Commissioners Court - Regular Meeting

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Live from El Paso County, Texas, the veteran's 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 1st, 2026. Commissioner's Court is meeting in regular open session. Commissioner Olguin, would you like to introduce our Pledge of Allegiance speakers for today?

Yes, good morning, everyone. So today we are joined by two beautiful, talented young ladies who are going to lead us in the pledge. We have Little Miss Texas, Maria Fernanda Herrera, and Tiny Miss Texas, Daylisa Ortiz. If you all would join us up here at the microphone, please. Thank you for being here with us. 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, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Honor the Texas flag. I pledge allegiance to the Texas, one state under God, one and invisible,

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being here with us.

Thank you both so much.

And now we will receive an invocation by David Marcus representing Join Us for Justice, the El Paso chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Welcome.

Thank you. Good morning, Judge, Commissioners. My name is David Marcus. I'm a member of Join Us for Justice, the El Paso chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. With advances in communication, we have the ability to connect, learn, and share more than at any other time in our history. Information is always at our fingertips, bringing us closer to events, ideas, and people around the world. While this constant flow of information can be overwhelming, it also gives us opportunities to better understand one another and the world we share. When our children were small, we'd gather around the dinner table and we'd talk about the best parts and the worst parts of our day. Maybe our son Joe had passed a difficult math test, our daughter Amanda had earned a place in the school orchestra. We'd also laugh about the frustrations of the day, a lost homework assignment, a parking ticket, a flat tire on the way to work. And as children often do, they would share their hopes. mostly less homework, more snow days, which is something we don't see anymore, and exciting adventures yet to come. Today our children are growing and they're living lives far beyond the boundaries of El Paso, the hometown where they were raised. Their experiences are richer, their responsibility is greater, and their world much larger than the one we knew at their age. Yet the things that matter most remain unchanged, family, friendship, purpose, and a desire to build a meaningful life. My hope for the future is that they're able to achieve those goals, that they continue learning, listening, and seeking understanding. And by extension, I wish the same thing for the rest of our world. I hope we spend more time asking thoughtful questions and less time rushing to conclusions. I hope we remember every issue is more complex than a headline, and meaningful conversations begin with a willingness to learn. My wish for the future is people spend less time reacting, that they seek understanding before forming opinions, look beyond the headlines, and recognize the most important issues deserve thoughtful consideration rather than quick judgments. May public discourse become more respectful and productive, allowing people to disagree without viewing one another as enemies. May we discover the value of listening, compromise, and working together to solve the problems that affect us all. Remember the footprints we leave today become the history that will be taught 50 years from now. A better future is one in which prejudice and hatred continue to lose their influence, where people are judged by the content of their character rather than their background, faith, identity, or the color of their skin. Imagine a society where violence becomes less common, children and families begin to feel safe in their own schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods. The goal should be to have an economy that creates opportunities for hardworking families, providing pathways out of poverty for those struggling to get ahead. Continued innovation and responsible stewardship of our environment can reduce our dependence on limited resources and help preserve the world for the future. A healthy society values individual freedom and mutual responsibility where people respect one another's differences while they recognize their shared humanity. And finally, may stories that dominate our news be less about crisis and division and more about progress, compassion, people coming together to improve the lives of others. And may those stories focus on the successes of America's immigrants instead of making them our enemy. And that's the future worth striving for. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you for your time and encouraging words. We really appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you, Judge.

Today we are joined by ASL interpreters, Celina Saloum and Katia Garcia. Judge, would you like to make some opening comments before we begin? Yeah, please, thank you.

Well, we'd like to welcome you. We have Commissioner Coronado offsite, but he's always here with us. And on behalf of myself and the commissioners, we thank you for being here. This is El Paso. We love to recognize great people. We like to understand what's happening in our community and obviously to celebrate. Just wanted to reflect on Saturday's fight here in El Paso. It was just amazing. It brought back what wrestling used to be about, what boxing used to be about, and so we were very encouraged to see if we could continue The Coliseum was a perfect setting for the fight and it'll be a perfect setting for wrestling and for other things that we had before. I mean, it brings us together. There's people from Las Cruces, of course, New Mexico and Albuquerque, one of the fighters. And, you know, felicidades to Stephanie Hahn. But it was a great sold-out event, and it sort of brought that kind of energy that El Paso has about contact sports. So thank you for that. And so we're hoping that you enjoy your day today, that you're blessed today and all throughout the week. And we'll be reading some incredible resolutions. And hopefully, if you stay, we also have some amazing topics that we're going to be discussing THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE. SO THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS 4A THROUGH 4AA. WE DO HAVE TWO CORRECTIONS TO READ IN FOR ITEM 4G. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE RESOLUTION AMENDING AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES FOR INVESTMENTS AND WITHDRAWS FROM FROST BANK. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026-0393. And item 4H, approve and authorize the county judge to sign the resolution amending authorized representatives for investments and withdrawals from text pool and text pool prime, contract number 20260392. Are there any items members of the court or public would like to pull for discussion? Commissioner O'Gee.

Thank you, Judge. I would like to pull B and also W. And W for Commissioner O'Gee.

And W. Are there any others?

Any others? If not, I'll move to approve.

We have a motion to approve by Judge Samaniego, second by Commissioner Olguin. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Thank you, Commissioner Coronado. Commissioner Butler is absent. Thank you, Commissioner Stout. Motion carries. Item five resolutions. 5A, approve and adopt a resolution declaring June 12th, 2026 as Women Veterans Day in El Paso County, Texas.

Thank you. Would you like to come up please? You know, this is extremely special. I mean, being the Veterans Capital of the USA, we can't miss out on the contributions that women had. I think we had sort of been dismissive a little bit at the beginning of being the Veterans Capital, but Tony and individuals like DeBeaux, Donna Juarez and others that sort of encouraged us. And as you notice, in the middle of our pin, our logo, is a woman. And I think it's front and center. And we're very proud of that because I was very, very encouraged by the stories that I've heard about women and their contributions. Hopefully we'll make up for the times that we weren't as understanding and as appreciative of women in the military. So I'll read the resolution. Whereas women have honorably served in the armed forces of the United States since the founding of our nation, demonstrating courage, sacrifice, leadership, and unwavering dedication in times of war and peace. whereas on June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act into law authorizing women to serve as permanent regular members of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, forever changing the role of women in military service and expanding opportunities for generations of women who would answer the call to serve. Whereas women veterans is observed annually on June 12th to commemorate this historic milestone and to recognize the service and sacrifice of the more than two million women veterans living across the United States today. Whereas women currently compromise nearly 18% of the United States Armed Forces representing one of the fastest growing populations within the military and veteran community. Whereas throughout the history of the United States, women have voluntarily answered the call to serve their nation, as women have never been subject to conscription through the Selective Service Draft, yet have continually stepped forward in defense of the freedoms and values of this country. Whereas women veterans have served with distinction in every conflict and era of American history, including in combat operations, aviation, intelligence, logistics, medicine, public service, and leadership positions, often overcoming significant barriers while paving the way for future generations of service members. where El Paso County is proud to be the home of thousands of women veterans whose continued service, leadership, and commitment strengthened our community and further exemplify El Paso's standing as a veteran's capital of the United States of America. Whereas women veterans continue to serve our community long after the military service through public service, volunteerism, mentorship, advocacy, health care, education, law enforcement, and leadership roles that positively impact the lives of veterans, military families, and citizens throughout El Paso County. now therefore be resolved that the el paso county judge and commissioner's court hereby declare june 12 2026 as women veterans day in el paso county texas and encourages all residents to honor and recognize the courage sacrifices service and achievements of women veterans past present and future sign this first day of june 2026. we have a motion

We have a motion to approve by Judge Samaniego, second by Commissioner Hulguin. The voting is open. I vote aye. Thank you. Motion carries.

Now you can applaud. Welcome.

Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Melissa Hartcrow, Texas Veterans Commission, Women Veterans Coordinator for West Texas, and unapologetic advocate for the women who have served. So as you said in the resolution today, or excuse me, June 12th commemorates the anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act that was signed by President Truman in 1948, which made us permanent members of the military despite us having served voluntarily since the Revolutionary War. We have throughout history and even to today been underserved, underrepresented and unrecognized. And I think it's very, very important that we continue to recognize Texas Women Veterans Day as a method to reach out to those women who don't even know that there is a Texas Women Veterans Day. And to go back to that, Texas Women Veterans Day was signed into law by Governor Abbott in 2017 as well. And so that's why we celebrate it. But it's important that we reach out to those women who have served, who are not aware of their services and benefits and who don't take advantage of it as a result of being underserved, underrepresented, and unrecognized. I had something else to say, but I totally forgot what it was. But thank you so much for this resolution and for continuing to celebrate with us. There are other Women Veterans Day events going on. We have June 9th, the City of El Paso's Coffee with Veterans is going to honor women veterans. The VA is hosting their monthly Sisters in Service. event on June 12th, which will be Women Veterans Day themed. Senator Cesar Blanco is having his annual Women Veterans Day event on June 12th as well. And Amistad is hosting their second annual Women Veterans Day celebration on June 23rd. Thank you very much. Unless there's anyone else who wants to say something? Thank you, Melissa.

Appreciate you.

Nobody?

No, I'm sure. Tony? Don't worry, Devin will be speaking as well.

I tried to stand in the back and somehow I still end up. So I just want to give you a piece, the judge was there last year, but a speech I gave last year. Today women make up nearly 20% of our armed forces. We are pilots, commanders, medics, engineers, and warriors. We make up about 18% of active duty personnel and we are the fastest growing segment of women veteran population. But we didn't just arrive in these roles. We've been here from the beginning. We have always served. Since the days of Revolutionary War, women have stepped into the breach. Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight in the Continental Army. Margaret Corbin took over her husband's cannon after he was wounded and kept firing until she was wounded herself. We were there behind the scenes, in disguise, under fire, and all too often forgotten. In the Civil War, women like Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor, brave front lines to treat the wounded others fought in secret. Dressed as men, we ran, filled hospitals, smuggled messages of spies, and nursed thousands back to life. By World War I, we were finally allowed to serve in uniform, mostly as nurses, but we also manned switchboards in the front lines in France like the Hello Girls of the Signal Corps. We followed orders, wore army uniforms, lived under military discipline, and when the war ended, they told us we were not real soldiers. That story repeated itself in World War II when over 400,000 women joined the military. We flew planes as WASPs, operated radios, drove trucks, repaired weapons, decoded messages, and yes, some of us died. Over 400 American women were killed during action during World War II. Many were nurses like those captured in the Philippines and held for years as POWs. They didn't break and neither did we. In Korea and Vietnam, we kept serving. We saw the wounded, held the dying, ran into danger. We volunteered for wars no one wanted to talk about when we came home. Women like First Lieutenant Sharon Lane, the only American military woman killed by enemy fire in Vietnam, deserve to be remembered. We all do. In Desert Storm, we finally fought under our own names. Nearly 40,000 women deployed. Some of us came home with flag-draped coffins. Others returned bearing wounds, visible and invisible, and carrying the truth that shook the country. Women fight wars too. bleed too. Women die in combat. Iraq and Afghanistan brought even more change. There were no more front lines and there was no way to keep women safe. So we fought. We led patrols. We engaged insurgents. We treated the wounded under fire. Sergeant Leon Hester earned the Silver Star for extraordinary valor in Iraq. Women flew medevac missions, commanded battalions, and earned their way from Ranger School in combat arms. I just want to make sure that when you talk about women veterans that we talk about veterans, period. Thank you.

Thank you, Toni. And now the Veteran of the Year, the vote.

Good morning, Judge. Good morning. Commissioners, yes, it's an honor to be here today. It's also an honor to be recognized as Veteran of the Year. There are 60,000 veterans here, and to be a female veteran separates us, but it does not. It unites us tremendously. I joined in 1972 Women's Army Corps, so we were separated from men because we were separate services. However, my hero is Cathay Williams. I ride with the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. Cathay Williams joined with her brothers and uncles, and she bind up her breasts and hid herself as a man just to join. She only had to do an X to sign and join. She only had to grunt because we were degradated, treated less than human. But however, instead of being a slave, she wanted to serve. And after she served, she got wounded. And when she went to the infirmary, that's when they discovered, oh, my God, she has breasts. So as a woman, they dismissed her, discharged her, and gave her no benefits and no honors. Years later, she was honored, but she died in... trinidad colorado without having any benefits so i would just like to leave with all the women and men today even though it's women's veterans month and week do your benefits see a veteran service officer you've served your country you raised your hand and said i do i will send me come get the benefits that you are rightfully owed and you have earned and thank you for recognizing us god bless you thank god bless you too thank you

I remember now what I wanted to say. I wanted to extend appreciation to the male veterans who are here in support of us. I told them they could come and stand up, but they don't want to. So I want to extend appreciation because with advocacy from everyone, that's how we get better. So thank you.

Thank you. If you want to introduce yourselves, and you're welcome to make any comments, but introduce yourselves, please.

Joni Weakley, United States Army, retired.

Thank you.

Mallory Harmon, Navy.

Thank you.

Maureen Meehan, Army.

Thank you.

Yvette Champion, Army. Thank you.

Joanna Roldan, Marine Corps.

Thank you.

Dania Bandas, Army.

Jennifer Griffith, Army.

Thank you.

Nancy Peters, US Army.

Thank you.

Michelle Crittenden with the VFW Army.

Thank you. Everybody else? Well, you know, I've been going to the community salute. That's where all the high school kids that have joined the military. It's amazing the number of, you know, one of the generals said that is when we started honoring and being the Veterans Capital of the USA, we became one of the biggest recruiters into the military. And that's because we begin to honor them. But what I've seen every year is more and more women that are part of the community salute, and it's just so impressive. For some reason, Navy beat every other branch. They had more than anybody else. Typically, Army sort of takes you know sort of has the the largest number so we're seeing that this excitement about women serving and and hopefully and i think the what you said is that and tony that the respect that is due to them you know that uh there'll be a time where you're a veteran right and not try to be distinct for one from the other because you're going to do and serve as much as And I always, I don't know if somebody said it here, but I want the community to know that no woman was ever drafted. Every single one was volunteer, which is a distinction very different from males, because a lot of them had been drafted. But every single woman that has served in the military, served as a volunteer. So that says so much, you know, that you stood up and you did what you needed to do for our country, then you come back and you do some incredible things. I'm just amazed that I always tell people that when we bring companies in, I tell them we're the Veterans Capital of the USA, and they know what that means to have veterans in their organizations. The leadership is distinct. Your learning is distinct. The technology. You bring so much to the table. So, you know, we want to be able to let companies know that if they come to El Paso, they're going to have their share of veterans working in that company. And we know what that means. So once again, thank you for what you do. Thank you for your service. And we'd love to take a picture with all of you. Thank you.

Thank you so much for your service. Okay. Thank you.

Item 5B, approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Manny Reynoso for his lifetime of dedicated service to the residents of El Paso County, Texas.

Mr. Reynoso and family, would you please come up? Thank you. You know, it's always such an honor to recognize individuals when you hear the story. These are individuals that sometimes if we don't notice them, they go unnoticed. And then we lose out. We lose out because they make incredible role models. And we need more than anything right now in our country. We need role models for our young people to understand what it takes. And this idea of, you know, I just didn't have a break and therefore I have an excuse. I think you're going to see the difference of someone that didn't have the breaks and made something out of his life from beginning to right now. And we very much appreciate it. What a privilege for me to recognize Mr. Reynosa. Of course, after rising out of poverty and homelessness, Manny Reynosa became a pride lifelong resident of the state of Texas, the city of El Paso, El Paso County, and the patriarch of the Reynosa family, and was raised in El Paso Juarez Metroplex, graduated from Lydia Patterson Institute, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso, and later received a master's degree in administration and leadership from Sol Ross State University. Of course, after being selected to represent Mexico as a basketball referee in the games of the 21st Olympiad in Montreal, Canada, the 1976 Summer Olympics, Manny chose not to participate, having fulfilled his dream of marching across the stage to receive his diploma from the University of Texas at El Paso. and was again selected for the games of the, which would be the 42nd Olympiad in Moscow, Russia in 1980, but declined in solidarity with President Jimmy Carter in the United States Olympic boycott the same year he applied for US citizenship and in 1980 became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. Whereas one of Manny's proudest moments came in 1980 when he was sworn in as a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. Whereas Manny Reynosa ultimately achieved the honor of representing the United States as a basketball referee on behalf of USA Basketball in the games of the Olympic in Los Angeles, California. in 1984 Summer Olympics, where he officiated and proudly marched into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as part of the U.S. Olympic delegation during the opening and closing ceremonies. Whereas Manny Reynosa has received numerous honors, including induction to the El Paso Sports Hall of Fame, Juarez Sports Hall of Fame, Chihuahua Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Hispanic Sports Honor in San Antonio, Texas. and served as an educator for nine years at Lydia Patterson Institute and 34 years with Isleta Independent School District, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2002. And where as an international basketball referee, he served for 57 years as an official ambassador for El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, and the United States, officiating games in China, South America, Japan, Cuba, South Africa, and Europe. Officiated NCAA basketball across the United States for 26 years. And where's Manny Reynosa married his high school sweetheart, Cecilia Bernal Reynosa, with whom he built a family of four children, Manny Jr., Cecilia, Rafael, and Luis, and nine grandchildren, Samantha, Mia, Sarah, Sophia, Juliet, Nicholas, Marley, Madison, and Vance, and continues to give back to the community by mentoring young officials and officiating for the Police League, Lawyers League, and various Boys and Girls High School basketball programs. Now, therefore, it be resolved that the El Paso County Judge and Commissioner's Court recognizes and honors Manny Reynosa for a lifetime of service, achievement, and leadership, and offer its profound gratitude for the legacy of excellence, integrity, inspiration he has given to the El Paso County. Signed this first day of June 2026.

