V. GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to accept the Texas Office of the Governor-Homeland Security Grants Division, Statement of Grant Award #522281, for the Region 1 -Border Prosecution Unit Supplemental Funding, El Paso District Attorney's Office, in the amount of $1,170,000.00, from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2025. There is no County match required. (Contract No. 2024-0621) Bill D. Hicks, District Attorney, District Attorney's Office, 915-546-2059

[A. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing August 2024 as “Child Support Awareness Month” in El Paso County, Texas. Carlos Leon, Commissioner, Precinct 1, 915-546-2014]

COMMISSIONERS, MY VOICE MIGHT SOUND A LITTLE SCRATCHY, IF I SHOOK YOUR HAND THIS MORNING, I DO NOT HAVE COVID. HOPEFULLY IT'S JUST THE ALLERGIES, BUT I'LL TRY TO GET THROUGH THIS. I KNOW, MR. STANLEY. BRANDON, ARE YOU OUT? AND IF YOU DON'T MIND WAITING AT THE PODIUM THERE WHILE I READ THE RESOLUTION. AND I'M VERY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS INTO INTO THE RECORD.

WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY RECOGNIZES THAT EVERY CHILD MATTERS AND JOINS THE NATION AND RECOGNIZING AUGUST AS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH, WHEREAS STRENGTHENING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IS CRUCIAL FOR ENSURING THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, AS WELL AS PROVIDING ECONOMIC STABILITY AND IMPROVING THEIR LIVES, WHILE ALSO OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO SECURE THEIR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. AND WHEREAS EL PASO COUNTY PROUDLY RECOGNIZES AND EXTENDS ITS GRATITUDE TO PARENTS WHO CONSISTENTLY MAKE CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS, THUS ENSURING THE SECURITY AND WELL-BEING OF THEIR CHILDREN. WHEREAS CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN HELPING FAMILIES MEET THEIR CHILDREN'S BASIC NEEDS. AND WHEREAS THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF CHILD SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS ARE INDISPENSABLE TO THE COUNTY AS THEY WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH

[00:20:02]

PARENTS AND PARTNERS TO ENSURE FAMILIES RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES. AND WHEREAS INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES THROUGH OUTREACH AND EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL IN AFFIRMING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL PARENTS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN. AND WHEREAS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH SERVES AS A REMINDER FOR ALL EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS TO COME TOGETHER WITH CHILD SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS TO FORGE A STABLE AND PROMISING FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT DECLARES THE MONTH OF AUGUST 20TH OF AUGUST 2024 AS CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS, SIGNED THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 2024. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER LEON AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES AND BRYAN, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE THIS MORNING. I AM ON THE BOARD, AS YOU MAY BE AWARE OF AND SO PROUD TO BE INVOLVED WITH PROFESSIONALS LIKE YOU THAT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN PARENTS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH EACH OTHER AND THAT'S, THAT'S THE, THE I THINK THE MAGIC WORD PROBLEMS WITH EACH OTHER, NOT THE CHILD, WHAT A DIFFERENCE A TEAM LIKE YOURS MAKES IN OUR WORLD. SO, BRYAN, THE PODIUM IS YOURS. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER LEON, FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE THE COURT THIS MORNING. I'M BRIAN STANLEY, I'M WITH THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. I'M SO VERY PROUD OF MY TEAM THAT WE HAVE UP HERE AND THE REST OF ITS BACK IN THE OFFICE THIS YEAR. WE'VE WE'RE ON ON TRACK TO COLLECT OVER $18 MILLION FOR CHILDREN HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY. THIS IS A NEW RECORD FOR US. I'D LIKE TO READ SOMETHING THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WROTE ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHILD SUPPORT AWARENESS DAY, PROVIDING FOR OUR CHILDREN IS ONE OF HUMANITY'S WORTHIEST AND MOST FUNDAMENTAL ENDEAVORS. CHILDREN ARE THE BEST PART OF OURSELVES. THE SUM OF OUR PAST AND THE PROMISE OF OUR FUTURE. THE GUARANTEE THAT OUR LIVES AND OUR VALUES AND OUR DREAMS WILL FLOURISH LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE. SADLY, HOWEVER, MANY PARENTS IN OUR COUNTRY TODAY DENY THE INSTINCT TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, FAILING TO PROVIDE EVEN THE MOST BASIC ECONOMIC SUPPORT. MILLIONS OF AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVE NO LEGAL IDENTIFIED FATHER. MILLIONS DO NOT RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT. THEY NEED TO LEAD A SECURE AND HEALTHY LIFE. HE STATED THAT IN 1995, DURING THAT YEAR, THEY WERE CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF HAVING CHILD SUPPORT ESTABLISHED AS A FEDERAL ORGANIZATION, AND THEY HAD COLLECTED $75 BILLION OVER 20 YEARS. THIS LAST YEAR ALONE, CHILD SUPPORT NATIONWIDE HAS COLLECTED ALMOST $30 BILLION IN ONE YEAR, SO I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THAT MY OFFICE DOES. AND PROVIDING EFFICIENT AND TIMELY SERVICES IN CHILD SUPPORT FOR EL PASO COUNTY AND RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. BRIAN, YOU MIND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES. YES GOOD MORNING. BERTHA RUIZ, SUPERVISOR FOR THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT DIVISION. THANK YOU. LETICIA VILLANUEVA, I'M THE CASE, INITIATION. CLERK. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CRYSTAL AMADOR. I'M A ADMIN SPECIALIST, INTERMEDIATE FOR THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT DIVISION. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CRYSTAL FUENTES. I'M THE PARALEGAL FOR THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. GOOD MORNING. I AM GIL MUNIZ. I'M WITH THE CHILD SUPPORT OFFICER, AND I'VE BEEN THERE FOR 13 YEARS WITH THE DOE. DOUGLAS CORNEJO, SENIOR TRIAL ATTORNEY FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. I'M JUST HERE ON MY SECOND YEAR, BUT IT IS A WONDERFUL PLACE TO WORK AT A GREAT COUNTY TO WORK IN. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. I'M NATALIE MACIAS, AND I'M THE TRIAL ATTORNEY FOR THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE. THANK YOU. I AM RICARDO MENDOZA. I'M THE CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. I'VE BEEN WITH DOMESTIC RELATIONS FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND, BRIAN, YOU KNOW, YOUR PASSION IS ALWAYS VERY OUT THERE AND OBVIOUS ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM. IF I GO BACK TO MY MENTAL HEALTH YEARS, THE IMPACT THAT A PARENT HAS TO GO THROUGH BY NOT HAVING THE ECONOMIC SUPPORT THAT IS REQUIRED HAS SUCH AN IMPACT ON THE FAMILIES, ON THE COMMUNITY, ON THE MENTAL HEALTH, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO SURVIVE ECONOMICALLY AND BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS MOST CHILDREN

[00:25:05]

ARE ABLE TO DO THAT HAVE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT, REALLY IMPACTS THEIR EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AS WELL. SO WHAT YOU DO IS NOT JUST SORT OF LIMITED TO GETTING THE MONEY TO THE PARENTS THAT SHOULD GET IT, BUT ALSO THE IMPACT THAT YOU MAKE ON ON THE LIVES AND THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF SO MANY CHILDREN AND PARENTS. SO WE THANK YOU, YOU KNOW, I KNOW COMMISSIONER LONG IS EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE OF, OF THIS RESOLUTION. AND SO ARE WE. WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY BE BETTER AND LIVE BETTER. SO, BRIAN, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND BRIAN, BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, I WAS AT A STORY THIS WEEKEND BEHIND A LADY WITH A COUPLE OF KIDS AND I GUESS IT'S TAX FREE WEEKEND, AND I COULD TELL SHE WAS BUYING ALL THE STUFF FOR THE KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, AND IT HIT ME BECAUSE I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HAVE THIS, THIS WEEK HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR BOTH PARENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELFARE OF THEIR CHILDREN. AND IT JUST STRUCK ME THAT IT'S SO IMPORTANT. AND THIS COUNTY ESPECIALLY ALSO HAS WHAT WE CALL THE SCOFF LAW. IF A PARENT IS TRYING TO REGISTER HIS OR HER CAR AND HASN'T PAID CHILD SUPPORT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW HIM UNTIL HE TAKES CARE OF HIS CHILDREN FIRST. INSTEAD OF HIMSELF OR HERSELF. SO YOU ALL DO GREAT WORK, AND WE JUST CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO US, THROUGH THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

OKAY.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE. BE APPROVE AN ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING AUGUST 17TH, 2024 AS EL PASO BRANCH NAACP DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND

[B. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring August 17, 2024, as El Paso Branch NAACP Day in El Paso County, Texas. David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

COMMISSIONERS. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. BEFORE BEFORE I START, I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS, BUT, WE HAVE SOME SOME MEMBERS OF THE NAACP HERE, CARL DWYER, DIANE WILLIAMS, I THINK I SAW TIFFANY HOPPER BACK THERE, AND PASTOR MAXWELL, WELCOME, SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT IF YOU GO TO THE WEB PAGE FOR THE NAACP, TEXAS STATE CONFERENCE, IT STATES THE FOLLOWING. IT SAYS CONSISTENTLY ORGANIZING AND FINANCING LANDMARK CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUITS.

THE TEXAS NAACP BECAME AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. THE STATE'S FIRST CHAPTER, ESTABLISHED IN EL PASO IN 1915, WAS JOINED BY FOUR NEW BRANCHES IN 1918. SO YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE IF A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AWARE THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S FIRST CHAPTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS WAS HERE IN, IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S JUST SUCH A GREAT HONOR, I THINK, FOR, FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND THIS COMING SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH, CASEY THOMAS, THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS NAACP, WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE FREEDOM FUND BANQUET AT THE FORT BLISS CENTENNIAL CLUB AND CONFERENCE CENTER. AND THE THEME THIS YEAR IS SHOW UP TO VOTE. AND WHAT AN IMPORTANT THEME TO BE, ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, AS

[00:30:07]

STATED BY THE ORGANIZERS, IT UNDERLINES THE PIVOTAL ROLE OF VOTING IN OUR SOCIETY, MAKING THE EVENT A MUST ATTEND FOR ALL WHO VALUE THEIR CIVIC DUTY. THE EVENT SUPPORTS THE NAACP'S CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVES, THEIR MISSION IS TO SECURE EQUALITY AND ELIMINATE RACE BASED INFORMATION. SO I SAY AMEN TO THAT AND SO WITH THAT, I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL. THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION STATES, WHEREAS ON FEBRUARY 12TH, 1909, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE, NAACP WAS FOUNDED BY A MULTI-RACIAL GROUP OF CITIZENS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ENSURING THE POLITICAL, EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS AND WHEREAS, THE NAACP, THE NATION'S OLDEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, THROUGH ITS COMMITMENT TOWARD REMOVING ALL BARRIERS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION UTILIZING DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES, HAS POSITIVELY CHANGED AMERICA'S HISTORY. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO BRANCH NAACP UNIT 6175, ESTABLISHED IN 1914, IS THE OLDEST NAACP BRANCH IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, HAS GENERATED A POSITIVE CHANGE IN EL PASO'S HISTORY AND CONTINUES TO PERSEVERE. AND WHEREAS ON AUGUST 17TH, 2024, THE EL PASO BRANCH UNIT 6175 NAACP IS HOSTING ITS ANNUAL FREEDOM FUND BANQUET TO CELEBRATE ITS ACHIEVEMENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO THE WORK OF CIVIL RIGHTS, TO RAISE FUNDS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH ITS GOALS, AND TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP TO OUTSTANDING YOUTH. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT AUGUST 17TH, 2024 SHALL BE KNOWN AS EL PASO BRANC, NAACP DAY SIGNED THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 2024, THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER LEON. THE VOTING IS OPEN. THE MOTION CARRIES. THE FLOOR IS YOURS, CARL. I WOULD LIKE TO START. WELCOME. WELL GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EL PASO BRANCH OF THE NAACP. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AS, COMMISSIONER STOUT HAS ALREADY STATED IN HIS OPENING COMMENTS OUR THEME THIS WEEKEND AT OUR ANNUAL BANQUET IS SHOW UP TO VOTE AND IF ANYBODY KNOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO VOTE, IT'S THE FIVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME THAT HAVE, RAN FOR ELECTIONS IN THE PAST. DOCTOR LAWRENCE, A NIXON ESTABLISHED THIS CHAPTER. WITH THAT JUST IN MIND, THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND PEOPLE COMING OUT TO VOTE, WE'RE INVITING OUR FIRST VICE PRESIDENT. AS YOU SAID, CASEY THOMAS, BACK OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SIX MONTHS. WE'D LIKE TO TRY TO PULL HIM TO A PASO. AND ANYBODY FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, AS MANY TIMES AS WE CAN SO THAT THEY CAN GET TO KNOW EL PASO. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE ENTIRE STATE AND ALL UNITS COME BACK WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO. AS WE LOOK TO HOST THE ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE HERE IN EL PASO. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING EVERYONE TO EL PASO. SO I'M GOING TO SHUT UP NOW BECAUSE I DO WANT TO GIVE A COUPLE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE SHOWED UP THIS MORNING TAKING TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY SCHEDULES. AS YOU SEE ALL MEMBERS BEHIND ME. AND I WANT THEM TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND SAY A FEW WORDS ALSO. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. BEFORE YOU CONTINUE, JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE CARL AND EVERYTHING THAT HE DID FOR OUR VETERANS AND CONTINUES TO DO FOR OUR VETERANS. SO WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE. CARL, OF YOUR AMAZING EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD ON THE BEING THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND HAPPY VETERANS DAY. HAPPY VETERANS DAY. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DIANE WILLIAMS AND I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT. AND THE CHAIRPERSON FOR THE FREEDOM FUND BANQUET. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE CHOSE SHOW UP TO VOTE IS BECAUSE HERE IN EL PASO, WE DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF REGISTERING PEOPLE TO VOTE. BUT NOT GETTING PEOPLE TO THE POLLS. SO WE WANTED TO MAKE OUR FOCUS FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY NOT ONLY REGISTER, BUT THAT THEY ACTUALLY COME TO THE POLLS AND VOTE. AND SO I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS, FOR GIVING US THIS RESOLUTION, AND THAT WE CAN USE THE FUNDS THAT WE'RE GOING TO RAISE AT OUR FREEDOM FUND BANQUET FOR OUR SCHOLARSHIPS AND TO CONTINUE OUR PROGRAMS. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SIERRA ARCHIBALD. I AM THE YOUNG ADULT CHAIR AT THE NAACP CHAPTER OUT HERE, MY JOB HERE IS REALLY TO GET THE YOUNGER GENERATION OUT AND PARTICIPATING AND BEING A PILLAR IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYON. I AM TIFFANY HOPPER. I'M THE COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR FOR NAACP EL PASO BRANCH. AND I ECHO WHAT DIANE SAID FOR SHOWING UP TO

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VOTE. AND OUR MY JOB IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY SHOWS UP TO THE FREEDOM FUND CAMPAIGN, ALSO TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND JUST LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WHAT NAACP, EL PASO BRANCH IS DOING FOR EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET INVOLVED WITH NAACP. SO IF YOU WANT TO GET INVOLVED, LET ME KNOW. IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.

IT'S EL PASO, NAACP, EL PASO BRANCH. AND WE ALSO HAVE INSTAGRAM. AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE ANNOUNCING OUR NEW AND IMPROVED WEBSITE AT THE FREEDOM FUND BANQUET. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR. GRADY LITTLE, PASTOR GRADY. YES, MY NAME IS PASTOR MICHAEL GRADY, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION, THANK YOU FOR SEEING THE NEED TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER IN THIS VERY CRITICAL SEASON. AS WE CONTINUE TO GET OUT THE VOTE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

PASTOR AND, JUDGE, I WANT TO INTRODUCE THIS NEXT GENTLEMAN BECAUSE HE WON'T SAY IT, BUT I WILL SHARE OUR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS. CHAIRMAN. NOBODY THAT YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH. HE'S BEEN HERE BEFORE. PASTOR RTC MAXWELL. AND YESTERDAY HE HE CELEBRATED HIS MOUNT ZION, CELEBRATED HIS SEVENTH PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY AT MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH. SO, REVEREND MAXWELL, WELCOME. I'LL JUST SAY GOOD MORNING TO EACH OF YOU. AND I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. I SERVED AS THE RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS CHAIRPERSON, WHICH I HELPED TO ASSIST WITH ALL OF OUR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY, UNDERSTAND OUR PURPOSE, AND TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS EFFORT OF BRINGING JUSTICE AND HELPING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING, ABLE TO VOTE AND TO BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE COMMUNITY IDEALS. SO AGAIN, GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU, PASTOR. YOU KNOW, YOU SAID SOMETHING REALLY IMPORTANT AND THAT IS THAT YOU'RE HELPING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND I KNOW THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT REALIZE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE A LOW VOTING TURNOUT, THE IMPACT THAT IT HAS, THE LACK OF ATTENTION THAT WE GET FROM FROM OUR GOVERNOR, FROM THE STATE, IF THEY DON'T FEEL THAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH OUR VOTE, WE GET IGNORED QUITE A BIT. AND WE'VE HEARD THAT FOR MANY YEARS. YOU KNOW, WHY SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO EL PASO? YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T VOTE.

AND WHICH THIS IS A WAY WE MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IS BY VOTING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE VOTE CHANGES. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE'S OPINION AND THAT WE DO GET THE BEST OUT OF EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL. BUT ALL OF YOU, I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE EACH ONE OF YOU JUST DO SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS ON YOUR OWN. I KNOW PASTOR GRADY, HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY, MICHELLE, THANK YOU AS MUCH FOR THE COURAGE. AND WE MISSED YOU. BUT WE KNOW THAT YOU'RE IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION. BUT YOU ARE SO MUCH A PART OF WHAT HAPPENED. THE WALMART AND MOVING THE COMMUNITY FORWARD, PASTOR, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. BUT EACH ONE OF YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT NOT ONLY TO THIS ORGANIZATION, BUT LIKE YOU SAID, IT HAS SUCH AN IMPACT ON ON EVERYBODY ELSE. AND THEN WE SHOULD GET MORE INVOLVED AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR ORGANIZATION. SO ONCE AGAIN, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, AND I'M SURE EACH ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER STOUT. WELL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN FOR DOING THIS. AND BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO VOTE.

HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY OVER THE LAST, COUPLE OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE COME OUT TO VOTE, WE MARK THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT IN 2020, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD THE PANDEMIC GOING ON, WE HAD 55% VOTER PARTICIPATION. THAT'S STILL LOW, BUT IT'S THE HIGHEST THAT WE'VE HAD IN EL PASO COUNTY, AND THEN, THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE STATE, THE LEADERSHIP OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE CAME AND TOOK AWAY, US BEING ABLE TO SEND OUT MAIL IN BALLOTS TO EVERYBODY. THEY TOOK AWAY CURBSIDE VOTING. THAT TOOK AWAY, EXTENDED HOURS AT POLLING PLACES. ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE MEANT TO KEEP, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE FROM VOTING. IT'S A HUGE ISSUE. AND SO IT'S EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, I THINK, THIS TIME AROUND, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE HAD THOSE TOOLS TAKEN AWAY FROM US TO GET EVEN MORE PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE. AND SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING LIGHT TO THAT. AND, AND ENCOURAGING THIS COMMUNITY TO, TO BEAT THAT RECORD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND LET'S TAKE A PICTURE WITH THE WITH THE RESOLUTION. COMMISSIONER, LAST THING I'D LIKE TO SAY THERE, COMMISSIONER COULDN'T BE HERE WITH US TODAY AND, OUR EXECUTIVE BODY AND OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP.

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SO WE WANT TO THANK THEM TOO. AND COMMISSIONER STOUT, ONCE AGAIN, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND ALSO THANK MISS. SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. MISS LUISA DAVIS, FOR WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE TO GET THIS DONE. OUR LEGAL REGISTRAR, OUR LEGAL REDRESS CHAIR. WOMAN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHICH SHE SAYS IS AMAZING. AND, I THANK HER FOR ALL HER ADVOCACY AS WELL, COMMISSIONER LEON? YES THANK YOU, PASTOR GRADY. YOU'RE A FRIEND OF MINE ON FACEBOOK.

AND, MAN, WHERE DO YOU GET THAT ENERGY EVERY TIME I OPEN THE PAGE, YOU'RE HERE. YOU'RE THERE.

I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. BUT I REMEMBER WHEN I TURNED 18, A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK THAT I WAS.

