its bylaws. focus for the el paso county justice leadership coordinating council is on these slides its main purpose is to support these purposes county and court staff meet regularly to discuss metrics and research to bring to the attention of the members of the jlcc just to review the purposes that are on the slide i want to point out that it's It's to produce collaborative and unbiased justice policy guidance and practice that are research-based. It's to have a collaborative framework for the members to work through. And then it's also to have the stakeholders review research and programmatic recommendations that are made by staff. So it's a way to bring up improvement ideas or concerns, not just from the members, but that are created through the development of data. The current membership of the council are two judges, two members of commissioner's court, the public defender, the district attorney, the county attorney, the sheriff, and in 2025, the El Paso chief of police was added. Joel and I serve as facilitators. We review data, research and questions in order to prepare an agenda for the JLCC meetings and to direct research to answer questions that the members may have. And with that, I'd like to turn it over to Joel.

Thank you, Mike. I appreciate that. And Judge Commissioner's Joel Bishop, County Administration. It's been great to have a partner like Mike Cuccaro with the Council of Judges and the relationship that we've had with the judges over the years and working through this has been Many other jurisdictions wish they had that sort of relationship. A lot of times there's a lot of tension and working against each other and we have been able to come together and work together very well on many, many projects, including this one. So just to add to what Mike said, this is a practice most jurisdictions don't really have an active coordinating council and so it's good that we have one. It is a best practice. You do see them in some other communities. Galveston, for example, hired Dr. Tony Fabello to be their administrator of their council and other communities, many other communities actually have full-time staff that work on this because they see the value in it. One of our accomplishments that has been immensely useful to the justice system, and I go to this almost every day, is this dashboard that the Coordinating Council developed. It's kind of like that place where all the justice data goes, at least the stuff that has been prioritized, data that has been prioritized about the jail, mental health, pre-trial and other diversion options, recidivism, and other important court metrics in our research studies, all in kind of one area that our stakeholders can access. So this is a very useful tool that was developed through this project. This is an example of one of these. You click into that OLS charge of how we used the data that was commissioned through the JLCC throughout OLS, the OLS Loan Star implications that that had on our jail population. You can see here very precisely on this dashboard. how many arrests have been made, what it's costing us in federal revenue and we're able to use that to apply for grants and other things and keep our pulse on it. I think one of the things that has been a vision and really appreciate Mike's forward thinking on that was being more to try to predict what's coming and bring that to the JLCC. A couple years ago we did see a rise in the state population. Maybe three years ago we saw it happening And we were able to bring that early to the JLCC, although we didn't know exactly what was causing it. One of the primary causes turned out to be the Lone Star operation. And so we created a data reporting mechanism on it that can allow forecasting. And that's really where we want to go, is be able to catch things early, forecast, and maybe kind of avoid some of the storms that have come our way. So that's what we're trying to do here, and this was one example of that. One of the things from our meeting a few weeks ago, Jacob Miles presented this, where we can see inmate booking trends and how that was impacted by the pandemic. We've seen much less bookings over the years since the pandemic. And so you can see here that has a major impact on our on our jail population. And so this is on felonies. You saw it decrease. Now we're back to about pre-pandemic levels. Average length of stay is what is driving the increase in the state jail population right now. So we can see for that same felony group, you can see this rise from 49 days on average length of stay before the pandemic, now for felonies, it's 69 days. So if we could drop that back down to pre-pandemic levels, that would equal millions of dollars in federal revenue or many hundreds of open beds. So those are the sort of things we're trying to look at very carefully. Say we're working with the judges, and by the way, I did really want to compliment the judges. I mentioned this last week at the Judge Perez's meeting, they did a really good job reducing that longer term jail population. We brought that forward with some data and they worked together to reduce that. And now we have brought this to their attention on the felony charges. We've talked with the district attorney too. If we can resolve those cases quicker, even just going back to where we were before, that will open up hundreds of beds in the jail that could be used for federal beds or we would have that many less state beds anyway. So you can see that this sort of data being very valuable to our justice planning.

Joel, I'm sorry, before you move on from that slide, do we think any, the increase in days, do we think any of that has to do with SB9? I know we were concerned that SB9 would have an effect, but have we actually seen that?

Yeah, really good question. We have not seen a major impact from SB9, I don't think. I don't think we can, I think this is mostly just slowed down case processing. There are some more, we will say there are some more serious cases that have come into the jail, more complex cases. Some of like the body cam, now that body cam is used in all cases, that takes a lot more time to get through. So there's things like that, there's dynamics that are important to look at. SB9 hasn't had that big of an impact, but that's a really good question, at least as far as we know. Mike, did you have any thoughts on that?

Sure. I just want to say, even though we're looking at charges and things like that, the important thing is that while the courts may be the hub, they're not the only actor in this. When you're looking at these numbers, they're really a representation of how the system is functioning as a whole. Whether it be pretrial elements or procedures even arrest and booking has an influence on it so this is where for us it's almost a jumping off point and the thing is what's fun about it or what's meaningful i think to the county and is almost unique among the counties i see is that the courts and the county county administration through joel and the data people for the counties we have a discussion about what What is the story? What's the narrative coming out of this information? And oftentimes, it takes a group to actually pull back what the data says and see what the real story is. Like, you know, jailbed days, you could say, oh, the judges are just sentencing longer. Well, no, that's not it. It's actually DPS and some of their practices are what were driving much of the increase in jailbed stays. And actually this, we chose this as an example because this is an example of where we were following one narrative and found out that it actually talked about another. That's right. Do you want to touch on that?

Yeah. There are, again, we went through three different district attorneys during this time and that has a major impact as well on how fast cases get processed. Very good collaboration. The last meeting that we had was a great example of productive conversation between the DA, public defender and the group on how we can make improvements in this area. I know we're very confident everybody's working hard at this. Total days consumed by release for all felony charges. You can see, this is another way to look at it, is that you can see the consumption of jail beds going up in 23, 24, and 25 for felony charges. So that's something else we can look at on the Judicial Metrics Dashboard. We also have, that's public facing. You can go in and look at this data from there as well on the county's website. One of the major impacts, Judge Samaniego does a great job articulating one of the goals of the system is making sure we have the right people in the jail, not the wrong people, making sure that it's those who are concerned about public safety, that we're using those beds wisely. And you can see over time in the last decade, The difference in the jail population here is very significant, much less nonviolent misdemeanors in taking up our jail beds and there's more of those more serious felony charges, about 10% less state jail felonies in the jail as well. Most of the population is that higher risk group of felons, but that also shifts the sort of people that the jail is managing, makes it more complicated for them to manage as well. So it has other implications, but you can see that the system moving in that direction. This is one of many slides we have that kind of show the change over time when we've shifted that focus.

When we started looking at this, it was how are we utilizing jailbed days, and it was in response to questions about the jail population and certainly coming from that, the either revenue or cost of jail operations. In looking at this, Joel and I, we said, wait a second, let's go back to what we're really trying to do, which is trying to improve public safety. And we think that these numbers where we're seeing higher felony jailbed days, is a result of the fact that we are actually, in El Paso, keeping the worst offenders off the street, which then the corollary is that we are actually doing a better job on public safety. I won't be here for it, but somebody ought to marry that to the crime statistics, and I think that they would correlate. So, anyways.

Can I be closer to the microphone, Michael, please?

Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want me to go back and repeat that?

Okay. Yeah, just to some of the tasks and accomplishments of the JLCC real quickly, just as we mentioned, enhanced collaboration, the justice outcomes and metrics are very important. We had a consortium that focused on the JLCC and some of those topics back in 2023, which was well attended. I think over 100 people attended that and that went well and it kind of brought the community together there. of justice stakeholders. You know, I mentioned forecasting important justice trends and bringing it to this group of high level justice stakeholders and making sure that all of our fingers are on the pulse of the justice system together and what we can do to work together to correct that. Focus on the jail population is a big one. Most communities have that. We're watching that very carefully, keeping engaged in the main topics. And as this week, we'll be reviewing the CEPP report, the Center for Effective Public Policy as they've done analysis. That'll be the focus of the meeting that it will be held this Wednesday. With that, I think that's it, unless the court has other questions.

Well, thank you both. I mean, it's just been. Every time we're at our meetings, I feel like you know so so many things are that we're addressing, but I think last meeting Betsy and I talked about the fact that that there's so many things that we need to change and maybe the dynamics of this Council would be a little bit different where we would actually address, you know, come up with some action items at every meeting and then address. those action items. And so I look forward to that because we've got so many things that we have to look at and anticipate some of the things coming at us. And Michael, always a pleasure to have you. Thank you. Thank you for everything that you've done. Thank you.

happy to come before you one last time i want to thank you our commissioners county judge the last eight years i i can honestly tell you i've never worked with a funding authority and policy makers who are as engaged and willing to do what's needed to do to help the system move forward it's been an honor to work for the county it's been an honor to work with joel some of the brightest points of my career have been in collaboration with him. So I just want to thank you. I want to thank Commissioner Coronado, County Judge Samaniego for your participation in the JLCC. I think it's a Great place where good work gets started. It's also a good place to check that we're doing the right things. So just thank you so much for your support of the courts over the years. Thank you for your commitment to criminal justice reform and public safety and you'll be i'll be living in the community that you serve so uh we'll be looking forward to uh much more good work thank you we're glad for that and and thank you we appreciate everything you've done thank you thank you thank you um i just had one question and comment um thank you very much michael thank you for everything you've done

for the county and the Council of Judges over your eight years here. I you know, I I think that this data is is so valuable to us. And I wish that the media was in the room to hear some of this because when we see a headline about jail population and rising costs of managing the jail, I think that we know that there are so many factors that play into that metric, that one metric. Some within our control, many outside of our control. And we have the data to show what that looks like and what the different factors are that are impacting our jail population and in turn driving costs of the jail and of our sheriff's office and of the county. and our whole justice system, right? It's all connected and there are so many points of connection and the work that you're doing helps to bring transparency to that and I think that the next step to transparency is now like sharing that information and then accountability, right? I think that people would be surprised to see the infrastructure that's in place to tackle some of these challenges with the people that are sitting around the room on a regular basis. But what comes out of that is what really is of interest to me personally. How do we target policies that need to be amended or changed or created in order to create a positive impact on the whole system which i know that that this was the infrastructure that was created to do um but but like the judge said i think moving forward i personally would love to see like are there a list of reports that can be published out of this um out of out of this group um on an annual basis Are there target issues that can be identified that then are actionable that we can say this is what the council's gonna work on in the next fiscal year and then report out on a regular basis so that the community at large can see how everything's interconnected. So I think it's really, really complex and it's hard to understand.