We have a motion to approve by Judge Samaniego, second by Commissioner Stout. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Thank you. Motion carries.

Thank you. Mr. Reynoso, we're honored to have you here. We'd love to hear from you. Thank you.

I appreciate what you have said about me, but it has been an honor to represent this wonderful country, and I'm so proud being a citizen of El Paso, Texas, and you people are doing so wonderful things over here for El Paso. I appreciate it, thank you very much. Thank you, sir. Would you mind if...

You're a proud son. Thank you. I'm Luis Reynoso, the youngest of the sons. I grew up in a household where everything was possible from both my parents telling me that everything's possible. It was never too much to accomplish. I grew up with a great spirit. My dad's always told me that the ones with strong spirits, son, they're the ones that strive for greatness. I'm like, Dad, thank you for being such a great role model to me. I love you. Mama, I love you. It's awesome to be here. Thank you.

And thank you. And also, another great role model for our young people. Thank you so much. Would you like to? No? Just give them a big hug. That will be sufficient.

I'm just honored to be here and meeting you.

Well, thank you so much. If you notice the resolution, there was no border, right? He did great things in Juarez, great things in El Paso, and that's the way it should be. I mean, to me, it's a fictitious border. It could be geographically, it needs to be there. But it ties us in as one community. And if you notice, you know, the great things in Mexico, great things here in the United States. And one of the things, and I remember my dad, he was already 58 years old when he received, he was naturalized. And he said one thing, you know, I love Mexico, but I will always respect the United States of America. And those two combinations of loving your country and but never forgetting where you came from is very, very powerful. And I think you've demonstrated, Mr. Reynosa, that that's who you are as a person. That's why you have such a beautiful family. And we thank you for your contributions. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. Thank you. One. Two.

Mr. Reynosa just reminded me that if we didn't behave, he'd give me a technical foul, so. A lot of those aren't even I could use some. This is obviously very exciting. I want to thank Eduardo that works in my office. When he goes out and Jocelyn, they love themes, but as you could see, his collection almost had to put a security guard next to it because it's so incredible. But just once again, this idea... of what wrestling meant and the athleticism that is involved of getting people to be healthy and just the excitement. Where is it, Guadalupe?

Let me go ahead and read it. I don't 5C.

Guadalupe, just give him a hand, please, because he just... So like I said, I hope this is a foundation of what wrestling and boxing can do for El Paso. And just, you know, one of the keys here, as you'll hear, is that the contributions are going to go towards mental health, towards education. And that's very powerful when somebody does someone for the sake of the community like what's going to happen here.

Judge, we have to read in the item first. Thank you.

Item 5C, approve and adopt a resolution recognizing June 13 and 14, 2026 as Viva La Lucha weekend in El Paso County and honoring the cultural legacy and enduring tradition of Lucha Libre as a symbol of heritage, athleticism, and unity within the borderland region, as well as its influence on sports entertainment and professional wrestling throughout the world.

Well, thank you. I got ahead of myself with the excitement, but... Viva La Lucha 5K is a community-centered event organized to promote health, wellness, cultural appreciation, family engagement, and charitable outreach throughout the borderland region. This event celebrates the rich tradition and cultural significance of Lucha Libre, an art form deeply rooted in Hispanic and Mexican American communities that continues to inspire generations through athleticism, storytelling, discipline, and community pride. With the third annual Viva La Lucha 5K to be held at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday, June the 13th, encourages individuals and families of all ages to participate in physical activity while promoting healthy lifestyles unity, cultural appreciation, and positive community involvement. Viva La Lucha 5K brings together residents, local businesses, nonprofits, artists, athletes, educators, veteran organizations, and families in a positive environment focused on wellness, culture, entertainment, education, and civic pride. with proceeds and partnerships associated with Aviva La Lucha 5K, support youth programs, educational outreach initiatives, literacy efforts, STEM engagement activities, community service projects, and nonprofit outreach throughout the region. Juarez Viva La Lucha 5K will also feature a live professional wrestling exhibition presented in partnership with La Lucha League Wrestling at VFW Isleta Post 8919, further promoting community engagement, family entertainment, and cultural celebration. where participants and supporters of Viva La Lucha 5K will have the opportunity to attend an afternoon of live wrestling event following the morning race activities, creating a unique combination of wellness, athleticism, and live cultural entertainment for the community. Whereas Viva La Lucha 5K and its partnership with Lucha League Wrestling also help support awareness and prestige of the El Paso Wrestling Lucha Libre Hall of Fame, which seeks to preserve and celebrate the rich history, legacy, and cultural contributions of professional wrestling and lucha libre with the borderland region. Viva La Lucha 5K contributes to tourism, economic activity, and regional visibility by attracting participants and visitors from across the Southwest to venues including Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, VFW Sled Up Post 8919, while showcasing the unique culture, creativity, athleticism, and community spirit of the borderland region. where El Paso County celebrates the significance of Viva La Lucha 5K with fans, organizers, volunteers, sponsors, professional wrestlers, and honors Lucha Libre as a symbol of heritage, athleticism, unity, and international influence with sport entertainment and professional wrestling. now therefore be resolved that the el paso county judge and commissioner's court hereby declare that june 13th and 14th shall be known as viva la lucha weekend signed this first day of june 2026. we have a motion to approve by judge samaniego second by commissioner olguin the voting is open commissioner coronado i vote aye thank you motion carries Well, thank you. If you could come up, please. We have our first speaker, Karina Hernandez. You can come up. Come on, Mr. Amigo, join them. Thank you.

Good morning, everyone. My name is Karina Hernandez, and I am proud to stand before you today as the CEO of Lucha League Wrestling, a woman-owned and veteran-operated organization built right here on the borderland. First and foremost, I want to thank you, Judge Samaniego, Commissioner's Court, our community partners, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and every family that has believed in what we are building. Thank you for recognizing not only Viva La Lucha 5K, but the impact that can be created when the community comes together around a shared purpose. Because what you see today wasn't built from abundance. It was built from sacrifice. Six years ago, we didn't have major funding. We didn't have a large facility. We didn't have staffs to help us out. We had just a vision. A vision that wrestling could be more than entertainment. A vision that wrestling could educate, inspire, and preserve culture and create opportunities for people who might not otherwise have them. And we are willing to work for it. There were times we sold vintage vehicles We love to keep our projects moving forward. There were times we built wrestling rings from scrap parts because that was all we could afford. There were times when every dollar, every volunteer, every hour, every ounce of energy went into making sure the next event happened. Many people never saw those moments. only the ones that exist today. But those sacrifices are the foundation of everything we have built. And yes, there were people who doubted us, there were people who questioned us, people who laughed at the idea of wrestling in libraries, people who couldn't understand wrestling in museums, people who thought wrestling had no place in educational programs, literacy initiatives, community outreach, and cultural preservation. Some still don't understand it today, and that's okay. because our goal was never to prove people wrong. Our goal was to prove that While others questioned the vision, we kept building. We built with the El Paso Zoo, El Paso Library, El Paso Comic Con. We built with schools, community organizations, and we built specially with families. We built opportunities where many people never expected wrestling to belong. Because of us, wrestling has never just been about wrestling. It is culture, it is heritage, storytelling and mentorship. It is community. and it is a powerful tool for bringing people together. The philosophy led us to create Viva La Lucha, an event that combines fitness, culture, family, and community pride, an event that encourages people to get active, support one another, and celebrate what makes our region unique. One year, every year Viva La Lucha continues to grow. Every year new families participate. Every year new partnerships are formed. Every year we are reminded that our greatest strength has never been our resources. Our greatest strength has been our people. The volunteers, families, runners, wrestlers, educators, and the community leaders. The partners who chose to believe in something different. As a woman-owned and veteran operator organization, we understand the value of sacrifice and service, discipline, commitment, and perseverance. Those values guide every event we produce, every child we mentor, every partnership we built, and every opportunity we create. And while we are proud that what has been accomplished, I can tell you honestly today, we're just getting started. We are preserving history through projects such as the Southwest Express 1952 Museum Bus. We are working to expand educational programs. We are building stronger community partnerships. We are creating opportunities for youth. And we are continuing our mission to educate, entertain, and inspire. Because the next generation deserves more than being told what can't be done. They deserve proof that it can be done. They deserve examples of people who built something when resources were limited. People who kept moving forward when others said to stop. People who chose education over excuses. To everyone who volunteered, partnered with us, supported us, donated us, participated in our events, or simply believed in us when the road wasn't easy, especially to those who doubted us, we say thank you. To Judge Samaniego and the Commissioner of Court, thank you for recognizing the value of community-driven programs and for supporting efforts and bringing people together. And to the next generation, don't wait for permission. Don't wait for perfect circumstances. Don't wait for someone else to believe in your dream before you believe in yourself. Start where you are. Use what you have. Build anyway. Because sometimes the things that make you... the greatest impact being with nothing more than a vision a community and a determination to keep going thank you all for being part of this journey thank you for believing in viva la lucha thank you for believing in lucha wrestling and thank you for believing in the power community together we will continue to educate entertain and inspire viva la lucha thank you good morning thank you

LOVITO IS NEXT.

morning everyone my name is lovito and it's an honor to be here today as we celebrate the proclamation of viva la lucha weekend on june 13 and 14. thank you judge samaniego the county of el paso the court and everyone who believes in this movement built on community culture and opportunity i began training in lucha libre at eight years old and debate they debuted at nine today at 14 i'm proud to represent a generation that proves passion doesn't wait for permission. Alongside my father, Hombre Lobo, I hold the Lucha League Tag Team Championship. But more important than any title is what represents hard work, sacrifice, and what can happen when someone gives you a chance. This journey hasn't always been easy. People question our vision, but we never set out to disrespect tradition. We set out to create opportunities, a place where young people could dream bigger, start earlier, and believe their goals are possible. Over time, that vision began to speak for itself. I've been blessed with opportunities to represent our community, from serving as a guest conductor for the El Paso locomotive, to being featured on a public library card, to sharing our comic book at events like LatinoCon in Dallas and Tucson Comic Con. I've helped bring Lucha Libre to families at the El Paso Zoo, celebrated the city's 158th anniversary, and participated in the opening of the Mexican American Cultural Center. I've supported veterans at VFW halls, helped with toy drives, food drives, and community outreach across the borderline. I've worked with organizations like Reach for a Star, Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and El Paso and Fighting Hunger. Some of these moments have even reached audiences around the world, reminding me of the story of El Paso and Lucero Libre connects to far beyond our region. Every experience represents what can happen when a community believes in its youth. Even with limited resources, consistency and hard work can create a real impact. Lucha Libre has deep roots in the borderlands and El Paso has always been a part of that heartbeat. If I have the honor of representing the city, I will carry that responsibility with pride for the history behind me and for the next generation coming after me. Thank you, Judge Samaniego, for recognizing that change comes from investing in youth culture and community. And thank you all. It's an honor to represent Viva La Lucha, the League of Heroes, Lucha League Wrestling, and the city and county of El Paso. Viva la raza.

Thank you. Beautiful, beautiful testimony. Thank you. You want to introduce yourself, please, to the audience? Here's Tiger. Thank you. Next up is Tony Rodriguez. Hey, Tony. I don't know if you missed all the accolades about Saturday's fight. It was pretty amazing. Thank you for...

The one time I get to bring the championship belt, but Janet should be wearing the belt. I mean, what she did for... I mean, leading the way for MVP and ESPN, I mean, was truly amazing.

It was unbelievable.

Worldwide on TV, but we'll talk about that later. But no, we're here for Lucha. Perfect venue. Exactly. It doesn't get any better than that. Should have been there all the time, but... We'll talk about that soon. No, but we talked about, like, I've been here. We brought AEW wrestling to El Paso, TNA wrestling to El Paso. Before COVID, we had started trying to get AEW to come here. Then COVID hit, and then in 2023, they ended up coming to El Paso. And the cool thing about having these events, when you get AEW, TNA, and stuff like that, it's televised. It's not like these house shows that come in and they... They do the show like WWE and then they take off and then they do Raw and stuff like that, but these shows are televised. It puts El Paso on the map. It shows the nation, the city of El Paso, and so that's pretty cool. So to have AEW there when we got them in 2023 and then back in 2025, and then TNA Wrestling came. They hadn't been here in 13 years. And so they came in March of last year, two sold-out shows, one on pay-per-view. Commissioner Stout and Coronado were part of that pay-per-view. And then they came in December to do a fundraiser with Operation Hope during Thanksgiving and the holidays to the fact that they, and we were able to announce a few weeks ago that they're coming back again in December. But because they know that El Paso has a huge fan base for wrestling, They all know. So now it's always a stop for them. They're always going to make a stop, which is cool about TNA is that their stop is always going to be not only in El Paso, but at the El Paso County Coliseum. And it's because that legacy, too, with the Guerreros, with Gory and then now Eddie. We had that mural with Eddie Guerrero backstage, and there's not one wrestler that does not stop by and take that picture with that. And it's just a history from even the younger wrestlers. They know about Eddie. And so it's great to have events like this. We do local Lucha Libre, too, in the Georgina Arena. So wrestling is big, and to have an event like this, I mean, this is definitely gonna be an awesome event. I'll take my belt and not necessarily run, but probably power walk, but we'll do that. But no, great event, and like I said, the El Paso County Coliseum does great with wrestling events, and y'all should be proud of that, too, especially with Saturday night.

Thank you, Tony. We've been talking a lot about the wrestling and the seeds that have been planted. But the way it, the Saturday, the way it was managed and the way people came in and left and the excitement, it just lends itself. And the individuals that I got to meet were so happy about being at the Coliseum and, you know, surprised about how, what a great venue that is. So we're going to keep it going. So next we've got Adrian Ochoa.

Good morning, Judge and commissioners. My name is Adrian Ochoa, sports director with ABC 7. And yeah, busy weekend for us, obviously, with the Stephanie Hahn-Hawley home fight. And as Tony mentioned, I just want to give kudos to Tony and what he's done with the El Paso Sports Commission in getting events to the El Paso County Coliseum for Lucha fans like myself. Born and raised in El Paso, Lucha Libre has played a big part of my upbringing here in El Paso. Went to a bunch of local Lucha Libre shows and as the first speaker had mentioned, I was at shows at churches and libraries. I was there, so I know how that goes. It's fun to see that and just to see how much it has grown. And the Lucha Libre, when you talk about the rich history of Lucha Libre, you can't talk about that history without talking about El Paso. El Paso has played an integral part in that. Of course, from the Guerrero family, I can't tell you how much pride it gave me when I would see Eddie Guerrero. He would be introduced, watching him on Monday nights, WCW, he'd be introduced to the ring, and the ring announcer would say, from El Paso, Texas. And as a young Latino kid growing up here in El Paso, hearing those words, gave me the pride in my community, and just gave me the motivation that you can accomplish your goals. And Eddie was a big part of that, was one of my childhood idols. And to see how much Lucha Libre has grown, it's just been great to see in our community. Cuz not only has Eddie helped pave the way, but you see other wrestlers like Cinta de Oro, who was wrestled as Sin Cara for WWE. Just recently, we have Persephone, a graduate of Chapin High School. She just recently signed with AEW, which is the second largest wrestling promotion in the world. You see what she's been doing? And that's just laying the groundwork that El Paso continues to contribute to the wrestling. And you see the youngsters here that are getting into it as well. Events like these have that motivation for the kids that are coming up, that are getting into Lucha Libre. And being from the border, you can learn the Lucha Libre style and you can learn the American style, the WWE, and that's just great. Not only that, you can compete here in El Paso and you can cross over into Juarez and you get the exposure from both the US side and from the Mexican side. And I think that's great. Again, I want to thank you for the proclamation and again, just the events like this really honor our history and where we are and where we're going. So appreciate that. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Adrian. See, that's the, what a testimony, but also want to thank KVIA because they've been very close to us and making sure that we're promoting them properly. And so lots of thanks to KVIA as well. I was very fortunate to have known the Guerrero family and this past Thursday we gave a recognition to the wrestlers at Jefferson. As you know that Eddie Guerrero was from Jefferson. I just want to make sure everybody understands that. and so anyway we gave that to the wrestlers a recognition on behalf of that that was commissioner rocha from the city uh read the the the proclamation they had for eddie guerrero uh so lots of excitement and just please please community show up show up at the race and let let everybody know it's it's contagious but there's some people still known that maybe they forgot about the excitement of the of wrestling in the beginning of the history of el paso But we need to hold on to that. We know that history is one of the biggest pillars for us to be successful in El Paso. That's what makes us unique. You go from the Pachuco starting here to wrestling to everything. So many great things originated in El Paso and we have to hold on to them. Not only for the rest of the world to know, but our own young people. I think they might lose this feeling and understanding of history and what El Paso is all about. So thank you to all of you. Please show up on the 13th at Casino. So thank you very much. Thank you. One more, one more. A very important one because it's a part of the, it's a Leskina Bruda restaurant. We have someone from Thank you for being here.

