The El Paso City Council is poised to cancel several planned construction projects.
During its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 20, the City Council is expected to approve the cancellation of multiple projects over a lack of funding and other issues.
First on the chopping block is a section of the proposed Montana to I-10 El Paso Electric Corridor, a trail identified as part of the 2012 Quality of Life Bond. The project, originally estimated at just over $551,000, is being “deprogrammed” due to “insufficient available budget.”
The proposed Palisades Trailhead, also part of the 2012 Quality of Life bond and estimated at $300,000, is being deprogrammed over the city’s “inability to enter into an agreement with an adjacent owner.”
The City Council is also expected to approve the deprogramming of multiple projects approved in the 2018 and 2019 capital plans. All the projects are being cancelled over the City Council’s decision not to issue the remaining certificates of obligation slated to fund them.
Following is a breakdown of the projects slated to be axed:
The City Council is also expected to approve the deprogramming of several sports field lighting projects “due to not being financially feasible within the current available budget.” The projects being deprogrammed include work at McCord Ball Field, Ralph T. Cloud (Yucca Park) Ball Field, Grandview Ball Field, Skyline Ball Field, Franklin Ball Field, Lionel Forti Ball Field, Nations Tobin Pool and Modesto Ball Field No. 3.
Search for chief internal auditor
Also on Tuesday, the City Council is expected to direct city staff to retain an external recruitment firm to find the city’s next chief internal auditor, a position that has not been filled since longtime former Chief Internal Auditor Edmundo Calderon retired Aug. 1, 2025.
Four days after Calderon’s retirement, the City Council directed the city manager and staff to present options for the chief internal auditor recruitment process.
Two weeks later, the City Council voted to direct the city’s human resources department to advertise and handle the recruitment. The City Council also approved contracting with outside counsel Lea Ream to serve as recruitment facilitator.
The hiring process requires that, once the City Council selects its top five candidates, a special meeting be held to decide how many candidates will advance to the interview process.
There is currently no timeframe for when a firm might be selected or a chief internal auditor might be chosen.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso City Council moves to cancel unfunded construction projects
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