I agree. I might mention too, 40, I think over 40%, at least one report I saw of Texas jails are having to outsource beds out of state. And we've been wisely managing the beds, especially over the last decade, to avoid that scenario. We hope to keep avoiding that. We do see, though, if that state population continues to rise as it has been, depending on various reasons, we may run out of bed space in the 2030s, and that would be a pretty significant issue. So there's so much, as you mentioned, Commissioner, that we need to work on and keep forecasting and make sure we have productive action plans.

Right, and that, I mean, that information alone, understanding when you know, we may run out of bed spaces is critical, right? Because, I mean, the alternative is early release, I mean, things that really do impact public safety. So, yeah, thank you for your interest, as always. Thank you. Judge? Judge?

Yes, sir.

Commissioner Coronado?

Thank you, Judge and Commissioners. And thank you, Michael and Joe, for the work that you've been doing. You know, there are some items that I'm going to call it actionable, but recommendations that we can to some of those departments that have the control to do these things. We discussed those at the last Justice Leadership Council. I think the next step, and we're having a meeting tomorrow afternoon on the Justice Leadership Council that I think maybe we need to decide that we can designate people to start going to talking to some of these departments that have control over some of these issues that we can actually work on to even reduce the length of stay in our jails. And I've made some of those recommendations at the last Justice Leadership Council. There are many others that we can look at. Additionally, I think we probably need to take a trip to one of these other counties that are similar to us that are also probably implementing other things. I've spoken to DA Montoya. I think Pard also included, and he's very receptive, all these diversion programs that we have really help with respect to having people go back into our jails. But there's many others, even prior to them, right after getting out of jail, in terms of the bond issues and And we've discussed that at the last meeting. We will certainly take a look at this tomorrow afternoon, but I want to thank Michael for all the work you've done. And Joe, thank you for the continuing work, great work you're doing. And also want to thank Jacob for a lot of the statistics that he's brought forward and put them in graphs so that we're able to take a look at that and see how things are doing. It's one thing, like Commissioner Butler said, it's one thing to talk about things until you see the statistics and see where we're really at.

Thank you. And people are blown away when I tell them that's a free Power BI platform that we put all that on, Jose de Bora and Jacob Miles. Jacob's using a free version of Tableau, so counties can do it without spending a bunch of money on it. And so we're very, thank you for that shout out to them, Commissioner. Our data guys have done a great job.

Yeah.

And one other thing, we really need to work on that issue with our legislative delegation to make sure that the requests we've asked from the state regarding recidivism, that we've requested it and they're supposed to provide it to us, but there's no timeframe for them to do it and they haven't done it. So I'm hoping also we can put that on our legislative agenda for our delegation to take a look at. Absolutely.

Thank you, Commissioner.

Thank you.

Thank you again. Thank you, gentlemen.

Judge, would you like to go ahead and break for the afternoon? Yes. Okay. At this time, Commissioner's Court will recess for one hour. It is 1217 p.m.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Bye.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family's situation is different, That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Blvd, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our Child Support Enforcement Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different, That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

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Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space-themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out-of-this-world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the county's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Hey Hey

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers or guardian adult items are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family's situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, Impact of Divorce and Separation on Child Development, Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Anger Management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Thank you.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Hey. Hey.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our Child Support Enforcement Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their wellbeing. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family's situation is different, That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often- Go ahead. Commissioner's Court has reconvened into regular open session. It is 1.28 PM. We are on item number 11A from economic development. receive a presentation from the El Paso Community Foundation regarding the Plaza Classic Film Festival. Further, authorize the county judge to sign the Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Grant Program Award Agreement with the El Paso Community Foundation for this year's festival taking place July 16th through the 26th, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Funds are available in special revenue, tourist promotion, art 15 advertising. Contract number 2026-0406.

Good afternoon, Judge and Commissioners, Dr. Cynthia Renteria with Economic Development. Today we're presenting a Hot Funds request from the El Paso Community Foundation. I'm joined by Ms. Lisa Elliott, who will present to you shortly. The request is above $5,000, which is the amount we can typically request be approved by county administration. Due to the timing of the application, I prepared the grant agreement in case the court would like to move forward today with the award as requested. However, as I explained to the applicant, the court may want to consider a different amount, in which case staff will bring a revised application for the court's consideration. The court may also wish not to move forward with the grant award. So I'm gonna talk to you a little bit about film festivals and then I'm gonna turn it over to Lisa. So film festivals can do and do drive tourism that attract tourists, including filmmakers, media professionals, celebrities, and movie enthusiasts. In addition, of course, we know increasing our tourist numbers have direct impact on the local economy. By showcasing iconic places such as the Plaza Theater and diverse perspectives, festivals help establish a destination as an appealing backdrop further spurring long-term travel. And so with that, I'm going to turn it over to Lisa and she's going to outline her request as she presented it in her application.

Thank you. Welcome.

Thank you, thank you county judge and commissioners for having me. I really appreciate this opportunity to talk with all of you about this application, this proposal for hotel occupancy tax. And just as Dr. Andrea said, my name is Lisa Elliott and I'm a program officer with the El Paso Community Foundation and I'm gonna jump right in. Okay, sorry about that. So before I jump into talking about the marketing campaign and the proposal that I have for you today, I just want to go over a little bit. I know you're already familiar with the Plaza Theater, but I want to go over just a little bit that it first opened in 1930, and it's one of the few remaining atmospheric theaters still in use across the United States, and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places with National Significance. The theater is a $24.2 million gift to the people of El Paso from the El Paso Community Foundation. And that community foundation was instrumental in saving this theater and restoring it to its former glory. 2026 is the 20th anniversary of the restoration of the Plaza Theater, and its reopening was the spark for a lot of ongoing revitalization of our downtown. The Plaza Classic Film Festival connects the Plaza Theater to its roots of being a movie palace, and it most importantly helps keep the theater accessible to the people of downtown, not downtown El Paso, of El Paso County, excuse me. So, like we were talking about, the Plaza Classic Film Festival is going to be happening this year for July 16th to the 26th. It's an 11-day festival. We show almost 100 films, and we have special guests who come out of town. Some of our Some of those guests have included Helen Hunt, Rita Moreno, and Al Pacino. There are too many guests to put on this slide, but they also include Edward James Olmos from Stand and Deliver and Richard Dreyfus from Jaws. One of this year's guests that we haven't announced, this is our first announcement of it publicly, is that Gregory Nava, the director for Selena, is coming and we're showing Selena this year with him appearing with the film.

Excellent.

Because it's a multi-day event, it does draw out-of-town guests who stay in the hotels because there's multiple days and multiple things for them to see. And when the festival was first beginning, $40,000 in hotel occupancy tax funds were used to help support the festival for marketing out of town. Our budget doesn't include marketing for out of town attendance because the focus has been connecting the people of El Paso to this experience with the Plaza Theater. We see that people find this festival though and come from out of town already and we want to encourage that because we know our festival is a world class event and a great opportunity to introduce out of towners to El Paso County. So this is our campaign summary of what we're proposing. We're proposing to do a regional digital billboard and radio campaign in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Tucson. Part of the reason is the timing of it. With the timing being so close to the festival, we wanted to focus on out of town markets that are similar to El Paso in terms of being destinations in the southwest that would be wanting to come here. We're the world's largest classic film festival, and we attract already 30,000 visitors annually to downtown El Paso, which generates significant impact through host health stays, restaurant activity, retail spending, and cultural tourism. And as we look to these affinity markets, the cities with strong arts, culture, film, and festival-going audiences that are within driving distance, we think that we'll be able to draw them into El Paso as well. So the goals of this campaign are to increase regional tourism to El Paso and to support the local economy, local hotel occupancy and economy, economic activity, to strengthen El Paso's regional tourism identity and to increase awareness of county supported cultural initiatives. We also want to position El Paso as a leader in arts and destination marketing and programming. Some of the ways we're already supporting these goals is through our relationship with downtown hotels, where we book festival crews and guests for up to 20 nights. We also promote hotels and overnight stays with an accommodations page that's on our website and lists the hotels in the area for people to stay as they make their plans for coming to the festival. And one of the things we can do that we already are doing is tracking to see if we're achieving these goals by as we monitor out of town attendance at the festival by tracking credit card zip codes and using that information when people purchase passes and tickets to the various film screenings. So we're trying to reach people while they're in their cars and grab their attention as they're traveling, both visually with billboards and then reinforcing that with radio ads, layering that marketing so that we can approach them two different ways, right? And to reinforce that message. Our message really is focusing on the destination and the invitation to attend the festival. So we want the people, when they see our advertising, to make sure they understand it's in El Paso and that we invite them to come, right? It's going to be a multi-week campaign leading up into the festival. And as Dr. Renteria mentioned, we are coming close to the start of the festival. So that is the sooner we can get the word out, the better. And we're putting it in high visibility commuter and entertainment corridors. And then that messaging will focus on the festival dates and programming, travel focused destination, and then that it's a county supported initiative, making sure that we include the county seal on it and that they know it's a county supported idea. This is our proposed budget for the event. We're going to be spending, we hope to spend, around $35,000 on billboards in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Tucson. The estimated impressions for those billboards is 8,400,677 people. And as you know, the impressions are the number of times the billboard will be seen. It's not a unique number. It could be the same person on their commute. But that's actually a good thing because it reinforces the brand and gives them multiple opportunities to get the information. And then with the radio spend, it would be about $15,000. And the reach for that would be 237,500 people. And for that, that reaches individual people. So individual people will be reinforced with that many people. And that's not just... Oops, excuse me. It's not just random people, but it's people who are targeted for it that are the right demographic, or not the right demographic, but the target demographic for people that attend our festival. So it's exciting to think about the number of people that we could reach through this campaign. So here are some sample billboards, emphasis on sample, because we don't have them finalized because we haven't gotten approval. And for example, we would, anyway. the county seal would have to be a high resolution county seal, right? Not just one I pulled off the internet. But you can see that the emphasis is on some of the iconic films that we're showing at this year's festival, making sure that the people, the Ataton audiences know that it's 100 films and that it's 11 days and pushing them to the website where the hotel accommodations are and connecting them with iconic moments from those films that they could reconnect with at the festival. So this is one example and then this is the other one. And again, that information about Gregory Nava is not on there because he's not a household name. But once they get to our website, they'll learn about that opportunity to, I know I surprised you with that, sorry. That the way like Helen Hunt would be a household name, right? so that when they get to our website, they're going to find out about those opportunities for special guests and for opportunities that they could learn about when they come to the festival. So in conclusion, we respectfully request the hotel occupancy tax funding support in the amount of $50,000 so that we can execute this regional tourism and destination marketing initiative so that we can hopefully bring people from out of town We know the Plaza Classic Film Festival is a great opportunity to introduce people that haven't been to El Paso to the beautiful community that we have here and the world-class events that we host. So we hope that you'll support this proposal. And if you have any questions, let me know.