sino para rendir un homenaje a un fenómeno que define nuestra identidad en este punto exacto del mapa donde dos mundos se encuentran, se cruzan y se fusionan. Hoy hablamos de la lucha libre. Vivir en la frontera con Estados Unidos es una experiencia única. Es habitar un espacio constante de constante movimiento, de intercambio cultural, de resistencia y adaptación. Y si lo pensamos bien, la frontera es como un gran cuadrilátero. Es un lugar donde el biculturalismo se vive a diario, donde se lucha constantemente por mantener vivas nuestras raíces mientras nos adaptamos a nuevas realidades. En este contexto, la lucha libre mexicana no es solo un deporte, es un puente inquebrantable. A lo largo de las décadas, la lona de la frontera ha visto cruzar a miles de aficionados. Del lado estadounidense, cruzan buscando la mística, el color y la pasión que solo nuestro pancracio puede ofrecer. Del lado mexicano, los luchadores llevan su arte al norte, convirtiéndose en héroes migrantes que defienden nuestra bandera con cada llave y cada contrayave. La lucha libre en la frontera es un lenguaje universal. No importa el idioma que hables. Cuando la arena ruge, cuando el rudo comete alguna trampa, o cuando el técnico vuela por los aires desde la tercera cuerda, todos entendemos la emoción del momento. Es catarsis pura. Es nuestra mitología moderna hecha de carne y hueso. Máscara vinil y lentejuela, donde las futuras generaciones se pueden adentrar al mundo del folclor mexicano, donde los más pequeños pueden usar una máscara ajustada a su rostro y se herede una tradición, un espacio donde aprendan al igual que sus ídolos del ring. que vale la pena levantarse después de una caída, asegurando que la lucha libre siga viva por mucho tiempo más. Es precisamente esa magia, esa dualidad ruda y técnica, fronteriza y profundamente mexicana, la que decidimos embotellar y cocinar para todos ustedes. Así nace Lord Pastor y el primer restaurante temático de la lucha libre en la frontera, La Esquina Ruda. No queríamos crear solo un lugar para comer, queríamos construir una arena gastronómica, un espacio donde cada platillo es un campeonato y cada bocado te hace saltar de la silla. Aquí la cocina y el ring se fusionan. Diseñamos este concepto pensando en las familias enmascaradas que convierten la mesa en una función, en los amigos que buscan un lugar en primera fila con identidad, humor y mucho sabor. Nuestra atmósfera es un homenaje visual a los grandes colosos, a los carteles de imprenta clásica, a las luchas de la arena, luces de la arena y, por supuesto, a la mística de la máscara. Nuestro menú es una cartelera de gala, desde platillos técnicos, aquellos clásicos que respetan la tradición al pie de la letra, hasta propuestas rudas, con combinaciones audaces, picantes y atrevidas que desafían al paladar del más exigente. all seasoned with that spark and spiciness that characterizes the northerner and the border. This restaurant is our way of saying that the free struggle is more alive than ever. It is our grain of sand to keep the flame of a tradition that gives us identity in the face of the world. We want this to be the meeting point where the rude, the technicians and the exotics sit at the same table to share a good meal, a good talk and the love for our legends. Así que los invito a ponerse la máscara, a dejar los problemas fuera de las cuerdas y a disfrutar de esta función culinaria, porque en la frontera y en este restaurante, la lucha se vive, se siente, se goza, se saborea ras de lona. Muchas gracias.

No, al contrario. Muchas gracias a ustedes. Por favor, visiten la esquina ruda. Ese es el tema, es obviamente la lucha libre y creo que les va a encantar estar allí. Se presenta, por favor.

Good morning and thank you for the invitation. My name is Crystal Vargas and he's my husband, Lord Pastor.

Well, thank you very much. So please, please visit the restaurant. You know, they love us. Now let's love them back, okay? So thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

Commissioner, did you hear the judge? He said you're gonna do a double flip for him now.

Oh. No, I didn't hear him, but I certainly will after I get my me well.

Thank you.

Item 5D, approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Ana Paola Ortiz Salzueta, 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. For this item, we are requesting for it to be postponed till next week. We have a motion, please. I have a motion by Commissioner Olguin, second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Thank you, motion carries. Item 5E, approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the contributions of GI supply to the veterans community of El Paso and surrounding areas.

Commissioner Stout.

Good morning, Judge and Commissioners. I'm glad to be able to read this resolution into the record and recognize an important local small business. I want to thank, of course, to Bo Wakefield for bringing this to our attention and, of course, was recognized as Veteran of the Year by the court in November of 2024. Again, really happy to be able to recognize small businesses here and especially in precinct two. So GI Supply, as you'll hear in the resolution, has been serving El Paso active duty and veterans and of course the entire community for many years and has given back to the community in service for many years. It's a type of store that has a long and venerable history. Just so you know, military surplus stores originated after the American Civil War. And when the war ended, both the Union and Confederacy had mass-produced astronomical amounts of uniforms, arms, and equipment to recoup the cost. the US government began to auction its surplus in bulk to civilians at really heavily discounted prices. And as any small business owner knows, and I think especially military surplus store owners and operators, things change and running a business is hard under any circumstance, right? So these days the military perhaps produces less surplus and there are competing ways of distributing that material. So I really hope that GI Supply continues to adapt to the challenges and continues to serve our community for many years to come. So I'll go ahead and read the resolution and then we can hear from our guests. The resolution states, whereas in 1997, a family opened their small business GI Supply in Northeast El Paso with the goal of providing service to our local military community. And whereas GI Supply has built its reputation for the last 28 years as a respected local business, and whereas since taking over the business from his father, Jack Lester, in 2012, Clayton S. Lester has followed his father's legacy with the goal of ensuring that everyone who walks in receives five-star service. And whereas active military and veterans from all over have visited GI Supply and leave knowing a local family-owned business is supporting them in all stages of services. And whereas El Paso County is recognized as the Veterans Capital of the USA, GI Supply has become a staple for veterans all over, some veterans even traveling from different states to be here. And now therefore be it resolved that the El Paso County Judge and Commissioner's Court recognize GI Supply for its contributions to veterans of this community and surrounding areas. Signed this first day of June 2025, the Honorable County Commissioner's Court.

We have a motion by Commissioner Stout, second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open. Commissioner Coronado. I vote I thank you motion carries.

Alright, thank you.

Welcome welcome. As by the city and by you guys, God put us in a place of being servants for the community, for our active soldiers, for our veterans, for our police, border patrol, and first responders, heck, even our civilians. We love being here to serve our country through El Paso, and God willing, we'll always be here for you guys.

Thank you. What an incredible privilege for us to have you that have been very supportive. We keep asking all the businesses to do what you do, and that's spectacular. So we thank you so much. Debo, you want to talk a little bit about what that means to us?

I was selected as Veteran of the Year, and I wanted to do this throughout the pitch. And so I went there to get... a bush hat and put on my uniform. And I hadn't met him personally, but I had been doing business there. And I said, oh, they're always so busy. There's always a line. And so I go in and I said, can I get a bush hat and tell me the price? I said, now I'm a veteran, so I need my discount. So he goes, I said, I'm not just a veteran. I'm veteran of the year. He goes, oh, OK. So he pulls out a brand new hat. And he gifted it to me. He goes, on one condition, that you have to shout us out. Well, you know they don't let us shout you out at the Chihuahua Stadium. But I put it on, and I waved, and I did all of this for him. And his friends that came to see the game did that. I'm also with the honors flight. And some of the gentlemen are elderly. the veterans that we take to Washington, D.C., and they don't have luggage because they've never traveled. And so I went to ask him again, could you please help us with a couple of duffel bags? And that's what military people know, duffel bags. And so he gifted me six for the veterans that went on the last flight to Washington, D.C. for the honors flight. So that alone just shows his value, his truth, and his dedication to veterans and their families in El Paso. And I just want to say thank you, and I'm grateful for you and your service.

Thank you. Can he be your poster child for other businesses to do the same?

I've got on my cami today. I left the Bush hat.

Use him as an example of what, and the impact that it has when businesses contribute to this. And of course, if we're going to be the Veterans Capital of the USA, we need individuals like yourself to show why we are the Veterans Capital of the USA. So we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you, thank you. Appreciate it.

Thank you guys as well. Thank you.

Thank you, Peggy. Of course, of course. Come on up.

Item 5F, approve and adopt a resolution thanking photography enthusiasts of El Paso known as PEEP for their promotion of the photographic arts and recognizing May 2026 as Photographic Arts Month in El Paso County, Texas.

All right, I am also happy to have the opportunity to be able to read this resolution into the record. It's really great to, I think, see people enjoying themselves. It's great to see people producing art while they're enjoying themselves. And it's great to see the art that they produce. And the event that we're recognizing with this resolution did all three. It highlighted El Paso in a fun and positive way. And it's really part of why I push the county to have an arts commission to incorporate art into our buildings and the grounds. There's another aspect to this, which is economic development, of course. That also is why I push the county to be involved and we see how much that impact can have through events such as this. it's the ongoing opportunities presented by the photographers uh collaboratives in texas where you can and should buy local and while you're at it get your uh get your bike worked on and get lunch at podium finish and another great local business uh that's right there it's the convention that drew people from at least eight states over the past weekend And I really want to thank Mr. Bray and Tim Holt for being involved and everybody else that was involved in bringing this to El Paso. So I'll go ahead and read the resolution and then we can hear from our guests. Thank you. Whereas the County of El Paso proudly recognizes photography as a vital art form that preserves history, tells stories, builds community, and celebrates the unique people, places, and cultures of our region. And whereas the photographic arts encourage creativity, learning, and civic pride by inviting residents and visitors to see El Paso with fresh eyes and better understand one another through images. And whereas El Paso County is home to a growing and diverse community of photographers, educators, students, and artists whose work reflects the spirit of our borderland and contributes to the cultural life and economic vitality of our region. And whereas the photography enthusiasts of El Paso, known as PEP, provides year round opportunities for public engagement through exhibits, presentations, workshops, photo walks, and community outreach that foster artistic growth and participation for photographers of all experience levels. And whereas the County of El Paso NPEP partnered to highlight the photographic arts through events and activities throughout May 2026, encouraging residents to support local artists, visit local exhibitions, and participate in photography centered learning and community experiences. And whereas as a culminating activity for Photographic Arts Month, the County of El Paso and PEP hosted the Gulf States Camera Club Council Convention 2026, May 28 to 30th, 2026, welcoming photographers from across the region for workshops, programs, exhibitions, and fellowship that celebrate photography without borders and strengthen cultural and tourism activity in El Paso County. And whereas this recognition of the month-long series reflects El Paso County's commitment to the arts, education, and community connection and honors the power of photography to inspire hope, understanding, and appreciation for the world around us. And now, therefore, be it resolved by the El Paso County Judge and Commissioner's Court of El Paso County of Texas that May 2026 has been designated as Photographic Arts Month, signed this first day of June 2025, the Honorable County Commissioner's Court.

We have a motion to approve by Commissioner Stout, second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open. I'm sorry, Commissioner Coronado?

Thank you, welcome.

One second, Judge.

One moment, I'm waiting for- She's waiting on Commissioner Coronado's vote, Judge, real quick. Sorry.

Commissioner Coronado, are you available?

If not, then, okay, he may be out.

Okay, motion carries.

He's out with the luchadores. Thank you for having us. My name is Tim Holt. I'm the president of the Photography Enthusiasts of El Paso. These are some of our members that have decided to join us and back me up and make sure I don't make a fool of myself while I'm speaking. On behalf of the 125 members of the Photographic Enthusiasts of El Paso, we are deeply honored to accept this proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Photographic Arts Month. Photography is more than simply taking pictures. It's storytelling, preservation of history, artistic expression, education, and community connection. Through photography, we document the people, cultures, landscapes, all those things that define our region and our lives. We are also very proud to have hosted, as mentioned, the recent Gulf States Camera Club Council Conference, where over 126 photographers from nine different states attended this past weekend. For many years, PEEP has worked to promote the photographic arts throughout the El Paso borderland area by encouraging creativity, education, mentorship, and fellowship among photographers at all skill levels. We believe that photography has the power to inspire curiosity, foster understanding, and to help people see the world and each other in new ways. We gratefully accept this proclamation on behalf of our members, local artists, educators, students, and all who use photography as a means of expression and communication. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the community organizations, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who continue to champion the arts in the region. PEEP has been an organization in our area since 1993. We literally have had THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS OVER THOSE YEARS COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. AND WE HAVE A LITTLE PRESENTATION, I THINK, REALLY QUICK. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. DO I CLICK? DO I JUST?

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO.

I'M OLD AND THERE'S TECHNOLOGY. OH, GOOD. IT'S NOT JUST ME. THAT'S GOOD. Just, this is really quick, this is just some real quick pictures that we took at the Gulf States Camera Club Council Convention just this weekend. We had lots of photo walks throughout the city, including ones to all the missions. We had photo walks in downtown El Paso. We had photo walks at UTEP. What we wanted to do was showcase our area to our out of town visitors. And without exception, I don't think that all our friends here, they attended. Without exception, everyone said this was a great conference and they appreciated being El Paso. We have monthly meetings for PEEP where we try to do hands-on presentations where the members learn how to do something with their photography. For instance, on the far right there, they were using colored paper to make some really cool abstract photographic art. We also, I think some of you already know this, we have a collaborative down on 1400 Texas Avenue. It's the only photo gallery in the El Paso area. It's the only photo gallery within 140 miles of El Paso. The nearest photo gallery is in Carrizozo, New Mexico. And nobody wants to go to Carrizozo, New Mexico. Everybody wants to come to El Paso. So everyone is invited to come down and see our photo gallery where we have 18 of our members have their work up and for sale and it's a it's a wide great variety of work and like we said it's at the podium finish restaurant we'll give them a shout out to so every year we have a member showcase called the peep show and we have that at the el paso airport great name right right yeah we have the peep show and it's at the el paso airport uh and it's a we always have it in the um the rental car facility, and we are grateful for the El Paso Airport folks for giving us the time and space to put up our work. And just recently, just this year, we started a whole new special interest group within our organization for photographers that fly drones. And because we're PEEP, the photography enthusiasts of El Paso, we thought we would get the drone enthusiasts of El Paso, so now we have DEEP. So DEEP is part of PEEP. And so these are for people that are trying to improve their photography by using 400 foot tripods, we call them drones. Of course, we have websites that anybody can come visit. We're on Facebook where we have over 800 members. And of course, we have our regular page where we have a list of all of our upcoming meetings and things like that. And I think that's it. And again, on behalf of everybody in PEEP, we thank you all for this proclamation, and thank you all for being here.

Introduce yourselves, please.

Thank you guys for being here and supporting us.

Introduce yourselves.

I just want to thank you. I just want to make it really, really clear. As part of the photo walk opportunities here, we did make a point to have in every one of your districts, photographers out there taking pictures of anything and everything we have all the appropriate hashtags you're gonna start seeing pictures posted all over the place I'm not sure how much that would cost in PR to get that kind of notoriety but I think that's probably one of the biggest wins for El Paso is to have everybody come in and tell our story worldwide and we thank you for that opportunity thank you we were really happy with people coming from Louisiana

and saying at the end of the conference, we had no idea El Paso was like this. And we were like, yes.

We hear that a lot. We hear that a lot.

And they love the food, by the way.

Go ahead and introduce yourselves, please.

I'm Martin Fonda, one of the collaborative photographers. Thank you. Michael Bray. Thank you.

Leanne Brown. Gianna Garay.

Thank you.

Javier Cachi.

Thank you.

Yolanda Montiel.

Thank you. You know that, one more, one more.

I'm also a proud member of PEEP too. That's great.

I don't know how many people I've taken to the podium, and it's so nice to go back, and if they're not from El Paso, they sort of see in one quick view, they see the beautiful region that we have. My first contact with photography is that a young lady that worked for me in Juarez ended up becoming very well-known throughout Mexico. Her name is Carmen Amato. Anyway, what happened is she showed me a picture and I go, oh my God, what a beautiful place, my goodness. She says, yeah, you pass by it every single day. It was on my way to work and it had these beautiful trees, but she captured something that I wasn't able to capture. I love the name Peep because it really says that, but thank God I learned a lot about the things that she captured. Especially like during some of the immigration things that happened that you can't explain it. You can't explain a young lady carrying a barge across the river with about 20 men on the barge and she's moving through the water. How do you explain that? Unless you see it in photography and you catch those things. I'm very amazed at what you do, and I love the fact that you're bringing it into El Paso. And what you said is so, you know, we always say El Paso, to know us is to love us, but they don't know us. And so there's a lot of different ways to get to know us, and one of them is through photography and capturing those things that we see that others can't. And as always, Commissioner Stout, he's got some great resolutions, and this is one that, to me, is very powerful for our community. So thank you, Commissioner Stout.