IT'S NOT FUNNY. I WAS. YEAH, NO, I NOTICED THAT I DIDN'T EITHER. I WAS SO EXCITED WITH THE ABILITY TO VOTE. WHAT A TREMENDOUS RIGHT WE HAVE. AND THAT WE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT HERE. LIKE THE JUDGE SAID HERE IN EL PASO, BUT IN THE COMING WEEKS AND THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SOME REAL CRITICAL ISSUES BEFORE THE VOTERS. AND WE WANT THEM TO PARTICIPATE, WHETHER IT'S YES, NO, WHATEVER THEIR DECISION. BUT IT'S THEIR DECISION, NOT OURS. SO THAT'S WHY I'M SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING THAT YOU'RE YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE THE A DIFFERENCE. AND MAYBE A THOUSAND VOTES THAT'LL SWING ONE THING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. SO CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE ENERGY TO, TO BE ABLE TO, TO MAKE THESE KIND OF THINGS HAPPEN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE. SEE APPROVE AN ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CINTA DE ORO AND HIS TEAM FOR GIVING BACK TO THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. IT'S MY PRIVILEGE. YOU WANT TO

[C. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Cinta De Oro and his team for giving back to the El Paso County community. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-546-2098]

COME UP TO THE PODIUM? EVERY ONE OF YOU COME UP. MONICA. YES, SI. YES, PLEASE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M VERY PRIVILEGED. PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COMMUNITY IN SO MANY WAYS.

AND. AND ONE OF THEM, WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED. THE EXCITEMENT I SEE ALL THE CHILDREN, THE ROLE MODELING, IT JUST IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO, TO BE PART OF IT. AND SO I WANT TO READ THIS INTO THE RECORD. WHEREAS CINTA DE ORO, FORMERLY KNOWN AS WRESTLER SENKATA, WAS BORN AND RAISED IN SEGUNDO BARRIO, EL PASO, TEXAS. CINTA DS TO RECEIVE A CONTRACT WITH ENTERTAINMENT, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, WHERE CINTA DE ORO'S DEDICATION TO EXCELLENCE WAS EVIDENT EVEN THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, HE ACHIEVED THE REMARKABLE FEAT OF BECOMING THE 1996 TEXAS STATE WRESTLING CHAMPION WITH A RECORD OF 35 AND ZERO. IN HIS SENIOR YEAR AT BURGESS HIGH SCHOOL, AND WAS VOTED THE MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WAS. CINTA DE ORO IS A FOUR TIME WORLD CHAMPION AND HAS HELD TITLES SUCH AS WORLD CHAMPION WORLD WRESTLING ASSOCIATION, THREE TIME INTERNATIONAL OPEN CHALLENGE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP,

[00:45:01]

TWO TIME FLORIDA CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP, AND ONE TIME AND XLT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPION. HE WAS RECOGNIZED AS EL PASO'S FIRST WRESTLING AND LUCHA LIBRE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE IN 2023. CINTA DE ORO ALSO RECEIVED THE ICON AWARD IN 2023, AND EL PASO WRESTLING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE IN 2017, AND WE'RE CINTA DE AUTOS INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY AS DEPICTED IN HIS MEMOIR, EL VERDADERO CAMPEONATO SERVES AS A BEACON OF HOPE AND PERSEVERANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS FACING ADVERSIT, WHEREAS HIS PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE BORDERLAND HAS DEMONSTRATED AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE SUN CITY, ITS PEOPLE AND FUTURE GENERATIONS, RECOGNIZING HIM AS A TRUE CHAMPION BOTH IN AND OUT OF THE RING. NOW, THEREFORE, IT BE RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT DO HEREBY RECOGNIZE AUGUST 12TH AS A CINTA DE ORO DAY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND HIS EXCEPTIONAL CAREER AS A LUCHADOR. SIGNED THIS 12TH DAY OF AUGUST 2024. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND THE MOTION CARRIES. PLEASE, YOU HONOR US WITH YOUR WORDS. THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M VERY EXCITED. I'M BLESSED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. AND, IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE, TO BE HONEST.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE KID, A COUPLE BLOCKS FROM HERE, WE USED TO PLAY. I USED TO LOVE WRESTLING. SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID. AND BEING ABLE TO WORK IN THE BIGGEST COMPANY IN THE WORLD FOR TEN YEARS WAS A BLESSING. I GOT TO TRAVEL THE WORLD. I GOT TO SEE MANY THINGS. AND NOW, I WROTE A BOOK. IN THAT BOOK, I WROTE A LITTLE BIT OF MY EXPERIENCE AS A YOUNG MAN, HOW TO NEVER GIVE UP, TO ALWAYS CONTINUE YOUR PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS AND YOUR PURSUIT OF YOUR DREAMS AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR MIND. AND I THINK SOMETIMES WE PUT IN A STIGMA IN OURSELVES WHEN WE ARE FROM A CERTAIN PLACE. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT, WHEN I WAS WORKING FOR THAT, I WAS LIVING IN ANOTHER PLACE. I'VE ALWAYS LIVED HERE. WHEN I WAS SIGNED BY THE COMPANY, I WENT TO LIVE TO FLORIDA FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND AS SOON AS I COULD, I MOVED BACK BECAUSE I LOVE EL PASO. I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY. SO FOR ME, IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK. NOW IN THIS IN THIS PART OF MY CAREER, I'M A CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER. WELL THIS YEAR. SO HE WAS AN HONOR AS AS EVERYTHING CAME ABOUT. WHEN MONICA TOLD ME WHEN WE HAD YOU AS A GUEST IN OUR SHOW, IT WAS AN HONOR FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. AND I'M JUST I'M JUST BLESSED. YOU KNOW, I IT'S ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT I DON'T.

WHEN YOU WERE READING ALL THAT STUFF, IT'S LIKE, MAN, LIKE, I DON'T BELIEVE IT YET, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ME. BUT BUT IT'S AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO NOW HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW MY KIDS. YOU KNOW, I LOVE MY FAMILY. I LOVE MY KIDS. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT I, I WAS A LITTLE KID. MY PARENTS WERE VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY MOM, MY DAD, THEY WERE ALWAYS VERY SUPPORTIVE. I REMEMBER MY MOM USED TO BUY ME SHOES WITHOUT MY DAD KNOWING BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO PLAY BASEBALL OR I WAS GOING TO PLAY FOOTBALL OR SOMETHING ELSE JUST TO HELP ME OUT. BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO NOW HAVE THIS PROCLAMATION. I WANT TO THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY, AND I WANT TO CONTINUE. YOU KNOW, I WANT TO CONTINUE WORKING. I WANT TO CONTINUE HELPING OUT THE COMMUNITY AND DOING AMAZING THINGS HERE IN EL PASO. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE SURE YOU DIDN'T GO TO JEFFERSON, RIGHT? BECAUSE I KNOW THAT NO. JACOBSON THROWN BACK THERE IS GLOWING LIKE I WENT TO BURGESS HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS A STATE CHAMP AT BURGESS HIGH SCHOOL. YEAH JACOBSON THRONE WENT TO, BURGESS, AND HE'S OVER THERE. HE'S SMILING SO BIG THAT I COULD. HE RADIATES OVER HERE. WE HAVE A BATTLE. WE HAVE A BATTLE GOING ON ABOUT JEFFERSON AND BURGESS. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO, JEFFERSON, BUT HE DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT. AND WE SENT HIM TO BURGESS. THE FUNNY THING THAT I USED TO LIVE CLOSER TO, JEFFERSON THAN FROM BURGESS, BECAUSE I USED TO LIVE ON A 16 REYNOLDS. SO IT WAS JUST ACROSS THE FREEWAY. SO ONCE YOU CROSS THE FREEWAY, THE I-10, YOU HAD TO GO TO BURGESS. SO THAT WAS I ENDED UP GOING TO BURGESS. YES.

HE HE SAID THAT THERE WERE BUSSING ALL THE HANDSOME MEN TO BURGESS. BUT I'M STILL HE STILL CONFUSING ME WITH THAT COMMENT. SO MONICA, YOU WANT TO. YOU'VE BEEN SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS, PROMOTION AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO, THE WAY YOU ORGANIZE THINGS. SO, ABSOLUTELY. MY NAME IS MONICA ACEVEDO, AND I AM TALENT MANAGEMENT FOR CINTA DE ORO. AND OF COURSE, I'VE BEEN AROUND EVERYBODY HERE GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. HE IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION. EVERYTHING HE'S DONE, HIS LIFE STORY AND HE CONTINUES TO GIVE SO MOST DEFINITELY DESERVES CINTA DE ORO AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING AS WELL, BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE A COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR YOUTH ALSO TO KNOW THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE AND DREAMS CAN BE ACHIEVED. THANK YOU MONICA CITY. DO YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE YOUR GUEST TODAY? OH YEAH. THIS IS MY FATHER, HE'S, HE'S GOING TO SAY, BUT HE'S A HE HAS A MASTER'S

[00:50:05]

DEGREE IN LAW IN MEXICO. AND THEN HE HAS A DEGREE HERE IN, IN THE UNITED STATES AS A FUNERAL DIRECTOR. AND EMBALMER. SO HE HAS TWO CAREERS IN TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THANK YOU. MY BROTHER IS A BIG NERD. HE'S AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, REGINA ARRIAGA, AND GOT INTO MY GIRLFRIEND, MY MOM, SHE'S BEEN WORKING FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS AS A BUS DRIVER. HOW MANY? 20 YEARS AS A BUS DRIVER. AND MY SISTER TOO. SHE. SHE COULDN'T MAKE IT.

DIANA, MY SISTER IN LAW. SHE'S A TEACHER HERE IN EL PASO. SO I THINK ALL OF US GIVE OUT, GIVE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I'M JUST EXCITED FOR THEM TO BE HERE TODAY AND SPEND THIS TIME WITH ME, YOU KNOW, TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALL MY HARD WORK, EVERYTHING THAT THEY DID FOR ME, IT PAID OFF. SO I'M VERY, VERY, VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU. AND EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD OF YOU. AND I KNOW YOU'LL CONTINUE TO DO SOME GREAT THINGS, AND YOU'RE AN INCREDIBLE ROLE MODEL, YOU KNOW, FROM BEING SO SUCCESSFUL IN CONTINUING YOUR CAREER BUT ALWAYS GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. SO THE NUEVO FELICIDADES AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY. I WANT TO THANK GOD EVERYBODY FOR THIS AMAZING PROCLAMATION. AND I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ANYMORE. YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YOU BYE BYE. HE DIDN'T HE DIDN'T GO TO JAIL. BUT HE'S A FOX. SO, YOU KNOW, SAME THING.

ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE THREE SPEAKERS THIS MORNING, FIRST, WE'D LIKE TO START OUT WITH MISS ELIZABETH CRAWFORD. AND FOR THE PUBLIC'S NOTIFICATION, PUBLIC COMMENT IS,

[6. PUBLIC COMMENT]

LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. EVERYBODY IS TIMED. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD MORNING. WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, WE USED TO GET AND GIVE RIDES TO OUR NEIGHBOR STEVEN. HE WAS IN MY SISTER'S GRADE. STEVEN GREW UP IN A TOUGH SITUATION. HE WAS A VERY BITTER TEENAGER. ONE DAY WE WERE IN HIS CAR COMING HOME FROM BAND PRACTICE AND I FOUND WHAT APPEARED TO BE A PAMPHLET WITH THE GOSPEL. I WAS EXCITED BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE A CLEAR GOSPEL PRESENTATION, BUT I WAS SICKENED WHEN I READ THE LATER PAGES FULL OF HATRED AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE. I LATER

[00:55:05]

REALIZED IT WAS WHITE SUPREMACIST PROPAGANDA. I WAS IN SHOCK. THIS WAS THE NORTHEAST.

WE ALL GREW UP TOGETHER THERE, ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, AND I HAD ONLY READ ABOUT THE KKK IN HISTORY BOOKS. EL PASO HAS BEEN IN MOURNING OVER THE DIABOLICAL ORGANIZERS ATROCITY. WE ARE REMINDED OF THE EFFECT THAT IDEOLOGY CAN HAVE IN OUR LIVES. AS WE WATCHED THE CIRCUS OF THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND THE VICIOUS SPEECH ESCALATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN. AND AS WE FACE THIS UPCOMING ELECTION, WE NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THE WORDS OF CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW. WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY TO HIS BROTHER RACA, WHICH MEANS EMPTY HEADED OR STUPID, SHALL BE IN DANGER OF THE COUNCIL. BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SAY, THOU FOOL SHALL BE IN DANGER OF HELL, FIRE, BELITTLING, UNNECESSARY, CRUEL WORDS ON BOTH SIDES.

THERE'S BEEN A RECENT UPROAR OVER REMARKS ABOUT, QUOTE, CHILDLESS CAT LADIES, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING FAR MORE SUBTLE AND FAR MORE DANGEROUS, INTERNATIONALLY, WORLDWIDE. IN AUGUST, THERE'S A CELEBRATION OF CHILD THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL CHILD FREE DAY. THERE'S CERTAINLY A LEVEL OF FREEDOM AND SINGLENESS OR, BEING MARRIED KIT AS DAY IS NOT CORRECT. PART OF THE FREEDOM OF NOT HAVING ONE'S OWN CHILDREN IS THE FREEDOM TO ENJOY OTHER CHILDREN WITH FAMILY, AMONG FRIENDS, IN THE COMMUNITY, AND SO ON. THE LATINO CULTURE HAS FOR DECADES, FOR CENTURIES, VIEWED CHILDREN AS A BLESSING, AS A JOY. SECULAR AMERICAN CULTURE HAS BEEN PUSHING HARD ON THE IDEA THAT A CHILD IS A BURDEN. PREGNANCY IS A DISEASE, AND THEREFORE ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE. I RECENTLY SPENT TIME WITH DONNA, A LADY WHO HAD ONE OF THE WORST OF THE WORST POSSIBLE SITUATION, LIFE SITUATIONS TO BE PREGNANT, AND SHE SHOWED UP AT THE ABORTION CENTER BY GOD'S GRACE, CHANGED HER MIND. LITTLE GABRIELLE IS NOW SEVEN YEARS OLD, AND DONNA RECENTLY SAID TO ME, SHE LIGHTS UP OUR HOME. I CAN'T BELIEVE I WAS GOING TO ABORT THIS CHILD. WE AS A NATION HAVE TURNED OUR BACKS ON A BASIC PRINCIPLE OF GOD'S HOLY WORD.

PSALM 127 DECLARES, LO, CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE OF THE LORD, AND THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB IS HIS REWARD. THANK YOU. HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU ELIZABETH. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE MR. PEDRO SERRA. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD MORNING.

COMMISSIONERS, CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? GOOD MORNING PEDRO. HOW'S IT GOING, SIR? WELL, I'M OUT HERE IN LAS VEGAS RIGHT NOW. AND JUST LIKE I TOLD YOU GUYS, I WAS COMING OVER TO THE TO THE EVENT OF MASTERS OF MASTERS OF THE AGELESS AND, I THOUGHT, I APPLIED TWO TIMES IN ORDER TO GO TO FINALS AND, MY FIRST FIGHT, I WON VERY DECENTLY, AND I TOOK THE FIGHT OF THE NIGHT AND THE SECOND FIGHT, BUT I ALSO GOT AN INJURY AT THE END OF THE AT THE END OF THAT FIGHT, ONE OF MY MUSCLES IN MY, ONE OF MY, IN MY LEFT ARM, MY ARM, MY LIGAMENTS WERE TORN. AND, NOT BEING ONE TO FIGHT FOR THE FINALS. SO I CONVINCED THEM AND THEY DIDN'T FIGHT. AND, I WAS SO CLOSE TO BEING DISQUALIFIED FOR INJURY. BUT HE LET ME GO ON, AND, I WON THE. I WON THE TOURNAMENT.

AGAINST ALL ODDS. BECAUSE NOBODY BELIEVED ME. THEY COULD DO IT. I DID IT ON THE FIRST, EL PASO BOXER IN HISTORY TO FIGHT MASTERS, TOURNAMENT. AND, RIGHT NOW, AT THE MOMENT, IT'S LIKE I HEARD SOMEBODY ELSE. HE'S. IT'S TIME HE'S HE'S BOXING SPORTS AND WRESTLING. SO I'M THE FIRST BOXER TO EVER COMPETE IN THE TOURNAMENT LIKE THIS. AND EL PASO, THE FIRST ONE TO EVER COMPETE WITH A WITH A DISABILITY. BLINDNESS IN ONE EYE. THE FIRST EVER TO COMPETE IN THE TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT WITH THE DISABILITY. AND I ALSO TOOK THE FIGHT OF THE OF THE TOURNAMENT. SO I MADE A PASO PROUD TODAY. GO AHEAD SIR. SO TODAY WE REPRESENTED. YESTERDAY WE REPRESENTED EL PASO AND WE CAME OUT ON TOP, SO I GUESS WE WERE WE'RE IN WE'RE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN. SO THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO CRITICIZED ME.

[01:00:07]

THAT MADE ME STRONGER. THE PEOPLE WHO, WHO DOUBTED ME. YEAH. NOW I CAN PROVE OTHERWISE.

NOW I DID IT, AND I DID IT. MY WAY. AND THANK GOD, SOME ALIVE, SOME WELL. AND HEALTHY. AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE SUPPORT. AND I'LL BE THERE ON THE NEXT MONDAY AND WE'RE BACK TO THE SAME OLD THING, IT TOOK ME JUST 24 YEARS TO GET HERE. IMAGINE I'M NOT GOING TO BE I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON MY SERVICES HERE. BUT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. AND, TODAY, IT'S JUST CELEBRATION THAT WE DID SOMETHING GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE BOXING COMMUNITY, THANK THANK YOU ALL. OKAY. JUDGE THANK YOU. PEDRO HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. THANK YOU SIR. HAVE A NICE MAN. YOU. TOO. NEXT WE HAVE, REY SARABIA. MR. SARABIA, YOU'RE MUTED RIGHT NOW.

MR. SARABIA, IF YOU CAN UNMUTE YOURSELF. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES, SIR. YES WE CAN OKAY.

WELCOME. YES THANK YOU SO MUCH, MY NAME IS REY SARABIA, AND I'M HERE WITH, MR. SAM DIAZ, WHO'S THE CEO OF MOUNTAINSTAR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. GOOD MORNING. AND THE REASON THAT WE'RE HERE IS TO INFORM YOU, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MARIACHI FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER THE 14TH FROM 5 P.M.

TO 9 P.M. AT THE SOCORRO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, AT THE ATHLETIC COMPLEX AT 1300.