Questions? Thank you, Lisa.

Judge and commissioners, any questions for staff? And at this point, we await your direction in how you would like to proceed. If you'd like to proceed with the applicant's request, which they made via their application and outlined today, a lesser amount, or would choose not to proceed.

I think this is what hot tax is for. So I think we should move forward with approving the request.

I really appreciate that the request is going towards marketing outside of the region.

Yeah, really appreciate the detailed explanation of what the money is going to be spent on and the impact that it's going to have. So, yeah. I'll make the motion to approve.

Judge, I'm all for this. This is an excellent opportunity, obviously, to highlight our downtown area. And not just that, you know, we have a, thanks to the community foundation, we have a new attraction there. They might well be able to join that with that, you know, to our children's museum, La Nube. So I think that'd be a great opportunity to tandem that venue for them.

We have a motion to approve from Commissioner Stout and a second from Judge Samaniego. The voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries.

Thank you, Judge and Commissioners.

Thank you. Good luck. Thank you. Item number 11B, postponed May 21st, 2026. Approve and adopt revisions to the El Paso County Economic Workforce and Heritage Tourism Development Policy, opinion number 8661 and opinion number 10150. There is a request to delete this item. We'll take up the conversation in the next item. One second. We have a motion to delete from Commissioner Stout, a second from Commissioner Butler. Voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries. Item number 11C, receive a presentation and approve and adopt the El Paso County Economic Workforce and Heritage Tourism Development Policy. opinion number 8661 and opinion number 10150. Further, rescind the approval and use of the following, El Paso County economic development policies and guidelines, chapter 381 incentives policy, economic impact fund policy, hotel occupancy tax fund policy, mission trail guidelines, infill development guidelines, healthy food financing initiative guidelines, and tax abatement guidelines and criteria.

Judge Commissioners, good afternoon. If I may, thank you, sir. If I may, I would like to take a moment of this presentation to sincerely thank everyone who has helped shape this policy. This policy was not built overnight. It was not built by one person either. There have been many contributors, team members who spent countless hours reviewing policies across Texas at the national level to understand what works and what could be tailored to fit El Paso County's unique needs. At SCORE, the strong policy comes from listening, but also requires solid technical analysis, and just as importantly, it requires understanding the realities of our local business community and designing tools that represent those needs. Your feedback has been an instrumental part of that process, and we truly appreciate the direction this court has provided along the way. I also want to specifically thank the economic development team for their dedication throughout this process and the legal team assigned to the department for the significant time they invested in reviewing the policy concepts, identifying risks, and helping strengthen this framework throughout multiple rounds of revisions. This policy that we're about to present is stronger. because of that collaborative effort and we are very grateful for the support from the different groups, including the court. The objective of today's presentation is to share with Commissioner's Court the revisions made to the incentive policy framework to better align with the three core pillars that serve the foundation of this department, historic preservation, binational affairs and economic development. The updates reflected in this slide focus on six key areas. First, the revisions made during the last review do not expand the county's incentive policy with new concepts that carry financial impact. Instead, this updated version reflects previous revisions requested by the court to better classify, clarify, and strengthen the existing policy framework. We have strengthened performance-based standards, ensuring that every incentive awarded is tied to a measurable outcome, whether it's job creation, capital investment, or community impact. Fourth, we have reinforced compliance and clawback provisions, ensuring that if commitments are not met, the county has the tools to protect public resources. Fifth, we improved statutory alignment and audit defensibility, incorporating clear reference to state law and ensuring that every provision can withstand scrutiny. And finally, we expanded the target industry framework, including agriculture, to reflect evolving market realities and opportunities across the county. To provide Commissioner's Court with an executive summary of the revisions included in this update, you'll see several operational enhancements designed to bring greater structure, accountability, and clarity to the process, many of which are informed by lessons learned from previous projects and past precedent. First, we introduce the minimum appraised value contestation rule. This ensures that if a project is actively contesting its value below the agreed threshold, it will not receive incentives for that year. This protects the integrity of the tax base and aligns incentives with actual value creation. We expanded the clarified investment zones, particularly in East Montana, allowing us to proactively direct growth into areas where infrastructure and opportunity aligned. Third, we strengthened large business provisions that embedded statutory tax code references, ensuring legal clarity and consistency in how we negotiate and execute agreements. Fourth, we formalize language that encourages local workforce participation by leveraging partnerships with Workforce Solutions Borderplex to help prioritize hiring from within our community and keep economic benefits local. At the same time, we open other workforce partnerships or alternative approaches that might better fit the needs of future projects. Having heard the court's desire to ensure local business have a clear pathway to grow with our community, I'd like to turn it over to Ms. Zonia Sigala, who would walk you through the structure that creates opportunity for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses through investment, job creation, and workforce development. Thank you, Zonia.

Good afternoon, Judge and Commissioners. Zonia Sigala, Senior Analyst for Economic Development. This section introduces our vision for a modernized economic development chapter 381 incentive program that supports businesses at different stages of growth. Our focus is to create a tiered structure that supports micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, ensuring that local entrepreneurs and expanding businesses have access to tools that support investment, job creation, and workforce development. These incentives are designed to help businesses grow while ensuring responsible use of county resources in alignment with our economic development goals. To better tailor our incentives, we've organized businesses into three categories based on employment size and annual revenue. This slide shows the updated business support framework and key changes agreed upon during the last Commissioner's Court presentation. As a result of your guidance, we have shifted our approach to ensure that more grant funding is directed toward micro and small businesses while also strengthening requirements around business readiness and long-term sustainability. Specifically, the court agreed to increase grant availability to microbusinesses from $3,000 up to $10,000, aligning them more closely with the needs at early stage and underserved businesses. This is a significant enhancement that allows us to make a deeper impact where it is most needed. In addition, the court emphasizes the importance of pairing financial assistance with capacity building. As part of this update, businesses receiving grant support will be required to complete financial literacy trainings and business preparation classes delivered through our trusted local community partners. This ensures that recipients are not only supported financially, but also equipped with the knowledge and tools to sustain and grow their operations. Now I will briefly outline each business category under the updated framework. for micro businesses. These are businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees and annual revenues between $50,000 to $250,000. They are eligible for grant rebates ranging from 75% to 90%. Grants are now up to $10,000. and a skills development training grant of $400 per employee. Again, this category reflects the court's priority to expand access to capital for our smaller businesses while ensuring participation in training programs. Next, for small businesses, this include businesses with 10 to 20 full-time employees, an annual revenue ranging between $250,000 and $2 million, and at least two years of operation. They are eligible for a tax rebate of 75% to 90%, grants up to $7,000, and a skills development training grant of $400 per employee. While grant levels remain steadily, these businesses will also benefit from the strength in training and preparedness requirements. For medium businesses and corporations, these are larger entities with 500, to 999 full-time employees and annual revenues between $2 million and $50 million. They are eligible for a tax rebate of 75 to 90%. However, in alignment with the court's direction, Grant funding will no longer be available for this category. Instead, grants will be prioritized exclusively for micro and small businesses to better support those with the greatest need and highest barriers to access capital. In summary, the updated program reflects three key priorities established by the Commissioner's Court. First, increasing grant access for small businesses. Second, maintaining support for small and medium businesses. And third, ensuring all participating businesses complete financial literacy and business preparation training through local partners. These updates position the program to deliver stronger outcomes by combining financial support and education with education and long-term business readiness. The next section highlights the county's investment zones, design geographic areas where targeted incentives are provided to stimulate economic development, support redevelopment, and promote increased business activity and tax growth. Based on prior direction from the court, several zone boundaries have been revised, expanded, or consolidated to better reflect current development patterns and community needs. The goal of these zones is to direct incentives toward strategic areas of the county where investment can be the greatest impact on revitalization, job creation, and long-term economic growth. These zones are intended to facilitate economic growth by leveraging tax incentives to attract investment, strategically support new development and redevelopment opportunities. Here you will see the finalized list of the zones we are naming investment zones, which are Greater Downtown Area of El Paso, South Central El Paso, Segundo Barrio Historic District, Mission Trail, Alameda Corridor, Fabens and Tornillo Port to Port, Northwest, which is Vinton and Anthony, and East Montana with the adoption of eight investment zone gaps. From our previous presentation to the court, there was only one additional newly proposed investment zone in the East Montana investment zone. This zone includes eight investment zone gaps, previously described as donut holes, which are areas located within the city of El Paso and El Paso County's jurisdictions. These areas represent pockets of county land surrounded by city boundaries, and they are They are present opportunities for targeted economic development and strategic investment that can benefit the surrounding communities. Lastly, pertaining to investment zones listed here, you will see the general incentives that can qualify under investment zones, which are startup businesses, blighted property rehabilitation, chain link fence removal only along main roadway corridors, innovation and technology, customized training, small business relocation, and historic façade. Additionally, we have three zone-specific incentives, which are in-field development, which will be limited to downtown El Paso, south central El Paso, Segundo Barrio, and the Alameda Corridor. Second, lodging improvements, which is limited to the Mission Trail, East Montana, and Fabens-Tornillo port-to-port. And last, the corporation relocation, which is limited to Fabens and Tornillo port-to-port. I will now hand it to my colleague, Dr. Cynthia Renteria, to provide the historic preservation section. Thank you, Judge and Commissioners.

Good afternoon, Judge and Commissioners. Cynthia Renteria with the Heritage Tourism Division of Economic Development. So, previously we discussed the restructuring of the investment amounts. We previously shared the new structure with the court during our workshops last year. The structure remains the same as we presented, but we reformatted the table for clarity, and that is what you see on the slide before you. The historic preservation incentive is available countywide for eligible properties with the minimum investments shown, except for the $25,000 investment minimum, which only applies to the Mission Trail, Alameda Corridor, and Segundo Barrio National Historic District. We also introduced the historic preservation grant. This is a new policy recommendation which we introduced last year as well. Most historic preservation projects are capital intensive and will benefit from upfront support to initiate the projects. Previously, there was not a clear way to stack incentives for historic preservation. The grant offers additional support on the front end. Constituents can apply for both the grant and tax rebate if they meet the requirements. The amount that we are offering is proportional, small or large, depending on the scale of the project. However, upfront grant money that does not have to be paid back will help any project move forward. We'll now move to the revolving loan. This is an additional incentive we hope to provide specifically for historic preservation. We will come back to the court for feedback once we have advanced our efforts on the procurement process for this section of the policy. By then, we will also have more information about lending institutions. We will now transition to the hotel occupancy tax section of the policy. The policy is connected to eligibility as outlined in the tax code. Staff will continue to provide an initial review and request a legal review to ensure eligibility. We are streamlining the application process, moving from a rolling deadline to a biannual deadline of spring and fall. In the spring, it'll be April 1st to May 31st. In the fall, November 1st to December 31st. This ensures timely review and funding for events. As mentioned during our workshop last year, the policy does include a method for Commissioner's Court and the public to submit late applications or applications between the biennial deadlines for consideration after all timely submitted applications are awarded and pending available funding. This is to ensure equitable and fairness as applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure best practices and good constituent services, we want to avoid late applications jumping in front of applicants that met the deadline, resulting in a delay for those that followed the process. So I will now turn it back over to Roberto.