Thank you. Let's go ahead and take a picture with the resolution.

Can we use your cameras?

Item 5G, approve and adopt a resolution recognizing the month of June 2026 as Pride Month in El Paso County, Texas.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome.

Thank you for being here.

You saved us for last because we're the most fun, right? Yes.

It's for the G. Best for last. So this resolution, I am so proud to bring forward, not just because Pride Month is one of the absolute funnest times of the year in El Paso, but really because Pride Month and everything that happens during the month of June really is just so significant because to me it embodies everything that makes the community of El Paso the great place that it is. It really showcases our inclusivity, our diversity, just the beautiful nature of our community. So this is an incredible honor for me. It's been an honor these past three years to work with Sun City Pride and with all of you as we lit up our iconic star on the mountain, which we got to see on Saturday evening and it's absolutely beautiful and honestly brings tears to my eyes every time I see it. So I'll go ahead and read the resolution and then I'll pass the microphone over to you all because I know you have tons of activities to tell us about. Whereas individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse identities within the LGBTQIA plus community are valued and integral members of our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, faith communities, and civic institutions throughout El Paso County. And whereas Pride Month is observed each June in remembrance of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 in New York City, a defining moment in the ongoing struggle for equality, dignity, and justice for LGBTQIA plus individuals, and serves as a time to honor the resilience, courage, and contributions of generations of advocates who have fought for the right to live openly and authentically. And whereas Pride Month is also an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of inclusion, compassion, safety, and equal opportunity for all people, while recognizing that LGBTQIA plus individuals continue to face discrimination, violence, isolation, and barriers to opportunity in communities across the nation. And whereas El Paso County is proud to celebrate and uplift the diversity of our borderland community, recognizing that the strength of El Paso has always been rooted in the people and cultures that come together to create a more welcoming, vibrant, and united region. And whereas El Paso County and the Office of Commissioner Eliana Holguin are proud to once again partner with El Paso Sun City Pride to illuminate one of our city's most recognizable landmarks, the Star on the Mountain, in the colors of the rainbow for the entire month of June 2026, sending a visible message of belonging, dignity, hope, and love to residents across our region and beyond. And whereas the lighting of the Star of the Mountain in Pride colors marks the third time our community has united in this powerful act of visibility and solidarity, demonstrating the continued growth, strength, and affirmation of LGBTQIA plus pride and representation throughout El Paso County. And whereas the community gathered on May 30th, 2026 for Light Up the Night at the El Paso Museum of Art, an evening of celebration, visibility, and togetherness that highlighted the enduring spirit of pride and the importance of supporting LGBTQIA plus individuals and organizations within our community. and whereas organizations including el paso sensitive pride the borderland rainbow center p flag el paso and lgbtqia plus student organizations at the university of texas at el paso and el paso community college continue to provide advocacy education resources cultural programming community support and safe spaces for lgbtqia plus individuals throughout the borderland and whereas pride month celebrations not only honor the achievements and progress of the lgbtqia plus rights movement but also serve as a reminder of the ongoing work necessary to ensure that every individual regardless of sexual orientation gender identity or gender expression is treated with dignity fairness and respect And whereas El Paso County proudly recognizes this year's Pride Month theme, Neon Pride, as a reflection of the community's resilience, unity, and commitment to building a future where all people are free to live authentically and without fear. Now therefore, be it resolved that the El Paso County Judge and Commissioner's Court encourage all residents to celebrate the diversity, achievements, and enduring contributions of the LGTB QIA plus community while continuing to foster a county rooted in equality, dignity, inclusion, and love for all people. And hereby proclaim the month of June, 2026 as Pride Month in El Paso County, Texas.

We have a motion to approve by Commissioner O'Geen, second by Judge Sammaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Commissioner? Aye. Judge your vote. Thank you. Motion carries.

Thank you.

Good morning, Commissioner.

Thank you very much for being here. Thank you.

My name is Amber Perez, I'm the Executive Director of Borderland Rainbow Center. I can't thank you enough for this proclamation of Pride Month. As we've sat here and listened to the other proclamations, one of the reoccurring things that I've heard is this idea of the ability to know that there is so much more available to us. And as a member of the queer community, oftentimes it is very difficult to feel that way, to feel that there are opportunities, to feel that we are not alone. And when a county does something like this, it says, hey, we are proud of our community. You are a member of our community. It speaks volumes. So I wanna thank you for that. And as we kick off these celebrations, because Pride is such an amazing moment, full of joy and full of just being authentic selves. I wanna also like pay honor to those people within our own community who are still under attack, specifically our trans community, and remind them that this is their home as well, that this is their space to speak, this is their place to sit, and this is their community as well. And as I stand here, one of the things that I'm thinking about is this past weekend I was able to speak to one of our trans members of the community and they were talking about the importance of becoming an ancestor, of becoming somebody that one day people will be able to call back to. And today, that's what I'm thinking about. I'm thinking about all the wonderful leaders that are standing behind me and in front of me and thinking of the fact that we are all standing here building ancestors, that all of our community, whether we're blood related or not, doesn't matter, but that we'll be able to call back on them. So thank you today for these acts of leadership, for reminding people that El Paso is this welcoming community for all. Thank you.

Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you.

Welcome. Hi, good morning. My name is Javier Aguilar. I'm the current president for El Paso Sun City Pride. On behalf of the community, I would like to extend a sincere gratitude to El Paso County Commissioner's Court as well to Judge Samaniego for your support and recognition of Pride Month. So your commitment honoring the diversity, dignity and contributions to the LGBTQ plus community and residents from El Paso sends a powerful message of inclusion, respect through our community and recognizing Pride Month. It means a lot to us. I want to say thank you so much for your leadership. As well, I want to say thank you so much Commissioner Ileana Alguin for being there on Saturday, as well Commissioner David Stout. You guys make it happen. Thank you for for helping us raise the funds for Light Up the Star. That event that symbol for us, it means a lot because that shows that we're here, we're part of this community, and we're not going anywhere. Again, and thank you so much to the Borderline Rainbow Center and especially to Amber for the leadership. This, the whole month, I mean, I always say, like, we're not gay. Only on June, we're part of the community the whole year. We do our events the whole year. And thanks to the organizations in our community, we make this happen. Borderland Rainbow Center is one of them. Amber is always there, like, for us, and we're there for them. Again, thank you so much, and I really appreciate it.

Thank you. Appreciate you. Welcome.

Good morning. My name is Diaz Camacho. My pronouns are they, them, and I am a local LGBTQIA plus El Pasoan. And I'm also speaking here on behalf of the Transgender Education Network of Texas, or TENT. I have lived in El Paso my entire life, and I love our city and Texas very deeply. We have a beautiful and vibrant LGBTQIA plus community in El Paso and across our state. However, I have also seen how the LGBTQ community has been increasingly targeted in recent years and how LGBTQIA people have had to hide and flee because of this targeting. For this reason, I am extremely grateful for the Commissioner's Court continuing to recognize Pride Month. This is an important step to uplifting our LGBTQIA community in the borderland, especially as many people with power and privilege continue to turn away from our community. I hope your support will encourage more El Pasoans to stand up for our community and empower my LGBTQIA siblings to be proud to be loud, to be creative, to persevere against hate, and most importantly, to be unapologetically ourselves every single day of the year. Thank you.

One more thing, June 27 is gonna be our El Paso Sun City Pride Parade, and I really hope and I really looking forward to see you guys there, either being part of the parade or also be joining us there. So just save the date, June 27.

Thank you.

Go ahead, introduce yourselves please.

I'm Stan Sloan, I'm the chair of the board of the Borderline Rainbow Center. Thank you. Carl Moya, PR Marketing Director for El Paso Sun City Pride. Thank you. Alain Briones, Sponsorship Director for Sun City Pride. Thank you.

Yes, please. One other new member, so I'm sorry to go now, so thank you for letting me continue. But I also want to thank Commissioner, I work for Commissioner Hogan, Javier Paz, Senior Policy Advisor with Oscar Silva as well. But I want to thank you, Court, for being supportive. Every year, this third annual is, for the Star, it means a lot to us. And Commissioner Holguin has been a champion with us every time. Yes, yes, yes, yes, for everything that, what do you need us to do? But I also want to go back to Commissioner Staub being kind of the pioneer, going back with the biggest rainbow flag you can have in the whole county, in this office, making sure that the rainbow flag is reflected at the top of their county courthouse every Pride Month, so we really appreciate that. And to all of the people who donate, this is not free, so anyone who is out there who wants to give $5, whatever you can do, it adds up to be able to contribute to the Rainbow Star, you just go to Sun City Pride website. We're still collecting, collecting, it adds up, it adds up, those $5 add up. So please and thank you, all the elected official out there who did it, all the volunteers, activists, and the court, El Paso County for being a strong supporter of LGBT rights. Thank you and thank you Sun City Pride for being strong supporters and leaders and taking each year to another level and another level. So thank you very much.

Thank you, Javier. Hello, my name is Nitro Dresden. I'm one of the photographers for the El Paso Sun City Pride. Thank you.

I want to start off by thanking Commissioner Olguin and the incredible advocacy and the incredible support from Commissioner Stout and from the court itself. We're very supportive because you help us continue to be unique, that we are a very accepting community, that we have an administration that wants to step into things that were so solid and have been created and we had achieved so many landmarks. but not in El Paso. I mean, we stand for what we believe in, and we believe in what you're accomplishing, and letting people know that we're very acceptable, that we're diversified, and we're gonna fight for that. I mean, we're gonna fight for that. We're not gonna allow things to be changed or perceptions to be changed when, not here in El Paso. And I always say, you know, the line on the sand, and you help us do that by continuing to promote, to continue to be and do what you do. And so we're very thankful for, you know, we're always saying that we're a unique community, but we have to show how we are. And Javier, thank you. If it's veteran or having to do with Pride Month, this gentleman is just incredible. He makes things happen, so you've got an incredible individual being part of your organization, so thank you.

Commissioner O'Geen.

Commissioner Schauch, did you want to make any remarks?

Happy Pride, y'all. Judge? Yes. Commissioner, thank you. I do want to just mention we're about to send out a notice to all of our county employees. And for, of course, Commissioner's Court, we'd love for you all to participate. We are working on the parade entry for the county. We will have one of our county floats. Javier, thank you for driving the truck. And we'll be asking any of our employees who'd like to participate to please plan to meet us on the 27th at 9 a.m. in front of City Hall. Bring your hats and your sunscreen. And just as a show of unity and support, anybody who wants to walk along the float, we will have it in the parade for that day.

Thank you, Betsy.

So in closing, I also want to thank Javier Paz from my office. So the lighting of the star actually was his idea several years ago when we first joined the commissioner's court. One day he just asked, why isn't it possible to have the star lit in rainbow colors for the month of June and we thought okay well let's figure it out and let's see if it is possible and here we are three years later and every year it just gets better and better and better so thank you Javier for your continued advocacy And thank all of you, not just for everything that you're doing during Pride Month, but everything that you do each and every day, every single year, not only celebrating the successes of our LGBTQIA plus community, but also recognizing the very real continued struggles of the community and doing everything that you can to fight back and to fight against that hate that unfortunately permeates a lot of our national politics these days. So thank you for your bravery and your courage and your wisdom. We are incredibly, incredibly grateful to have such powerful organizations here in our community. So thank you all.

If y'all join us up front for some photos.

Thank you guys so much. They didn't they didn't

Item number six is public comment. We do have a few speakers signed up for public comment. Just as a reminder, there is a five-minute time limit for public comment. First, we have Mr. Alfredo Agüero.

Welcome. Good morning, everyone. My name is Alfredo Agüero, and I'm a time done El Paso coordinator, also founder of our support group . The reason for me to come here today is because we had an issue about the speed signs on El Paso Paseo del Este Boulevard. And the issue is that it's been a lot of activity of the sheriff giving tickets. I'm one of, I received one already. And the thing is, it's not, it's just one sign in eastbound, west to east and east to west. The one I get the ticket is on the end of the speed zone on elementary elementary school. And the sign is in the end of the school zone. So I've been stopped three blocks before I get there. The ticket said he got a sign posted. I was 40 miles per hour. The sign says 30 miles per hour, but it's the only sign in the whole boulevard. And from the end of the school zone to the Darrington Boulevard is about 300 feet. From there all the way to the freeway is 45 miles. So we need, if we wanna continue with the 30 miles, we need more signs because people came from, visit us from out of the city. They don't know the speed limit there. So basically we are using to drive 45 from west to east from the freeway up to my house where I live, like to the school. The funny thing is, from the 355, 375 freeway to the Mission Ridge is four signs of 40 miles. After that is nothing. So usually, we have to think it is 45 miles. But still, we're getting tickets. When I complain about this to the officer, the officer said, well, you can go to court and fix them. But how strong is my word against the officers? And that's the way it is to my nephew. Did he get the ticket also? He was 35 and he said he's 30. He didn't see the sign because he came in the street after the sign. So there's no signs at all. So what I'm asking is, if somebody can take care of this just to go and check and see how those signs are posted? and help us because the economy right now, those tickets help us to put food on our table for a week, two weeks easy, pay bills. So if it's possible to fix this issue, we're gonna appreciate because the community where we live, it needs help on this because it's a lot of, it was. Heavy sheriff activity. Right now, it's not so heavy, but still giving tickets to people for driving over 30 miles per hour. So that's my comments, and I hope we can be helped with this issue. Thank you.

Thank you, Fredo. Appreciate you.

Judge, commissioners, I know you can't respond, but staff, we're on it.

Okay. Thank you, Betsy. Appreciate that. Thank you, sir.

Our next speaker, we have a comment submitted by Ms. Elizabeth Crawford.

Good morning, Cesar Navarro with the County Administration Department. I'll be reading Ms. Crawford's comment. Her comment begins, good morning and thank you. I would like to again express appreciation for the courtesy and helpfulness of the court administrative assistants. They're going to help me resolve the issue I am having with the ECHO when it comes into the meeting by phone. Thank you so very much. Thank you, Ms. Dominguez. I just recently got back into El Paso for the summer, and I'm enjoying a welcome break from the high-stress intensity of New Jersey culture. In May, I listened to the proclamation for National Day of Prayer. The chosen Bible verse is the beautiful scripture from 2 Chronicles 7.14, spoken to Israel yet with many extended applications to those of us who are not physically Jewish. If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. It is an awesome scripture passage. June has marked the start of Pride Month in El Paso. There is a fundamental problem. Humility and pride are exact opposites. Which one does the Lord desire? 1 Peter 5 God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. In my home state of New Jersey, most legislators are either practical atheists or agnostics and absolutely cringe at the public reading of Scripture. When these legislators endorse abortion and the pride agenda, they are being consistent. It is alarming, yet consistent. Discard the Bible, live however you want. What is not consistent is to allege any adherence to the Bible while endorsing lifestyles that are clearly condemned in Holy Scripture. Humility or pride. The holy God of the Bible or a human invention of a God who permits all types of immorality. As the Israelites were about to start life in the promised land, they were challenged by these words, recorded in Joshua 24. Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. The movement we know as American Christian nationalism attempts to take the promises of God to Israel and apply them to political America, as if the adherents are Christianizing the whole culture. Yet Jesus taught his followers, in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. The call of Christ is that no matter what the crowd around us may say, no matter what the whole world may say, our allegiance is to the Jesus of the Bible and our passion is to call others to eternal salvation in him. Through this cost, everything in terms of this world prosperity and popularity, the one who gave himself on Calvary is worth it all. We boast and take pride not in ourselves or in any man-made lifestyle or human political agenda, but in our awesome savior. Thank you for the opportunity to share and I hope you have a very good day. End of public comment.

Our next speaker, we have Ms. Michelle Cochran. Good morning, Judge and Commissioners. Welcome.

Thank you. Well, it is with mixed emotions and I just wanted to bring light to the fact that today is Ms. Jessica Dominguez's last Monday with us here in Commissioner's Court. She has accepted an amazing opportunity with UMC for her and her family. But Jessica has been instrumental to us here in the county. She started in this role in 2018, so she was with you all through the pandemic. and juggling that. And then since I started three years ago, she has been instrumental in bringing us into the new century with the new agenda management system. And not only Commissioner's Court, but she has diligently worked on bringing other boards and commissions and committees onto the program as well. And so leading us in transparent government and assisting us getting there. She's been an asset to us. We will miss her greatly, but we know she has great things in store for her. And Betsy, if you want to say a few words too.