GILBERTO. WE'RE GOING TO UTILIZE A NEW COMPLEX THAT THEY JUST OPENED UP, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, MARIACHI BANDS FROM ALL OVER THE EL PASO METROPOLITAN AREA, HIGH SCHOOL BANDS, PARTICIPATE IN PROVIDING, AND SHOWING THE TALENT THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE EL PASO METROPOLITAN AREA, THIS DISPLAY OF THE TREMENDOUS TALENT THAT WE HAVE IS GOING TO BE BROADCAST THROUGHOUT, DONA ANA COUNTY, EL PASO COUNTY AND CIUDAD JUAREZ. AND WE'RE ASKING THAT PERHAPS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD LIKE TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING THIS ENTERTAINMENT TO THE RESIDENTS OF, EL PASO COUNTY FREE OF CHARGE. THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED IS, PERHAPS, YOU CAN GO HIGH TECH OR LOW TECH AND THAT IS PROVIDE A SCREEN SO THAT WHEN WE BROADCAST THIS, MARIACHI FESTIVAL, PEOPLE CAN ENJOY IT AT THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, HAVE A PICNIC, HAVE A COUPLE OF DRINKS, AND HAVE A GREAT TIME. ALL FOR FREE. AND SO WHAT WE'RE ASKING, THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES TO DO IS TO PROVIDE, A SCREEN AT THE DIFFERENT PARKS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS TO. AND THE SCREEN COULD BE SIMPLY AS A BLANKET, A LARGE BLANKET THAT CAN BE HUNG IN THE DIFFERENT PARKS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ENJOY THE MARIACHI MUSIC. SO IT'S REALLY, VERY LOW COST, TO THE COUNTY AND TO THE CITIES THAT ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS, HOWEVER, IF YOU WOULD WANT TO MAKE IT HIGHER TECH AND PROVIDE THOSE GIANT SCREENS THAT BE UP TO THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING PARTICIPATING IN THIS, I ALREADY HAD THE, JUAREZ IS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND BROADCAST THIS AT THE CHAMIZAL, PARK THAT THEY HAVE ON THE OTHER SIDE AND HOPEFULLY, I WILL GET ALL THE, CITIES AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES TO GO AND PROVIDE THIS ENTERTAINMENT FREE OF CHARGE BY JUST PUTTING UP A LARGE BLANKET SO WE CAN BROADCAST THE MUSIC TO THE COMMUNITIES. AND SO I THANK YOU FOR TAKING THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION, AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER THE 14TH FROM 5 TO 9 P.M. AND I'M AT YOUR DISPOSAL. IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE US TO DO TO BRING THIS ABOUT. DO I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? NO THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE THIS INFORMATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE'LL MISS YOU ALL. WE'LL ASK BETSY IF YOU COULD SORT OF FOLLOW UP AND SEE HOW WE COULD SUPPORT REY IN THIS INITIATIVE. THANK YOU RAY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. GOD BLESS Y'ALL. LIKEWISE. WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER THAT SIGNED UP. WE HAVE MR. JOSE LANDEROS. HE'S NERVOUS. GIVE ME A LOOK. I'M

[01:05:04]

NERVOUS. WHY IS JOSE LANDED US HERE? GOOD. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. AND COMMISSIONERS. JOSE LANDEROS SPEAKING IN MY CAPACITY AS A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE EL PASO AREA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LOCAL GOVERNMENT CORPORATION, OR THE LGC, THIS IS THE AGENCY THAT THE COUNTY IS A PART OF, AND HAS LED THE EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE. AND SOME OF THEM ARE, MOST NEEDY PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY. I'M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT, WITH THE COURT'S SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE IN THE BOARD'S VISION OF HIRING A TRANSIT DIRECTOR, AN INTERIM TRANSIT DIRECTOR, WHILE WE CONTINUE TO THE FULL RECRUITMENT FOR OUR OUR NEW TRANSIT DIRECTOR AND THE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AND SO I WANTED TO TAKE THIS CHANCE TO INTRODUCE MISTER JAVIER YANEZ, THE GENTLEMAN WHOSE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY, MEANS HE DOESN'T REALLY NEED AN INTRODUCTION. BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT TODAY IS HIS FIRST DAY. HE'LL BE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON ON THIS EFFORT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU MISTER. MISTER LANDEROS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS. ADVENTURE TO THIS POSITION AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF TRANSIT OPERATIONS FOR, EL PASO AREA, EL PASO AREA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, THE BOARD HAS REPRESENTED BY INDIVIDUALS FROM LIKE HORIZON CITY, ANTHONY BENTON, SAN ELIZARIO, CLINT. I BELIEVE THAT'S THOSE ARE THE FIVE ENTITIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN THE IN THE BOARD, ALONG WITH THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, ALSO SPEARHEADED BY THE CHAIRPERSON, COMMISSIONER LEON. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS, OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND JOIN AN EXCELLENT TEAM. HAS A DIFFICULT RESPONSIBILITY, AND THEY PROVIDE A GREAT SERVICE AND THAT, OF COURSE, IS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IN THAT CAPACITY, I'LL CERTAINLY BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH OTHER ENTITIES THAT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION HERE WITHIN THE COUNTY, INCLUDING SAN METRO, SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT, AND OF COURSE, THE EL PASO, PLANNING COMMITTEE, FUNDED BY TEXDOT. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT OPPORTUNITY, AND I'M SURE I'LL BE SHARING INFORMATION AS IT DEVELOPS WITH YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU. JAVIER, I KNEW YOU WERE NOT GOING TO STAY AWAY WHEN YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO RETIRE. THIS IS AN AMAZING GENTLEMAN. WHAT A GREAT BACKGROUND FOR WHAT HE'S GOING TO BE DOING. I THINK IT'S JUST A AN AMAZING HIRE. AND WHEN YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO RETIRE, I KNEW THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE, LESS FORTUNATE. BUT NOW YOU'RE BACK. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT'S WHY THE WORD INTERIM IS SO IMPORTANT. OH HE'S EMPHASIZED THAT EVERY TIME I KNOW I'M SORRY. JUST TAKE THAT INTERIM OFF, OKAY? NO THANK YOU. JAVIER, IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY IN EVERY DIMENSION. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, JAVIER. THANK YOU. WHAT ITEM WAS THAT? CESAR, CAN CAN CAN WE JUMP QUICKLY TO THE BOARD APPOINTMENT ITEM EIGHT A BEFORE WE DO THE PRESENTATIONS FROM UMC SO WE CAN. AND, BETSY, YOU WANTED TO ALSO INCLUDE. YES, SIR. WE ALSO HAVE, SOMEONE HERE FOR ITEM 13 B FOR US TO ACCEPT THE DONATION. OKAY. SO IF WE COULD DO THOSE TWO BEFORE WE CONTINUE. YES, SI. THANK YOU. OKAY. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, A BOARD APPOINTMENTS APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER STOUT'S NOMINEE, GUILLERMO SILVA, TO THE EL PASO COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FOR THE UNEXPIRED TWO YEAR TERM ENDING MAY 13TH, 2026. GOOD

[A. Approve the appointment of Commissioner Stout's nominee, Guillermo Silva, to the El Paso County Civil Service Commission for the unexpired, two-year term ending May 13, 2026. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-546-2215]

MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MICHELLE COCHRAN WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. MR. SILVA HAS COMPLETED ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE APPOINTED TO THIS BOARD. COMMISSIONER. STAFF.

COMMISSIONER STOUT, THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I DON'T KNOW IF MR. SILVA IS ON THE LINE. I KNOW HE WAS GOING TO TRY TO GET ON, BUT, I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU, WHO WHO MR. SILVA I.

I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU HAVE HAVE PROBABLY MET HIM OVER THE YEARS. HE WORKED FOR MANY YEARS FOR OUR ELECTRIC COMPANY, AND YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN HIM AT MANY OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS AS WELL, I RAN INTO HIM RECENTLY, AND WE WERE TALKING ABOUT HIS RETIREMENT, AND, YOU KNOW, HE HAD TAKEN SOME TIME OFF. HE WAS TAKING CARE OF A FAMILY MEMBER AND SAID THAT HE WANTED TO GET BACK INTO PROVIDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND, YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT THAT HE WOULD BE A GOOD, A GOOD, CANDIDATE FOR, FOR THIS, FOR THIS COMMISSION. YOU KNOW, HE HAS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REPRESENTING ONE OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN EL PASO, UNDERSTANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UNDERSTANDS HR ISSUES VERY WELL. HE WAS A VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR EP, RESPONSIBLE FOR PROMOTING AND MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS AND

[01:10:04]

WORKING ON EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON ISSUES THAT ARE CRITICAL, HE WAS HE SERVED AT EPP FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS, I BELIEVE. AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S QUITE A RUN, HE'S GOT A DEGREE IN FINANCE FROM UTEP AND IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CORPORATE SECRETARIES. SO I'M HAPPY TO, PROPOSE APPOINTING A PERSON WHICH WHO HAS MUCH PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK WOULD DO A GREAT JOB IN, IN, IN SERVING, ON THIS ON THIS COMMISSION. I DON'T KNOW IF MR. SILVA IS ON THE LINE. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING, BUT IF NOT, I'LL GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE HIS APPOINTMENT. HE'S NOT ON COMMISSIONER STOUT. MR. SILVA, YOU'RE ON THE LINE. NO, HE'S. NO, HE'S HE'S NOT, HE'S NOT ON IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S NOT. BUT THAT'S THAT'S FINE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU ALL. ITEM NUMBER 13. BE PUBLIC WORKS PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 81.032, AUTHORIZE THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT THE DONATION OF DESIGN CONSULTING SERVICES FROM MORENO CARDENAS, INCORPORATED FOR THE

[B. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §81.032, authorize the Planning & Development Department to accept the donation of design consulting services from Moreno Cardenas, Inc. (MCI) for the design of school zone improvements at Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary School. Further, approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the Agreement for Professional Services Project: School Zone Intersection Improvements at Dr. Sue A. Shook Elementary between Moreno Cardenas, Inc. and the County of El Paso, Texas. (Contract No. 2024-0590) (Precinct 3) Michael McElroy, Director, Planning and Development, 915-273-3330]

DESIGN OF SCHOOL ZONE IMPROVEMENTS AT DOCTOR SUE A SHOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. FURTHER APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROJECT SCHOOL ZONE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT DOCTOR SUE A SHOOK ELEMENTARY BETWEEN MORENO CARDENAS, INCORPORATED AND THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS. CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0590. HI GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS GILBERT SALDANA WITH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, THIS MORNING, I'M JOINED WITH BY BRIAN. MR. CLAEYS AND MR. OZZY GARCIA FROM MORENO CARDENAS AND MR. CLAEYS WILL ALSO ASSIST WITH MY PRESENTATION, SO THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS REGARDING SCHOOL ZONE IMPROVEMENTS AT DOCTOR SOUCHEK ELEMENTARY IN THE HORIZON AREA. OKAY. THIS SCHOOL IS LOCATED ON 13.777 PASEO DEL ESTE BOULEVARD. SINCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SCHOOL, APPROXIMATELY IN 2008, PASEO DEL ESTE BOULEVARD HAD BEEN A DEAD END AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE SCHOOL, WHICH IS AT THE INTERSECTION OF PASEO DEL NORTE DRIVE, THIS MAJOR, THIS INTERSECTION IS A MAJOR SCHOOL ZONE CROSSING THAT SERVES THE SCHOOL. JUST LAST YEAR, THE DEVELOPMENT TO THE PROPERTY ON THE EAST OF THE SCHOOL EXTENDED PASEO DEL ESTE BOULEVARD THAT INTRODUCED ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC TO THE INTERSECTION THAT CAUSED UNSAFE CONDITIONS AT THE SCHOOL ZONE CROSSING, IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE SCHOOL ZONE THAT STARTS ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE INTERSECTION NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC BEFORE THE CROSSWALK, BEFORE CONTINUING, LET ME EXPLAIN. THE COUNTY'S SCHOOL ZONE POLICY. THE COUNTY DOES NOT FUND ANY SCHOOL ZONE IMPROVEMENTS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OBTAINS PLANS PREPARED BY A LICENSED ENGINEER AND SUBMITS THEM TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL. THE SCHOOL ZONE THEN, USES THOSE PLANS TO PROCURE A CONTRACTOR TO INSTALL THE IMPROVEMENTS THE DISTRICT WILL OPERATE. AND MAINTAIN THE SCHOOL ZONE, FLASHERS AND OTHER APPARATUSES WHILE THE COUNTY MAINTAINS THE STRIPING AND FIXED SIGNAGE WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY. AND NOW GOING BACK TO THE SCHOOL ZONE ISSUES THAT, DOCTOR SOUCHOCK ELEMENTARY, DUE TO THE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS CISD IS EXPERIENCING, DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE COUNTY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. AS PREVIOUSLY EXPLAINED IN THE COUNTY'S POLICY, THE COUNTY DOES NOT SPEND ANY FUNDS ON SCHOOL ZONE IMPROVEMENTS. HOWEVER, MORENA CARDENAS INCORPORATION, A LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED ENGINEERING FIRM, OFFERED TO PROVIDE THE DESIGN FOR THE COUNTY AT NO COST TO ASSIST THE DISTRICT WITH THE SCHOOL ZONE IMPROVEMENTS. WITH THAT SAID, I'LL TURN THAT OVER THE PRESENTATION TO MISTER BRIAN CLAYS FROM MORENO CARDENAS. OKAY

[01:15:01]

MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY, I'M GOING TO EXPAND A LITTLE BIT ON THE PROJECT ITSELF BASED ON WHAT WHAT GILBERT WAS DESCRIBING, WE'RE THANKFUL TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT REALLY IN DETAIL ON THE ON THE PROJECT ITSELF, WE AFTER THE GROWTH OF THE STREET IN THE AREA, IT'S BECOME AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR THE PEDESTRIANS IN THAT AREA. SO WE PARTNERED WITH Y'ALL ON SOME SIMILAR PROJECTS IN THE PAST. SO WE'RE HAPPY TO DO IT AGAIN IN THIS REGARD. ESSENTIALLY, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE GOING TO UPDATE A TRAFFIC SIGNAL IN THE AREA. SO, YOU KNOW, THE FLASHERS YOU SEE AS YOU APPROACH THE INTERSECTIONS, WHICH AREN'T THERE. NOW, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO MODIFY SOME OF THE MEDIAN, THE MEDIAN END AT THE END OF THE INTERSECTION, AS WELL AS CREATE A NEW, CUT INTO THAT MEDIAN JUST TO MAKE A MUCH SAFER MOVEMENT, THIS IS AN AERIAL OF THE INTERSECTION IN QUESTION AT THE END OF THE STREET. YOU COULD SEE HERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO WITH THAT HATCH PATTERN. WE'RE GOING TO EXTEND THE BULL NOSE OF THAT MEDIAN THAT WILL EXTEND FURTHER INTO THE INTERSECTION. YOU COULD SEE THE CROSSWALK WHERE IT IS NOW. THERE'S MANY CAR MOVEMENTS THAT GO NORTH TO WEST THAT CUT THAT AREA. AND IT'S RIGHT WHERE THE CROSSWALK IS. SO BY EXTENDING THAT, THAT MEDIAN, WE'RE GOING TO ALSO CREATE A REFUGE THERE. SO YOU COULD SEE A BREAK IN THE HATCH. THAT'S WHERE THE PEDESTRIANS, THE PARENTS, THE CHILDREN CAN STOP AT THAT POINT JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE CROSSING SAFELY, IN ADDITION, A LITTLE BIT TO THE EAST OF THAT, THE WEST OF THAT INTERSECTION, WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A NEW CUT IN THE MEDIAN. YOU COULD SEE THE PARKING LOT THERE TO THE, THE NORTH OF THAT AERIAL. WHAT'S GOING ON IS PEOPLE HEADING TO THE EAST ARE DOING U-TURNS BACK AROUND. SO BY CREATING THAT, THAT ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE PRIOR INTERSECTION, WE'RE GOING TO ELIMINATE THE U-TURN, CREATE THIS NEW ACCESS POINT FOR THE PARENTS. SO AGAIN, IT'S ALL ABOUT TRYING TO CREATE A MORE SAFE CONDITION FOR THE SCHOOL THEMSELVES. AND JUST SUMMARIZING, AS GILBERT MENTIONED, WE'RE A LOCAL ENGINEERING FIRM. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH YOU ALL IN MANY PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS, CONTINUE TO DO SUCH AND SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID WITH COMMISSIONER LEON SOME TIME BACK IN HIS HIS AREA. WE ACTUALLY WORKED ON A WATER EXTENSION PROJECT ON A PRO BONO BASIS, JUST AGAIN, TO HELP A LOT OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE FUNDS AREN'T THERE, THERE'S AN ISSUE AT HAND AND THERE'S A WAY THAT WE FEEL THAT WE COULD GIVE BACK, LIKE WE SAW OTHERS TODAY WHERE WE COULD DO SIMILAR AND SUPPORT OUR AREA, I SHOULD MENTION THAT I'M A BURGESS GRAD, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HELPS AT ALL, IT SEEMS TO BE A THEME HERE, THAT OF GIVING BACK WITH THE BURGESS COMMUNITY. SO NO, JUST, NOT WITH ME. I THOUGHT I SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT DISCUSSION. SEE CHRISTINE OVER HERE. UNLESS JACOB IS VOTING HERE. BUT, WE'VE DONE THIS IN THE PAST. IT'S A SIMILAR PRO BONO AGREEMENT THAT WE WE'VE CONTRACTED WITH YOU ALL ON. AGAIN, WE'RE JUST GOING TO OFFER THE ENGINEERING, MR. OZZIE GARCIA, WHO'S WITH ME TODAY? HE'S A LICENSED ENGINEER, ONE OF OUR SENIOR PMS, AND ACTUALLY KEY TO OUR TRANSPORTATION GROUP. THIS IS A PROJECT HE'S GOING TO LEAD, AND IT'S GOING TO GIVE, I GUESS, THE BLUEPRINTS TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT PHASE, WE'LL TAKE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH DESIGN AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD, YOU KNOW, SEE IF THERE'S ANOTHER MEANS TO ACTUALLY GET THE CONSTRUCTION BUILT. BUT WE'LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO GET IT TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU. AND TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. YES, SIR. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. JUDGE I JUST REALLY WANTED TO THANK, FIRST OUR STAFF, MICHAEL AND GILBERT, AND THEN OF COURSE, BRIAN AND OZZIE FOR THIS, WHEN THE PRINCIPAL AT SOUCHOCK ELEMENTARY STARTED REACHING OUT TO US. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, SHE'S INCREDIBLY CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN ALL OF EL PASO COUNTY. THE DEVELOPMENT, THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS JUST INCREDIBLE. YOU HAVE NEW NEIGHBORHOODS THAT LITERALLY POP UP. IT FEELS LIKE ALMOST FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT, SO THE PRINCIPAL WAS VERY, VERY CONCERNED, AND BUT UNFORTUNATELY, SISD, BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS THAT GILBERT MENTIONED, JUST ISN'T IN A POSITION TO FUND THESE SERVICES, WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY BEFORE THESE IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE. SO I WANT TO THANK GILBERT AND MICHAEL MCELROY WITH THE COUNTY, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOUR RESPONSE COULD HAVE SIMPLY BEEN, OH, NO, SORRY, THE COUNTY ISN'T IN CHARGE OF DOING IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL ZONES, BUT IT WASN'T.

INSTEAD, YOU ALL REACHED OUT TO MCI AND YOU TOOK THAT INITIATIVE BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT STUDENT SAFETY IS. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, GILBERT AND MICHAEL. AND THEN, OF COURSE, I WANT TO THANK BRIAN AND OZZIE WITH MCI FOR AGREEING TO DO THIS WORK PRO BONO, THERE'S NOTHING I THINK MORE IMPORTANT. I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE THAT ENSURING THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAFE AS THEY WALK TO SCHOOL. SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW HOW, THE COUNTY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH MCI IS JUST SO APPRECIATED, AND WE'RE JUST BLESSED TO HAVE A WONDERFUL COMMUNITY PARTNER SUCH AS YOU ALL. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ANYONE ELSE, NORMA, ANY

[01:20:01]

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. NORMA RIVERA PALACIOS WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I ALSO LIKE TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK MCI THERE ARE PARTNERS AND FOR THEM TO STEP IN AND ASSIST US WITH THIS IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. I KNOW THE COMMUNITY NEEDS IT, OUR STUDENTS NEED IT, AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. THANK YOU BETSY. I THINK EVERYONE'S COVERED IT REALLY WELL. JUDGE, JUST EXPRESSING OUR APPRECIATION AND OUR THANKS FOR A GREAT PARTNERSHIP. WE ABSOLUTELY DO. THANK YOU FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP.

THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ARE WE READY TO GO BACK TO THE REGULAR ORDER, OR DO WE HAVE ANOTHER ITEM? CAN JUDGE? I THINK WE'RE READY TO GO BACK TO REGULAR ORDER. I KNOW, COMMISSIONER WELL. I WAS GOING TO SEE IF WE COULD DO THE NAMI ITEM AS WELL, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE HAVE, GREG HANSCH, WHO IS IN AUSTIN WAITING TO, TO COME UP. AND WE HAVE ALSO ISIDRO TORRES FROM NAMI LOCAL, NAMI EL PASO. SO ITEM NINE A YEAH, YEAH, LET'S TAKE THAT ONE. THANK YOU. JUDGE. ITEM NINE A DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ALLOCATE FUNDING OF UP TO $25,000 TO SPONSOR THE NAMI TEXAS CONFERENCE, TAKING PLACE NOVEMBER 7TH THROUGH THE NINTH, 2020. FOR FURTHER DIRECT STAFF

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action to allocate funding of up to $25,000 to sponsor the NAMI Texas Conference taking place November 7-9, 2024. Further, direct staff to identify funding and prepare a corresponding agreement for Commissioners Court consideration and approval. (#5377-OP) David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-546-2111]

TO IDENTIFY, FUNDING AND PREPARE A CORRESPONDING AGREEMENT FOR COMMISSIONERS, COURT CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. OPINION NUMBER 5377. GREAT. THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. I HAVE ON ON THE LINE, GREG HANSCH, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAMI TEXAS. AND THEN, OF COURSE, ISIDRO TORRES, WHO IS THE ED FOR, NAMI EL PASO. BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL. FIRST OF ALL, FOR CONSIDERING THIS ITEM, THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS, OR NAMI IS A IS REALLY A CRITICAL HINGE IN THE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE COUNTY, WORKING WITH EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK AND ALL THAT IS DONE HERE IN EL PASO WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING FAMILIES, WHO WHO HAVE MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES WHO WHO SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, THEY ARE THANKFULLY HAVING THEIR STATE CONVENTION, HERE IN EL PASO THIS YEAR IN NOVEMBER. SO THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, FOR US TO BRING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER PARTS OF TEXAS AND EVEN NEW MEXICO. THAT WILL THAT THAT WILL CONVERGE UPON EL PASO FOR THIS CONFERENCE. I WANT TO THANK, THE BOARD, THE BOARD AT NAMI, TEXAS, AND ALSO, GREG, FOR AGREEING TO HAVE THE CONFERENCE HERE AND ALSO, ISIDRO FOR HIS WORK IN IN ADVOCATING FOR THE CONFERENCE COMING TO EL PASO. I DON'T KNOW, THE LAST TIME THE CONFERENCE WAS HERE, BUT, IT'S GOING TO BE HERE IN NOVEMBER. SO THAT'S THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PART. AND SO I HAVE, I'VE ASKED ADMIN AND LEGAL TO PROVIDE US WITH SOME OPTIONS AND OPINIONS FOR HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THIS EVENT. THERE IS A SPONSORSHIP PACKET IN THE BACKUP, OF THE AGENDA ITEM, AND WE ARE REQUESTING TO BE ONE OF THE TOP SPONSORS OF $25,000 SPONSORSHIP FOR, FOR THIS EVENT, WE CAN LOOK AT, I THINK, POSSIBLE USE OF SOME HOT FUNDS, ALTHOUGH IT IS RESTRICTED, OF COURSE, AS WE ALL KNOW, AND POSSIBLE USE OF GENERAL FUNDS. AND SO WITH THAT, BETSY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU THAT YOU'D LIKE TO COMMENT? AND THEN WE CAN ALSO HEAR FROM ISIDRO AND FROM FROM GREG. YES, SIR. THANK YOU, WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO USE HOT FUNDS, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THIS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO OTHER TYPES OF CONFERENCES. WE HAVE SPONSORED IN THE PAST WITH HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX. IF THE COURT DOES AGREE TO SUPPORT THE SPONSORSHIP TODAY, WE WOULD WORK WITH LEGAL TO BRING BACK AN AGREEMENT FOR FORMAL APPROVAL FOR THAT SPONSORSHIP. FOR THIS PARTICULAR CONFERENCE, I DID LOOK THROUGH ALL THE BACKUP AND THE LEVEL OF SPONSORSHIP. THE COUNTY WOULD GET A LOT OF RECOGNITION AND IT WOULD ALIGN WITH THE WORK THAT THE COURT HAS DONE. AS FAR AS BEING A ADVOCATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT ABOUT NAMI TEXAS, GREG AND HIS TEAM AND FOR FULL DISCLOSURE, I DO SERVE ON THE BOARD FOR NAMI TEXAS. I'M THE I'M THE, THE FINANCE, FINANCE CHAIR, FOR NAMI TEXAS BOARD. BUT THEY DO AMAZING WORK IN TEXAS SUPPORTING LOCAL

[01:25:05]

AFFILIATES, YOU KNOW, PRIORITIZING EDUCATION AND THEN THE ADVOCACY EFFORTS AT THE STATE CAPITOL, GREG AND HIS TEAM HAVE BECOME A ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED VOICES FOR THE LEGISLATURE WHEN IT COMES TO THE NEEDS AND THE GAPS IN SERVICES AND HOW WE ARE, HOW WE ARE DEALING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN OUR IN OUR STATE. AND, YOU KNOW, I SEE HIM A LOT WHEN I'M WHEN I'M UP IN AUSTIN TESTIFYING AND HELPING EDUCATE LEGISLATORS ABOUT THESE NEEDS AND THESE GAPS. SO, GREG, WOULD YOU LIKE TO WOULD YOU LIKE TO, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND SAY, SAY A FEW WORDS? WELCOME. GREG ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, DAVID, AND THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, NAMI TEXAS IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS SPONSORSHIP. WE HAVE AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND AWARD CELEBRATION EVERY YEAR, AND IT SERVES AS A GATHERING POINT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND THE BROADER MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY. IN TEXAS. OUR EVENT SHOWCASES THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD AND ALSO OFFERS IMPORTANT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHANCES TO CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS. OUR CONFERENCE DRAWS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR. LAST YEAR WE HAD OVER 400 PEOPLE IN HOUSTON ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN OUR, 40 YEAR HISTORY THAT WE ARE BRINGING THE CONFERENCE TO EL PASO, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE BRINGING THIS CONFERENCE TO THE COMMUNITY, TO YOUR COMMUNITY. THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING, FROM PEOPLE IN YOUR REGION WHO HAVE BEEN HUNGRY TO GET THIS CONTENT AND TO BENEFIT FROM WHAT WE MAKE AVAILABLE AT THIS EVENT, WHICH INCLUDES TWO KEYNOTES, UP TO 30 WORKSHOPS, A VIBRANT EXHIBIT HALL, FREE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY. AND OTHER GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BE ENRICHED BY, WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE, THE LEADING EVENT OF THE YEAR FOR THE TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND I WOULD HAND IT OVER TO ISIDRO TO ADD ANYTHING THAT HE WANTS TO SHARE. ISIDRO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NAMI EL PASO. THANK YOU GREG.

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING EL PASO. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND I HAVE A WONDERFUL FORMER BOARD MEMBERS LIKE MELISSA CARRILLO AND OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS AND MANY OF OUR STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED HARD OVER THE YEARS TO REALLY ADVOCATE AND BRING THIS CONFERENCE TO EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME. GREG AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN THERE FOR NAMI EL PASO, YOU KNOW, DAY IN AND DAY OUT. GREG WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CALLS AFTER THE AUGUST 3RD TRAGEDY. OUR COMMUNITY FACED. HE CAME DOWN THAT YEAR TO VISIT OUR WALK IN OCTOBER, AND HE WE WENT OVER TO TEXAS, TO HOUSTON AT THAT TIME, TO THE CONFERENCE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THE WONDERFUL WORK, THAT OUR COMMUNITY WAS DOING AND SUPPORTING THE HEALING. AND SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY IN MENTAL HEALTH AFTER THAT. AND SO GREG HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE EL PASO COMMUNITY, AS WE ALL KNOW, AS WE TRAVEL FOR CONFERENCES, WE'RE ALWAYS TRAVELING TO DALLAS, AUSTIN, HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, AND IT IS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN WHERE WE GET TO JUST STAY HOME AND GO DOWN TO THE CONVENTION CENTER FOR A CONFERENCE. AND SO IT HAS FINALLY HAPPENED. THEY ARE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS HERE IN EL PASO AND NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO PARTY LIKE EL PASO. LET'S BE REAL, AND SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED AGAIN FOR THIS CONTINUED SUPPORT. THANK YOU, GENERALLY SPEAKING, FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR REGION, AND OUR ABILITY, WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH, AGAIN WITH COMMISSIONER STULTS SAID WITH EMERGENCE HEALTH NETWORK, EL PASO CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER, THEIR CEO, KATHY, WILL BE ONE OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS, AND ALL THE WONDERFUL PROVIDERS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, ADVOCATES IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHO WILL BE BENEFITING FROM THIS AND INVITING THE STATE AND OTHER, NOMINEES AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY REALLY, TO COME VISIT US HERE IN EL PASO, AND SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT, FOR SUPPORTING THIS ITEM AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT'S CONSIDERATION OF THIS ITEM. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT, FOR YOUR WORK ON MENTAL HEALTH. THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE MENTIONING THIS MORNING, THIS IS THE COMMUNITY THAT I FEEL REALLY WILL EMBRACE MENTAL HEALTH AND JUST FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE HERE. AND THEN THE SORT OF THE TRACTION THAT WE NEED TO GET TO MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON IN MENTAL HEALTH. IT'S SUCH A IT'S SO SUBTLE, BUT IT'S EVIDENT IN OUR STATISTICS. AND AS WE SEE THINGS THAT ARE CLIMBING, LIKE CRIMES AND YOU KNOW, SUICIDE AND ALL THESE OTHER FACTORS THAT BUT I THINK THIS WILL BRING LIGHT TO IT. AND NOT ONLY BRING LIGHT TO IT, BUT WE'LL LOOK FOR

[01:30:05]

STRATEGIES THAT EVERY COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE QUICKLY. TO ADDRESS THIS. SO, COMMISSIONER STOUT, BACK TO YOU. WELL, ONCE AGAIN, THANK THANK YOU. THANK YOU GREG. AND YOU SEE THE ROW FOR JOINING US. AND I WENT AHEAD AND MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE, THIS, THIS ALLOCATION OF, OF $25,000 TO SPONSOR THE CONFERENCE JUDGE, COMMISSIONER LEON, JUDGE. THANK YOU. AND COMMISSIONER STUD, JUST SO YOU KNOW, I AM GOING TO VOTE FOR THIS. I THINK IT'S A IT'S A GREAT ENDEAVOR, BETSY, HAVE WE IDENTIFIED THE FUNDING FOR THIS? I NEED TO WORK WITH LEGAL ON THE HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX. WE DO HAVE FUNDING WE CAN USE IN HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX FOR THIS. THE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TYPE OF WHAT THE ORGANIZATION WILL USE, THE FUNDING FOR QUALIFIES FOR HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX. IF IT DOES NOT, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO GENERAL FUND OPERATIONAL CONTINGENCIES. AND AS YOU KNOW, THIS IS A YEAR OF HOLDING HOLD THE LINE. I'VE NOT ASKED FOR ANY INCREASES IN ANY OF THE AREAS THAT I OVERSEE. AND LIKE I SAID, IT'S A IT'S A GREAT DRIVE, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE WERE INDEBTED FOR 90,000 OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD FOR ANOTHER PROGRAM, HOPEFULLY THIS IS JUST A REMINDER TO THE COURT THAT AS WE MOVE INTO OUR BUDGET, IN NOT NOT NOT WITH YOU ALL THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT, BUT THAT WE REALLY HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO, ALL THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE REALLY CUT TO THE VERY BONE, AND I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING THE SAME THING. AND THIS ONE, LIKE I SAID, COMMISSIONER, THERE'S NO NO WAY AROUND IT BECAUSE I ALSO AGREE WITH, WITH YOUR DRIVE, BUT JUST A REMINDER THAT IT'S A IT'S A HARD, HARD, TOUGH YEAR. YOU KNOW, I, I SPOKE THIS MORNING ABOUT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS THAT WE LOOK AT EVERYTHING DURING THE YEAR INSTEAD OF SORT OF AS IT COMES TO US. AND SO I THINK, WE CAN'T DO IT THIS TIME, I BELIEVE, BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE, ON THE AGENDA. BUT I THINK NEXT WE'LL, WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT QUALIFIES FOR HOT FUNDS AND THEN MAKE THAT DETERMINATION AHEAD OF TIME DURING. YES, SIR. WE'LL LOOK AT OUR PROCESS. COMMISSIONER LEON, TO YOUR POINT, THE JUDGE ALSO ASKED THIS MORNING THAT WE LOOK AT OUR PROCESS TO DO A CALL FOR, PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THAT WOULD BE THAT. SO WE WOULD KNOW IN ADVANCE WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE YEAR. AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, CHRISTINA MENTIONED THAT THEY'VE ALREADY DONE THE ANALYSIS AND IT DOES QUALIFY FOR HOT FUNDING. GOOD NEWS, GOOD NEWS. AND I AGREE, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD WE SHOULD DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO, YOU KNOW, PRESENT, PRESENT ITEMS THAT WE WANT, FUNDED THROUGH OUR BUDGET DURING THE BUDGETING PROCESS, BUT LAST YEAR, DURING OUR BUDGETING PROCESS, THIS CONFERENCE WAS NOT IT HAD NOT BEEN DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE COMING TO EL PASO, AND IN THE CASE OF OTHER, OTHER ITEMS THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT, YOU KNOW, THESE THESE ITEMS WERE BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION. NOT DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS EITHER. AND SO AND THIS IS HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, WE'LL BE ABLE TO USE HOT FUNDS FOR THIS, YOU KNOW, IF NOT, YOU KNOW, GENERAL FUND, I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO, TO, TO, TO TAKE OUT OF CONTINGENCIES, BUT, SOMETIMES THESE, THESE THINGS COME UP AND, AND, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO, TO BE ABLE TO, TO LOOK AT, SUPPORTING THEM. AND, AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS BECAUSE I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY, COMMISSIONER. YEAH. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. VOTING IS OPEN AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ALL. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU HERE, GREG. THANK YOU GREG. THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDER CALLING A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, MAKING PROVISION FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION, AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS.

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the adoption of an Order calling a bond election to be held for the El Paso County Hospital District; making provision for the conduct of the election; and resolving other matters incident and related to such election. R. Jacob Cintron, President & CEO, University Medical Center/EPCHD, 915-521-7600]

[01:35:04]

PRIMARILY TO FOCUS ON HELPING US CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT STARTED BACK IN 1915. AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE 109 YEARS OLD. IN JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR WILL BE 110 YEARS OLD. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW IT STARTED AND WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE TO WHAT IT IS TODAY, AND YOU SEE THE FINE WORK THAT IT DOES TODAY, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT PREVIOUS COMMISSIONERS AND CURRENT COMMISSIONERS AND PREVIOUS JUDGES AND A CURRENT JUDGE IN HELPING US CONTINUE TO GET THE SUPPORT WE NEED, WHETHER IT BE AN EXPANSION OR GETTING CRITICAL EQUIPMENT OR BEING ABLE TO ACQUIRE THE KIND OF PERSONNEL THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS A GREAT HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES CARE AS A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA LEVEL ONE STROKE CENTER, A LEVEL FOUR MATERNAL AND NICU SERVICES, AND MANY FINE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER WITH A LOT OF OTHER SUBSPECIALTY PHYSICIANS THAT WE HAVE. IT SERVICES A COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF ANYBODY'S ABILITY TO PAY. ALONG WITH THAT, OUR MISSION IS AS A TEACHING HOSPITAL. SO, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS TECH AND THE PAUL FOSTER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PRESIDENT LANG AND DOCTOR LANG AND, YOU KNOW, IT HELPS PEOPLE FROM OUR COMMUNITY PURSUE AN EDUCATION TO BECOME DOCTORS. MANY THAT GRADUATE FROM THIS PROGRAM WILL STAY IN EL PASO. WE ALSO FOSTER OVER ABOUT 2500 STUDENTS OF ONE FORM OR ANOTHER FROM MAGNET SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOL, THROUGH UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE HELPING EDUCATE AND PROMOTE PHARMACISTS, NURSES, THERAPISTS AND SO FORTH. AND SO WE HAD PRESENTED THIS PRESENTATION A FEW WEEKS AGO. WE'RE GOING TO REPEAT IT AGAIN. FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO MAY NOT HAVE HEARD IT, BUT WE REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND APPROVAL TO PROCEED WITH THIS. AND TO START OFF THIS PRESENTATION, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER, JOHN LAW. COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE. GOOD MORNING. JOHN LAW, CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER WITH THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, YOU KNOW, AS WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO YOU, WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME KIND OF REFLECTING ON OUR MISSION, WHICH IS TO HEAL, WHICH I KNOW YOU ALL ARE WELL AWARE OF, THAT IT'S TO SERVE. IT'S TO SERVE THIS COMMUNITY. AND IT'S ALSO TO PROVIDE, GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ANYONE WHO INTERACTS WITH OUR, OUR SYSTEM AND TO EDUCATE, WHICH JACOB JUST SPOKE ABOUT. AND THE EDUCATION ALSO INCLUDES HEALTH EDUCATION, THE EDUCATION WE GIVE OUR PATIENTS SO THEY CAN THEY CAN MANAGE THEIR OWN HEALTH, WHEN THEY'RE NOT INSIDE THE CLINIC SETTING, WHAT I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU TODAY, JUST AS A REMINDER, WE DID SHARE WITH YOU BACK ON JUNE 24TH AND ALSO JULY 15TH. SO I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU AN ABRIDGED VERSION TODAY, AND THEN OF COURSE, OUR BOARD OF MANAGERS VOTE ON JULY, VOTED ON JULY 9TH FOR US TO COME VISIT YOU TODAY. WE WORKED WITH A FIRM CALLED SG2, WHICH IS A NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CONSULTING FIRM, THEY DID AN ANALYSIS OF THE GREATER EL PASO AREA AND IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING SEVEN ITEMS AS NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ACCESS TO CARE IS REALLY THE FIRST. THE FIRST TWO BOXES ACUTE BED CAPACITY IS A CHALLENGE, PARTICULARLY AS WE LOOK AT THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE COUNTY. INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC BED CAPACITY IS, IS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE. AND I'M SURE THE NAMI LEADERS WHO YOU JUST SPOKE TO COULD, COULD SPEAK TO THAT MORE ELOQUENT THAN I, THAN I COULD, WAIT TIMES, SENIOR FOCUSED CLINICS IN PARTICULAR, AS WE LOOK AT THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC IN OUR POPULATION, IS A IS A FUTURE NEED. AND THEN, OF COURSE, CANCER CARE, WHICH I KNOW WE'VE SPOKEN ABOUT WITH YOU ALL OVER TIME, AS WE'VE SHARED WITH YOU BEFORE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. BLESS YOU. JUDGE WE'VE DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO EXPAND OUR CAPACITY AND ADDRESS WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE, AS YOU'RE AWARE OF, WE ADDED THE SURGICAL HOSPITAL, WHICH BROUGHT ON 40 BEDS, AS WELL AS SIX OPERATING ROOMS THAT WERE REALLY KEY, I REALLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROGRAMMATIC EXPANSION THROUGH PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT, BOTH ON A PEDIATRIC LEVEL AND AN ADULT LEVEL. WE'VE BROUGHT IN A LOT OF SPECIALISTS THAT EITHER WEREN'T IN THE COMMUNITY OR, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF SPECIALISTS IS REALLY LOW. SO FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, ENDOCRINOLOGY AND RHEUMATOLOGY ARE THE COUPLE SPECIALISTS THAT WE'VE BUILT UP, FOR THE ADULT POPULATION, AND OF COURSE, AS YOU'RE AWARE, AS WELL, REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ WAS REALLY A KEY LEADER IN THE LAST SESSION TO GET 65 MILLION FOR THE CANCER CENTER. AND WE'RE WE'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. LASTLY, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF THE EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS BEING BUILT OUT RIGHT NOW, THIS HAS ACTUALLY BE DONE. BEING

[01:40:01]

DONE WITH THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S OWN FUNDS, WHICH THEY'VE, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY'VE TURNED THE CORNER FINANCIALLY IN SUCH A STRONG WAY, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO REINVEST AND HELP BUILD OUT SOME OF THE CAPACITY THAT WE KNOW WE NEED. THIS GRAPHIC SHOWS YOU AGAIN WHAT OUR FUTURE LOOKS LIKE. THIS WAS WAS PUT TOGETHER BY SG2. AND ONE OF THEIR STRENGTHS STRENGTHS IS ACTUALLY PROJECTING. WHAT ARE THE FUTURE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES. AND THIS IS SPECIFIC TO EL PASO COUNTY, THE ORANGE LINE ON THE BOTTOM, THE SOLID ORANGE LINE IS THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WE EXPECT TO NEED INPATIENT CARE IN THE COUNTY, SO IT'S NOT JUST UMC, IT'S COUNTYWIDE OVER TIME. AND YOU'LL NOTICE THAT LINE IS DECLINING.

THE DOTTED LINE ABOVE IT IS THE NUMBER OF PATIENT DAYS OR THE GROWTH IN PATIENT DAYS. WE EXPECT IN THE COUNTY. YOU'LL NOTICE THAT LINE IS INCREASING. AND SO ULTIMATELY WHAT THIS IS SAYING TO US IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FEWER PATIENTS IN THE INPATIENT SETTING, BUT THE PATIENTS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ARE GOING TO BE SICKER, AND WE ARE GOING TO NEED ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO TREAT THOSE FOLKS. THE GREEN LINE IS REALLY LOOKING AT OUTPATIENT CARE AND THAT'S WHERE THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IS REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AND YOU CAN SEE OVER 20 YEARS, WE EXPECT A 36% GROWTH IN OUTPATIENT CARE, THERE'S A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THAT, ONE OF THOSE REASONS IS THAT AT A FEDERAL LEVEL, THERE'S MORE AND MORE PROCEDURES BEING MOVED TO OUTPATIENT SETTINGS AND NOT DONE IN HOSPITAL SETTINGS. AND WE'RE ACTUALLY REIMBURSED IN A WAY THAT ENCOURAGES THAT. ALL HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS ARE. THIS IS A GRAPHIC THAT I'VE SHOWN YOU BEFORE. IT SHOWS OUR INPATIENT CAPACITY QUARTER BY QUARTER, THE BLUE BAR ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BAR GRAPH IS THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WE'VE HAD IN OUR CRITICAL CARE BEDS, EACH QUARTER WE HAVE 60 CRITICAL CARE BEDS, SO YOU CAN SEE ON AVERAGE WE'RE WHERE WE'VE BEEN UNDER THAT. BUT ON SPECIFIC DAYS LIKE TODAY, WE'RE ACTUALLY FULL, AND THEN AS WE LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, WE PROJECT HAVING, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 68 PATIENTS ON AVERAGE, ASSUMING WE HAD THE BEDS, AT A UMC, AND THIS IS WITHOUT ANY GROWTH. THIS IS JUST WITH THE WITH THE GROWTH AND THE CHANGES IN HEALTH CARE UTILIZATION. AND THEN BY 2037, WE EXPECT TO BE AT 79 CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS. THE ORANGE BAR IS, IS OUR INPATIENT CAPACITY FOR PATIENTS THAT ARE IN A STANDARD BED, NOT CRITICAL CARE.