Next slide, please. Thank you. Judge, commissioners, to conclude, policy is not static. It is designed to evolve with the needs of the county. We already identified the next phase of enhancements, including expanding historic preservation tools, exploring tax exemption structures, advancing the revolving loan program, establishing a framework for high energy and resource intensive projects for which we're working in collaboration with leadership. What this demonstrate is that today's action is not the end of the process, it is the foundation. This policy and this foundation gives us the structure to compete for projects and deliver measurable economic impact across all precincts through the adoption of target policies designated to support micro and small businesses, streamline HUD funds processes, and create more efficient reinvestment tools that direct investment towards strategic areas of the county, particularly communities with lower occupancy rates and greater economic development needs. Most importantly, It reflects the direction that this court has consistently provided, a policy that is performance-based, accountable, and aligned with long-term growth. At this point, Commissioners, Judge, Commissioners, if you have any comments, questions.

I did have one question on...

business the small business no yeah macro small and I think medium so there's a pretty big gap um let me see and I'm just wondering how okay right here so micro is less than 10 small is 10 to 20 and then medium is 500 to 999 so I mean is there flexibility for a small business that maybe has a hundred Because that doesn't seem to fit within any of the categories.

Small businesses?

No, 100, somebody with 100 employees.

Yeah, because there's a big gap between the small and the medium. Is there flexibility for that?

We could add, Commissioner. Right now, the wording, it's framed this way. But we could allow some flexibility to include from 20 to 100. and incorporate that as part of the small business bracket?

If that is... Yeah, I mean, we just don't want any small businesses to be left out, right? Yes.

So I think, Roberto, what the court, what I'm hearing from Commissioner O'Gean is we would make medium for... Businesses with 21 to 1,000 employees.

I don't know what that number is, what that definition would be, but just that there's a big gap between the two right now. 500 is a high number.

I don't know. We could do from 21 to 499. and we can include it as small business. Well, the small business definition, my apologies, is top of 50. Yeah, I guess that's my question.

Where did we get the definition from?

Small business is usually under 500, right?

Yes, correct. And it's usually less than 500. And that's right. It's 500, less than that. So every single one of the brackets, we did lead review last year. We grab information from the SBA, especially for micro and small. And then there's not very good literature at the federal level to define what is a medium and what is a large business. uh but uh this this this uh this is only the foundation commissioner olguin uh when we the arpa update the hunt institute is working as a matter of fact on getting an x-ray of of the different business sides across all the county throughout the the technical assistance program that we're having so we're we're hoping once we have a final report to incorporate that and really have our own definitions for our own county. Yes, right now we're relying on lit review. So if it's okay with commissioner's court, I'd like to propose for the incorporation of this policy so it's active and we can start working on the next steps and start benefiting those small and micro businesses that the court considers 21 business to, like Commissioner Stout said, less than 500, 499, and that would be within the small business frame. The main point here is that we would have that threshold, but the main bracket that will help us out as a guardrail will be the annual revenues. The annual revenues really tell us if this business is making more than $2 million, it's not a small business. It falls under the next category. So it is very hard, Commissioner Holguin, to find literature that really finds the number of employees per bracket. But again, thanks to the work that we're doing through ARPA, The next revision will incorporate something that can help us make an easy decision-making on that bracket.

Okay.

Thank you. I have a couple of questions. Thank you very much to each of you for the information and the presentation. My first question is on the East Montana investment zone. I appreciate that. Thank you very much for incorporating that into the policy. So in the actual policy document, there's two maps, right? One is a larger map that has more of the traditional boundaries of East Montana and Montana Vista. What is the difference between that map and this investment zone gap map?

So the difference between this one and the other one, this one we're gonna be highlighting the eight investment zone, the donut holes, but we're also gonna be including the map where we're showcasing the full county investment zones, including the full East Montana area. But we do want to include this map as well in there because even though it's with outside, it's within the city limits, we still want to make that definition of where those donut holes are within the policy. So it's more just a visual of the two maps for East Montana.

Okay, so there's really not a distinction other than these are the donut holes within the city of El Paso. but the incentive offerings still apply to the rest of the investment zone.

Yes, so the same will apply from East Montana or any of the other investment zones and we are gonna be including these donut holes as well into those incentives.

Okay, thank you very much. Well, one of the questions I have overall on this policy is I guess how we evaluate effectiveness of these policies in general, right? I think that this revision is very, very intentional about supporting micro and small and medium sized businesses. I really like the inclusion of startup funding in here. I like the support for entrepreneurial organizations in the community that are incubating startups as well. I think that's all really, really great additions. But how do we measure success of this policy? And I don't know if that should be incorporated into this policy or if that's a separate exercise altogether. If the goal is just to create more jobs, how do we track that over time compared to how much money we're investing or incentive, how much we're giving away in incentives versus how many jobs are created or are we going to, should we track wages over time? Should we track, like we saw today, increase in sales tax in different industries? How do we as a county, how are we looking at this holistically to know whether it's working or not?

I think that's separate from the policy. I'm sorry, Roberto. I think it's separate from the policy because also what you want out of it may change. I remember there was a time where we were focused on certain tourism elements and the pandemic hit. So you want to change course on what you're measuring from that. I think that's part of our performance indicators in the department to report back on. It's not necessarily a performance indicator of the department itself, but it may be of like has our policy fallen behind? Has something else impacted our performance? environment in our economy here. And also, you want to leave it flexible. So if there is something that we are trying to attract, for example, we know we need to attract medical to our area. We have a severely medically underserved area. But at some point, you may feel like, okay, we've incentivized enough medical. We don't want to incentivize it anymore. We do want it to continue to grow. But so you might change your industry focuses. I think those are things that we could set up separately. We already have some key performance indicators as part of our budget and are part of our GFOA book that we put together every year that we all are tracking and reporting on. We can also discuss that from a strategy perspective. What is the court wanting to see as an outcome? I know I probably sound like a broken record when we discuss this at strategy, but our objectives and our strategic plan should be the outcomes we want. So when we develop those objectives, that's where we should be identifying what outcomes we want to see. So under our economic development goal two, that's where we should be saying, what do we want to see? We want to see higher wages. We want to see economic mobility in these particular categories. And that's what we can track the policy against. How is the policy helping us get there?

Okay, that's helpful. I just want to make sure that as we look to updating and adopting new policies that we understand what is the goal, right? What are we actually trying to accomplish with this policy? Just one more thing, and it's about the... How is it framed? The... Large energy users, high energy and resource intensive projects, which I know we're still in the process of establishing that policy framework. But how does that overlap or intersect with this policy that we're looking to adopt today?

Yes, ma'am. So this policy is only the foundation. And all of the policy follows a very rigorous lit review. Like I mentioned, the recipe is see what other communities are doing, then try to incorporate the best practices to your community, and then efforts for us to start taking an x-ray of the needs, of the actual needs. And I think we have done the first phase of the recipe, which is we have compared this against other places. We have ARPA, which is helping us establish the x-ray. And that recipe should be, the word that I'm trying to use is extrapolarized to the large users of resources such as water and energy. So we can start with, practices from other communities and then the department will heavily lean on the administration office to provide some guidelines as far as the the best practices for data centers. From the very few late review that I have done is projects above 500,000, 500 million, my apologies, in different counties, they request within the application an environmental study done by a third party. That's one example. And more and more as we observe what was happening with the existing data centers that we have, we're gathering that information and we're getting more knowledgeable to put together a policy that actually responds to the needs from the community, but again, this has to be a combination of the LID review and the community needs, and I think that What we have seen with different sessions going on from the city and people that speak to us, we're gathering all that information. So right now, we're in the phase where we're... feeding ourselves with all these practices. But I think the recipe, Commissioner, to respond to your question is lead review and then a needs assessment of the community to really respond to the framework for those.

I want to add something, Roberto. None of these policies tie your hands to any incentive. Somebody can come in, it doesn't matter whether they're a high impact utilizer or not. We've seen this where the court has said, we're done incentivizing X in the downtown area, or we're done, we're not going to ... Maybe the industry itself is something the court's not interested in incentivizing. For example, the policy doesn't call out tobacco, but if we had a cigarette manufacturer that wanted to come in and the court said, that doesn't align with our values, or that's in a location that we don't think it's a good location for that type of business to develop. We don't have any authority to stop it, but we're not going to incentivize it. So whether we have a policy that it meets everything, the parameters, you always maintain the ability to determine whether it's something you want to incentivize or not. What we do have in here is that in our next rendition, and this really goes hand in hand with the other conversation about high impact guide, the high impact development guide, is if we don't want to have high impact developments at all, we should put it in the policy that we will not incentivize high impact developments. You will restrict yourself by doing that. You'll restrict a court from doing that. But it is your policy, so you could always override your policy. But it would also send a message to staff, and it would send a message to businesses. So we would know right from the get go if we got an application, We're not gonna entertain this type of application for this type of business. But that is a conversation we should have at the same time we talk about that high impact guide, development guide, whether or not do you just want a policy that says, we will not entertain these? Or do you want a guide and a policy? Because we're going to propose spending somewhere between $250,000 to $500,000, possibly, on a consultant on the guide. But if we don't want those developments at all, then do you want a guide? And so that'll be part of that conversation when we bring that item back as well. If you want us to put something into this policy saying absolutely no more high impact developments.

Well, my personal perspective is that we need to actually take the time to go through that discussion, discuss every angle of these kinds of developments and the pros and cons of any kind of incentive structure around them. And that's still, that's developing like in real time at the local and state level. What I wanna make sure is that by approving this policy today that we're not inadvertently saying that we support the current incentive structure for those kinds of developments because I definitely don't think that they're adequate. But that's a more intensive conversation. For example, are we requesting information about their utilization of water as part of an incentive package? It's not in here, so how do we make sure that for those kinds of projects, if they come to us between now and when the new policy is developed, that it's very clear both to those kinds of companies but also to us that it's kind of like an in-between time right now and that this policy doesn't necessarily apply to them.