Sure. Thank you, Michelle. I just want to mention Jessica actually started at our front desk of County Admin before she moved in advance to the role that she's in today. Incredibly proud of her for her continued journey to better herself and her family. And just, she's been a remarkable asset to our team. And, you know, I actually did, my first job was the job that Jessica and Cesar do. I was a deputy city clerk. And you think it's easy, but it's not. It's really, there's a lot of challenge and there's a lot of intuition you have to have to do that role. And Jessica has done it so well. I'm so proud of her. I'm so happy for UMC. She's gonna be doing, I think, a similar role with UMC, which will be a major asset to them. and she'll always be part of our county family. So Jessica, thank you so much for your service to the public and the transparency you've brought and the work that you've done in transitioning us to this new system. It's been really remarkable and I really greatly appreciate you.

Yeah, Jessica, thank you. Did she read the small print where she can't leave? No? No, but we thank you. You've been so stable and just so pleasant to be with. You're very kind and you make, I don't know, you just bring just this kind of peace in everything that you do. And so I'm very appreciative. I know the entire court is very appreciative. But, you know, when she told me that, it was like a little sting that when we lose incredible people like yourselves. It wasn't anything to do with Caesar, right? No, nothing. Because we can take care of that. No, thank you both, because you guys make such a great team, and we are going to miss you, but thank God you still stay within the family. So thank you for that, and thank you for everything that you've done.

Thank you. Thank you all. I really appreciate it. It's been a pleasure working with each of you.

Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. Our condolences if you have to work with Jacob. He's not here to defend himself.

Congratulations, Jessica, and we wish you nothing but a great career over at UMC. I know you're gonna do well.

Thank you, thank you all.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay. You're still working, right?

Sorry, let me get myself together. item number seven judiciary and corrections 7a postponed on may 21st 2026 receive a report on items addressed by the justice leadership coordinating council provided by the council's facilitators joel bishop and michael kukaru and i believe we're requesting that this item be postponed one week have a motion a motion by judge samaniego second by commissioner olguin the voting is open i vote aye thank you commissioner motion carries item 8 public works 8a postponed may 21st 2026 receive discuss and give direction on a presentation regarding the first street street and drainage project in piano deal bernie welcome

Good morning, Judge, Commissioners, Bernie Hernandez with Infrastructure Services. Excuse me. Today we're bringing the Guantanamo First Street Drainage Project to provide an update and basically also to seek a direction going forward. Sorry, trying to adjust this real quick. As you know, the Canotillo project, the First Street drainage project, was a project that was issued for the CO projects. It currently exists as a two-lane undivided roadway with a small ditch to the west side of it. The project limits were on First Street from Park Street all the way to West Street. And as everybody knows, this is the area that gets flooded whenever we have a pretty significant rainstorm out there. We currently have, I guess, experiencing flooding for anything larger than a 50 year storm. And basically what that means is whenever we do have any rain event that's greater than one and a half inches out in that area, the ditch gets overtopped and it starts flooding onto the roadway. Of course, we have different levels of flooding that occur in that area, but that is something that we kind of manage as far as for being able to dewater the ditch and start the extraction of the water. Currently, we have a $2.5 million that were slated in the CO funding as part of the issuance of the 2025 issuance. Additionally, we did receive additional funds from Texas with regards to the Board of Colonial Grants, which was approximately less than half a million dollars. And the project has an engineer's estimate of $4.8 million for the entire construction and $600,000 for the construction administration or management of it as far as for during the construction. I'm sorry, I forgot to move this on. So that being said, we have prepared a couple of options for this project to move forward. Since we do have a significant deficit in the budget versus the estimated cost for the project, we have provided a couple of options that we would like the court to be aware of and then also give us direction to moving forward. The first option is to reduce the scope of the project. Basically what we are taking the project limits and reducing that from Talbot all the way to West Street, which is primarily the worst area that floods in this area. As you might be aware, this is the only drainage structure that exists south of the freeway, I'm sorry, downstream of the freeway and then blocked by the railroad. And so all the water accumulates on and then because our first street is lower than Donovan, it subsequently drains down into our first street and then this area starts to flood. The current project, I'm sorry, the existing condition is a small five foot wide ditch that holds less than a half an acre foot of water in this area. The new project that we're doing is to construct a three foot deep drainage channel, which is approximately 19 feet in the smallest area. And then it grows in some of the areas where we are allowed for additional acreages. And then also we do collect it and try to funnel it into the existing drainage structures that we do have out there that we have currently constructed. This estimate, I'm sorry, the engineer has provided a construction estimate of $3.5 million. which is including the half a million dollars worth of construction management for this area, for this phase of this project. Ideally, if we were to allow for the project that we, to move forward as we currently have it, we do have the 2.5 million dollars for the, that were allocated for the CO project, I'm sorry, for the CO issuance. We also do have the half a million dollars from TechSat, and we do have some cost savings from a couple of other projects that we would like to utilize in order to be able to complete this phase of this project. So this is a complete project that can move forward as it is right now, but of course that wasn't the direction that was proposed during the initial issuance of the seal.

But, Fernie, this is our recommended. We're going to give you a couple options, but this is our recommended option right now.

Yes, ma'am. So here we have the second option, which is the leave as is, as it was originally directed, or I'm sorry, proposed to the court back in 2025. Of course, the project is estimated at $5.4 million total. We do have a construction cost estimate, I'm sorry, construction management estimate of $0.6 million, which is included in the 5.4. Which leaves a required deficit of $2.4 million that we have asked the county budget and, I'm sorry, Christian to start to analyze to see if there's a potential or any cost savings that we can utilize in the existing COs. that we have right now available that we can transfer into this project to make up the difference. And I believe Christian was gonna be available if we had any questions with him.

He's actually in the bond sale right now. Oh, I'm sorry. So he's not available, but we have not identified the funding yet. We are looking to see if there is any funding, but I don't believe we would have 2.4 million quickly or readily available. And that's why we're recommending the first option, which is to break this basically into phases. and do this phase, the first recommendation, option one, and then come back later when we do have the funding to do the other more northern part of the channel for phase two.

Thank you. Commissioner Coronado, any comments?

Yeah, you know, I'm with the administration to do as much as we can. I was hoping we can get the rest of the money to do it all because I know it's only going to get more expensive to do the other side of it from Talbot, north of Talbot. So whatever we can do now, if we don't, it's only going to get more expensive for either project or other option. And so I think we just need to act to do whatever we can right now.

Thank you, thank you, Ferney.

And if I can, this isn't, it's not related to the decision, but I do want to make a note. When you go back to the screen, can you go up one slide, Ferney? This canal runs behind... So the existing canal, you see how the existing and then what will be done to widen and make this canal deeper. This is behind a couple businesses that use that alleyway behind their businesses to bring supplies and things over the canal. And so right now they have... like a board or things that they use to traverse the canal. And this is gonna make it wider and more difficult to traverse. It is something where we may need to look through and think of some solutions to help these businesses. For any, I don't know, like acceptable, but that is something as we go through, we need to think through how those businesses can access the rear of their business to bring in supplies and things.

Thank you. Yes, I know, Judge, I know I've been contacted by these businesses that even right now they've had issues crossing over that little ditch that's behind their businesses, and they really do need access in the rear to bring in their inventory and supplies. So, yeah, I'm hoping we can do something for them.

Absolutely. Thank you, Commissioner.

Okay. I guess just that being said I'd like to also I guess just notify the court that we are in the process as this project was associated with the with the planning and development department in conjunction with the with the TxDOT grant. So the though the engineer Roxanna is not here currently to answer any questions if you'd have on the design itself. But I understand that We do have the consultant on hand if you have any questions with regards to that. Any questions?

No. We're okay, Franny. Thank you.

Okay. So is there a consensus to proceed with Phase 1? Yes. And then we will continue to work to try to identify funding?

Absolutely. Yes. Well, that's what we'll be voting for, right? Okay. Go ahead, Bill.

Fernie, do you want them to take a vote? Do you need a vote?

No, just direction would be sufficient for us because we do have that process where we are going through the bidding process on this phase with the RMA just to get the ball rolling as far as for the first phase. Ultimately, if we do have the allocation of the additional funds, will proceed and bid that other phase subsequently when we do have that money available. But right now, the project is moving forward. The RMA did bid out the first phase, and so we're waiting for the decision, I'm sorry, for the review process of the RMA to analyze all the bids, and so if we just have a consensus that this is the direction we want to go until we do allocate the additional funds, then we will just proceed as we are currently at. Yeah, you have the consensus.

So we have consensus, perfect, thank you.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, thank you, Ferney, appreciate all the work you and your department have done on this.

Yes, sir, thank you. Good job, Ferney, thank you. Thank you.

Judge, we'd like to go to one of the items pulled from consent by Commissioner Olguin. Item 4W, grant application, approve and authorize Constable Precinct 3 to apply for the FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program grant opportunity in the amount of $500,000 from October 1st, 2026 to September 30th, 2029. No county matches required. Further approve and authorize the county judge to sign the accompanying certification by chief executive officer and all other required accompanying documents. Contract number 2026-0373.

Good morning, Constable. Good morning. Good morning, Judge.

We apologize that we had you back there, so I'm glad you're up. Yes. Thank you, Constable. Thank you.

So I think that this is a fabulous grant opportunity and a very good example of how our different departments can collaborate to obtain results for our community. My question was about the staffing. And Constable, I know you and I had talked about, my understanding is that this, if the grant is awarded, it will require new staff. So not current staff that would be funded by the grant, but actually the hiring of new staff.

And I think you said three, I think.

No, just one. Just one and it's for three years. The grants for three years.

One staff member.

Right. And when we do hire, they will be advised and I guess we'll talk to HR to make sure that they know that it's only for three years unless it's renewed or something like that.

And that was my question. I know you and I had discussed that, but I didn't know what the final decision had been made. So I'm very glad to hear that. So that was my only question, Judge.

That's the only thing I wanted to hear. When we met, you made it clear that it was three years unless we had a renewal of a grant or... And you were very conscientious about, you know, committing to someone staying beyond the grant. So we're very appreciative of that.

Thank you for that.

Thank you. Thank you. You know, this is a great, like you said, corroboration between JPD and law enforcement. Also, Oliviane. Oliviane, when I started, was helping us out with truancies and counseling and all that, so this is a great continuation of our partnership. The deputy will be working mainly with the officers with JPD, and so he'll help out with going to alleviate some of the problems that they've had, because they're there to make sure that they're complying, but they have no enforcement. So with this, at least we can have some kind of enforcement.

Yeah, thank you. And I know they've been tied with some funding at Aliviane, and we know it's difficult for them. And, you know, we've got to catch, when it comes to youth, we've got to catch things very early on, very quickly. And I know right now there's beginning to be some movement towards, you know, things that we don't like to see in the future, and we need to address them now. Yes. Want to go ahead?

Yeah, thank you. County Judge and County Commissioner Christopher Ray, Deputy Chief of Juvenile Services. And I think this is just a great opportunity of, you know, El Paso County doesn't have any gang rehabilitation, really focused on gangs, and so that's a problem. So this grant will allow us to work with Oliviana, who will go inside the schools. It will also provide training for law enforcement to go in and provide gang resistance trainings and we want to see that try to be prevented before they even get into the system. So again, thank you for the support and hopefully we can try to decrease our numbers and then obviously provide safety for the community. So thank you all. Thank you.

We're always welcome here, thank you. Chief?

Good morning, Judge Commissioners. Thank you very much for your consideration and support of this grant application. As previously indicated, truly this aligns not only with JPD's vision, of focusing on diversion efforts, but also on the back end, providing suppression and additional services to our high-risk offenders that are also habitual offenders, and ensuring also officer safety. As you know, our probation officers are not armed, and oftentimes, at least once or twice a month, our officers are going into homes and finding weapons, finding drugs. So aligning and expanding the work that we're already doing with EBPD with our Serious Habitual Offender Program. This grant is gonna allow us now to also expand beyond those boundaries. So those children that are not necessarily in the Habitual Offender Program but are high risk, and have engaged in or committing delinquency involving firearms, now we can hopefully with this grant expand that presence of law enforcement going into the homes with our probation officers, ensuring officer safety, but also suppression and accountability. So thank you very much for your consideration of this application. Thank you.

This ties in very well with the Promise Program with Commissioner Coronado. and what he's trying to accomplish, because we're still at the point of prevention. You know, the worst thing, and I've gone through it, is when now you have a huge problem in gangs, and it's very difficult to address once they become, you know, uncontrollable at times or incorrigible. So, like I said, I hope you tie it into the Promise Program, because that's one way to make sure that they don't end up in our criminal system. Thank you so much for everything that you do. Thank you. Thank you.

We just need to keep our fingers crossed so we get the grant. Yes. Thank you.

We have a motion to approve by Commissioner O'Lean, seconded by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Commissioner Coronado, motion carries. Thank you, Constable.

Have a wonderful day. Thank you.

Item 8B, postpone May 21st, 2026. Receive a presentation from the Public Works Department, including planning and development, infrastructure services, facility management, and parks and recreation regarding the proposed new fee schedules.

Just under the wire. Good morning, Commissioner's Court. Good morning. How are you? We're here today, and I brought the whole team with me to discuss the Public Works proposed rate changes and recommendations. We have with us Michael McElroy with Planning and Development, Tim Fulton with Parks and Recreation, Robin Sully with Facilities, and Fernie Hernandez with Infrastructure. Today you will be hearing several recommendations across all departments for these rate changes. As a little warning or just a little clarification, you may hear the word revenue. We are not implying that is profit. It's definitely not profit. We are talking about rate changes to recover cost. then these costs are related to investing back into our facilities or maintaining our facilities as well. So as we kick this off, are there any questions before we head in? Right. So kicking us off this morning is going to be Michael McElroy.

Welcome, Michael.

Hello, Judge, commissioners. Thank you for sharing your time with us today, at least myself. So I am the first of four here, and so I'll get into that. Okay. Well, it will come as no surprise to you that the department assesses fees for the services that we provide to the community. And broadly speaking, the fees that Planning and Development receive are for our work regulating the division of land, grading and drainage, a variety of right-of-way matters, and subdivision construction inspections. And that's very broad. Many things under that. So today, while several fee increases are warranted, that's what I'm bringing forward to you today, what is not being proposed are any new fee categories. And for background information, the department hasn't asked for any fee increases since 2022. So the approach that I'm bringing to you today is to look at three levels of fee increases, essentially taking a low, a mid, and then a high range for your consideration. I want to share with you more information about that high range. That high range is actually a comparable. We looked at the largest provider of most of these services in our region, and that would be the city of El Paso. So using that as a recognizable and understood high, that is kind of one way to consider this, and that's what you'll be seeing. So where... We do not offer every service that, say, a city does. This county has unique services. So when we're looking at this low, middle, and high, some things we can't use a comparable, at least for the high. And as Melina shared with you, when we talk about we're not talking about profit, we're just talking about recovering our costs. So for services that have no local comparable, what we're simply doing is looking at the CPI, the consumer price index. So between 2022 and the last time the court increased the fees and now, that inflation rate was 20 to 22%. So at the high end, you'll see it at that 20, 22%. And of course the low and medium below that CPI. So just bear that in mind. Okay, so there's a lot here and there's a lot of colors. So it's worth sharing with you. So in the kind of pink to the left-hand side, you see the current on the books county fees. And in the middle, you see the headers, three dark blue, and those are just categories, low, medium, high, and then comparable. And then if you want to consider the comparable, you would like to know, I'm sure, what that number is. And that's what the kind of peach one is off to the side. That's the city of El Paso. And so on this slide and the following one, you'll see all the different permits, applications that we're bringing forward to you today. And so it's not that difficult. The low is low and the medium is medium. The high is high. And what we tried to do, at least with the high, is provide you that understanding of the equivalency of that high and then the prevailing rate for that service in the region. And we've done a really good job, I would say. I'll cut to the chase here. Our recommendation is going to be for the high comparable. It's what covers our costs. But that's for you to decide, the low, medium, and high. But I want you to be aware of what the dollar amounts are. And so in this slide, and it represents better on the TV than it does here. So within the columns, you see your lighter blue, but then you see a small band with green. You'll see more of that green on the next slide. That green is a unique county service. There is no comparable. So that's why you don't see that. But the light blue does have a comparable. And so If you have any specific question about any of these, I'm happy to talk more about that, but it would be a lot to go into, but happy to do that. So I'm gonna move on to the next slide, and you're seeing more of the same. Basically, it's the low, medium, high, and then a comparable, if there's a comparable. The takeaway to this is that With the high comparable, we are really just coming what to the city of El Paso is charging. But I want to say that we haven't used the city of El Paso as our basis. We did, and I have the backup here, use our own staff time, our own positions to look at this. And what we found is we're right on the money. It's really, really close with the city of El Paso's charging in this high comparable. So there's that. So a natural question out of this would be if we were to, if you were to increase the revenue, but I mean that in terms of cost recovery, what would that practically be? And so we actually took our 2025 permits and application acceptance and processing. So how many actual in-hand things did we process? And what is the cost recovery we received out of that, the gross revenue? And then look at if you were to adopt a low, medium, and high, what would that increase of intake be? And then, of course, the difference from historical. So this is just background information. I think no matter how you look at this, whether low, medium, or high, It's not a large amount of intake. You have that for your consideration, whatever that means to you, but I think it's something you would have asked for. As I shared with you earlier, our adoption of the high comparable fee, why were we suggesting that to you? Well, doing so ensures that applicants and not the general public bear the cost of discretionary services. The high comparable, it's consistent with regional standards and reflects regional cost recovery and its non-arbitrary application. It supports maintaining competitive service levels expected by the development community so that we can meet their needs and residents' needs. And importantly, from an urban planning standpoint, it prevents artificial incentives that distort development patterns. So if you have any questions on that, I certainly am happy to answer those. The way that the Department of Public Works had this presentation unfolding is that each department would go. So perhaps you have questions of me now or certainly questions later. But if not, I'll turn this over to the next presenter. Thank you so much.