AND THEN THE LIGHT ORANGE PART OF THE BAR ARE OUR OBSERVATION PATIENTS. AND YOU CAN SEE ON AVERAGE THAT WE'RE OVER OUR CAPACITY, WHICH IS 290 BEDS, ON A PRETTY ROUTINE BASIS, JUST AS A NOTE, THIS MORNING, OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WAS HOLDING 31 PATIENTS. SO YOU'VE GOT A 45 BED OR A 45 SPACE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. 31 PATIENTS WERE WAITING TO GO UPSTAIRS TO GET ADMITTED INTO A BED, OF THOSE 31, SIX ARE CRITICAL CARE PATIENTS. SO OUR CRITICAL CARE UNIT IS FULL AND ALL OF OUR OTHER BEDS ARE FULL. AS OF THIS MORNING, LAST WEEK, WE HAD ONE DAY WHERE WE WERE HOLDING 44 PATIENTS, WHICH IS ABOUT THE HIGHEST I'VE SEEN ALMOST THE ENTIRE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WAS FULL HOLDING PATIENTS WAITING TO GET INTO BEDS, THE ONE OTHER THING THAT WE SEE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE VISUAL, IS THAT OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD, WE'VE HAD ABOUT 100 TRANSFERS FROM OTHER HOSPITALS THAT HAVE REQUESTED TO RECEIVE CARE AT UMC. AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCEPT THOSE PATIENTS. I WANT TO MAKE CRYSTAL CLEAR IF A PATIENT COMES TO US, WE DO NOT TURN THEM AWAY. THIS IS THE SITUATION WHERE THE PATIENTS ARE AT ANOTHER HOSPITAL. THEY'RE SEEKING A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE, AND WE DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TREAT THE PATIENT. SO IN THAT CASE, THE PATIENT EITHER LEFT TOWN FOR CARE OR STAYED AT THE HOSPITAL THEY WERE AT. AND I'M SURE THAT HOSPITAL DID THEIR VERY BEST TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE THEY COULD FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. SO WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO, MARIA ZAMPINI, OUR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND SHE WILL CONTINUE HER. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

MARIA ZAMPINI CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. WELCOME. SO I'M GOING TO PRESENT ARE, REALLY FOUR MAIN AREAS. SO GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT JOHN HAS SAID, WHAT ARE THE PROJECTS THAT WE WOULD NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS THOSE. AND THERE'S FOUR MAIN ONES. IT'S THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO WITHIN THE HOSPITAL OR AT THE MAIN CAMPUS. IT'S A BURN CENTER AS WELL. SO IT'S INCLUDED IN THERE. IT'S ALSO CONTINUED EXPANSION OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLINICS. SO CONTINUED EXPANSION OF NOT ONLY THE CLINICS BUT ERS. SO OUR ACCESS POINTS AND THEN THE LAST ONE IS THE CANCER CENTER, AT THE MAIN CAMPUS, THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ARE ADDING NEW SURGICAL SUITES. SO OUR ORS CURRENTLY WE HAVE 12, WE WANT TO ADD FOUR NEW OPERATING ROOMS, CARDIAC CATH WE CURRENTLY HAVE

[01:45:06]

FOUR INTERVENTIONAL LABS. SO THE PLAN IS TO ADD TWO, TO THAT. AND YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THESE PROJECTS ARE DUE TO THE GROWTH THAT WE'VE HAD. AND THEN OUR PROJECTIONS, THE EXPANDED OBSERVATION UNIT ADDRESSES EXACTLY THE ISSUE THAT JOHN WAS TALKING ABOUT OF KEEPING PATIENTS IN THE ER. SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION FLOOR, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE OUT OF THAT FLOOR AND WE'RE GOING TO CREATE, 25 OBSERVATION PATIENTS. THAT'S THAT WAY WE'RE ABLE TO MOVE THEM OUT, MOVE THEM UPSTAIRS AND BE ABLE TO SEE MORE PATIENTS.

THAT'S A DIRECT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR OUR THROUGHPUT, WE ALSO HAVE IMAGING TECHNOLOGY. CURRENTLY WE HAVE ONE MRI AT THE MAIN HOSPITAL. IT WORKS 24 OVER SEVEN, SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS REPLACE THAT MRI, ADD AN ADDITIONAL MRI, AND THEN ADD ONE AT THE EAST CLINIC. IT ALSO INCLUDES A CT. SO THAT'S THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PATIENTS FROM THE IMAGING SIDE. LABORATORY SERVICES IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN IN MANY, MANY YEARS. SO AS WE GROW NOT ONLY THE INPATIENT SIDE, BUT WE'RE GROWING ALL THE RETAILS, RIGHT, ALL THE, THE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CLINICS AND ERS. THAT PUTS PRESSURE ON THE LABORATORY. SO WE NEED SOME SOME SUPPORT THERE FOR IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH OF OUR LABORATORY SERVICES. PARKING GARAGE. IT'S THE SAME THING. YOU'VE BEEN THERE. YOU KNOW, WE'RE SHORT OF PARKING NOT ONLY AT THE MAIN CAMPUS, BUT AT OUR CLINIC SITES THERE. YOU KNO, THEY'RE OVERFLOWING, FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS OR THOSE KIND OF THINGS THAT ALSO NEED TO GET TOUCHED AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THINGS LIKE EMERGENCY GENERATOR, THE KITCHEN, ANOTHER SUPPORT DEPARTMENT THAT AS WE GROW THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT NEEDS TO GROW AS WELL. AND AIR HANDLERS, THOSE TYPE OF INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ON THE BURN CENTER AND THE CRITICAL CARE BEDS, THIS IS OUR THIRD FLOOR OF THE MAIN HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT TO ADD 23 CRITICAL CARE BEDS. AND SO WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WHEN IT COMES TO BURN CRITICAL CARE, IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT THE ARCHITECTURAL THE DESIGN OF THOSE ROOMS IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN A CRITICAL CARE, EVEN WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THE AIR FLOWS THROUGH THE ROOM, THE HEAT OF THE ROOM, OR THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ROOM. AND SO WHAT WE WOULD DO IS WE WOULD CREATE SOME SWING BEDS SO THAT THEIR CRITICAL CARE BEDS, IF WE DON'T NEED THE, THE BURN, BUT THEN WE'LL HAVE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THOSE BURN PATIENTS THAT CURRENTLY NEED TO GO OUT OF EL PASO. AND THEN IT'LL ALSO HAVE AN OPERATING ROOM ON THE HEALTH CARE ACCESS POINTS, SO AGAIN, THIS IS CONTINUED GROWTH OF THOSE SERVICES THAT WE'RE ALREADY OFFERING, THE CENTRAL GERIATRIC CLINIC, THIS WOULD BE A CLINIC VERY MUCH LIKE THE ONE THAT WE HAVE, AT THE EAST AND THE WEST, WITH ABOUT 50 EXAM ROOMS. BUT THE FOCUS IS GOING TO BE GERIATRICS. AND FOR THOSE REASONS THAT JOHN DESCRIBED, AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING THAT SUPPORT FOR OUR GERIATRIC PATIENTS, HORIZON HEALTH CENTER AS WELL. SO BOTH OF THESE, THE CENTRAL AND THE HORIZON WOULD HAVE THE PRIMARY, THE SPECIALTY CARE, BUT THEY'LL ALSO GOING TO HAVE A RETAIL PHARMACY. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE LAB. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE IMAGING AND REHAB.

SO EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED I ALWAYS SAY EVERYTHING THAT YOU'LL NEED ABOUT 80% OF, OF, OF YOUR LIFETIME, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GET AT THESE. SO THAT CONTINUED GROWTH AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTER WEST, THESE ARE FOUR OPERATING ROOMS CURRENTLY. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WE HAVE THAT SERVICE AT THE EAST. WE DON'T HAVE IT AT THE WEST. SO IT'S GROWTH OF THAT CAPACITY OVER AT THE WEST SIDE OF EL PASO WITH A SURGERY CENTER, THE WEST EMERGENCY AND URGENT CARE, JUST LIKE WE DID WITH THE NORTHEAST AND THE EAST. WE ADDED AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. WE WANT TO DO THE SAME THING TO THE SERVICES. WE OFFER AT THE WEST. SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S A BALANCING OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. THE CENTRAL SPECIALTY CLINIC, IS, IS CURRENTLY THE TEXAS TECH SPECIALTY CLINIC AS THEY GROW, AS THEY DESIGN AND THEN GROW, CONSTRUCT THEIR NEW SPECIALTY CLINIC, THEN THAT IS THE CLINIC THAT'S LOCATED ON THE MAIN CAMPUS. AND SO THEN WE WOULD TAKE OVER THAT AND BE ABLE TO OFFER SPECIALTY SERVICES FOR OUR PATIENTS. AND THEN THE EAST REHAB, OUR WEST, OUR WEST CLINIC HAS REHAB SERVICES. THAT EAST CLINIC DOES NOT, AND SO WE WANT TO ADD REHAB SERVICES TO, TO THAT PART OF TOWN AS WELL. AND THEN THE COMPREHENSIVE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, THE STATE OF TEXAS CONTRIBUTED THE 65 MILLION THAT JOHN WAS TALKING ABOUT. THE TOTAL COST IS ANTICIPATED TO BE ABOUT 95 MILLION. SO THEN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS TECH, WE PUT IN 30 MILLION, TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT INITIATIVE, AND WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MARIA. I'M SORRY, CAN YOU GO BACK TO

[01:50:02]

THE LAST, SLIDE, AND IF I MAY JUDGE, I NOTICED THAT IN EL PASO, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY KIND OF DOT THERE ON THIS MAP, INSOFAR AS A CANCER CENTER. WHAT DOES THAT TELL US? THAT TELLS US THAT WE DON'T HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER AND SO YOU HAVE TO OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO TRAVEL VERY FAR IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED. AND SO JUST LIKE THE BURN CENTER, THE CANCER CENTER IS ALSO OUR PATIENTS DESERVE TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN EL PASO AND GET THE TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED. AND SO, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TEXAS TECH, OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER FOR THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. NOW THERE IS CANCER CENTER TREATMENT CENTERS HERE IN EL PASO. BUT BUT THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE NOW. CORRECT. THIS IS ONE THAT THIS CENTER IS ONE BUILDING THAT WOULD HOUSE EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD NEED TO INCLUDE THE RADIATION, THE LINAC, THE ACTUAL OFFICE VISITS, ALL THE SUPPORT. IT ALSO INCLUDES SOCIAL WORKERS AND REHAB FOLKS AS WELL. SO IT'S A IT'S A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CANCER CENTER RIGHT NOW THAT THE PATIENTS GO FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER TO BE ABLE TO GET WHAT THEY NEED THROUGH THE, THE, THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE CANCER OR THEY GO OUT OF TOWN, CORRECT. OR THEY GO OUT OF TOWN. YEAH, IF YOU CAN, IF YOU CAN'T, THEN, THEN WHAT DO YOU DO THAT MANY PATIENTS ARE DIAGNOSED VERY LATE IN THEIR CANCER AS WELL. SO THAT ALSO CALLS TO THEM NOT HAVING ACCESS TO PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE. AND THEN WHEN THEY ARE DIAGNOSED, THEY'RE FURTHER ALONG IN THEIR CANCER. THANK YOU. AND IF I COULD ADD TO THAT, YOU KNOW, TO BE A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER IS A MULTI YEAR PROCESS. AND IT INCLUDES, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW AT UMC WE PROVIDE CHEMOTHERAPY OR INFUSION THERAPY. WE PROVIDE SURGERIES IF YOU HAVE CANCER, BUT WE DON'T PROVIDE RADIATION THERAPY. SO WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS AT TEXAS TECH WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. ANOTHER ELEMENT THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTERS IS RESEARCH. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, DOCTOR LANG AND HIS HIS GROUP HAVE COMMITTED TO REALLY FOCUS ON BECAUSE THERE'S THERAPIES OUT THERE THAT GO BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION THAT WE'RE HOPING TO CONTINUE TO INVEST IN, TO BE ABLE TO BE IN THE FOREFRONT AND PROVIDE OUR COMMUNITY THE MUCH NEEDED CARE THEY HAVE. TO MARIA'S COMMENT, IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE AND DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE SERVICES LIKE RADIATION THERAPY, THEY GO WITHOUT AND ALL THAT MEANS IS THAT THEIR CARE IS COMPROMISED AND THEY PUT THEMSELVES AT A RISK OF A OF A DEATH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. AND SO WE NEVER WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE, THAT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY. THANK YOU. IT'S AN EYE OPENER. THANK YOU. GREAT CLARIFICATION. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL NUNEZ HOSPITAL DISTRICT CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER I'LL BE DISCUSSING IN TERMS OF WHAT IS THE WHAT IS THE IMPACT IN TERMS OF WHAT'S THE WHAT'S THE DOLLAR SIZE OF THE BOND THAT WE ARE SEARCHING, LOOKING FOR THE TOTAL BOND ISSUE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT 397 MILLION. AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE, ON THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER NOW, CURRENTLY, WE JUST RECEIVED OUR 2024 PROPERTY TAX VALUES. NOW WITH THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT, WE ARE FORECASTING PERHAPS ABOUT A 5% INCREASE FOR NEXT YEAR. SO CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IN 2024, THE AVERAGE TAXABLE VALUE NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH WHAT YOUR APPRAISAL VALUE IS, IS ABOUT $210,000. WE ARE WE'RE FORECASTING THAT TO BE ABOUT 220,000 IN 2025. SO WHEN THIS, THIS BOND ISSUE, IF PASSED, WE WILL GO TO MARKET IN APRIL OR MAY OF 2025. AND THEN THE TAX RATE WOULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL OCTOBER 1ST OF 2025. SO BASED UPON AN AVERAGE TAXABLE VALUE OF 220,000 IN 2025, WE ARE ESTIMATING THIS WILL BE ABOUT $5.79 PER MONTH, OR ABOUT $70 PER YEAR FOR THIS, FOR THIS BOND ISSUE. NOW, PREVIOUSLY WE HAD, WE HAD COMMUNICATED THAT THIS WOULD BE ABOUT $5.54. THE MAIN REASON FOR THE DIFFERENCE WAS, NOW THAT WE HAD RECEIVED THE FINAL CERTIFIED VALUES FOR THE, FOR THE TAXABLE VALUES FOR 2024. THAT WAS THAT WAS LOWER THAN WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY FORECASTED BY THE CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT. AND JUST KEEP IN MIND THAT AS MONTHS GO AHEAD, FOR NEXT YEAR'S PROPERTY VALUES, THAT THIS NUMBER MAY GO UP OR DOWN DEPENDING UPON PROPERTY VALUES. AND THEN CURRENTLY, RIGHT NOW, IN FACT, TOMORROW WE WILL BE, CLOSING ON OUR REFUNDING BONDS TOMORROW AND, WITH, WE'RE HOPING NOW WITH THE RECENT NEWS OF OVER THE LAST WEEK TO TEN DAYS OF MORE CERTAINTY WITH PERHAPS INTEREST RATE CUTS, THAT INTEREST RATE, INTEREST RATES WOULD POSSIBLY BE LESS NEXT, NEXT SPRING. BUT CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE ARE WE ARE BEING ON THE ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT THE, AT THE, DOLLAR TAX BILL FOR THE LARGE, LARGE, LARGEST FIVE, ORGANIZATIONS, YOU'LL SEE THE EL PASO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ABOUT 40% OF YOUR TAX BILL. THE CITY OF EL PASO IS

[01:55:06]

ABOUT 29%. THE COUNTY OF EL PASO IS ABOUT 1514, 15%, UMC IS ABOUT 8%. AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS ABOUT 4%. YOU'LL SEE FOR UMC BACK IN 2021, OUR TAX RATE WAS ABOUT 26.8 CENTS FOR EVERY $100 OF PROPERTY TAX VALUE. AND SINCE THEN, THAT TAX RATE HAS BEEN DECREASING. IN FACT, WE ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN 2022 AND ALSO IN 20 2024. AND CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR STARTING OCTOBER 1ST OF 2024, OUR BOARD HAS AUTHORIZED OR APPROVED US TO ADOPT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN 2025. WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS ACTION TO YOU IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. AND THAT TAX RATE IS GOING TO BE 21.9 CENTS FOR EVERY $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE. SO YOU'LL SEE, SINCE 2021, UMC TAX RATE HAS DROPPED ABOUT $0.05, SINCE 2021, AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO JOHN AND TO JACOB FOR ANY FOR ANY CLOSING COMMENTS. THANK YOU. MICHAEL BETSY, WE DO HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS TOPIC. OKAY SO I'M SORRY, BETSY. SORRY. YES, SIR.