We will have to ensure that as staff, when we get those applications, that we first evaluate the type of industry it is, and then to get that kind of data if it's something that's likely to be a high impact.

Can we add some language to this policy today to say that these kinds of projects are still under review and that this policy does not necessarily apply, doesn't apply or there'll be like another level of review for those kinds of projects? I don't know if that's possible.

Evette Rodriguez, Assistant County Attorney. If I can just add, the policy itself in the overview, if you just want to go, if you get a moment to page five of the policy, it does provide that Commissioner's Court has the final discretion on any incentives to be awarded, and that applies to the entire policy. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding of the policy is really just to provide the applicants and the department guidelines and criteria by which to review and analyze these applications. And then subsequently, they will come to the court via an executive session item presenting that project to all if that's something you're interested in, or separately, a 381 agreement if you all get to that point. But you all do have discretion in any incentive that is being awarded ultimately, even after the approval of this policy.

I understand that. Thank you. I think Commissioner Coronado has something.

Judge?

Commissioner Coronado? Thank you, Judge. Commissioners? And Roberto, along those lines, last year when we did strategic planning, I brought this up to see about tying our green works policy that the court approved with respect to not just the projects out in the county and our projects, which already exist, but to develop a policy related to green works and how that would tie to our economic investment, our economic development policy.

Yes, sir. Yes, and that is already included on the policy?

It's just not, this is just the changes since the last version.

That is correct.

So it is in there, sir.

Yes, and what we're doing, just to share some examples, Commissioner, last time, if memory serves, we discussed that we emulated some of the language from energy efficient practices, green buildings, water conservation, energy conservation, businesses that would have alternatives such as solar panels to power their operations. So all that, it is already specifically in one of the sections that I do recall, it's on the bonus section. So this is a catalyzer for businesses to consider this type of practices in lieu of incentives. So the language is there.

Okay, because I'm just thinking that maybe we ought to tie this to the high impact businesses that may be coming in with respect to our water and energy usage that we may take a look at them if they are implementing any kinds of these green work issues that we've brought up. I mean, the court can do that or we can just say, that those are only gonna be considered for other economic development incentives rather than only for, or rather just not including the high impact.

Yes, Commissioner Coronado. And the objective as well of today's meeting is, again, to present you with the framework that the court already provided direction. And if we could go to the last slide, is as well to receive this type of feedback. So we're making notes.

Okay.

I had one other question related to the wages. So one question that keeps coming up for me when we're reviewing some of these requests is does the wage, the requirement to meet the median county wage Is that the day that we approve the package or is it the day that they start hiring? Because if a project is coming in but they don't start hiring today, like they ask for the incentive today and we approve it today based on today's median county wage, but they don't start actually hiring people until a year or two from now, how do we track that over time?

Yes. So we received previous direction from leadership in the court that whenever we receive a project, let's say from today, we have four months for us to pretty much close the agreement. So within those four months, we would use the existing median county wage And then they have to be, as you know, in operation for an entire year. And so it would be at the time that we execute the agreement, that would be the meeting county wage that would be recorded on the agreement that will be enforceable. and that is just based on the timeline that we were providing and best practices because we have seen 381s that have lasted over a year just to be executed and the median county wage does become a problem because the document says a meeting county wage from last year, and it already changed. So I think with that provision, with that specific timeline, Commissioner, we will be resolving that specific aspect.

I also want to add, Roberto, we've also been seeing that where we overlap into a new year when we're drafting a new 381 contract. And so what we've done on the compliance side is, We're adding verbiage that says you will have to comply to that annual median county wage. So annually, once they start submitting their grant reimbursement to us, we will have to do the compliance to make sure that for that year they're meeting that median county wage. the contract will have a baseline. On an annual basis, they'll have to continue raising their wages.

And we specify in the policy that if it's close to the new wage to come out, the court can decide whether you're willing to let it be the old wage or whether you want it to be the new annual wage that's published.

Okay, that's great. Thank you.

I've got a question. So when it comes to the investment zones, so we're adding an East Montana aid investment zones, or that was already there?

You all discussed it at the last meeting and asked us to add. I think that was Commissioner Butler's request.

Okay, I'm a little bit confused about adding investment zones in unincorporated areas that aren't developed. You know, typically, I mean, in the past with our investment zones, it's, you know, trying to create infill, you know, trying to revive something that's already there. And to me, it's counterintuitive to create an infill development program in an area that, well, I mean, at least I don't think that, you know, again, I've talked about this a lot. YOU KNOW, TRYING TO STOP OR HOLD BACK ON DEVELOPMENT THAT'S OTHER THAN COLONIA AND INVESTMENT IN COLONIAS. in the unincorporated areas. And so now we're basically adding investment zones and doing just that. So we're gonna be incentivizing more development in the unincorporated areas. So I'm a little bit confused. It seems counterproductive to me for that part of the policy.

I I disagree entirely. I think this is about creating economic opportunity. And business growth in areas that don't have any. People live there. They're not vacant pieces of land. There are places that could use reinvestment or new kinds of investment. This is about creating jobs in areas where jobs don't exist, and I think that we should afford that opportunity to every part of the county.

Yeah, I mean, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I mean, I'm looking at the map, and I can't tell, I guess, from the map here, but it doesn't look like there's a lot of development at all in the areas that are set out. It looks like they're undeveloped, but for the most part, and it's really tough for, Again, I wish we could as a court really be more intentional about how we use the tools that we have to... whether we're incentivizing or not development in certain areas because of the cost to taxpayers when it comes to the infrastructure that has to be built. It just seems to me that we're We're setting ourselves up for future financial issues by continuing to incentivize and really try to stop and not stop the unfettered, the growth in the uncorporated areas. Again, I mean, I've always said that You know, it makes sense to me to make sure that we provide services and programs for the colonias, but when it comes to just incentivizing more and more growth, I don't think that we should do that. I think it's kind of productive to and going to be very expensive for taxpayers.

I wholeheartedly disagree.

Well, at the end of the day, Commissioners, Judge, Commissioners, we're the implementation arm for the court. You let us know the direction you want to move forward. The last time we reached consensus, and that's why we're presenting it today. Again, this is just direction that we received from the previous session as far as what the court wanted. One of the things that I very respectfully want to share is that from all the lit review that we did, at the state level because we spend hours doing this. The most successful policies in the most successful counties are the policies that have intent and have the feedback from Commissioner's Court. Again, we value the feedback from the court because that makes it successful. Nobody knows your areas such as you better than anyone. Even though we have ARPA efforts trying to portray an X-ray on the composition of the business composition on each precinct, again, we're here to be the implementation arm for the court. So you let us know.

Commissioner, I would also, so our investment zones, yes, we added the eighth area. I do think it's really geared, ours is geared around a lot around economic mobility or around areas where there's opportunity to support additional types of revenue for the county in the community like tourism for example what some of our areas we have the downtown area we have South Central we have a segundo barrio we have mission trail investment zones and so some the intent is not all infill it's it's also Other things that would add value to the, but the majority is infill, but there's some that would add value like Fabens and Tornillo, adding value there to create more business opportunities, more industrial opportunities for our port of entry. So the zones have not been set up even previously to be fully focused on infill. It's been more about economic mobility and other investment opportunities for the community. We also have a Benton and Anthony investment zone.

Yeah. I mean, I would just really urge again that the court entertain doing a cost benefit analysis, something that I've been talking about for years to understand. And maybe I'm wrong. And if we do it, then we'll find out. But it just seems to me that we need to be very careful about incentivizing further growth in the unincorporated areas when we have the core dying.

And we do have, I mean, in the policy it does say that it is to promote infill development, reduce sprawl, increase the availability of housing, and increase activity and vitality in the respective zones. But there's also other opportunities that the court could use in our policy to help identify for infill opportunities in more urban areas. such as our economic impact fund, things of that nature could be used. But this, as it's currently structured, has been areas that we wanted to invest and see more growth in. So I do, you know, I want to just echo what Roberto said. We've been working on this policy for several years and at some point we need to adopt this version because we're still working off of a very old version. This, you know, our current version is missing many of these elements. So this would get us at least up to this date and we will already, we already have a list going of the next changes we need to see. So we want to ask the court to consider adopting this version and then we will begin working on the next round of amendments to bring to the court on a regular basis.

Yes. Uh, so with that, uh, judge commissioners, um, we would, uh, would you consider the, the policy with the change to, to the small business section? And, uh, can we move forward with, uh, your endorsement to, to, you know, close this, uh, foundation of the policy and keep moving forward?

Do we need a motion on that, please?

I'll make a motion to approve.

I'll second.

Thank you. Judge, Commissioner, it's appreciated.

We have a motion to approve with changes from Commissioner Ollin, a second from Commissioner Coronado. Voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Judge. Commissioner Stout? No.

And I'll just again reiterate, I mean it's unfortunate that I have to vote against a lot of the work that I did but I think we have to be again intentional about how we incentivize or don't incentivize especially growth in the unincorporated areas that could end up being very costly. I think My vote's not against the staff or the work that you guys have done. When I came into office, we didn't have economic development, and I'm very proud of where we've come from then until now. And a lot of the programs that are in here and a lot of the policies that are in here have also come from work that me and my office have done. together with our economic development staff. And I'm very proud of that work. But unfortunately, I think I have to vote no. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner.

Thank you, Judge and Commissioners.

Thank you.

Item number 12A, human resources. Discuss and take appropriate action to create up to 40 new unfunded Sheriff's Office detention officer positions per fiscal year dependent on the number of peace officer academies per year and available Sheriff's Office salary savings.

Good afternoon, Judge and Commissioners. Berenice Acosta with the Human Resources Department. Today we'll be presenting a staffing strategy developed collaboratively between the Human Resources Department, the Budget and Finance Department, and the Sheriff's Office to help address rising overtime costs within the county's detention operations. Over the past year, the Sheriff's Office has experienced a significant increase in overtime expenses at the downtown detention facility and the jail . At the same time, the Sheriff's Office experiences a consistent internal career pipeline where approximately 40 detention officers each year transition from detention positions into deputy positions after meeting eligibility requirements. While this is a positive for a career advancement and recruitment, it also creates recurring staffing gaps within the detention facilities because the individuals occupy a detention officer position for six months while they are attending the Peace Officer Academy. These detention officers do not transition to the law enforcement budget until they successfully complete the academy. To help address this challenge, we are proposing a detention officer overfill program that would allow the Sheriff's Office to use salary savings from vacancies to temporarily overfill detention officer positions. To walk through the proposal in more detail, I will turn it over to our Human Resources Sheriff's Office team, and to kick us off would be HR Manager Ludi Velo.