Michael, before you leave, I just want to make one comment to the court. I have never had someone approach me and tell me our fees are too low, except for in this area. Just in this past year, I've had a couple people tell me in the development community that our fees are too low. And the reason why they give us that feedback is they want to make sure we have the resources to do quality work. And when we don't have the revenue, to cover expenses, we can't make sure that we have the resources dedicated to this area. So I just thought that was a really interesting thing that happened this year, but I've had a couple developers contact me and say that they think we were undercharging for what the work we're doing.

Thank you, Betsy.

I actually do have a real quick question for Michael before you step away. It looked like just looking through the majority of these fees are going to be paid by developers. Are there any that would be affecting just like small individuals?

Yes. Yes. Yes. So, for example, individual lot grading and drainage reviews. That could be on an individual basis. Street name change, that probably more of a community application. And then of course your driveway permits and road cuts there at the very bottom, that's on a very localized individual level. But that's just about it.

Okay. All right, thank you.

You're very welcome. Tim.

Good afternoon, Judge and Commissioners. Parks and Recreation, I think, are an essential service for the community. We know there's a lot of love for our parks, a lot of love for our programs. So when we look at our fees, we want to make sure people can access those. We know El Paso's very unique. We know the county's unique. We have the sports park. We have Escarte Park, which there's no other park in our area quite like it. So I want to just dive into our thought as my team and I worked on our proposed fees for you. One of the things that we wanted to consider, like Michael addressed, is offsetting our cost, offsetting what it costs the county to run some of these unique programs. But we also want to be mindful that we want to make these programs accessible for the majority, if not all of our community. What we've done here is we've broken down our fees into each area of programming. I wanna start off with the changes we're proposing for the commissioner and judge to consider. One of the things that we do get a lot of feedback is the parking fee. Currently, what we charge is when we have a special event, a large special event, 1,000 people or more, it's $5. We also charge that on our holidays, like Memorial Day. So if the holidays includes the weekend, we also charge on that Saturday and Sunday, coordinated with it. When the events are 4,000 people or more, that fee goes up to $10. What my staff looked at was historically, where was the county generating the most revenue? And it's when a fee was charged every weekend, Saturday, Sunday. no fees during the week. So we're proposing that we go back to that with a $3 fee on Saturdays and Sundays. However, we would still keep that $50 a year annual pass and then a $30 seasonal pass. That's a six-month pass for those that would be interested. And so that would, through our estimates, that would recapture some of the revenues we were generating before we made changes. And again, reminding the commission that the last time we changed any fees was two years ago. A new fee that we're proposing, too, is for Lights on the Lake. We explored that.

I had to listen.

Sorry. We want to look at...

There's a lot of people here.

I'm hearing voices, but...

Okay, sorry about that.

So what we want to do for Lights on the Lake, and this year we'll have one night where we want to charge $3 per car to enter the park. So that's been proposed. And again, with all of our transactions, we're really trying to encourage going cashless as much as possible. So with the credit cards that are being used, there's a $2 or 2% service, two and a half. percent service fee for those. We've also made some considerable changes for our sports facilities. I'm talking primarily about the diamond fields that we find in Escarote Park. We have had a huge increase in the number of tournaments, as well as league play, wanting to use those fields, primarily because the maintenance has increased. We overseed those with ryegrass in the winter, so we have green fields year round. And so we want to mimic what we do at the sports park. We also made some changes with our cancellation fees because when we looked at our existing fees, we found that things didn't align. So what we're proposing here, and this is for field rentals and it's a minimum four fields for four days. that if you cancel your rental 31 days or more in advance you get your whole fee back with the exception of $60 administrative fee. If it's less than 30 days, the county holds on to that entire amount. And the reason we do that is to ensure that folks that are preparing for tournaments and things like that don't just hold them and then wait to a short minute to cancel. And again, that's because of the number of groups out there that want to rent the fields. We also are changing some of our costs. We're looking at what it costs us to prepare and maintain these fields. So with baseball, softball, and our diamond fields, we're looking to go from $10 with prep, that means chalking the baselines and things like that, that would go up to $35 in our proposal. And then with no prep, it's going from $5 to $25. Again, this is for Escarote Park to match what we're doing at the sports park. Tournament fees would be going from $15 to $35, the same as we're doing at Escarote, I mean at the sports park. And then our sports courts, like pickleball courts, for day-to-day use are always free. We've had a huge demand. People want to reserve those for, you know, private use. And they're open and free, first come, first serve. However, if you want to reserve it for private use, then that's going to cost $25. And our rationale, like I said earlier on, is to align things with the sports park at Escarte. The other thing, our special events, we've got some changes here where we have a scale from high impact events to those that have moderate impact. And so one of the things we're proposing there is our commercial rate will be going from 800 to $1,100. And then the daily rate, and that's a four hour block, and our daily rate, which is 12 hours, it will be going from $1,450 to $2,000. Again, this is for commercial events. We do get a big demand from not-for-profits to hold events in a scouted-to part, so what we're looking there, because of our cost increase and the service we're providing, is going from $540 for that four-hour block to $650. Our residents, who the individual wants to put on an event. They're a resident of El Paso County. It's a $100 increase from 600 to 700 for that four hour block. And we're increasing our deposit slightly from 500 to 600. Again, that's a refundable deposit. Our hourly add-on, so this, if you rent it for four hours, but you're going to need five to six hours on, then that is going to go from $100 an hour to 125. And our rationale is we provide support staff for a minimum of four hours. at that, which is fairly unique for a lot of parks and recreation agencies. Our special events team is out there helping with the event organizers. Even when you have a pavilion rental, we have staff on board there. We also created a 5k classification because the impact of a 5k is very different than something like a two-day music fest in Escarote Park. Generally, they use Both lanes are two lanes of the loop road in Ascarte Park. So this would be a new proposed fee. The four-hour block, we want to raise that up for our not-for-profits from currently $350 to $500. And then a full day, which is currently $1,500, that would go to $2,000 under our proposal. And then for commercial events, profit events, we'd be looking at 750 going up from 450, and again, a 12-hour rental would go from 3,000 to 4,500, again, to offset some of those expenses. I will let the commission know that with our 5Ks, unlike a city street, we can close it completely, the traffic, without having a lot of law enforcement to block roads and things like that. Our staff can do it, usually working with the sheriffs. office for some traffic control. So because of the ease of doing that, it does keep the cost of these 5K organizers, keeps their costs lower. It also has increased the demand for the use of a scouter tape park in the future. Again, with our high impact event fees is what I'm talking about now. Let me just move my slides up so you can follow that. This will be for our four-hour blocks. We're going up from 450 to 750. The daily rises from 3,000 to 4,000. Our nonprofit events, again, would, for a four-hour block, from 350 to 500. And then the daily is an increase from 15 to 2,000. We also are adding with that an event manager fee that would increase from $250 to $350. This is a management level staff that is working the event throughout the entirety of that event. So we also are expanding the role so we provide that assistance. And then the required event support staff. We're basing this on a tier from a small event that's less than 1,000 people. We'll have one to two people. Large events will require four to six staff. And then a major event, six plus staff. Again, just helping our customers run smoother events out there. We've also looked at our food trucks and our permits. We are requesting or suggesting that the fees go up slightly. We're still less than our counterparts with the City of El Paso. We still get quite a large turnout from our food trucks, so a weekday permit would be raised from $50 to $75. Weekends, we're looking at a $25 increase. That's Saturday, Sunday. Holidays and special events going from $200 to $225. And then we also are offering a seasonal pass. And again, would increase that from $800 to $1,200. And then that's in the summer. The winter, when the usage usually declines slightly, we're looking at going from 600 to 700. And again, we feel this is still a very competitive fee. We still get lots of food trucks that love to use Ascarite Park in particular. our golf fees um no large changes there only minor ones because some of our costs have gone up um for the you know the cost of maintaining as well as programming the golf course so we're proposing for 18 on our cart fees we're proposing we raise that from 16 to 17 one dollar a full cart that would be two riders that would again reflect the one dollar per person And then you can, at a discount, get an 18-hole punch card that would be raised $10 from 160 to 170. Our membership pricing, we are looking at an increase of $16 for adults going from 210 to 226. Our seniors, that again would be 140 to 163. And then what the rationale behind that is that it would, making those changes, provide some savings. And again, helping to recover some of our expenses. Our aquatic program, one of the things we're looking at is because we operate three pools, the cost of lifeguards are the same at all three pools. And so to cover those safely with our lifeguards, we want to reflect what that actual cost is to cover that. And so what we're proposing here is that we would see an increase in Ascarte Park from $2 for our youth, seniors, our military, first responders, and county employees would go from $2 to $3, and then for adults, it would go from $3 to $4. We're also proposing Canatillo Pool and Favens Pool would reflect the same pricing daily admission as Ascarte Pool. The lane rentals and the aquatics programs that are unique to a Scarate pool would be, we have a new for-profit lane rental rates introduced, and those are $18 to $20 per hour. Depending on if it's a long course, that would be the length of the pool, or short course, that would be the width of the pool. And the staff this past year did add additional lane lines for the short courses. And we've had a huge increase from the number of folks wanting those for swim teams and then other events that happen like triathlons. Our swim lessons would be $40 per 30 minute session. And again, high demand for swim lessons at our pools. We've made some suggested changes for pool rentals, and again, this is tiered by the size of the party that's renting the pool. These are private rentals, so from one to 150 attendees, 150 an hour. 151 to 325, we'd look at 250 an hour. 326 to 500, that becomes 280. And then if we get a full pool from 501 to 750 swimmers at the party, it's $500 an hour. We also want to give some options out there, so if it's a non-exclusive party, you want to rent it and we still have it open to other users, you can rent the pool for $100 an hour up to 50 guests. Again, non-exclusive. This offers more flexibility for the number of folks wanting to rent pools for private parties. We also are, because of the cleanup that's involved for our pools, after we close to public swimming, we offer the private rentals. We're charging a cleanup prep and cleanup fee for $150 as part of that. Again, to offset some of those costs. And then with the sports park, some of the things that were added, again, these are proposed new changes, would be the adult softball. We're looking at a fee going up to 750. This would include 10 games. the playoffs and the championship games to be included, as well as awards from first to third place, again, for that $750. We also have a new program we're proposing. This is for the parents of the youth in our youth league. It's basically, you know, we have rules of conduct at the sports park. This class would go over that, how we participate as parents in a program, how we teach good sportsmanship at the park. And again, sort of these are the rules of the county sports park. This is the parent's role in keeping those rules enforced. Because of some incidents we've had over the past year, we feel this is highly needed at the sports park. And then here we're gonna be talking on the next one is our field rentals, facility fees. Again, this is any of our sports field back with the preparation at the sports park. With prep, we wanna have the fee proposed at $36.25. With no prep, it would remain at 25. And then the additional field prep, if needed, would be an additional $20. We've also updated a fee here with the sports staff monitor. This would be someone, again, going back to those rules of conduct at the sports park, someone that's working with law enforcement to make sure we are indeed following those rules. Tournament and event fee changes, tournament field rental, $35 per field per hour. Again, minimum four fields for four hours. Our not-for-profit rental would be $25 per field per hour for that four-hour block. and then some updated fees, these are new fees, a daily cleanup fee of $250. Unfortunately, some of our programs tend to leave their trash behind, water bottles, food wrappers, things like this. So it does require the staff to go out and pick all that. So we're proposing that fee. And again, our cancellation, will be the same if it's 31 days or more in advance. There's a full refund with the exception of $60 admin fee. And then for 30 days or less, the county would retain the entire fee. So again, just because of the high demand, we're putting the minimum at four fields per four days. Another new revenue stream that we're proposing would be our batting cages at the sports park. That's $2 per person for ages five and over. Again, some of the five-year-olds are better hitters than I am, so they do like to use them, the teams like to use them. We also are encouraging people who just wanna come out and use the batting cages for practice or leave some stress, those would be open for them as well. We also are offering, this would be our $5 gate fee. We're proposing a punch pass that would be 30 visits at $48, and that way we'd save folks money. This is for tournaments and other gate fees. Our youth league, we don't charge a gate fee, just for outside tournaments. And then... I did already mention the batting cage. So in summary, I really want to say what the team, and I'm really proud of our Parks and Rec team, looked at all of our fees, looked at our current costs, and then looked at our increasing demand that we have on the county's parks. We do know that a lot of programs or a lot of teams are leaving use of city fields because of the difficulty in getting field space. but they do come to the county, our prices are competitive, and we wanna encourage good stewardship of our facilities as well as excellent maintenance, and that's the reason for the proposed increases. Thank you. And I'll turn this over to Robin.

Actually, I'm sorry, Tim, can I ask a couple of questions?

Yes, ma'am.

So, like for example, in Michael's presentation, he was able to show what the different tiers, the low, medium, and high, what additional, and again, we're using the word revenue, but we know we're not talking about profit, just cost recovery. what those different tiers would collect in additional revenue. Were you able to do that to look at all of the money that was collected for the pools, for example, this last year? What is the projected increase to that revenue if these higher fees go into place? And the reason I ask that is because my fear is that by increasing fees to parks, which we try to encourage people to come to parks, and a lot of times parks are the only free diversion and access to outdoor activity that a lot of our residents have, I'm afraid that by increasing fees, especially the pool fees, we're actually gonna be decreasing usage. So I don't know if we've looked at that, if we've thought of that. I understand the importance to try to recover as much as we can, but honestly parks I think is something that's always gonna be subsidized by the general fund, right? We're never gonna break even. I don't think on parks, but I think that's a decision that we make because we want to provide these services to our residents. So I'm just wondering if you've looked at, if you've looked at it in that way of trying, you know, how much additional revenue is actually going to be generated by these new fees and that way we can see if we think it's actually worth it if we also think we're going to see declining usage.

Thank you, Commissioner. We did look at additional, we were looking at the percentage and what we were trying to capture based on, you know, our budget proposals. However, I admit we didn't do it as neatly as Michael and his team. I can come back with that information so it'll be a little easier to compare. And then we can put our best projections, what we think, as you suggested, would it turn people down if there's a higher fee? I know some things we

we're going to continue to get the demand but i i will put that information and i think for example tournaments at the sports park that to me seems very different because those generate revenue for the organizers right so they we know that they make money organizing these tournaments and we know that there's a lot of um demand for our facilities and and that does take a tremendous amount of work from our staff so to me those kind of are different what i'm thinking about is the individuals right the kids the seniors the parents that are showing up to our swimming pools because oftentimes especially during the summer that's the only way that they have to cool off and i understand the increases that are being proposed are not huge dramatic increases but I would just hate to see any reduction in, for example, the use of our pools. I don't golf, so I don't know anything about the golfing fees. I'm not going to opine on that, but the pool increases worry me. The services more that are used by families, especially families with children, I'm more worried about those increases.

And Commissioner, Tim, if I may. So our fees were originally based on a framework that was recommended by the American Parks and Recreation Association. And so originally our fees are based on the concept like the more privatized the uses or like exactly what you're saying, like the tournaments. We're trying to recover, and we still don't recover 100% of our cost, but we recover a greater percentage. And the types of services you're talking about, like the swimming, and that's like just the basic public benefit use, those are the lower cost recoveries. I will say I think they have been fairly low for a long time. The one I did, too, that we might want to consider bringing back, Tim, is for the kids that use the swimming pools regularly, that is an area we don't have a punch card that I'm aware of. Other areas we have a punch card where you could get, like, if you know you're going to come swimming multiple times this summer, It's still it would be cheaper to have some kind of like pass or like maybe they may the only challenge that is the same kids may not have that much money to front. But just those are those are things we could look at as well. But looking at how do we compare to other pools? What are the what is the cost recovery percentage?

We can certainly do that. Be happy to, we can put what the city or other agencies are charging for their daily pool passes, as well as what the difference would be in recapturing some of our costs, and we'll do a comparison on that.