WE DO HAVE PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THAT FIRST? IF YOU'RE DONE WITH YOUR PART, THEN WHAT? YOU COULD HEAR SOME OF THE COMMENTS AND THEN YOU CAN ADDRESS. THANK YOU. IT WAS JUST SIMPLY THAT, YOU'VE SEEN THE WHAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE PROUD OF WHAT WE PROVIDE. WE'RE PROUD OF OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR PHYSICIANS, OUR NURSES, OUR STAFF. YOU ALL HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING US CONTINUE TO EXPAND OUR REACH TO OUR COMMUNITY. EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL HAVE APPROVED HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU. AND ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE BEFORE YOU SAYING WE CAN'T GO THAT NEXT STEP WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT. SO WITH THAT, I'LL, I'LL CONCLUDE AND THEN HAVE OPEN COMMENT. THANK YOU. AND, DOCTOR LANG AND OTHERS, IF YOU COULD HEAR SOME OF THE COMMENTS, HAVE THEY PERTAIN TO SOMETHING YOU CAN ADDRESS, WE'LL, WE'LL WAIT FOR THE COMMENTS AND THEN, IF THERE'S ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO THAT AS WELL. SO, JUDGE, I HAVE ONE QUESTION REAL QUICK. YES COMMISSIONER. MR. NUNEZ, REAL QUICK, ONE QUESTION. THE RIGHT NOW, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE, THE TAX RATE GOING DOWN TO 21.9 CENTS. THAT'S, THAT'S THE NO SIDE OR THAT'S THE FULL TAX RATE. THAT IS THE FULL TAX RATE, 21.4. BEFORE THE BOND ISSUE WERE TO PASS. YES, THAT IS CORRECT. 21.9 CENTS IS BEFORE ANY PASSAGE. AND WHAT WOULD THE FULL TAX RATE BE IF THE BOND THE ESTIMATED IMPACT RIGHT NOW IS ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF CENTS IN TOTAL, IF THE IF THE BOND ISSUE WERE WERE TO PASS. YEAH. AND THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE BEGINNING, FISCAL 26 STARTING OCTOBER 1ST OF 2025. OKAY THANK YOU. MICHAEL, CAN I ASK A QUESTION OF MICHAEL BEFORE HE SITS DOWN? MICHAEL, SO I WAS LOOKING AT EXHIBIT C, AND I'M JUST WONDERING, A NUMBER SEVEN, WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF TAXES ON A RESIDENCE WITH AN APPRAISED VALUE OF 100,000. SO AND IT'S 100,000. IT'S $47.24, AND I KNOW YOU TOLD US THAT BY THE TIME, THE DEBT IS ISSUED, WE'RE GOING TO BE BASED ON THE TAXABLE VALUE OF 220. SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT AMOUNT THAT 4724 SHOULD AT LEAST DOUBLE, BUT YOU SAID IT WOULD REALLY ONLY BE AN IMPACT OF ABOUT 74, $70 FOR, FOR AVERAGE TAXABLE VALUE OF ABOUT 220,000. YES MA'AM. I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A DISCREPANCY TO ME, BECAUSE IF IT WAS 100,000, THE VALUE, THEN IT'S $47. SO IF WE'RE NOW UP TO TWO, IF WE GO TO 200, IT WOULDN'T DOUBLE. THE 47 WOULDN'T DOUBLE. SO YEAH OKAY. SO, LET US GO BACK AND CHECK WITH, WITH OUR BOND COUNSEL AND ALSO WITH OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND SEE WHETHER SOME OF THESE AMOUNTS MAY HAVE, MAY HAVE SLIGHTLY CHANGED SINCE SINCE THE LAST TIME THAT WE PRESENTED THESE, I'M WONDERING IF MAYBE IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LENGTH OF THE ISSUANCE, BECAUSE I THINK ISN'T THERE SOME PORTIONS OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE ONLY GOING TO BE THE DEBT IS GOING TO BE ISSUED FOR TEN YEARS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 20 OR THE 25? THAT IS CORRECT. SO, SO WE CAN GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT, BECAUSE THE WAY THAT THIS BOND IS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED, THE EQUIPMENT PORTION OF IT, ABOUT 30% OF THE 387, ABOUT 120 MILLION, THAT'S THAT'S GOING TO BE PAID OVER TEN YEARS. AND THEN THE BRICKS AND MORTARS IS GOING TO BE PAID OUT OVER 30. SO IT COULD BE FROM A STANDPOINT OF LET US GO BACK AND CHECK WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT AT THE WEIGHTED AVERAGE, WHAT'S THE FIRST TEN YEARS VERSUS THE REMAINING, 20. AND THEN SEE, SEE WHETHER WE CAN GO AHEAD AND JUST RECONCILE THAT. OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO BEGIN PUBLIC COMMENT WITH DOCTOR RICHARD LANG. AND ONCE AGAIN,

[02:00:12]

FOR THE PUBLIC, JUST WANT TO NOTIFY EVERYBODY. PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES PER PERSON. THANK YOU. WELCOME. DOCTOR LING. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF ADDRESSING YOU, LAST MONTH IN JULY 1ST, WE WELCOMED THE PAULA FOSTER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CLASS OF 2028. THEY START A MONTH EARLIER THAN ANY OTHER MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, ACTUALLY IN THE NATION. AND THEY DO THAT. SO THEY BECOME IMMERSED IN THE CULTURE OF EL PASO, AND THEY BEGIN THEIR SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES AS WELL. THEY ONLY MEDICAL SCHOOL TO TEACH MEDICAL STUDENTS SPANISH BY THE WAY, AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF ADDRESSING THEM ON THE VERY FIRST DAY. THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN SCREENED THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR MISSION AND OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. BUT I REMIND THEM THAT THE MISSION OF TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, EL PASO, AND YOU CAN SEE THIS ON THE WEBSITE, IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND OUR COMMUNITY BY FOCUSING ON THE UNIQUE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF SOCIALLY AND CULTURALLY DIVERSE BORDER HEALTH POPULATIONS WITH EXCELLENCE IN INTEGRATION IN PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, AND IN THE SHORT TIME I'VE BEEN HERE, SHORT TEN YEARS, WE'VE GRADUATED OVER 2400 HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER. A NUMBER OF PHYSICIANS IN EL PASO HAS INCREASED 66%. THE NUMBER OF NURSES HAS INCREASED 45%. ABOUT 25% OF THE STUDENTS COME FROM FROM THE MEDICAL SCHOOL, COME FROM EL PASO, AND OF THE NURSING SCHOOL, ABOUT 97% COME FROM EL PASO. AND BY THE WAY, 90% STAY IN EL PASO WHEN THEY'RE FINISHED AS WELL. AND WE DO ALL THAT AS A MEDICAL CENTER, AS AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER WITH AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PARTNER IN THIS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION WITHOUT OUR PARTNER, NOT JUST A PARTNER IN NAME, BUT A PARTNER WHO'S DEDICATED TO EDUCATION, DEDICATED TO OUTSTANDING PATIENT CARE, AND TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. THEY'RE ALSO INTERESTED IN THE RESEARCH THAT AFFECTS PEOPLE IN EL PASO. DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNTS OF CANCER AND CANCER MORTALITY, DIABETES, NEUROSCIENCE, PSYCHIATRY, INFECTIOUS DISEASE. AND WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WITHOUT OUR PARTNER UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AS WELL. AND I'LL JUST GIVE YOU TWO INSTANCES OR, THAT REALLY STRIKE CLOSE TO HOME. ONE IS WHEN WE ARRIVED HERE LOOKING AT CANCER, WE REALIZED, AS MARIA MENTIONED, THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS IN EL PASO PRESENT IN LATE STAGES OF CANCER CANCERS THAT, BY THE WAY, ARE SCREENABLE AND CURABLE IF CAUGHT EARLY BREAST CANCER, CERVICAL CANCER, COLORECTAL CANCER CAN ALL BE PREVENTED IF FOUND EARLY AND THEY WEREN'T BEING PREVENTED IN THE COMMUNITY. SO WE EMBARKED ON RESEARCH PROJECTS THAT ALLOWED US TO SCREEN WITH THE HELP OF UMC. 61,000 PEOPLE HAVE NEVER BEEN SCREENED BEFORE TO CATCH EARLY CANCER. IN 400 OF THESE INDIVIDUALS BASICALLY ERADICATED BEFORE THEY GOT INTO LATE STAGES. AND DURING COVID, WE HAD ACCESS TO IMMUNOGLOBULINS, ANTIBODIES THAT NOBODY ELSE OR VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY HAD ACCESS TO TREAT THE MOST SERIOUS INDIVIDUALS IN EL PASO AT UMC. AND IT WAS THAT JOINT PARTNERSHIP THAT ALLOWED US TO CONDUCT RESEARCH THAT MATTERED TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEN, WITH REGARD TO PATIENT CARE, WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO AGAIN ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MATERNAL AND NEONATAL CARE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF STROKE CARE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TRAUMA CARE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARDIOVASCULAR CARE, AND HAS BEEN CITED AS ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS IN THE STATE IN TERMS OF QUALITY THAT ALLOWS ME TO ATTRACT STATE OF THE ART OR WORLD RENOWNED PHYSICIANS, AND TO ATTRACT THE STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS THAT WE NEED TO MEET THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR FUTURE IS INEXTRICABLY INTERTWINED WITH THE SUCCESS OF UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SUCCESS OF UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO UNLESS THEY CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IF OUR GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN OUR STATE AND OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S THE GOAL OF UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, IS WE DO IT TOGETHER. SO IF THERE ARE A LACK OF OPERATING ROOMS, IF PEOPLE ARE STANDING OR SITTING IN THE LAYING IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM, THEY CAN'T GET UP TO A ROOM. IF WE DON'T HAVE STATE OF THE ART CARE FOR OUR BURN PATIENTS AND WE DON'T HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER. THE SECOND COMMUNITY IN TEXAS THAT DOESN'T THE 22ND LARGEST CITY IN THE

[02:05:04]

UNITED STATES, DOESN'T HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER, THEN THAT'S A PROBLEM. IT AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE CARE, BUT IT AFFECTS US AS AN INSTITUTION AS WELL. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY PERSPECTIVE ON HOW IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IS, NOT ONLY TO THE COMMUNITY AND MANY OF US WHO RECEIVED CARE THERE. BY THE WAY, BUT ALSO TO THE SUCCESS AND THE FUTURE OF THE MEDICAL CENTER AS WELL. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DOCTOR LING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. APPRECIATE IT.

CAESAR. NEXT WE HAVE DOCTOR ALLEN. TYREKE. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING DOCTOR I KNOW I SPOKE TO YOU ALL LAST MONTH I BELIEVE IN JULY SO HOPEFULLY I WON'T BE TOO REDUNDANT. BUT I DO WANT TO SPEAK TO THE COMMUNITY ALSO TODAY I JUST REALIZED YESTERDAY IT'S MY 27TH WORK ANNIVERSARY AUGUST THE 11TH. SO I'VE BEEN HERE 27 YEARS. CAME HERE IN 1997. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF. WELL, I WASN'T ASKING FOR THAT, BUT THANK YOU. SO I CAME HERE IN 97.

I SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH IN THIS COMMUNITY. I SAW A LOT OF GROWTH ON THE CAMPUS. I SAW THOMPSON GENERAL HOSPITAL BECOME UMC. IT'S ACTUALLY 15 YEARS AGO THAT IT CHANGED THE NAME 2009. IT'S AMAZING. I SAW TEXAS TECH BECOME A MEDICAL SCHOOL AND NOW HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER OF THE TEXAS TECH SYSTEM. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TRAUMA PROGRAM. AND I CAME HERE. WE HAD JUST UNDER 1200 TRAUMA ADMISSIONS IN 1998. WE BECAME A LEVEL TWO TRAUMA CENTER THAT YEAR. THEN WE BECAME A LEVEL ONE. WE'VE BEEN A LEVEL ONE SINCE THEN, THE ONLY ONE FOR 270 MILES. THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE'VE AVERAGED 3900 OR SO TRAUMA ADMISSIONS. OF THOSE, 650 HAD AN INJURY SEVERITY SCORE OF 15 OR GREATER. THAT MEANS THAT'S A VERY SEVERELY INJURED PATIENT. WE TAKE CARE OF ALL AGES. WE ADMIT IT'S 720 KIDS. LAST YEAR, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DCH, WE ALSO ADMITTED 940 GERIATRIC TRAUMA PATIENTS DEFINED AS AGE 65 OR OLDER. IN JUST THE LAST TWO WEEKS. WE ADMITTED, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE THE EXACT AGE, BUT TWO PATIENTS ABOVE THE AGE OF 100. SO WE TAKE CARE OF ALL AGE, 40 SOMETHING PERCENT OF OUR PATIENTS FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS COME TO US IN TRANSFER. SO ALL THE HOSPITALS IN THE REGION, NOT JUST EL PASO CITY, AND THEY NEED US TO DO THE SPECIALTY CARE THAT THEY CAN'T PROVIDE OF THOSE THAT ARE TRANSFERRED. LAST YEAR, 26% CAME FROM HOSPITALS IN THE CITY OF EL PASO. BECAUSE OF OUR SPECIALTY CARE. BUT WE NEED BED, JOHN MENTIONED THERE WAS 44 PATIENTS LAST WEEK NEEDING ICU OR NEEDING BEDS IN THE HOSPITAL. I CAN TELL YOU TWO DAYS IN A ROW BECAUSE I KEEP TRACK OF IT. ONE DAY WAS 44, THE NEXT DAY WAS 43. BUT IT'S ABOUT A DOZEN PATIENTS NEED TO GO TO OUR ICU SETTING ON SOME OF THOSE DAYS. THIS MORNING IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER. I THINK IT'S 31. IT WAS AVERAGING THE UPPER 20S, LOW 30S FOR MOST OF THE LAST WEEK. WE DO OUR BEST WE CAN, BUT WE'RE TIGHT. I GET ON SOMETHING KNOWN AS EM RESOURCES THAT TELLS ME WHAT THE HOSPITAL SITUATION IS FOR ALL THE HOSPITALS IN THE CITY, AS WELL AS ACTUALLY OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTY. A LOT OF OUR HOSPITALS ARE OVERFILLED. THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH HOSPITAL BEDS. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH CRITICAL CARE BEDS IN THE CITY OR THE REGION. SO THERE REALLY IS A NEED. LET'S NOW SEGUE INTO BURN CARE. THE NEAREST BURN CENTER IS IN LUBBOCK, 345 MILES AWAY, A SMALL. THERE'S A SMALL BURN CENTER IN LUBBOCK. I'M SORRY. IN ALBUQUERQUE, THERE'S ONE THAT'S STARTING UP AGAIN IN TUCSON AT U OF A. THOSE ARE SO FAR AWAY, DESPITE NOT BEING A BURN CENTER, WE DO WHAT WE CAN. WE TOOK CARE FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, ON AVERAGE, ABOUT 85 TO 95 PATIENTS THAT MEET AMERICAN BURN ASSOCIATION BURN CARE IN EL PASO. SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE THE CITY. ONE IS BECAUSE LUBBOCK CAN'T TAKE THEM. THEY'RE OVER CAPACITY. THEY ALSO SOMETIMES HAVE WEATHER CONDITIONS. WE CAN'T FLY THEM OUT. IN ADDITION TO THE SEVERE BURNS THAT WERE TAKEN CARE OF, MEETING CRITERIA THAT REALLY SHOULD GO TO A DESIGNATED BURN CENTER. WE TOOK CARE OF 160 PATIENTS LAST YEAR WITH MINOR BURNS THAT WE DON'T EVEN ADMIT.

WE TAKE CARE OF THEM. WE DISCHARGE THEM. HOME CANCER CARE, I THINK YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER. IT'S A BIG NEED. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK, WELL, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GOT, YOU GOT MD ANDERSON DOWN THERE IN HOUSTON, THEY'RE IN IT FOR MONEY. THEY'RE NOT DOING CHARITY CARE. WELL, I'M SURE THEY ARE, BUT THEY'RE NOT A SAFETY NET FOR US. IF YOU DON'T HAVE FINANCES, WE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE PATIENTS HERE AND THEY DON'T GET THE RADIOTHERAPY.

[02:10:01]

THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE FOR THESE PATIENTS ALSO, THEY CAN'T GET ENROLLED IN CLINICAL TRIALS FOR CANCER TRIALS. PEOPLE WITH MEANS TO PAY GO TO MAYO CLINIC IN SCOTTSDALE, SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS OR MD ANDERSON. BUT IF NOT, WE TAKE CARE OF THEM. 30S BETTER GO FAST THEN. SO I'M GOING TO WRAP IT UP. WE'RE NOT A SMALL TOWN, GUYS, AND LADIES. WE'RE THE SIXTH LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE. THE 22ND LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY. WE CAN BE BETTER. WE NEED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL. I REMEMBER WHEN MR. VALENTI AND HIS TEAM CAME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. I THINK IT WAS OH SEVEN TO ASK FOR A BOND WHERE WE GREW. AND THE REASON WAS INFRASTRUCTURE WAS FALLING APART. IT WAS GETTING OLD AND WE WERE POPPING AT THE SEAMS. WE ARE POPPING AT THE SEAMS AGAIN. SO UMC HAS BEEN A BEACON OF HOPE FOR GENERATIONS. WE NEED THIS SO WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE CURRENT GENERATION AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU DOCTOR. APPRECIATE. DOCTOR RICHARD MCCOLLUM. THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU AT THIS TIME. I'M DOCTOR RICHARD MCCALLUM, AND I CAME TO EL PASO IN 2009 AS THE FOUNDING CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AT THE NEW PAUL FOSTER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. AT THAT TIME, UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER WAS STILL CALLED THOMPSON. I'M A GASTROENTEROLOGIST, AND THANKS TO THE FACILITIES THAT EVOLVED AT UMC, MY TEAM IS NOW NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS A REFERRAL CENTER FOR TREATING PATIENTS WITH A NON-WORKING OR NONFUNCTIONING GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT. AND THIS HAS LED TO ACHIEVEMENT OF NIH FUNDING. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. IT HAS BECOME THE GOLD STANDARD FOR PATIENT CARE IN THIS REGION. THE CITIZENS OF EL PASO HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN UMC AND RIGHTLY SO. WE NEED TO SUSTAIN AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE STATE OF THE ART MEDICAL CARE. WE'RE AT A CRITICAL STAGE IN ADDRESSING OUR PATIENTS NEEDS. THE NEED FOR OUTSTANDING MEDICAL AND SURGICAL CARE EVOLVE AS ADVANCES DEVELOP.

WE NEED TO EXPAND CRITICAL CARE BEDS, DEVELOP A BURN CENTER, EXTEND GERIATRIC CARE, AS WELL AS DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER. FOR OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S REQUIRED. WE DON'T WANT PATIENTS TO HAVE TO TRAVEL GREAT DISTANCES TO RECEIVE STATE OF THE ART CARE.

WE CAN PROVIDE THIS HERE AT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER AND TEXAS TECH HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER. THESE REQUESTS ADDRESS DEFICIENCIES THAT NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY OVERCOME. I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT PLACING THIS INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. DOCTOR. NEXT WE HAVE MICHELLE GRADY.

WELCOME, MICHELLE. HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. I'M A BURGESS GRAD AS WELL. BY THE WAY. SO, MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOSPITAL STARTED AUGUST 3RD, 2019. I'M WAS WOUNDED CRITICALLY. FOR FOUR TIMES. AND SO I WAS IN THE AMBULANCE WHEN I HEARD THEM SAY, MAKE THE DECISION TO TAKE ME TO UMC. AND I FELT A SENSE OF RELIEF BECAUSE I KNEW THAT WAS THE BEST TRAUMA CENTER THAT WE HAVE, SO THAT GAVE ME A SENSE OF RELIEF AND KNOWING THAT I WOULD

[02:15:05]

BE TREATED AND TREATED IN A GREAT, GREAT MANNER. AND FROM THE TIME THAT I WAS THERE BETWEEN, PHYSICIANS THAT I SAW SURGEONS THAT I SAW, I WAS KEEPING EVERYONE WAS REALLY FRIENDLY. THE COMMUNITY REALLY PULLED TOGETHER DURING THAT TIM. AND I HAVE HAD OVER A DOZEN SURGERIES OR PROCEDURES AT UMC. AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. EXCUSE ME? AFTER I GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, AS WELL, I HAD TO COME BACK IN FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AND WOUND CARE. SO I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT THEY HAD THE SPACE TO CARE FOR ME AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO CARE FOR ME AS WELL. AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE DURING THAT TIME. SO I JUST URGE, FOR THE BALLOT FOR THEM TO BE PUT ON THE INITIATIVE, TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT AS WELL, BECAUSE CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO HELP WITH DIFFERENT ISSUES, AND THAT I KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR BEDS AS WELL. SO I JUST HOPE THAT YOU WILL AGREE. THANK YOU.

MICHELLE YOU'VE BEEN SUCH A ROLE MODEL. SHE REMINDS ME THAT, YOU KNOW, 23 PEOPLE DIED, BUT 25 OR 26 WERE INJURED. AND SHE'S BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR US NOT TO FORGET THAT THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT SUFFERED DURING THAT DAY. SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. MICHELLE. NEXT WE HAVE JOANNE MACIAS. WELCOME, JOANNE. HELLO. SO MY TESTIMONY, FAITH OVER FEAR AT A TIME WHERE LIFE STOOD STILL FOR ME. AND UNCERTAINTY WAS THE ONLY THING I COULD FEEL. UMC WAS THERE WITH A GRANT AND GAVE ME SOME PEACE OF MIND AND FEELING THAT SOMEONE CARED ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING THROUGH AS A VERY INDEPENDENT PERSON, I'VE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MYSELF FINANCIALLY WITH MY BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS EARLY LAST YEAR, THE LAST THING I WAS THINKING ABOUT WAS HOW MY LIFE WAS GOING TO BE IMPACTED FINANCIALLY. IN THE BEGINNING OF THE ENTIRE TREATMENT PROCESS, I FELT MANY DOORS CLOSED FOR ME AS I DID NOT QUALIFY FOR MANY SERVICES BECAUSE OF THE FACT I LIVE ALONE AND I NO LONGER HAVE DEPENDENTS LIVING WITH ME AND MY INCOME WAS ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN ME AND MY EMPLOYMENT HOURS HAD TO BE CUT SHORT BECAUSE OF MANY PROCEDURES AND TREATMENTS. I WAS GOING TO GO THROUGH FROM CHEMOTHERAPY, MY MASTECTOMY, AND MY RADIATION. MY MEDICAL BILLS AND COPAYMENTS WERE SO HIGH I HAD TO START PRIORITIZING MY BILLS DURING THIS TIME. ALL YOU WANT AND PRAY IS TO HAVE A POSITIVE OUTCOME AND A GOOD PROGNOSIS. WHEN I WAS OFFERED A GRANT FROM UMC, MY FIRST REACTION, MY FIRST RESPONSE TO THE LADY THAT CALLED ME, WAS, I DON'T QUALIFY. I DON'T QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING, YEAH. SHE STILL TOLD ME TO TURN IN EVERYTHING THAT I NEEDED TO TURN IN ANY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND JUST TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND I DID. I TRULY APPRECIATE IT. AND I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN A RECIPIENT OF THIS GRANT. IT HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY FINANCIALLY, TREMENDOUSLY FINANCIALLY, DURING A TIME WHERE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF OPTIONS. I REMEMBER CLEARLY IT WAS A SATURDAY WHERE I NO LONGER WAS ABLE TO THINK HOW I WAS GOING TO DO, OR PAY SOME BILLS, I WOULD DO CHEMOTHERAPY ON A FRIDAY JUST TO BE ABLE TO RECOVER SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY, SOMETIMES ON A TUESDAY. AND GO BACK TO WORK, MY ORGANIZATION AT WORK WERE GREAT, BUT STILL THERE'S BILLS TO PAY AND STUFF TO DO, AND A LOT OF COPAYMENTS THAT ARE STILL GOING THROUGH EVEN AFTER RADIATION.