Thank you. Good afternoon, Judge Commissioner Janet Cordova with the Human Resources Department of the Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office currently maintains 511 detention officer positions, which provide 24 hours, seven days a week operations in both of our detention facilities. On average, these facilities house approximately 2,200 inmates. And at the end of May, they had 2,439 inmates housed among both facilities. However, please keep in mind that the inmate population may change on a daily basis. Over the past five years, the county has hires an average of 126 detention officer positions per year. And in order to support the recruitment efforts, the Sheriff's Office and Human Resources Department have implemented a streamlined and continuous hiring pipeline. Every month on a Saturday, we host an event to invite the candidates that have met the minimum qualifications to do the physical assessment, the interview, and to submit and review their background investigation package. They also get the opportunity to talk to an investigator in case there's any questions regarding their background package. This process allows the county to maintain a steady pipeline of candidates for the upcoming academies. Typically, the Sheriff's Office conducts up to five detention officer academies per year, which those are eight weeks each. This recruitment pipeline has improved the hiring efficiency allowing us to have an eligible list for detention officers when those academies are ready to start. Currently, the turnover rate for FY26 to date is for detention officers at 7.17%, and as you can see on this screen, for FY25 was 12%, which has been the lowest one in the previous four years. The most common reason for separation is other employment opportunities and retirement. Recent trends show that the most common competing employers are the Department of Homeland Security and the Customs and Border Protection. And now I'm gonna go ahead and transfer over to Ludi.

Good afternoon, County Judge Commissioners. As mentioned by Veranice, another factor affecting the detention staffing is a transition from detention officer to the Peace Officer Academy. The Sheriff's Office requires all deputy candidates to serve a minimum of one year. A minimum of one year in the jail operations before becoming eligible for the six month peace officer academy. During this academy period, these employees remain in their detention positions, but they are not available to work shift work within the jail facilities. This temporarily removes experienced staff from detention schedules, creating staffing gaps. Because these academy cycles occur regularly, they create predictable but unavoidable staffing shortages within the detention operations. To help stabilize detention staffing and reduce overtime expenses, the Human Resources Department and the Budget and Finance Department, in collaboration with the Sheriff's Office, have developed the following goals. improve staffing coverages during the academy cycles and onboarding periods, and shift salary savings towards straight time salaries for the overfill instead of overtime. To accomplish this, we are recommending approval of the detention officer overfill program. This program would allow Sheriff's Office to create up to 40 additional unfunded detention positions. These positions will not require a new funding. Instead, the budget and finance department will periodically transfer existing salary savings from vacant positions into the overfilled positions as needed. The strategy provides several advantages. It uses funds normally available within the sheriff's office budget to vacancy. It converts overtime costs into straight time staffing, which is more cost efficient. It improves operational stability and staffing coverage in the detention facility, and it may allow the larger or more frequent academy classes as staffing levels improve. Once the program is implemented, the Budget and Finance Department and Human Resources will continue monitoring staffing levels and salary savings to ensure overfilled positions remain within the available budget capacity. At this time, we respectfully recommend approval of the Sheriff's Office Detention Officer Overfill Program, and we would be happy to answer any questions the court might have.

Is there someone from the sheriffs that might want to address?

Judge, I also think we have five people signed up for public comment on this item.

Pardon me?

We also have five people signed up for public comment on this item, in addition to anyone else.

You want to start with public comment?

Do we have Omar Gonzalez? I'd just like to remind speakers that public comment is limited to five minutes per person, and everybody will be timed. Thank you.

Thank you.

Welcome.

Hello, good afternoon, Judge, Commissioners. My name is Omar O.G. Gonzalez, President of the Paso County Sheriff's Officers Association. On behalf of our membership, thank you for the upcoming discussion in support of the 40 additional detention officers positions. This provides a long overdue relief in facilities that have been understaffed for far too long. For the first time in many years, our members feel they have a sheriff and command staff who truly care about their well-being. Sheriff Ugarte has been a strong voice for the men and women working inside our jails, and these new positions reflect that commitment. We ask that you continue working with the Sheriff's Office to ensure we have the staffing and resources needed to serve this community safely and professionally. And as misinformation continues to circulate online, we encourage everyone to listen to the real workers and the EPCSOA members who live these challenges every day. Thank you for your time and your support. I have two more. Thank you.

Next speaker is Mr. Daniel Vasquez.

Welcome, Daniel.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, Judge, Commissioners. My name is Daniel Vasquez. I'm a detention officer, and I currently serve as the Vice President for the El Paso County Sheriff's Officers Association. I want to thank you for allowing me to speak on this very important agenda item. For 26 years, I have served this community, my hometown of El Paso. Working in the jail is challenging. It's demanding. It's get the mission accomplished. Oftentimes, it is getting the mission accomplished shorthanded. An example of this would be one officer escorting inmates out to recreation, conducting physical checks every 25 minutes. Feeding inmates one by one for lunch and dinner. Escorting nurses to medicate these inmates. Rotating these inmates for their one hour day room rotation. De-escalating potential critical incidents. Conducting all of these duties alone for 12 hours and only getting a 30 minute lunch. Sheriff Ugarte, thank you for seeing firsthand and addressing issues like this one and many others. Thank you for engaging with the officers, the sergeants, and lieutenants, addressing their concerns. Thank you to the command staff and the sheriff's administration for all of your support. The addition of these officers would assist the Sheriff's Office in ensuring effective community service, service to both the inmates housed in the detention facilities and the public. Again, I'd like to thank you, Judge, Commissioners, for this agenda item, and I ask for your support. Help us in protecting those who protect others. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Daniel.

Our next speaker is Mike Hernandez.

Welcome, Mike. Good afternoon, County Judge, Commissioners. My name is Mike Hernandez, and I have worked as a detention officer for 24 years. I know I'm not involved in budget staffing plans or administrative meetings, but what I can speak on is what I see every day working inside our facilities. For the first time in many years, I truly feel we do have a sheriff and command staff who genuinely care about their employees. Sheriff Ugarte regularly visits both facilities, speaks with staffs and listens to our concerns and sees firsthand the challenges that we all face. That level of engagement and support means a great deal to those of us working on the front lines. It reminds many of us of the days when Leo Samaniego served as our sheriff. Like most detention officers, we have always found a way to get the job done regardless of the circumstances. However, having additional staffing resources and support has helped reduce the strain on employees and has allowed us to perform our duties more effectively and safely and a more secure facility. While we have made progress, staffing challenges still exist. Our operations section remains short staffed. As a result, employees from other sections are frequently pulled away from their primary responsibilities to help cover operational needs. While everyone works together to ensure the mission is accomplished, this creates a ripple effect that places additional strain in other sections and causes them to fall behind on their own workloads and responsibilities. I'm here today simply to ask you, or to say thank you to Sheriff Ugarte and his administration for supporting the men and women who work in our detention facilities. I also want to thank Commissioners Court for your continued support. of law enforcement and public safety. As both detention officer and a resident of this county, I respectfully ask that you continue working with the Sheriff's Office to ensure we have the staffing and resources necessary to serve our community and operate our detention facilities safely, efficiently, and effectively. Additional staffing and operations would not only benefit this section, but would also allow other divisions to focus on their assigned duties and better serve their overall needs for our detention facilities. Thank you for your time. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

We have a read-in comment from Philip Lagan. His comment begins. Reporting by El Paso Matters shows nonmeasurable and therefore nonaccountable goals of overtime cost savings are being used by the sheriff in staffing detention facilities. Terms such as volunteer overtime are used in contrast to mandatory overtime, as is the term peak hours versus the unstated off-peak hours. The stated goal in cost savings as reported is our goal is to reduce it as far as we can for the remainder of the year and then see what we can do going into the next fiscal year. Since changes have been made to overtime rules on May 1st, A reduction in overtime wages of 8.7% has been achieved, but because there is no measurable goal, I don't know if an 8.7 reduction is good or not good enough. I do want there to be a safe level of staffing for both detainees and detention officers, but I do not want taxpayers to be burdened, nor do I want county services to be curtailed because of budgetary practices of the sheriff. End of comment. We have one more speaker, Mr. Sammy Carrejo. Audience or listening, or do we have him online? We do not have him online. Is there anybody else that would like to speak in public comment? This concludes public comment, Judge.

Comments?

Thank you, Judge. Thank you to HR for the presentation and to all the guests who are here from the Sheriff's Office. We had a conversation earlier about data and some of the driving factors that contribute to our jail population and I think that it's really important to make sure that that data is widely available because what we heard this morning is that while we are having fewer incarcerations in our jails we're having longer length of stays. So while we might have fewer people in the jail, they're staying a lot longer than they used to historically. And so I think it's important to, when we're having a conversation about budget and jail staffing and making sure that the sheriff's office has the resources that they need, understanding that operating the jail is the most important critical function of county government. That we understand what's driving this need for more staffing and and thereby more funding and budget allocations. And so to me, this seems like relatively low hanging fruit. When I maybe close to a year ago, first sat down with the sheriff to talk about staffing, he did mention this gap, this like mismatch between the training academies and the staffing levels kind of fluctuating. And so I really see this as a way to stabilize staffing as it goes through the fluctuations of being able to go through the academies and bring more detention officers on board. And I know it's contingent on budget and on available salary savings and resources. To me, it seems like a win-win for us to be able to try to acknowledge this gap and then where we can stabilize that staffing through the training academies. I want to reiterate that it's not just one factor that is driving this. It's many, many factors, and it relies on a whole system, our justice system, to be able to manage. And so I appreciate maybe we can make those dashboards more easily available whenever these discussions come up. I think that would be helpful.

Commissioner Coronado, any comments?

Yeah, I agree. This is one way we can certainly help in reducing the overtime pay and get these individuals quickly over to those positions from the academy. I think this is one way. I think there's other things that we need to work with, but as Commissioner Butler pointed out, there's a lot of other issues that we need to work on that we spoke up at the Justice Leadership Council. And I think we need to start implementing and working with all departments to make sure that we try to reduce the jail population as much as possible. And that's also going to help out.

Thank you for that. I think one of the things I'd like to address is the fact that we're listening to the experts, that we respect individuals that came up that have been working 20, 25 years, and I hope we always make sure that we listen to you and that we have that level of respect and confidence that that you know your business better than any one of us or HR or anybody else. So I just feel good that we're giving you the opportunity to be part of the decision making and part of the process. So thank you for the relationship that we've established. Thank you.

And then, Betsy, I know that we're also working on a change in policy for that gap for when employees, Sheriff's Office employees also go to do their military service. So we'll be seeing that policy as well. That'll also help us meet some of those gaps that currently exist.

