El Paso County commissioners will begin budget hearings for the 2027 fiscal year, with a proposed budget that could see a tax increase for El Pasoans.
The commissioners voted on Aug. 3 to use the voter-approval tax rate as a budget ceiling for the current budget proposal. The tax rate of $0.504 will be used in preparing next year’s budget, which is the maximum rate the county can use. Budget hearings will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, and 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The tax rate will likely be lower, as the voter-approved tax rate allows the county space to negotiate for various needs. The current “No-New-Revenue-Rate,” which is regularly used, is set at $0.451133.
The tax rate is made up of the maintenance and operation fund, or the cost of running the county government, and the interest and sink fund, which goes to paying debts. The I&S fund rate remains at $0.062999.
What is in the budget?
El Paso County officials are recommending a budget of $542,352,990 for fiscal year 2027. This is a $46,866,603 increase over the previous fiscal year and is meant to respond to the impacts of rising costs and inflation.
The budget will cover expenses related to the administration of justice, culture and recreation, general governance, health and welfare, public safety, public works, and resource development. The general governance category includes a pay increase for non-unionized county employees.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is receiving an increase of $15,395,514 in the proposed budget. This will cover overtime, maintenance of jails and facilities, and meals.
What are the key dates in the county budget process?
There are key dates in the process of approving and implementing the new budget.
The first hearing for the budget is scheduled for Aug. 10, with the second hearing set for Aug. 11.
A public hearing will be held Aug. 17 for residents to voice their concerns about the budget. The public hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the commissioners’ court on the third floor of the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse.
Another public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14, where the county could adopt the proposed budget.
The new budget, if approved by the commissioners, would go into effect on Oct. 1.
Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso commissioners to hold budget hearing, tax increase on the table
Reporting by Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Abbott, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