SURGERY AND THE CHEMOTHERAPY. SO, IT WAS LIKE GOD HAD HEARD MY PRAYERS THE NIGHT BEFORE. I SAT ON MY COUCH AS I RECEIVED A GRANT IN THE MAIL ON A SATURDAY MORNING. I'M SO GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE IN PEOPLE'S LIFE THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THIS TYPE OF DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. ALL I HAVE GONE THROUGH AND ENDURED HAS BEEN A LIFE LESSON TO ME. I HOP, THIS CONTINUES SO IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIFE AND

[02:20:06]

MY TESTIMONY CAN BE ONE OF MANY. AGAIN, I'M TRULY GRATEFUL AND THANK EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO CONTRIBUTED. IT WAS A BLESSING IN MY LIFE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. JACQUELINE PELLICO. AND SHERRY. SHERRY PELLICO ALSO. WELCOME GOOD MORNING, ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS SHERRY PELLICO AND THIS IS MY DAUGHTER, JACQUELINE PELLICO. WE STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY NOT JUST AS A RESIDENT OF OUR COMMUNITY, BUT AS A FAMILY WHO HAD TO RELY ON UMC'S CRITICAL CARE UNIT AND TEAM TO SAVE JACQUELINE'S LIFE.

FIVE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, I WAS A PRINCIPAL AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND I GOT THE WORST PHONE CALL A PARENT COULD EVER RECEIV. JACQUELINE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH A SEVERE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY DUE TO A CAR ACCIDENT. WE WERE TOLD SHE WOULD NOT SURVIVE THE NIGHT, BUT IF SHE DID, SHE'D NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK, TALK OR EAT AGAIN. WE WERE TOLD THAT SHE'D BE IN A VEGETATIVE STATE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE, BUT THE DEDICATED STAFF AT UMC CRITICAL CARE UNIT WORKED TIRELESSLY TO SAVE HER LIFE. SHE SPENT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS IN AN INDUCED COMA AT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. THEN WE WENT TO HOUSTON FOR SPECIALIZED THERAPY FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, WHERE WE SPENT ANOTHER FIVE MONTHS. SHE STARTED TO WHISPER TALK AT TEN MONTHS, HAD A FEEDING TUBE FOR ONE YEAR AND WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS. SHE WAS FORTUNATE A BED IN THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT WAS AVAILABLE JUST WHEN SHE NEEDED IT. THE MOST. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT UMC WAS ABLE TO GIVE HER THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE. WE WERE NOT DIVERTED TO A HOSPITAL HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY. INSTEAD, WE WERE ALL ABLE TO STAND BY HER SIDE AND SHE WASN'T SEPARATED FROM HER BIGGEST SUPPORT SYSTEM. HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS. DURING HER I TALK LOUD, BUT YOU KNOW, WE USE A MIC. THANK YOU. DURING MY TWO AND A HALF MONTH STAY IN THE ICU UNIT IN AN INDUCED COMA, MY FAMILY WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE INCREDIBLE SKILL AND COMPASSION OF THE MEDICAL STAFF AT UMC. THEY SAID THE ICU UNIT SEEMED AS THOUGH IT WAS CONSTANTLY AT CAPACITY. EVERY DAY MY FAMILY SAW THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS HAD TO BE MADE ABOUT WHICH CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS COULD BE ADMITTED AND WHICH WOULD HAVE TO WAIT OR BE TRANSFERRED ELSEWHER.

I'M ALIVE TODAY BECAUSE I GOT THE CARE I NEEDED WHEN I NEEDED IT, BUT I CAN'T HELP THINKING ABOUT THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE'S A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY, OR AN OUTBREAK OF A SEVERE FLU IN OUR COMMUNITY? HOW MANY LIVES HANG IN THE BALANCE WHEN EVERY CRITICAL CARE BED IS ALREADY FULL? EXPANDING THE CRITICAL CARE UNIT ISN'T JUST ABOUT NUMBERS ON A SPREADSHEET. IT'S ABOUT ENSURING THAT WHEN OUR NEIGHBORS, OUR FRIENDS, OUR FAMILY MEMBERS FACE LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY DESPERATELY NEED. IT'S ABOUT GIVING OUR DEDICATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS THE RESOURCE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO SAVE LIVES. PLUS, I DIDN'T TALK FOR TEN MONTHS. NOW I DON'T SHUT UP SO I GET THE BEST OF BOTH. WORLD WE SHUT DOW. WE UNDER. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT SUCH AN EXPANSION REQUIRES A DIFFICULT DECISION ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES. BUT WE ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THIS WHAT PRIORITY COULD BE HIGHER THAN SAVING LIVES? THE INVESTMENT MADE IN UMC S CRITICAL CARE UNIT, CANCER CARE CENTER AND BURN UNIT WILL PAY DIVIDENDS FOR YEARS TO COME AND LIVES SAVED, FAMILIES KEPT WHOLE, AND A COMMUNITY MADE STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE HOPE THAT BY SHARING OUR STORY, WE HELP ILLUSTRATE THE VERY REAL, VERY HUMAN IMPACT OF THE DECISION BEFORE YOU. TODAY. WE GIVE ALL THE HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD, AND WE NOW HAVE A FOUNDATION AND SUPPORT OTHER FAMILIES WITH TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES. AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR LETTING US SPEAK HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. YOU

[02:25:06]

BOTH ARE AMAZING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. YOU. TOO. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC? COMMENT THAT COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT. JUDGE. THANK YOU JACOB. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? JUST SIMPLY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOOD AT AT GIVING YOU A LOT OF NUMBERS AND STATISTICS AND BUT QUITE FRANKLY, IT'S OVERWHELMING WHEN YOU CAN HEAR, YOU KNOW, YOUR PATIENTS THAT HAVE SURVIVED, THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES AND THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO LEAVE BETTER BECAUSE OF THE CARE THAT THEY RECEIVED AT UMC OR AT EL PASO CHILDREN'S. AND I'M PROUD OF THAT. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORK THERE, NOT JUST FOR THE MONEY. THEY WORK THERE BECAUSE IT'S A CALLING, THEY BELIEVE IN THIS AND IMPROVING HUMAN LIFE. I'M PROUD TO HEAR OUR PHYSICIANS SPEAK. YOU FORGET SOMETIMES THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY LOOK DIFFERENT IN A SUIT. BUT HOW MANY TIMES I'VE SEEN DOCTOR TIE ROCK RUSH AND RUN TO THE E.R? EVEN WHEN WE HAD THE AUGUST 3RD, SHOOTING IN 2019, HE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO NOTIFY ME OF THIS. AND HE WAS IN LAS VEGAS. AND HE RUSHED AND RAN THROUGH THE AIRPORT TO GET OVER TO EL PASO TO BE ABLE TO STAND ALONGSIDE HIS TEAM AND SAVE LIVES. AND I REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD THE COVID PANDEMIC AND HOW MANY LIVES WERE LOST AND ALL THE SACRIFICES THAT WERE MADE, AND EVEN FROM OUR MATERIAL MANAGEMENT PEOPLE, IN TRYING TO FIND MUCH NEEDED MASKS AND PROTECTIVE GEAR FOR OUR STAFF. I AM VERY PROUD OF WHAT OUR STAFF DOES. I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT OUR MEDICAL STAFF DOES, AND I'M VERY MOVED WHEN I SEE OUR PATIENTS THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD NO HOPE WITHOUT UMC BE ABLE TO WALK AND BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN IMPROVED. AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT. AND WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO HELP US SUPPORT, BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH YOUR APPROVAL TO PLACE OUR GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ON THE NOVEMBER FIFTH BALLOT. THANK YOU, JACOB, THANK YOU TO YOUR ENTIRE TEAM DOCTORS. THANK YOU AS WELL. COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THANK YOU. JUDGE. YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY, VERY HEARTENING TO HEAR ALL THIS, ABOUT HOW OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT HAS BECOME JUST A, YOU KNOW, A MODEL, FACILITY AND WHOLE SYSTEM REALLY, IN TREATING THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, YET WE STILL HAVE MORE NEEDS. AND I KNOW THAT THE AMOUNT THAT THAT'S BEING PROPOSED IS STILL NOT ENOUGH, I'M HAPPY TO, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE. YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY HAS HAS BEEN SPOKEN BY MANY OF OUT IN THE PUBLIC, WE HAVE A LOT OF HEALTH CARE ISSUES, SAFETY ISSUES, WE HAVE WATER ISSUES IN THE COUNTY THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A LOT OF OUR HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS. AS WELL. AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY HEARTENING TO SEE ALL THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HERE THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, THAT PROVIDE THIS, THIS HEALTH CARE TO OUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY LOOKS SO SERIOUS, IT'S REALLY GUYS. IT'S A JOYOUS OCCASION. I'M I'M GLAD THAT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTY IS ABLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, TO REALLY LOOK AT THIS PLAN AND ACTUALLY VOTE AND CARRY IT THROUGH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OURSELVES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. IT'S A REQUIRED MANDATE FROM THE STATE FOR US TO PROVIDE INDIGENT HEALTH CARE. AND WE ARE DOING A GREAT JOB. AND WE'RE, YOU KNOW, LIKE A LOT OF OUR PROFESSIONALS HAVE STATED, WE HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS, AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT, THOSE RESOURCES. THE RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE CREVICES, THOSE CRACKS, THOSE GAPS ARE FILLED, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY EASY. LAST TIME THAT A LOT OF THE PROPOSALS IN COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR FROM SOME PEOPLE, THOUGH, ABOUT ARGUING AGAINST THIS, THESE KINDS OF INITIATIVES, SO BUT, YOU KNOW, I AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, I'M HERE, YOU KNOW, I WAS VOTED IN BY MY CONSTITUENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE HEALTH, FOR THE SAFETY, FOR THE WELL-BEING, NOT JUST OF MY PRECINCT, FOR CONSTITUENTS, BUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY. AND I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS GETS DONE, BECAUSE WE DON'T JUST NEED IT. THIS PLAN THAT I SEE IS JUST BARELY TO GET US TO OUR CAPACITY. WE REQUIRE NOW AND I WISH WE COULD DO MORE. AND I KNOW IN THE FUTURE WE'LL

[02:30:04]

BE ABLE TO DO A LOT MORE BECAUSE AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, OUR PROFESSIONALS MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT A THIRD RATE CITY. WE'RE NOT A THIRD RATE CITIZENS. WE DESERVE EVERY BIT AS MUCH AS THE OTHER MAJOR METROS IN OUR STATE. AND BY GOD, I'M GLAD, YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS COME BEFORE ME, THAT I HAVE SOME KIND OF A VOICE TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR EL PASO. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THANK YOU. JUDGE, THANK YOU, JACOB, TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM. FOR GIVING THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL, THE LAST DEBT ISSUANCE THAT UMC PROPOSED DID RAISE CONCERNS AMONG SOME OF THE RESIDENTS, BUT THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR HEARING THOSE CONCERNS. AND THE CONCERNS WEREN'T ABOUT THE PROJECTS.

EVERYONE KNOWS THESE THESE PROJECTS ARE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. I THINK THE CONCERNS WERE MORE WITH THE PROCESS. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR ALLOWING THIS PROPOSAL TO GO OUT TO THE VOTERS, BECAUSE I THINK THE RESIDENTS REALLY WILL APPRECIATE HAVING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE FUTURE OF OUR HOSPITAL DISTRICT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. CAESAR WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. AND THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JACOB THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU.

TAKING A BREAK OR YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING? I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO DO THE.

YOU WANT TO GO? OKAY. YES COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR, SIR. JUDGE SET ONE HOUR. ONE HOUR. OKAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR. IT IS 12:04 P.M.

[02:36:39]

WE.

NEED.

TO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES, AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE. SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM.

WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS. ADEMAS DE LA VACUNA SALTENAS LOS NINOS MAS DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID, NUEVE LA VACUNA. COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI Q RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACUNA. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY. AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY, IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEA. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH PUT THEM ON JULY 4TH. THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION, OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE.

SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS THAT THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER. FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45

[02:40:04]

FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. I LOVE.

THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW. SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO ESPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD. OBVIOUSLY AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT, CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY, WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WE WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID,

[02:45:06]

BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO.

I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING, AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE

[02:50:02]

WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ELIANA HOGAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME. THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[02:55:17]

HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE, SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

[03:00:11]

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN, IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED, A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY.

IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP. AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY.

WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET.

ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES.

IT'LL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN, BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT

[03:05:03]

DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE. YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[03:12:51]

SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK.

[03:15:04]

MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE WAY. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS THERE. YOU GO. READY. AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED, A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE, THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL, ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT.

KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT. THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY.

WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT IS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR

[03:20:06]

EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN, BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN. SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO.

DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR

[03:25:04]

MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[03:30:26]

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. QUÉ ES LOS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAS DE CINCO ANOS. AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NUEVE LA VACUNA COVID-19 ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA.

SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK.

WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, IT'S JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE, SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST

[03:35:01]

AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES AND SO, YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED, A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE, THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY.

IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM.

SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP. AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT IS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED. AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS WITH LIBRARIES, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO.

[03:40:10]

P.M. WE WILL BE GETTING TO ITEMS FROM ITEM TEN A, B AND C SHORTLY. WE DO HAVE ITEM SEVEN B

[B. Receive a presentation and discuss and take appropriate action on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budgets and property tax rates for Emergency Service Districts #1 and #2. John Sarah, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-546-2262]

FIRST. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025. BUDGETS AND PROPERTY TAX RATES FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICTS ONE AND TWO. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE JOHN SARAH, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET FINANCE, OUR EL PASO, EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICTS ONE AND TWO WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT ON THEIR PROPOSED FY 25 BUDGET AND THEIR PROPOSED TAX RATES, AND AS YOU KNOW, THEY PROVIDE A LOT OF GOOD SERVICES TO THE COUNTY. SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THEM. BUT BEFORE I DO, THERE IS AN ACTION THAT IS NEEDED AFTER THEY FINISH THEIR PRESENTATIONS. IF THE COURT APPROVES THEIR BUDGETS AND TAX RATES, THEN THE COURT NEEDS TO TAKE THAT ACTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. WELCOME, CHIEF. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS CHRIS MENENDEZ, FIRE CHIEF FOR PASCO COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES, DISTRICT NUMBER ONE. TO MY LEFT, I HAVE ADMINISTRATOR CATHERINE AMES. I ALSO HAVE IN THE AUDIENCE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FABIOLA TORRES. AND EARLIER THIS MORNING, WE HAD TWO OF OUR COMMISSIONERS THAT HAD TO LEAVE BECAUSE OF WORK, COMMISSIONER ANAYA AND COMMISSIONER RANKINS. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL, SEEKING YOUR APPROVAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425. I'M GOING TO GO OVER OUR MISSION, WHICH IS TO PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF COST EFFICIENT, QUALITY SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF PASCO COUNTY. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY THE EFFECTIVE USE OF ITS VOLUNTEER AND CAREER PERSONNEL IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES, UTILIZING STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT, INITIATIVE TECHNIQUES AND TECHNOLOGY. OUR VISION IS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL, COMMUNITY FOCUSED ESD SERVICES MEETING THE EVER CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS. WHILE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT. SOME OF OUR 2025 INITIATIVES INCLUDE. WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW DEPARTMENTS, SEEKING OR HAVING A ALL MANDATED PARAMEDIC PROGRAM. I KNOW THE UNIVERSITY UMC WAS HERE EARLIER THIS MORNING AND THAT GOES KIND OF HAND IN HAND WITH PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF MEDICAL CARE IN THE EMERGENCY SETTING IN THE FIELD. ALSO WITH THAT, WE HAVE A FUTURE FOR TRAINING FACILITY THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IN OUR FISCAL BUDGET THAT WILL ALLOW US TO TRAIN OUR FUTURE FIREFIGHTERS AND ALSO MAINTAIN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR CURRENT FIREFIGHTERS. SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH, WHICH WAS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PUSHES, WAS WE PARTNERED WITH SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, THIS INCLUDED CLINT ISD, WE WERE ALSO ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN 42 EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE AREA, WHICH WE MADE CONTACT WITH APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MEMBERS THAT WERE IMPACTED BY THE SERVICES AND BY THE, THE MESSAGE THAT WAS BEING PROVIDED TO THEM DURING THESE, COMMUNITY EVENTS. SO THIS IS OUR STAT IN REGARDS TO ISO, WHICH IS INSURANCE SERVICE OFFICE. ALSO KNOWN AS THE PPC, WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS PUBLIC PROTECTION CLASSIFICATION, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE EFFORTS OF COMMUNITIES TO PROVIDE FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS AND PROPERTY OWNERS. SO THE BENEFIT OF THIS IS THE LOWER THE GRADE YOU GET IN REGARDS TO, POINT VALUE, YOU OFFER LOWER PREMIUMS, IN THE COMMUNITIES WITH A BETTER PROTECTION, WE SCORED AN 88.26, WHICH RATED US A CLASS TWO.

CLASS ONE IS THE BEST, TEN WOULD BE THE OPPOSITE. AND DURING THIS WE HAD TWO GRADINGS. ONE FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF HORIZON AND THEN THE OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO, WHICH WAS ALSO A TWO. WE WERE RECENTLY REEVALUATED THIS PAST MONTH. BY THE ISO, MEMBERSHIP. AND WE'RE SEEKING IN THE NEXT NINE MONTHS TO, OBTAIN A RATING OF ONE FOR THE COMMUNITY OF HORIZON, AND THEN, OF COURSE, A TWO FOR THE SURROUNDING AREAS WITH THE INTENT OF SEEKING A ONE IN THE FUTURE THROUGH, BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS AND THROUGH COMMUNITY PROGRAMING TO SEEK THAT ONE FOR THE REMAINING AREA THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO, AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE COMMUNITY, RISK REDUCTION, WE SCORED A 5.39, WHICH IS NEAR MAX WATER POINTS, 39.24, WHICH IS NEAR MAX, FIRE DEPARTMENT POINTS, WHICH I'LL TALK TO YOU IN THE NEXT SLIDE. AND THEN OF COURSE,

[03:45:03]

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICE, CENTER POINTS. WE MAXED OUT IN THAT POINT VALUE SYSTEM. THERE THREE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT YOU'LL SEE PROPOSED IN THIS BUDGET YEAR IS DEPLOYMENT. IN REGARDS TO COMPLETING OUR HEADQUARTERS, ADDITIONAL STATIONS, STAFFING, THE MODEL IS, YOU GET GRADED UPON RESPONSE FROM ALARM TO DOOR. AND THE MODEL FOR ISO IS A 5.3 MINUTES.

AND SO OUR GOAL IS TO OBTAIN THAT, CURRENTLY WE SCORED A 6.82 OUT OF TEN PERSONNEL WISE, AGAIN, A FULL COMPLEMENT DURING A STRUCTURE FIRE REQUIRES 12 PERSONNEL. WE SCORED A 7.72, OUT OF A TOTAL, POSSIBLE SCORING. AND THIS REQUIREMENT REQUIRES US TO HIRE MORE PERSONNEL, TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES AND A SAFER SERVICE FOR OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND LASTLY, TRAINING, THE TRAINING FACILITIES IN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, AGAIN, THIS WILL ALLOW US TO TRAIN FUTURE FIREFIGHTERS FOR THE PAID POSITIONS THAT WE ARE SEEKING ALONG WITH MAINTAINING THE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR STAFF. THIS IS THE OVERALL GRADIENT THAT YOU SEE HERE, OVER WITH A TOTAL OF 2288 POTENTIAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN TEXAS, WE'RE IN THE TOP 14% AS AN ISO TWO, AGAIN, FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF HORIZON CITY, OUR GOAL IS TO GET WITHIN THAT TOP 4% TO BE THE TOP 100 IN THE ISO CLASS, ONE RATING, FOR NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, GET THAT RATING FOR THE SURROUNDING AREAS THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICES. TO.