Yes, ma'am. There's quite a few things that we're working on to try to assist with this. We're also, both Joel and Sam are meeting with the sheriff's leadership and trying to help them with the information that they're going to bring forward and present to us on like their justification for the positions and the other needs that they have. But there's several items that we have pending that we're looking at trying to address. And then to Commissioner Butler's point, we're really working with the Justice Leadership Coordinating Council, with the judiciary. We've already seen a significant decline in people with long-term jail stays with the jail report that we're giving the judges. And we want to continue working on that to try to reduce even the number of detainees in the jail to help give us a little bit of relief as well.

Yes, sir. Commander.

Good afternoon, sir. Patrick Gailey, Chief Deputy of Detention Operations. I was waiting to see if Mr. Sam Trio was going to make any comments, but I'm here to answer any questions you may have. We do support this overfill. suggestion or recommendation. It will help significantly with filling our peace officer movements. It will allow me to keep the detention officers to fill the vacancies when they move into peace officer positions. And I think it's a win for the county because there's no cost to you, so to speak. However, I do want you to understand this is just one step toward dealing with this overtime issue. And as you've seen from your tours and our discussions with you, we're hoping that you understand that this is a fix. It's not the solution. We are looking forward to working with Ms. Keller and her staff, the commissioners, in resolving this issue. But ultimately, I think we're going to have to explore the possibility of increasing the staffing numbers down the road. But we are looking forward to dealing with this first step to see what we can do to resolve a lot of the overtime issues we face. So I'm here to answer any questions you may have or any suggestions you might have for us, we're willing to look at.

We thank you. Sam, you're invited to speak.

Good afternoon, Judge, Commissioners. I was trying to stay quiet instead of stretching this out. And the credit goes to the team and the budget team and the Sheriff's Office for working on these ideas that we've had mentioned we've had for a while and just trying to see how we can implement this without increasing expenses overall and actually decreasing expenses. So these are positions that are already budgeted. We're just finding a new technique to be able to fill them in in advance and get them working while others are at the academy. So it's a great idea. I have experience in this particular item in the law enforcement side. I used it during my career in law enforcement in New Mexico. And we had training for police officers at that time that lasted a year. So when we had a vacancy, it took a significant amount of time to get them trained to the level we needed them trained for. And so this was one of the techniques that we used. So it was a win-win. I think somebody mentioned that at that time to be able to do it for law enforcement. We're trying to implement it here on the detention side. when we've seen some of the issues that we're applying. But Chief Gailey is correct that this is only one item. We are gonna be coming back with the military policy amendments and then we're looking at several other ideas as well. So don't wanna take the credit for this because my staff worked a lot of time, a lot of hours in developing this program. And I know the Sheriff's Office has done a good job at reducing overtime over the last couple of months as well. So I think this is a collaborative effort and we have more to come.

Yeah, very appreciative of the collaboration.

Judge, if I can add also for the public's benefit, I want to mention that we also, I don't think the court or any of our staff think that there is a misrepresentation of the needs. It's a matter of us, I mean, I think we're all in agreement about the needs for the operations and that that there are needs that we need to identify and address for us it's the same process that we would require for our departments to submit to explain the the impacts and the outcomes of the investments that the court will make and it's also a matter of financial and fiscal responsibility for the court on how do we implement these types of changes over time to make sure that it's financially feasible for our taxpayers and for our operations. So I think we continue to have great working relationships with the sheriff's office. We appreciate the jobs that all of them do every day. And so just want to really emphasize that because this has been used as an opportunity to also try to maybe paint it that it's something different than that. And it's not. It really is us trying to work in collaboration. And we do this all the time with departments where we go back and forth on like data, show us, like let's get the data together. And we're actually trying to help share the data we have, whatever we can do with the sheriff's office to get that data put together so that we can have that backup and that justification.

Well, that's a great point. Let's say that I think there's that misconception. And I think today we're really showing that the collaboration we're working with each other finding as many solutions. But I think it was very clear that it's one of many things that we have to do to make sure that you know, to help the sheriff and his vision. So you're correct, Judge.

Thank you for that. Caesar.

We have a motion to approve the item from Commissioner Butler, a second from Judge Samaniego. The voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries.

Thank you. Thank you. Daniel, thank you.

Before we move on, I'd also like to call up item number 4G, which was pulled from the consent agenda. for the Human Resources Office. Item number 4G reads approve and authorize the inactivation and removal of three water system operator positions funded by the Enterprise Fund and one unfunded interpreter position.

Hi, good afternoon, Judge Commissioners. Valeria Fernandez with the Human Resources Department. The purpose of today's agenda item is to request the court's approval to inactivate and remove four positions from the county staffing table. Three water system operator positions and one interpreter. We're bringing this item forward to request the court's approval to remove them from the staffing table. The Infrastructure Services Department submitted a request to eliminate three water system operator positions which are funded by the Enterprise Fund. The positions are no longer needed due to the transfer of water system responsibilities to El Paso Water as part of a previously approved contract. The services provided by the water operator positions have since transitioned to the City and all three positions are now vacant. Lastly, the interpreter position within the DA's office has not been funded since 2018, as confirmed by the Budget and Finance Department. The department, the DA's office, has indicated that they're supportive of removing this unfunded position from their staffing table. I'm now available to answer any questions the court may have.

My question was mostly around the funding for the three water system operator positions since they were funded by the enterprise fund. Are we paying El Paso Water now to manage those employees? So it's a transfer of funds from us to them.

Good afternoon, Commissioner. Michael Almas, First Assistant County Auditor. Yes, those positions are included in the water rate that we are being charged. We were previously paying for those positions, but we were being reimbursed by El Paso Water since we were paying for those positions when they should have been included in the rate.

Let me add to that, Michael. So El Paso Water does our billing. So we buy our water through El Paso Water for our water system. They collect and they pay us, correct? Correct. And then they were paying us and we were using the collections to pay our expenses. Instead now, they're paying themselves because we transferred that. The court made a decision to transfer water operations to El Paso Water. They were actually interested in buying out our water system and buying out our role. The only reason why we did not, the only reason why the court did not follow it all the way through to the final is that they would not be eligible for the same grants that we're eligible for that we've been applying for for years to try to expand the water system and infrastructure. So we had identified, I think we have about I don't know, 10 to 15 more years of grant eligibility and expansion before it would be like we had saturated everything we were able to get and then El Paso Water would be able to take over our entire system. But we did move the employees over at that point in time. The court moved as much of the operation over as we could without us giving up our CCN number for having a water system so we could still get the grants.

Did we do like a cost benefit analysis for those three positions? How much it would cost to keep them in house and how much it costs, how much we're paying?

Yes, ma'am, we did. And we also, we were, we had for a long time not, not stayed up with the cost it was taking for us to operate, and we were a small operation, and so we didn't get the same economies of scale as El Paso Electric, I mean, I'm sorry, El Paso Water, and we weren't as current as we should have been on our cost recovery.

And if I can add, we also did not have the resources that El Paso Water does because they have to test the water daily. And so if some of our employees were on vacation, they had to come in. So we just didn't have the resources. And now working with El Paso Water, they're able to handle all these tasks that are mandated. with owning a water system. So it's just more beneficial to the county as a whole in having the employees be part of El Paso Water.

So do we, with the removal of these three positions, do we have any function in the operation of our water system?

Yes, you set the water rates. And I mean, we also continue to negotiate when we wanna add additional areas to serve. We continue to apply for the grants to expand the infrastructure. So that's been our role.

But like functionally on the ground, we're totally hands off.

We don't respond to like a water break. El Paso water does that.

Okay, well, we've talked about the need for more communication with El Paso Water in emergency situations. And so as long as there's an employee within Public Works that is responsible for knowing what's happening with the water system, correct? So just one more question just to clarify. So before we would get the funding from El Paso Water that they're billing for us for the enterprise fund and then we will pay them back for the funding of these three positions or are they just keeping that funding?

Again, First Assistant County Auditor Michael Almas. No, it was the opposite way. We were paying for these positions, but because they were part of the contracted rate, El Paso Water was reimbursing us for the positions. Now that they've fully transitioned over, they're just part of the water rate, and there's no need for reimbursement.

So they just absorbed that cost?

Correct.

And we did this about three years ago. We should have removed the positions at that time, and this is clean up from that.

Okay. Okay, thank you.

We have a motion to approve from Judge Samaniego, a second from Commissioner Butler. Voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner. Motion carries.

Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you.

Appreciate it. Item number 13A from Public Works. Approve and authorize the acceptance of the fiscal year 2026 Neighborhood Improvement Program project award for the installation of streetlights on Emerald Pass Avenue. Welcome.

Good afternoon, Judge. Good afternoon, Commissioners. Thank you for having us. So my name is Daniela Lujan. I'm here today representing the Planning and Development Department. And we are here to introduce the Neighborhood Improvement Program for the fiscal year 2026. I'm sorry. I would like to begin by briefly introducing the foundation of this program. The neighborhood association order was adopted in 2020 and the neighborhood improvement program order was established in 2024. This program provides the opportunity for registered neighborhood association to identify and request funding for small scale improvements that benefit their communities. The neighborhood associations must submit their applications, which will be evaluated and scored by county staff based on cost and constructability. The budget for fiscal year 2026 was approved in the amount of $125,000. For eligibility, the neighborhood association must be registered with El Paso County and the proposed project location must lie within El Paso County's jurisdiction. and within a quarter mile of the association's established boundary. For this funding cycle, the East Lake Neighborhood Association submitted an application to request street lighting along Emerald Pass Avenue next to the Emerald Pass Park. The association demonstrated their concern for safety at this location due to the lack of lighting, as you can see the existing conditions in this slide. So the park, So the part, you can see the curve, it's right in that curve where they're requesting for lighting. After receiving the application, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted by various departments under Public Works Department. This review looked at strategic alignment, feasibility, cost, community support, and clarity of the proposed project. The application underwent scoring across multiple categories listed on this table. Out of a possible 100 points, they scored 68.6 points. After evaluating various options and considering the need to encumber the available funds before the end of the fiscal year, our department determined that solar street lighting will be the most feasible solution given the limited timeframe. County staff initiated the research of the required budget and would like to present the two available alternatives. So for option one, For $57,223, the installation of four elimination poles that are single arm. And the second option, option two, for $70,351, the installation of double arm poles. Based on technical assessment, staff recommends moving forward with option two, which will provide broader illumination that will benefit both sides of the Emerald Pass Avenue. The proposed location is to install the poles at the median to improve visibility and safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and the neighborhood at large. This next slide illustrate simulation on how the improvements will be distributed along the corridor to create consistent and effective lighting coverage. At this point, we welcome any questions or recommendations and thank you for your time and consideration and also for the continued commitment to support neighborhood improvement across El Paso County.