BECAUSE LIKE I'M THINKING FOR OUR CANOTILLO AND OUR FAVENS POOLS SPECIFICALLY, IF THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A VERY SMALL AMOUNT THAT'S PROJECTED, THEN I DON'T SEE WHAT THE POINT WOULD BE OF RAISING THOSE FEES.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I THINK WE SHOULD DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THOSE SMALLER POOLS BECAUSE 50 cents increase is difficult for them and hard to understand. I met with the race for autism, and they were having such a difficult time. It was like a counterintuitive for them that they have a race, but they were charging $5 to go in. So that kept, according to them, that kept a lot of the people from going. And then secondly, some people that want to donate, when they get there, well, you know, they already spent $5. And so that makes it difficult. So it was very difficult for me to sit there and think about, you know, they're trying to do something in mental health, which is a huge lane for us. And then they were asked, are you part of the event? And then they'd go, yes, $5. And somebody else was going to the baseball field, and they weren't getting charged. And so that felt very contradictory to them. So, I mean, if you could help us sort of understand, like, be able to explain those things, because it was a long hour of hearing them, as to we're trying our best to do something for autism, this is very important for a community, and we felt like we got dinged to be able to do that. And so, anyway, if we could have some consideration or some thought behind it, maybe in strategic planning, Betsy, or something, that we could, how do we... You know, it's such a big lane for us as some of these mental health things that they're doing, and then we're giving them a limitation, so.

And it's just difficult, too, because again, you know, I've brought this up in the past when we started You know, helping nonprofits a little more with our park stuff. I mean, you can't discriminate, Judge. Like, once you do it for one nonprofit, you have to, I mean, it's really difficult to tell another nonprofit no and another nonprofit no and another nonprofit no. So, I mean, that's why it's good to have the fee schedule set out and at a discounted rate, but I mean, once you start picking and choosing, it's just not fair.

That's really hard, it is really hard, because you do have some who, the nonprofit, and I just did a nonprofit fundraiser, and you have some groups that really get out there and market it and make, a lot of money and some that aren't as sophisticated and don't make hardly anything. And so it's really hard to compare, like, why do you do something for one versus the other? It makes it really challenging.

And... I even thought of So that what Commissioner Olguin said that, you know, you charge and then you get less people. And so then where did you? Did you really come out ahead? But I even thought of the fact that maybe out of the $5 that like $1 would go towards our contribution to what they're doing. And I bet you we would increase, because now people, if I know I'm going to pay $5, but $1 is going to the organization, that might help a little bit. And so if you could think about how we could do that, like at least, and it would feel good for us to say, you know, we did charge $5, but $1 is going back to you. But I think you'll see that you'll have more people, and it'll offset the $1.

Thank you, Judge. And I do want to point out, and I'll take responsibility for this, I think there was a bit of miscommunication on the part of our team with the folks from the autism walk. I did have the privilege to talk with the executive director who came in from Austin for the event. She was on site. And we do want to, you know, keep those type of activities in the park. Somebody who has a child with autism, I fully understand that. So yeah, we can always do better on the communication end with them, and I do appreciate the input on that.

And just one last thing, Tim. I just wanted to give a huge shout out to Yvonne and our lifeguards at the Fabens Pool. We had the annual Fabens Pool party on Saturday, and I think we had our largest number of participants to date. We didn't hit the 200, but it was about 160-something, 170-something participants. So it was really, really nice to see all of the kids there enjoying the pool. And Yvonne was wonderful and our lifeguards were wonderful. So please thank them for me for all of their help. But I did see some, because I spent some time there at the little window And some kids were arriving and you could see they were very concerned about the price. They didn't really understand that it really was free and they didn't have to pay. And you could see that they were worried about how much they were going to have to pay to get into the pool. So once we told them, no, it's free. It's completely free. Here's your little ticket and you can enjoy the pool all day. You could just see the relief on their face and I would just hate to do something that's gonna make our pools less accessible to these kids.

One thing that the city does is they actually charge the adults the $3 and the kids the $2.

And Betsy, that's what we're proposing. So, we're proposing a $3 fee for adults and then that $2 fee. And so, that's what the proposal was. But we certainly are going to look at it and I think bring back more information for your review. Thank you very much. Thank you, too.

Welcome. Thank you.

Good morning, County Judge, Commissioners, Robin Sully, Facility Maintenance Director. This afternoon, I will take this time to review on the Facility Maintenance Department and the garage rates comparison of other garages. Our objective today is to evaluate our current parking rates to support and maintain operating costs by comparing county rates against other facilities and determine whether the modest rate adjustment is necessary to maintain competitiveness and continue delivering high quality. Our goal with this presentation is what we're looking to do is to support ongoing maintenance and future facility improvements, maintain affordability while enhancing customer satisfaction, ensure long-term financial sustainability of the parking operations. Why are we using this approach? We use this approach because periodic rate evaluations are essential to maintaining and improving the parking facility. A modest adjustment, I'll say again, a modest adjustment will help address increasing operational expenses while supporting future investments in the safeties, security, and infrastructure improvement. Some of the key factors that are driving us to this evaluation is Everyone know everything is going up, the rising cost of maintenance, utilities, and labor costs. We have increase of operations and security demands, the need to maintain facility reliability and customer service and standards. We also want to make sure that we continue to be in alignment with long-term facility management and sustainability goals. As previously mentioned, what we did was I had my staff to go and do a comparison rate with the majority of the local parking garages here in El Paso City, in the area. We looked at the Kansas parking lot, Indico, Westar, Wells Fargo, Sunflower, Mill Plaza, just to name a few. And I will start with the top one there. It says 10 minutes to half an hour. The lowest rate was $2 an hour, which was Westar. They charge $2 an hour in Wells Fargo. County currently is, they don't charge anything. We charge nothing. And we do have proposing no change on that. No change. That is our proposal. Anything from a half an hour to an hour, if you notice the lowest is $3, which is Mills Plaza, and the highest is about Indigo is I think $7.58. Our current price is $2 for a half hour to an hour. Our proposal is $1 increase, which is $3. Anything over a minute to, not a minute, I'm sorry, 31 to an hour to a hour and a half. Highest Indigo is $8.86. Lowest is Mills has $4. We're currently at $5. We're recommending a dollar increase, which would be $6. It's only a $1 increase. Hour and a half to two hours. The highest we have is Indigo is $10.83. You have Kansas is $9. County is $5. Keep in mind when I say $5, and we're proposing for $6, meaning a dollar increase. Daily, daily, Kansas Street, $15. Indigo, $22. Wells Fargo is $10. Apparently, the county is $5. We're proposing a $3 increase, which is $8 daily. That's daily. As for our monthly, notice I said monthly private citizens. That's those like the police department and other agencies that are outside the county. They currently pay $80. We're looking at a proposal of a $5 increase, which is $85.

Robin, before we leave this slide, just a couple things I want to mention. I've been parking in a lot of surface lots lately for some reason, for events, and the surface lots have gone up significantly. The cheapest surface lot I've parked in out of probably about four or five in the last few weeks was 13-something for hours. you know, hours of parking. And I pulled into one surface lot and moved because the price was, I want to say it was like $27. And I thought, this is for a surface. You're not in the shade, nothing. And there's also some of the surface lots now that have added technology that once you pull in, When you pull out, and if you haven't, like the case where I pulled in, this didn't happen to me, but where you pull in and when you pull out, it's using technology and plate readers and sending you a bill if you didn't pay. And so they're really getting sophisticated for the surface lot. are, even at $8 a day, is significantly lower. There's a couple things that this will impact, if the court does approve this when we bring it back, would be the jurors, we basically pay for that. We give them the parking, we validate their parking, or we We do the parking for them, and also some of our own, we pay for our own parking. So we are paying ourselves. It still is a wash, but we would have to adjust the budgets, the revenue, and the expense up on that. The other group that I'm concerned about is our employees who are on the waiting list. I'm wondering if there's a way we could let them still have $5 a day parking, if that's an opportunity, until they get into the garage.

Thank you, Betsy. Currently, the county parking rates are approximately, the county parking rates right now today, we are 20 to 50% below comparable facilities despite offering similar services, accessibility and location advantages. This proposal indicates an opportunity to implement a balance rate adjustment while remaining competitive within the market. Therefore, in closing, this proposed rate adjustment represents a balanced and responsible approach. It allows us to remain competitive within the market, address rising operation costs, continue providing the level of service to our customers and community aspect. By taking this proactive step now, we can help ensure the long-term financial stability and success of the parking facilities. Subject to your questions.

Mr. Sully, I have a question. If we can go back to the prior slide. So the private citizen parking, I know you mentioned like police department or non-county departments, but is this also just individual private citizens? Like for example, an attorney, a private attorney in private practice who's here all the time, they can buy the $85 monthly. Yes, Commissioner.

If we have any available. But generally, it's a balance of whether we have those private parkings available too.

Okay, so those are limited. Can they get on a waiting list or how would that work? A waiting list? Yes.

If we don't have anything available, we could put them on a waiting list.

Okay. All right. Great. Thank you.

No further questions. I will be followed by the next presenter.

Good afternoon, Judge Commissioner Sperniot on this with Infrastructure Services. Our department also assesses fees related under our on-site sewage facility and environmental section, commonly known as our septic system inspectors, which their duties are to protect the groundwater, surface waters, and public health. So these duties require for the inspection and the maintaining of our inspectors to perform these requirements under the health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 285. So the department has currently a fee structure. We're proposing to keep the current fee structure but increase the rates accordingly. This first slide, here you can see a comparison of what our old fees used to be. These were the fees that were established before 2018. We do have the next column here is the rate adjustments that we did do in 2018 to bring to our current current fee structure. And then, of course, we do have the proposed 2026 rates that we are proposing. The, basically the main increase you see is, like Michael was saying, we did have a CPI increase, an inflationary increase across the board since 2018 of almost 32%. So we did factor this 32% into the associated fees. And here we did provide a comparison of what the other state counties provide as far as for their fees and permitting. So you can kind of see that we're basically within the limits of the state averages. And in some we're right at the limit and mostly we're well below that fee. At this time, we're currently seeking, I guess, to get input on how to proceed with these recommended fees, if that's the structure that the court would like to continue with. I guess one of the things that you'll see on here is the registration fee. That one is a fee that is no longer required. because our registration fee was a amnesty period fee that we had assigned during the 2018 just to get everybody registered that did not have an existing registration. But now because of the amnesty period has expired, now that all residents are required, all residents that have a septic system are required to have that recorded in our system going forward.

Bernie, so it looks like the proposed fees are all below the state average, except for one, the re-inspection non-residential. Why do you think that one is a little bit higher?

Yes, ma'am. And that one is kind of a weird situation where we, I guess we assign a typical, a duration of four hour period inspection. And so that, excuse me, that's how we calculated, I guess, our rate to be that $32 an hour. And so it includes the time of our inspectors and time to go out there and do the actual inspection, come back, analyze it, be able to do the recording documentation. And so I'm not really sure why the other state agencies were significantly lower than ours, but we did not have that big of a difference from 2018 to this proposed one. So we just kept the straight 32% increase on that one.

Thank you.

Okay, there's no further questions. I will move on to the Public Works section. So the Public Works also does have a set of fees that they do charge the other municipalities, the smaller municipalities located here within the county. We do have interlocal agreements almost all the municipalities to some extent and even the city of El Paso does utilize our services as well. Some of the fees that are associated in these forms are based on current market rates and others are fees that are associated with our actual time and usage on this one. Here you can kind of see that we are increasing primarily the ones highlighted in yellow. We do have the current fee structure, and then of course the proposed rates of 2026, and also these do follow a CPI rating, I'm sorry, CPI increase of 20% for the inflation rate. Here you can kind of see more of the fees that we do have. These include kind of like street signings, installations, street paving that we do offer like single chip seal, double chip seal and overlays. And so these services we do provide to the smaller municipalities that do request for help whenever we have availability. And then some of these services are done in-house and some of the services are outsourced and they can be outsourced based on the workload that we do have and some of the tasks that we don't have the capability to do at this time. And if you have any questions regarding where these proposed rate increases? This pretty much concludes all of our presentation for the Public Works. We are open to hear any questions or concerns that you do have at this time. If not, I believe that was it for our presentation. Sorry.

Betsy, I think we could separate them, but it looks like we were pretty in agreement other than Parks and Recreation, so I don't know if there's a way we could just pull that one out and look at it a little further. Yes, sir.

Yes, sir. So we could ask the court, let's see, today we just have it receive the presentation. So we will bring back an item on Monday for next Monday for adopting those fees. And we'll bring back more information, maybe not by next Monday, but we will bring back the parks and rec ones separately.

And what have we done to outreach? Because this is, I mean, this is always something that comes up every time that we do this. People find out at the last minute.

Yes, sir. Tim, do you want to talk about what you've been doing with the parks groups?

Commissioner, what we're starting to do with events and things like that is we've worked with our event organizers to give them advance notice if there's going to be a parking fee, you know, again, based on attendance.

And like I said... No, about the fee changes.

Oh, the fee changes, I... I think we can do more outreach, Commissioner, quite frankly. And I think based on.

I mean, should we do it? So then should we postpone the ratification of these changes for a couple of weeks so that the public has the time to be informed correctly instead of like six days, please?

Yes, sir.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for your feedback. We will bring back the item in a couple weeks with notice to the public and for adoption of the fees for the other three units, and we'll bring back more information on the parks fees.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, all of you, for also considering the expectation from the public is very difficult.

Thank you. Judge, would you like to go ahead and take the afternoon recess?

Yeah, can we take half an hour because Commissioner, we won't have quorum and we'd like to take as many as we can. Yes. Well, Commissioner Shearer, Commissioner O'Neill.

Commissioner's Court will recess for 30 minutes. It is 1255 p.m.

Hola, El Paso! April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment to honoring veterans and was identified as a key initiative in the County's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Thank you to our veterans. Just down the road at Coyote Park in Tornillo, the Local Neighborhood Association, Tornillo Independent School District, and Tornillo Alumni Association held an unveiling ceremony of the Tornillo Veterans Memorial. The memorial features six metal cubes representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each cube displays the branch's emblem and includes a nearby plaque listing Tornillo area veterans who served. The site will also include a Torneo Veterans Memorial Dedication Monument. This community-driven project, requested by the Torneo Neighborhood Association and presented by the County's Planning and Development Department, was approved by the Commissioner's Court in March 2025 and funded through the El Paso County Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Our voter approved bond projects moved forward in Precinct 1. Montana Vista residents attended the first community meeting for the Ruben Estrella Park improvements. The public was encouraged to offer their suggestions, opinions, and questions throughout the course of the meeting. Residents had an opportunity to share feedback on design concepts and amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, and lighting. The Azarea Park Project is one of 19 park projects approved by the voters through the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond. A popular Eastside park is looking a lot shadier thanks to volunteers who came and planted trees at the El Paso County Sports Park. These trees were part of a total of 155 trees planted across the various parts of the county. These were made possible through a $20,000 community forestry grant that was awarded to the county by Texas A&M Forest Service. This project allows El Paso County to invest in tree planting efforts that improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat, and support healthier neighborhoods. That does it for this month's County Connects. Until next time, make sure to stay connected with El Paso County.

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! April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment to honoring veterans and was identified as a key initiative in the County's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Thank you to our veterans. Just down the road, at Coyote Park in Tornillo, the Local Neighborhood Association, Tornillo Independent School District, and Tornillo Alumni Association held an unveiling ceremony of the Tornillo Veterans Memorial. The memorial features six metal cubes representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each cube displays the branch's emblem and includes a nearby plaque listing Tornillo area veterans who served. The site will also include a Tornillo Veterans Memorial Dedication Monument. This community-driven project, requested by the Tornillo Neighborhood Association and presented by the County's Planning and Development Department, was approved by Commissioner's Court in March 2025 and funded through the El Paso County Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Our voter approved bond projects moved forward in Precinct 1. Montana Vista residents attended the first community meeting for the Ruben Estrella Park improvements. The public was encouraged to offer their suggestions, opinions, and questions throughout the course of the meeting. Residents had an opportunity to share feedback on design concepts and amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, and lighting. The Azarea Park project is one of 19 park projects approved by the voters through the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond. A popular Eastside park is looking a lot shadier thanks to volunteers who came and planted trees at the El Paso County Sports Park. These trees were part of a total of 155 trees planted across the various parts of the county. These were made possible through a $20,000 community forestry grant that was awarded to the county by Texas A&M Forest Service. This project allows El Paso County to invest in tree planting efforts that improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat, and support healthier neighborhoods. That does it for this month's County Connects. Until next time, make sure to stay connected with El Paso County.

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.

you

Hola, El Paso! April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces – the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment to honoring veterans and was identified as a key initiative in the County's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Thank you to our veterans. Just down the road at Coyote Park in Tornillo, the Local Neighborhood Association, Tornillo Independent School District, and Tornillo Alumni Association held an unveiling ceremony of the Tornillo Veterans Memorial. The memorial features six metal cubes representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each cube displays the branch's emblem and includes a nearby plaque listing Tornillo area veterans who served. The site will also include a Tornillo Veterans Memorial Dedication Monument. This community-driven project, requested by the Tornillo Neighborhood Association and presented by the County's Planning and Development Department, was approved by Commissioner's Court in March 2025 and funded through the El Paso County Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Our voter approved bond projects moved forward in Precinct 1. Montana Vista residents attended the first community meeting for the Ruben Estrella Park improvements. The public was encouraged to offer their suggestions, opinions, and questions throughout the course of the meeting. Residents had an opportunity to share feedback on design concepts and amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, and lighting. The Azarea Park Project is one of 19 park projects approved by the voters through the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond. A popular Eastside park is looking a lot shadier thanks to volunteers who came and planted trees at the El Paso County Sports Park. These trees were part of a total of 155 trees planted across the various parts of the county. These were made possible through a $20,000 community forestry grant that was awarded to the county by Texas A&M Forest Service. This project allows El Paso County to invest in tree planting efforts that improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat, and support healthier neighborhoods. That does it for this month's County Connects. Until next time, make sure to stay connected with El Paso County.

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 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 915-273-7000.

Go ahead.

Commissioners Court has reconvened to regular open session item number 9 budget and finance 9A postponed May 21st, 2026. Receive a presentation and update regarding the El Paso County FY26 budget.

Good afternoon, County Judd, members of the court. Carmen Arete Candelaria, Budget and Finance Director. Today I'm going to be going over an update regarding the budget for fiscal year 26 and a look quickly at the 27 budget process. On the first slide is an overview. of the budget that we adopted for fiscal year 26. You're familiar with this slide. We have an overall budget adopted at $635,665,495.5 million represents the general fund, our largest fund and our operating fund. So I'm going to be going over the general fund revenues as of the end of October ‑‑ excuse me, April. 30th, 2026. So here we have our April revenues for the month, $16,256,623. Accumulated revenues through the end of that time is $348,155,336, leaving a remaining budget in our revenues to capture of $147,331,067. 423,000 represents our total current year revenues and our fund balance that supports our total budget of $79,907,000. You see our property taxes collected at this point in time, 97.99%, whereas we are right on trend there in our sales and use tax, 42.07%. leaving a budget balance of 48 million, 824. I'll talk a little bit more about where we're at in our sales and use tax later on in the presentation. Here, visually, we can see our revenues that we've collected to date. That red bar in the middle represents the time of 58.33% of time that's elapsed where we're in their seventh month of a 12-month calendar. And that's what visually our general fund revenues that have been collected to date. Where we think we're going to end up here is our fiscal year 26 projections against that budget of current year revenues of $415,579,000. We are at that $348,155,000 that I just mentioned. We think we're going to end the year about $20.6 million better than budget, $436,228,000. Just some of the categories that we continue to see favorable budget projections, $2,550,000 in our property taxes seem to be on track to attain that projection. And then our sales and use tax is also on point. We think we're going to be $4,851,000 there better to achieve a projection of $89.1 million compared to the revised budget of $84.2 million. In our intergovernmental revenues, we do think that will end up $2.5 million better there, and there's really two things. We've recorded some Lone Star reimbursements, $1.1 million there that was not budgeted, and then a JPD supplement that was reimbursed from the state there as well. are making ‑‑ is what's driving up the budget, better than budget numbers there. And then on charge for services, we have $11.1 million that we're looking there that we're going to be better than budget. Again, that's due to the federal inmate revenues that we've been receiving and tracking. And our interest continues to be about $1.1 million less than our budget, and that's really primarily driven by market issues there as far as interest generation. Here we're looking at the fiscal year 26 versus where we were in fiscal year 25 comparison. You can see those on the left side is the fiscal year 26, the budgeted, what we've actually collected, and then in the middle of the screen is the fiscal year 25 numbers. And then on the last two columns, one is the dollar variance and the other is the percentage variance. So looking first at our property taxes, we do see a variance there of $28,528,000 from where we were, but a negative 0.83%. A little bit better collected as compared to budget in 25, but we are further along in our collection as far as our dollars, and that relates to the increase in the rate and our collection of property taxes. Our sales tax is down from a dollar variance of $2.7 million, but again, that is due to the change in the reporting period that we've previously reported there. But we do think that we're going to end up in a favorable position there in sales and use tax. Our intergovernmental revenues there, we are up $1,124,000, and that, again, is representative of the receipts in state revenues that we received at this point in time versus that we didn't receive in 2025. And then our charges for services remains the same explanation with regards to our federal inmate revenue is better this year than it was in the prior year. And then I just went over the interest amount. So if you're looking here at where we're at, our actuals in sum in fiscal year 26, Through April, we're at $348,155,000 as compared to the revenues that we received in April of 25 at $316 million. Again, we're doing a little bit better percentage-wise at this point in time this year than we were last year. From the expenditure side, as of the end of April, we have actuals through, actuals just for the month of April is $34,731,000. That's what we spent in the month of April, and our year-to-date expenses are the $217,949,250. Our encumbrances have remained constant for the last few months, $22,616,000. $660,000 and then our remaining budget is $261,702,000. You'll also notice in the revised budget column that we've incorporated the carryovers from the as a result of the audit closing. We went ahead and listed those there. We have now a revised budget of $502,312,000. So we've spent to date committed of the revised budget, we have spent 47.90%. As I indicated earlier, we are at 58.33% in the year, seven out of 12 months. Just a couple notes, one in the public safety, we are looking and tracking. that very closely. We are at a spend of 54 without encumbrances, 54.5% without encumbrances. That is below the target spend. With the encumbrances, of course, We're at 61%, but that encumbrance of $11.1 million is for the whole year. And so that is for the medical contracts that we are continually using and then expending in that line item. So now looking at a comparison of where we're at, fiscal year 26 versus 25, we have, again, that revised budget, $502 million compared to the revised budget for 25 of $472 million to 19. We've spent $217 million, almost $218 million in fiscal year 26 compared to 25 of $214 million, $57,000, or $3.9 million more at this point in time, but less in the variance of 1.94%. So just calling your attention really to two categories today, the general government. You can see we spent about $1.7 million year over year at this point in time. And that really is a lot due to the timing of payments year over year, such as the grant transfers that were out, the road and bridges transfers that were made. That's really a timing difference. Expect that that will catch up. We also had this Schneider lease payment in this year, $1.8 million that we didn't have in fiscal year 25. Looking at our public safety, we have spent more this year than we spent last year, comparing $92,002,000 to $88,864,000, a spend of the dollar variance of $3,137,000. Again, that's primarily due to overtime and salaries as of this point in time. Just a note, the above analysis doesn't include the encumbrances for either year. This is just on actual expenses that have been recorded. Now shifting over to our bond update, I do want to give you just another, before I go into the details of the bond update where we're at, I just want to give you just a brief overview of the transaction that we priced this morning. I'm really pleased to report out on our bond pricing today. We sold, or we priced, $42.7 million, and just in collaboration with the auditor's office and the county administration, as well as with our financial advisor, Stifel, really pleased with the transactions. I'm happy to report that we met all of the parameters. that the court had approved. We had over 17 different investors come to the table, 14 new investors that are picking up our papers, so that was really good. We were 5.3% times, excuse me, 5.3 times oversubscribed. That means we got $225 million worth of orders on our $42.7 million. Lot of interest in our bonds. Every order period was covered. happy to report that as well. We were able to also come in at 5.46% savings, well above our 3% threshold that you all gave us the authority for. An all-in tick of 3.43%, which is really good. Ended up with an average yield of 3.01. So overall we had We were able to price and save about $217,000 more than we had indicated back in April. So just overall a really good transaction and the structure really positions the county for future capacity and provides a lot of flexibility going into the future. So here is an update of where we're at with our issuance A that I reported last month for the first time. This is our second update. So we have our issuance, first issuance, $12 million. And then that issuance B will change to the $26 million that we just priced. But then looking at our issuance A, we've spent today $2.9 million, and we've encumbered $5.9 million. We have remaining budget $3,128,000. We'll continue to monitor and report out on our actual spend, actual encumbrances, and then how we're looking for our next issuance now that we've already priced it, and we'll close on July 8th. so we'll get our money on July 8th. So overall, like I said, a good transaction. Here we are in the budget update for 27. This was a presentation that we were scheduled to give back on May 21st. I didn't update the dates. But I do have where we're gonna have our grants presentation. We'll have it next week for you all. It was postponed to that day, so that'll change. And then in June, we're gonna be shifting those dates a little bit. We're looking at June 10th for our departments to receive their budget recommendations out of our office. And we're also going to be looking at a June 17th deadline to submit appeals. And then we'll have a to be determined date on when those operating appeals with the chief administrator with Ms. Keller. So those change are gonna change just a little bit as far as because of the calendar. But we're right. We're still on track to get us to an ultimate budget adoption of September 14th. So I want to talk a little bit about what we've been working on and incorporating into the budget. So you've seen this slide before in a slight different format. The legend at the left side of the slide is we've highlighted the items that have been included or already been taken into consideration in our budget building. Those are in green, so you'll see those items there that we've incorporated into the fiscal year 27 budget. The items in yellow, we're still looking at those and pending additional review for our budget. And then the items in red are not yet included in our fiscal year 2027 budget. They're either a timing difference or we're still in consideration as to whether or not what if any amounts we actually put into the budget. So just gives you an overview of where we're at with regards to the budget. And then we'll have our first precinct meeting on this Thursday. Certainly wanna invite over at Commissioner Stout's precinct. And so we certainly wanna invite the public to come out and participate with us and give us information. We'll be, of course, giving out information as well to make sure that we get participation from our community about our fiscal year 2027 budget.

So with that, are there any questions with regards to the presentation?

Thank you. Thank you so much. Appreciate you. Betsy, unless you have anything or you're okay, thank you.

Item 9B, approve budget amendment 28A to the El Paso County's 2025-26 operating budget. This budgetary amendment is to transfer appropriations in the amount of $3,053 within the general fund from the share of Office Detention Division to the Sheriff Office Headquarters Substation Division to cover the cost for parts to repair the HVAC unit at the Vinton Station. This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2025 to 2026 overall operating budget of $661,983,508.03.

Thank you. Thank you. Again, Carmen Arieta Candelaria, Budget and Finance Director. This is a budget transfer for the Sheriff's Department that is required to come to the court because it transfers from one department to another. So from the Detention Maintenance Department over to the Headquarter Maintenance Division. and the amount of $3,053. And so it's in the same object code and we don't have any objection to the transfer. So I would recommend approval.

We have a motion to approve by Commissioner Olguin. Do we have a second? We have second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Thank you. Motion carries. We'd like to go ahead and take item 4B that was pulled from the consent agenda by Commissioner Olguin. Item 4B, approve and authorize financial adjustments to the county's American Rescue Plan Act portfolio as listed in the item backups.

And I just wanted clarification, Judge, regarding why that project at Tornillo had not actually utilized those funds.

Yes, ma'am. So those funds will be utilized, but it was a while back ago, actually, that amount is actually being funded out of a different funding source, the Economic Impact Fund. And that was because the intended use for that, which was marketing more in the interior of Mexico, didn't fall in line or there was some concerns legally using ARPA funds for that. And so since those funds were identified through a different source, we're just cleaning up the project on this side where the funds were still allocated via ARPA. We'll reduce by that amount via ARPA and transfer to those accounts listed.

Thank you, Casey.

Yes, ma'am.

We have a motion by Commissioner Olguin to approve, second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Judge, your vote? Motion carries.

Thank you, Commissioners.

Before we move into executive session, we'd like to request items 10B, which is 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 10E, which is discuss the pending claim submitted by Leslie Reynolds, county attorney's file number 020725LC, pursuant to Texas government code section 551.071, along with its corresponding regular session item, item 11A, to be postponed for one week. I have a motion to postpone by Commissioner O'Lean. Second by Judge Samaniego, the voting is open.

I vote aye.

Commissioner, I'll gain your vote. Thank you, motion carries.

Commissioner's Court will recess. We just have one memo to read, and if that's okay, Jessica.

Oh yes, I'm sorry, go ahead.

No, that's okay. Judge Commissioners Eric Rosales and Gaglione, Assistant County Attorney. For item 10C, this is the item pertaining to law and pause. That's gonna be heard in executive session pursuant to government code section 551.0725. The county is currently in negotiations with Lawn Paws Animal Rescue and Sanctuary with regards to animal welfare services. So for that item, the information to be discussed includes business and financial information that may be related to contract negotiations and the court must be free to discuss those issues without undermining the court's position. Therefore, for item 10C as your legal advisor has determined that deliberation in an open meeting could have a detrimental effect on the position of the court or requesting that the court unanimously vote that deliberations would have a detrimental effect on the position of the court. and that all deliberations take place in closed session. 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. If the court agrees, I need a motion and second and a recorded vote at this time. And then a copy of the legal memo has been provided to the county administration commissioner's court reporters to be made a part of the official court records.

We have a motion by Commissioner Oguin, second by Judge Samaniego. The voting is open.

I vote aye.

Motion carries. At this time, Commissioner's Court will recess into executive session to discuss item 10A, C, D, and F pursuant to Texas Government Code section 551.0725, 551.071, 551.072, and 551.087. Commissioner's Court will reconvene to take official action. It is 2.01 p.m.

Hola, El Paso. April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment to honoring veterans and was identified as a key initiative in the County's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Thank you to our veterans. Just down the road, at Coyote Park in Tornillo, the Local Neighborhood Association, Tornillo Independent School District, and Tornillo Alumni Association held an unveiling ceremony of the Tornillo Veterans Memorial. The memorial features six metal cubes representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each cube displays the branch's emblem and includes a nearby plaque listing Tornillo area veterans who served. The site will also include a Torneo Veterans Memorial Dedication Monument. This community-driven project, requested by the Torneo Neighborhood Association and presented by the County's Planning and Development Department, was approved by the Commissioner's Court in March 2025 and funded through the El Paso County Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Our voter approved bond projects moved forward in Precinct 1. Montana Vista residents attended the first community meeting for the Ruben Estrella Park improvements. The public was encouraged to offer their suggestions, opinions, and questions throughout the course of the meeting. Residents had an opportunity to share feedback on design concepts and amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, and lighting. The Estrella Park project is one of 19 park projects approved by the voters through the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond. A popular Eastside park is looking a lot shadier thanks to volunteers who came and planted trees at the El Paso County Sports Park. These trees were part of a total of 155 trees planted across the various parts of the county. These were made possible through a $20,000 community forestry grant that was awarded to the county by Texas A&M Forest Service. This project allows El Paso County to invest in tree planting efforts that improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat, and support healthier neighborhoods. That does it for this month's County Connects. Until next time, make sure to stay connected with El Paso County.

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.

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Hola, El Paso! April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment to honoring veterans and was identified as a key initiative in the County's Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Thank you to our veterans. Just down the road at Coyote Park in Tornillo, the Local Neighborhood Association, Tornillo Independent School District, and Tornillo Alumni Association held an unveiling ceremony of the Tornillo Veterans Memorial. The memorial features six metal cubes representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces. Each cube displays the branch's emblem and includes a nearby plaque listing Tornillo area veterans who served. The site will also include a Tornillo Veterans Memorial Dedication Monument. This community-driven project, requested by the Tornillo Neighborhood Association and presented by the County's Planning and Development Department, was approved by Commissioner's Court in March 2025 and funded through the El Paso County Neighborhood Improvement Grant. Our voter approved bond projects moved forward in Precinct 1. Montana Vista residents attended the first community meeting for the Ruben Estrella Park improvements. The public was encouraged to offer their suggestions, opinions, and questions throughout the course of the meeting. Residents had an opportunity to share feedback on design concepts and amenities like picnic shelters, restrooms, and lighting. The Azarea Park Project is one of 19 park projects approved by the voters through the 2024 Capital Improvement Bond. A popular Eastside park is looking a lot shadier thanks to volunteers who came and planted trees at the El Paso County Sports Park. These trees were part of a total of 155 trees planted across the various parts of the county. These were made possible through a $20,000 community forestry grant that was awarded to the county by Texas A&M Forest Service. This project allows El Paso County to invest in tree planting efforts that improve air quality, provide shade, reduce urban heat, and support healthier neighborhoods. That does it for this month's County Connects. Until next time, make sure to stay connected with El Paso County.

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'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! April was a busy month here in the county. From honoring our veterans to beautifying our parks, we tell you what is happening in this month's County Connects. Every day is Veterans Day in El Paso County, and several communities celebrated our heroes in April. First, we celebrated the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial at Fabens Veterans Park. The celebration featured a Veterans Resource Fair, a flag-raising ceremony, and a memorial ribbon-cutting ceremony. The Fabens Veterans Memorial honors all six branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. and stands as a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation. This project reflects El Paso County's continued commitment... Go ahead.

Commissioner's Court has reconvened to regular open session. For item 10F from executive session, which is postponed May 21st, 2026, pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.087, discuss financial information and economic development negotiations received regarding the Chapter 381 agreement with Project Mist, a private business prospect. We're asking to have this item postponed for one week. Thank you, Judge. Motion by Judge Samaniego, second by Commissioner Stout. The voting is open. Thank you, Commissioner.

I vote aye.

Commissioner Coronado. Motion carries. This completes all the items on today's agenda, Judge. This concludes today's meeting at 2.35 p.m.