So Daniela, just to be clear, it's gonna be the installation of four separate poles, right? Correct. Okay.

It is very small in here, but they're located at the median. I don't know if there's a way to submit in this picture or if you're able. So this is the preliminary design, and they came out with the coverage. The vendor helped us with this layout.

And I've, for the commissioners and the judge, so I've driven along that road and it is very, very dark once the sun goes down and it makes it particularly dangerous because of the curve. Maybe if the curve weren't there, it wouldn't be as bad, but we were really glad to see when the project as submitted by the neighborhood association was approved because that really is a really big need in this area.

So it's a total of four double arm? Four double arm lights. I think it's a great project.

And I think what makes our neighborhood improvement program work so well is that these are ideas that are brought forth by the neighborhood. So these are residents of their neighborhoods who know the needs of their neighborhoods better than anyone else. So I really wanna thank our planning and development department. Thank you, Daniela and Michael I know Shawnee's not with you all anymore, but she was also instrumental in helping our neighborhood associations learn how to apply for these funds. So I think this is a really great program that the county instituted several years ago.

We have a motion to approve the item by Commissioner Holguin, a second by Commissioner Butler. Voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Commissioner Holguin, thank you.

I'm sorry, I forgot to ask about the timeline for the installation.

So we need to encumber the funds by the end of the fiscal year, but once the funds are covered, we're thinking about one to two months. I don't think it will take that long, according to the vendor.

Okay, so before the end of the fiscal year, we think they'll actually be placed?

Yes, it'll probably be done by then. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Good job. Motion carries.

Before we move into executive session, I do have two items I need to read in for the county attorney's office. Item number 14B, postpone June 1st, 2026, pursuant to Texas government code section 551.0725, discuss contract negotiations regarding the county's interlocal agreement with UTEP regarding the Build Back Better program. And item number 14I, pursuant to Texas government code section 551.0725, discuss financial information and economic development negotiations regarding a Chapter 381 agreement with Popular Building El Paso LLC, contract number 2025-0084.

Judge Commissioners, Eric Rosales and Gaglione, Assistant County Attorneys. So for those items 14B and 14I, they're being taken into executive session pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.0725. The county is currently in negotiations for two contracts. The first one is the First Amendment to a Chapter 381 agreement with the popular building El Paso LLC for the redevelopment, rehabilitation, and improvement of a development located on the real property, commonly known as the popular building. And then for the second item, the county is considering an amendment to an interlocal with the University of Texas at El Paso, UTEP, for the Aerospace and Defense Innovation Network for Manufacturers through the Build Back Better grant. The information to be discussed includes issues involving business and financial information related to those contract negotiations, and the court must be free to discuss those issues without undermining the county's position. Assistant County Attorney Anna Schumacher has determined that deliberations at an open meeting concerning business and financial issues relating to those negotiations would have a detrimental effect on the position of the court. We're asking that the court unanimously vote that deliberations at an open meeting would have a detrimental effect, also deliberations take place in closed session, and then we'd further request that the court direct the county administration commissioner's court reporters to ensure that all proceedings in closed session be recorded. A copy of the legal memos have been provided to the county administration commissioner's court reporters to be made a part of the official records. If the commissioner's court agrees, I would need a motion and second and a recorded vote at this time, please. Yes.

We have a motion to approve from Judge Salmaniego, a second from Commissioner Butler. The voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries. At this time, Commissioner's Court will recess into executive session to discuss items 14A through 14I pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, 551.0725, and 551.087. Commissioner's Court will reconvene to take official action. It is 3.24 p.m.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, We facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Thank you.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different, That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers or guardian adult items are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. to commemorate the completion of the project el paso county u.s congresswoman veronica escobar and the lower valley water district hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the panorama village neighborhood funding for the project was provided through the american rescue plan act under the coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds program through this initiative el paso county invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers or guardian adult items are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Bye.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Thank you.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space-themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out-of-this-world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our Child Support Enforcement Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers or guardian adult items are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, We facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees, as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts, participated in the PACE Citizenship Classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the county's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our Child Support Enforcement Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, Impact of Divorce and Separation on Child Development, Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Anger Management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Thank you.

Hola, El Paso! It's started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabin school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space-themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out-of-this-world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

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Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our child support enforcement unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers, or guardian adult items, are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, Impact of Divorce and Separation on Child Development, Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Anger Management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The Enrico Moreno County Courthouse was the site for a civic engagement celebration. County employees as well as participants from El Paso, Socorro, Isleta, and Fabens school districts participated in the PACE citizenship classes. PACE, which stands for Pathway to American Citizenship for Employees, is a program provided by the El Paso County's Office of New Americans. This year, 80 participants dedicated their time to learn English, prepare for citizenship, and become more engaged in their communities, all while balancing work and family responsibilities. The participants had a chance to tour the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse to see how local county government works and to become familiar with the many resources available to them. It's time to cool off as the temperature rises in our Chihuahuan Desert. All three of El Paso County's pools have opened for the summer season. The Azcárate Aquatic Center, Canotillo, and Fabens pools are available for the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Access to the pools have a low entry cost of $1 for kids at Fabens and Canotillo, $2 at Azcárate. In addition, swimming lessons are being provided at each location starting at $40 for eight lessons. El Paso County remains committed to providing safe and welcoming recreational spaces for families to gather and stay active. Don't say there's nothing to do this summer. Our Illumina Public Library has their Kids Club events in full swing. From space themed story time to an astronaut scavenger hunt right outside, kids will have an out of this world experience. Many other activities are available throughout the week, including a summer reading club. Located in the Agua Dulce neighborhood, the County's Illumina Public Library is offering activities for kids to discover that learning, reading, creating, and teamwork is fun! Thanks for watching this month's County Connects. Stay tuned and make sure to stay connected with...

Thank you.

Welcome to the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, where we're dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of family law with empathy, clarity, and a commitment to excellence. As an integral part of the El Paso County civil court system, we strive to provide support during challenging times. We are dedicated to supporting parents, guardians, and children in navigating complex issues such as custody, visitation, child support, and beyond. Whether you are recently divorced, in the midst of a custody dispute, or facing challenges with child support, we stand ready to offer compassionate guidance and unwavering support. Our mission is to assist children and families during what can be one of the most challenging times in their lives, ensuring they have the resources and assistance they need to move forward confidently. We provide services, both in person and virtually, collaborating closely with judges, attorneys, and service providers to address each family's unique needs. Our Child Support Enforcement Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that children receive the financial support necessary for their well-being. When a court orders child support, it represents not just a figure, but a commitment to a child's future. This unit consists of a team of attorneys, enforcement officers, financial specialists, legal engagement officers, paralegals, and administrative staff who assist with the collection and enforcement of child support and medical support. Domestic Relations Office attorneys decide what enforcement remedies will be used based on the particular facts of the case. We help enforce court orders by monitoring payments and maintaining accurate records, working with parents who have fallen behind, helping them understand their obligations and options, filing enforcement actions with the court when necessary, and helping parents modify orders if their financial situation changes significantly, because we know life happens and fairness matters. We know that every family situation is different. That's why our staff works with compassion, confidentiality, and professionalism, helping both custodial and non-custodial parents understand the process, meet their obligations, and keep the focus where it belongs, on the children. Another one of our core responsibilities is through our Family Court Service Unit, where we support the courts in making informed, child-centered decisions in custody and visitation cases. In contested custody matters, when parents can't agree on who should care for the child, judges often rely on our skilled professionals to provide objective and detailed assessments. Family court services social workers or guardian adult items are appointed by judges to conduct thorough investigations and provide reports to the court based on the interests of the children involved. Either party may request the appointment of a guardian adult item for their case. In addition, Family Court Services staff are appointed on some adoption cases to conduct evaluations. Our cooperative parenting program provides co-parenting classes which focus on the needs of children and parents in the aftermath of separation or divorce. Topics include parent, children, and the involvement in the court, positive co-parenting practices, impact of divorce and separation on child development, communication, conflict resolution, and anger management. Classes are offered both in person and virtually and are open to everyone. No court order needed. Co-parents take the classes separately to ensure participants are comfortable discussing the topics. Individuals may register for classes by either visiting the Domestic Relations Office website or by calling the office at 915-273-3533 or by picking up the form inside our office. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator to discuss attendance and answer questions via email or phone. Class schedules can also be found on the website. Once the registration is received, the individual will be contacted by the program facilitator. Our office is dedicated to providing essential legal assistance tailored to family law issues. We empower parents to effectively enforce and modify access and possession time with their children, ensuring that their rights are upheld. For those seeking to formalize agreements, we facilitate parenting negotiation conferences that transform your arrangements into legally binding court orders. At the El Paso County Domestic Relations Office, we're committed to helping families find solutions that work. So please visit our website or give us a call today to learn how we can help you move forward.

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Hola, El Paso! It started to get hot in May and El Paso County is keeping you cool with some of the activities going on across our county. In the eastern part of the county off I-10 and Horizon Boulevard, El Paso County, in partnership with the Lower Valley Water District, proudly announced the completion of the Panorama Village Unit 1 and 2 first-time wastewater project. This is a major infrastructure initiative that brings modern sewer service to a community that previously relied on septic tank systems for wastewater management. To commemorate the completion of the project, El Paso County U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the Lower Valley Water District hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Panorama Village neighborhood. Funding for the project was provided through the American Rescue Plan Act under the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Program. Through this initiative, El Paso County invested in critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in underserved communities to support public health, economic recovery, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

Bitsy.

Go ahead. Ready?

Yeah? Okay. Commissioner's Court has reconvened into regular open session. We're on item number 15A from regular session. Postpone June 1st, 2026. Discuss and take action on the pending claim of Leslie Reynolds, County Attorney's File Number 020725LC.

Judge, Commissioners Eric Rosales and Gaglione, Assistant County Attorney, we're asking for a motion to deny the claim.

We have a motion to deny from Commissioner Olguin, a second from Judge Samaniego. Voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Commissioner Stout is absent. Motion carries. Item number 15B, discuss and take appropriate action on pending litigation styled Sandra Gomez et al. versus the county of El Paso, Texas et al. Cause number 325CV00141KC. County attorney case number 005025LD.

Judge, commissioners, Erica Rosales and Gaglione, assistant county attorney, we're asking for no action on this item, please.

Item number 15B, no action. And this completes all the items on the agenda, Judge.

Thank you. Two interpreters. Commissioner. Coronado. Thank y'all.

I hope y'all are, stay safe.

Keep healing. Thank you.

I am. I'm getting better. It's like good day, bad day, but I'm progressing.

Good, good. And to everybody else, have a great week. Thank you.

This concludes today's meeting at 5.27 p.m.