SOME OF THE DISTRICT GROWTH, AS YOU HEARD, WE HAVE A POTENTIAL COMPETITOR FOR TOPGOLF THAT'S LOOKING AT, BUILDING WITHIN THE HORIZON CITY COMMUNITY, ALONG WITH MEDICAL OFFICES AND A PROPOSED HOSPITAL, AMONG OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, INCLUDING, WAREHOUSES, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND, OF COURSE, RESIDENTIAL. FIRE PREVENTION, WE HAVE DONE TO DATE OPERATIONAL PERMITS FOR 194, WE'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY 851 BY END OF YEAR, WHEN IT CAME TO THE ISO GRADING, THE FIRE MARSHAL'S DIVISION SCORED A 5.4 OUT OF 5.5. PREVENTION CODE ENFORCEMENT NEARLY MAXED OUT AT 2.09 OF A POSSIBLE 2.2. SAFETY AND EDUCATION MAXED OUT AT 2.2 OF 2.2, AND INVESTIGATIONS MAXED OUT OF 1.1 OF 1.1. SO OUR FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION IS DOING EXCEPTIONALLY WELL WITH THE STAFFING THAT THEY HAVE AND THE PERSONNEL. WITHIN THE CAREER FIREFIGHTERS WE ARE PROPOSING NINE ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTERS FOR THE PAID STAFFING TO STAFF, SEA SHIFT, WHICH WOULD GIVE US A TOTAL OF 27, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS. WE HAVE 45 FIRE MARSHALS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE TEN. AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, WE HAVE TEN. THE COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM IS COMPRISED OF 34 MEMBERS FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO INCLUDE ESD 113 MEMBERS, ESD TWO EIGHT MEMBERS, TEXAS PARKS TWO MEMBERS. SHERIFF'S OFFICE EIGHT MEMBERS, AND HORIZON PD THREE MEMBERS, AND THEY RESPONDED TO SEVEN CALLS. THUS FAR THIS YEAR, THEY DO PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY TRAININGS AND NOT ONLY DO THEY DO SEARCH AND RESCUE ON LAND, BUT ALSO WATER RESCUE, IN THE CANAL SYSTEM. LOOKING AT A SIX YEAR CALL VOLUME FROM 2019 TO 2020, OUR CALL VOLUME WAS 3421, TO DATE, WE'RE AT 4275 WITH A PROJECTED OF 5017. AND SO THAT'S A STEADY INCLINE OF ABOUT 8 TO 10% PER YEAR, IF YOU NOTICE THE FIRE TOTALS THIS YEAR, WE ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE THE LOWEST OF THE PAST SIX YEARS AT 155. FIRE CALLS. AND SO I CAN ATTRIBUTE THAT TO, THE GREAT WORK OUR FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE IS DOING WITH PERMITTING AND OPERATIONS. THE FIRE BREAKDOWN IS STRUCTURAL FIRES. 29%, VEHICLE FIRES, 21%. BRUSH FIRES, 27%, BRUSH FIRES 19%. AND ALL OTHER FIRES AT 4%. ONE YEAR TREND, IF YOU LOOK BACK TO 2013, WE'RE AT 1422. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY, WE'RE PROJECTED TO BE AT 5017. AND BY 2033, WE'RE PREDICTED TO BE AT 7625 CALLS. SO AGAIN, THIS GOES HAND IN HAND WORKING WITH THE PROJECTED INCOME AND INCREASE OF 8 TO 10%, CALL VOLUME PER YEAR BASED UPON THE EXTREME GROWTH THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. ALARM THE TIME ARRIVALS, IF YOU LOOK AT LAST YEAR, WAS 7.35 MINUTES IN COMPARISON TO NOW AT 8.15, THE NATIONAL STANDARD IS EIGHT MINUTES, ONE OF THE A COUPLE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THIS, SOME BEING THE INCREASE DUE TO CALLS FOR FROM THE INCREASE OF

[03:50:01]

CALL VOLUME, IN REGARDS TO CALLS BEING FURTHER FROM THE STATION, REQUIRING FURTHER DISTANCE, RESPONSE TIMES, CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AND OF COURSE, MULTIPLE CALLS HAPPENING AT ONE TIME. SO WHEN A MULTIPLE CALLS HAPPEN, THE MAIN STATION THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HANDLE IT GETS BACKED UP BY A SECONDARY STATION, WHICH THUS INCREASES THAT RESPONSE TIME. AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE OTHER FACTORS IN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET TO ADD ADDITIONAL UNITS TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE MULTIPLE CALLS THAT COME IN DURING PEAK TIMES. NEXT, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU A VIDEO, OF SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAVE. IT'S VERY SHORT. ONE ONE SECOND. WE HAVE A SMALL TECHNICAL ISSUE ON OUR END. JUST ONE SECOND.

THAT VIDEO IS A REFLECTION OF A SYNOPSIS OF ALL THE EVENTS WE'VE DONE. THIS YEAR, THE COMMITMENT WE HAVE TO OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND THE COMMITMENT WE HAVE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO YOU ALL. WITH THAT, I'LL PASS IT OVER TO ADMINISTRATOR CATHERINE AMES, WHO WILL GIVE YOU THE BUDGET BREAKDOWN. THANK YOU. CHIEF SO TODAY WE COME BEFORE YOU TO PRESENT OUR BUDGET, WHICH IS $18,201,046.66. SO OUR BUDGET IS COMPRISED OF SIX DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. AT 27% OF OUR BUDGET, IT'S PAYROLL AND SALARIES AT 4,885,000. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH IS ANOTHER 27% OF OUR BUDGET AT 4,911,000. LIABILITY AND INTEREST, 18% OF OUR BUDGET AT 3,234,000. AND THEN WE HAVE OPERATIONS AT 13% OF OUR BUDGET, 2,407,000. AND CONSTRUCTION, SORRY, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AT 10%, 1,857,000 AND CONSTRUCTION AT 5% OF OUR BUDGET AT 904,472. I WANT

[03:55:08]

TO TALK A LOT, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE KEY POINTS OF OUR BUDGET. SO THIS YEAR, OUR SALES TAX COLLECTION, SUPERSEDED WHAT WE HAD BUDGETED FOR THE 24 YEAR BY $2.2 MILLION. WE HAD A LOT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBLE INVESTING, YIELDING $1,045,000 IN INTEREST. THIS YEAR. WE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ROOFTOPS IN OUR IN OUR DISTRICT BY 1254. AND THIS YEAR WE ARE ROLLING OVER ENCUMBERED FUNDS FROM OUR HEADQUARTERS PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BUDGETED IN THE 24 YEAR, 1.5 MILLION OF THAT. AND THEN JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IN OUR BUDGET, WE HAVE $4,838,705, WHICH IS DEDICATED TOWARDS THE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT. AND THAT'S TO PURCHASE ALL THE REMAINDER OF EQUIPMENT AND THAT TYPE OF THING. SO THE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT IS 26% OF OUR OPERATIONS BUDGET. SO OUR BOARD DID PROPOSE A TEN CENT TAX RATE. AND SO THAT YOU'RE AWARE AN AVERAGE HOMEOWNER WOULD ONLY PAY $4.39 PER WEEK TO ACCESS EMERGENCY SERVICES, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO ONE CUP OF COFFEE A WEEK. OUR BUDGET OF SUMMARY OUR BUDGET SUMMARY, THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF EL PASO COUNTY, SD ONE, WILL BE VOTING ON A BUDGET OF $18,201,046.66 FOR THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 15TH. THEY'LL ALSO BE VOTING ON THE TAX RATE AND HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING. THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE. OF $5,884,991.57, WHICH IS A 47.78% COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR. BUT AGAIN, TO REMIND YOU, $4.8 MILLION OF THIS IS A ONE TIME EXPENSE FOR OUR HEADQUARTERS PROJECT UNDER THE PAYROLLS AND PAYROLL. AND SALARIES CATEGORY, IT DID INCREASE BY 1,578,003, 44 AND $0.67, REFLECTING A 47.72% CHANGE. THE ESD DOES REMAIN DEDICATED TO EMPLOYEE RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT, ADDRESSING THE PRIORITY BY INCREASING EMPLOYEE WAGES, BENEFIT PACKAGES AND ASPIRING TO BECOME COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN OUR REGION. OUR LIABILITY AND INTEREST CATEGORY DID INCREASE BY $328,910.04. THIS IS AN 11.32% CHANGE, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE ESD PROCURED FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW LADDER AND BRUSH TRUCK THIS FISCAL YEAR. FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, WE DID SEE A DECREASE IN THIS CATEGORY BY $52,715.08, WHICH IS A 2.75% DECREASE. MOST OF IT IS BECAUSE THE ARCHITECT FEES FOR OUR ESD HEADQUARTERS HAS BEEN PAID OUT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, AND ALSO DUE TO RECENT AUDIT RULE CHANGES, SOME OF THOSE PROFESSIONAL FEES WILL BE BUDGETED IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS CATEGORY FOR OPERATIONS. THIS CATEGORY DID INCREASE BY $572,076.27, REFLECTING A 31.17% CHANGE. THE DEPARTMENT'S FIRE HOSES, WHICH HAVE A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF TEN YEARS OR, I'M SORRY, A SERVICE LIFE OF TEN YEARS. SO WE'RE WE WILL BE REPLACING A LARGE QUANTITY OF THESE THIS FISCAL YEAR. AND ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE UPDATING FIRE EQUIPMENT AND EQUIPPING OUR NEW TRUCKS BEING PLACED INTO SERVICE. THE CONSTRUCTION BUDGET. WE HADN'T HAD THIS PART OF OUR BUDGET, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS, WE HAVE OUR HEADQUARTERS PROJECT AND OUR TRAINING LAND FACILITY PROJECTED FOR NEXT YEAR. WE WENT AHEAD AND ADDED THIS AS TO BE A PART OF THE BUDGET, AND IT DOES ENCOMPASS THE CONTINGENCY FUNDING FOR THE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT, AS WELL AS FUNDING FOR VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE TRAINING LAND PROJECT. OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS. THIS CATEGORY DID INCREASE BY $2,553,903.05, REFLECTING 108.31% CHANGE, AND THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS FOR THAT EQUIPMENT, FURNISHINGS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025. THE BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES PROVISIONS FOR COMMUNITY EVENTS TO FURTHER SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS IN THE SAFETY AND COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION. SO, AS A RECAP OF OUR BUDGET WE ARE PROPOSING, OUR BOARD IS PROPOSING A TEN CENT CURRENT, A TEN CENT TAX RATE, WHICH IS THE SAME AS OUR CURRENT BUDGET YEAR. IT WOULD BE CONSISTENT OF AN INS TAX RATE OF 0.047526 AND AN NO TAX RATE OF 0.052674. AND TO RECAP WHERE THE FUNDING IS COMING FOR THE BUDGET, OUR PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION IS $6,785,638. AND $0.19. THEN WE HAVE OUR ESTIMATED FY 25 SALES TAX COLLECTION AT $6,305,056. OUR PREVIOUS YEAR INCOME AS I HAVE MENTIONED, IS $2.2 MILLION ROLLED OVER FROM OUR SALES TAX

[04:00:06]

TO ALSO INCLUDE OUR, INVESTMENT INCOME FOR A TOTAL OF $3,611,002.95. AND THEN AGAIN, THOSE FISCAL YEAR 24 ENCUMBERED FUNDS FOR THE HEADQUARTERS PROJECT, 1,499,003, 49 AND $0.52. SO AGAIN, OUR TOTAL BUDGET $18,201,046.66, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF 47.78%. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO HAVE A RESERVE BALANCE OF $3,667,854, WHICH IS 20% OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET.

COMMISSIONERS WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE ESD. ONE BUDGET COMMISSIONER LEON, JUST A QUICK. I THINK IT WAS ONE AND ONE OF THE CHARTS. WAS $2.2 MILLION OVER THE PROJECTED AMOUNT. OUR SALES TAX OR OUR SALES TAX. YES. SO IT CAME IN WELL OVER WHAT YOU EXPECTED? YES. WE'RE STILL IN THE INFANCY STAGES OF SALES TAX. SO I FEEL LIKE EVERY YEAR WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT. AND AS YOU GUYS KNOW, I THINK COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN MENTIONED IS THAT, OUR THE RATE OF, OF POPULATION GROWTH IN OUR DISTRICT IS HUGE. AND EVERY DAY A NEW RESTAURANT OPENS A NEW BUILDING, A NEW SOMETHING. SO OUR SALES TAX IS A LITTLE VOLATILE RIGHT NOW AND THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO PREDICT IT, IN A GOOD WAY. RIGHT. BECAUSE WE'RE COLLECTING MORE THAN WE THAN WE ANTICIPATED. SO, YES, THIS YEAR, NOT INCLUDING THE LAST TWO MONTHS OF THE OF THE FISCAL YEAR, WE DID FIND THAT WE HAD 2.2 MILLION. AND SO IN OUR, IN OUR IT'S IN OUR FAVOR BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE PROJECTS, THESE CAPITAL PROJECTS. AND SO IT'S VERY HELPFUL IN FUNDING THOSE. AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT IT'S INCORRECT OR ANYTHING, BUT KNOWING THAT IT CAME IN OVER 2.2 YET YOU'RE ASKING FOR A 10% INCREASE. IS THERE SOMEPLACE ELSE WHERE YOU'RE COMING UP SHORT? SO OUR, BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH OF OUR DEPARTMENT, OF THE GROWTH OF OUR DISTRICT, WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THAT. I THINK THE CHIEF HAD MENTIONED TO THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS TRAINING FACILITY THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO BUILD. AND THEN WITH THIS HEADQUARTERS, THIS ISN'T JUST THE BEGINNING. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF OUR BUILDING PROJECTS. SO WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT STATION THREE AND FOUR. THE GROWTH IS SO HUGE, AND WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO BE MORE PROACTIVE THAN REACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY SERVICES, MAKING SURE THAT OUR OUR RESPONSE TIMES ARE ADEQUATE, AS THE CHIEF HAD MENTIONED. SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE BUILDING OURSELVES UP FOR THAT GREAT GROWTH IN OUR DISTRICT. AND WE'RE TRYING TO BE FIDUCIARY, RESPONSIBLE WITH HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY ON THE PROJECTS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT. THANK YOU. CATHERINE CAN I ASK YOU A FOLLOW UP QUESTION ON THAT? YES, MA'AM.

ARE YOU ALL SUBJECT TO THE SAME RULES? WE ARE ABOUT EXCESS SALES TAX. NO, MA'AM. YOU DOES NOT HAVE TO BE USED TO PAY OFF YOUR DEBT. NO. SPECIAL DISTRICTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE THAT.

CATHERINE, WHAT WAS THE BUDGET FOR LAST YEAR? THE BUDGET LAST YEAR WAS 13. $13,362,341.66. SO THE INCREASE FOR THIS COMING YEAR'S BUDGET IS MOSTLY DUE TO THE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE NEW HEADQUARTERS AND THE TRAINING FACILITY. CORRECT YES, 4.8 MILLION, I BELIEVE, IS WHAT I MENTIONED IS THE INCREASE FOR THE HEADQUARTERS, AND A LOT OF IT IS, IS SO WE. YES 4.8 MILLION FOR THE HEADQUARTERS. WE HAVE FINANCED THE COST OF THE, OF THE BUILDING, BUT WE ARE, WE ARE WE ARE FUNDING THROUGH OPERATIONS AND SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX, THE FURNISHINGS, ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS THAT GO INTO THE BUILDING AS WELL AS THE CONTINGENCY FUND. SO THOSE ARE ONE TIME EXPENSES. YES, MA'AM. AS WE GET THE BUILDING UP AND RUNNING. SO WHEN YOU TAKE OUT THAT PORTION OF IT, WE'RE ONLY AT AN 8% INCREASE. WHEN YOU TAKE OUT THOSE ONE TIME EXPENSES OF THE HEADQUARTERS, OUR BUDGET REALLY IS ONLY AN 8% INCREASE. BUT IT IT SEEMS LARGER BECAUSE WE INCLUDE EVERYTHING IN THERE. SO THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, I DID WANT TO NOTE, SO I KNOW JOHN TALKED ABOUT ACTION, BUT NORMALLY THE COURT JUST GIVES FEEDBACK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEIR BOARDS HAVE NOT ADOPTED THE BUDGETS. SO YOU'RE NOT FORMALLY APPROVING THE BUDGETS OR THE TAX RATE TODAY, YOU, YOU HEAR THE PRESENTATIONS AND THEN YOU PROVIDE ANY ASK QUESTIONS, PROVIDE ANY FEEDBACK, AND THEN WE WILL BRING BACK THE ACTUAL ADOPTION. BETSY, I KNOW THAT WALLY WOULD HAVE SOME INPUT INTO THEIR BUDGET. AND JOHN, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANY OPINION OR RECOMMENDATIONS? THANK YOU. SO I, I WOULD RATHER TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THEIR PREVIOUS BUDGETS TO HAVE AN EDUCATED, RESPONSE TO THAT QUESTION. I DID SEE I

[04:05:04]

REVIEWED THEIR CURRENT BUDGET. I DID SEE THAT THEY HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE EXPENSE OR, SORRY, THE INCREASE IS FOR THEIR HEADQUARTERS, I WOULD IF I WAS TO ASK, I WOULD ASK LIKE THERE IS $1.5 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR SALARIES. I WOULD ASK HOW MANY, POSITIONS DOES THAT INCLUDE? AND IF, IF IT'S INCREASES OR RAISES RAISES, I WOULD ASK, WHAT THOSE ARE AS WELL. I KNOW FROM PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN OTHER PLACES THAT, WE NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE WHEN YOU HAVE DIFFERENT DISTRICTS IN THE SAME AREA, YOU NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN STAFFING AND SO I KNOW THAT USED TO BE A PROBLEM IN OTHER PLACES, AND THEY HAD TO PAY MORE OR CREATE SOME INCENTIVE PROGRAMS. SO THAT COULD BE WHAT YOU HAVE HERE, BUT I WOULD, I WOULD DIVE DEEPER INTO IT AND. AND IT DOES INCLUDE NINE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, I'M SORRY, TEN ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER OPERATIONAL POSITIONS. IT DOES INCLUDE A ROLE, I CALL IT LEVELING. BUT AS MR. SARAH WAS SAYING, HOW WE WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE. AND SO WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THE PROGRAM, A STARTING FIREFIGHTER WAS MAKING $36,000. AND SO THIS YEAR WE LOOKED AT THE FUNDING, WE LOOKED AT WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITHIN THE AREA, AND A LOT OF OUR FIREFIGHTERS WERE LEAVING TO GO TO OTHER PLACES BECAUSE THEY PAID SIGNIFICANTLY MORE, ONE AGENCY STARTING PAY IS $72,000. NOW WE CANNOT COMPETE WITH THAT. SO BUT WE INCREASE THE SALARY FOR STARTING FIREFIGHTER TO BE $46,000. THIS YEAR, FOR THAT FIREFIGHTER TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES BECAUSE WE JUST RECENTLY HAD A ACADEMY WHERE WE TRAINED 12 INDIVIDUALS FROM START TO FINISH, AND WE LOST TWO BEFORE WE EVEN FINISHED THE PROGRAM. AND SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ELIMINATE IS THEM LEAVING, WHETHER IT BE A MONTH FROM NOW, A YEAR FROM NOW, OR TEN YEARS FROM NOW TO SEEK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MORE MONEY, AND JUST FOR ALSO, THIS I WANT TO BE CLEAR, TOO, BECAUSE I THINK BOTH BOTH ESD'S ARE DOING PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND BUT I WANT TO ALSO CLARIFY, WE HAVEN'T ACTUALLY RECEIVED A AND IF WE HAVE, I HAVEN'T SEEN THE ACTUAL COPY OF THE BUDGET. WE HAVE THE PRESENTATION, BUT NOT THE ACTUAL BUDGET. AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS TO BEFORE, WE FULLY COMMENT ON OUR ANALYSIS, WE'D LIKE TO SEE THE ACTUAL, BUDGET DID SEND A COPY OF OUR BUDGET ON FRIDAY, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT WAS, PROBABLY VERY QUICK BEFORE THE MEETING, OUR BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS HAD THEIR SECOND BUDGET RETREAT ON THURSDAY. THIS WAS KIND OF A DIFFERENT TIME FOR US. USUALLY WE HAVE ONE BUDGET RETREAT. WE STAY UNTIL EVERYTHING IS, WHERE EVERYONE FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THE BUDGET. BUT IT DID COME DOWN TO SALARIES THIS YEAR. THE CHIEF HAD MENTIONED WE PROPOSED THREE DIFFERENT SALARY SCALES AND SO THE BOARD ASKED US AT OUR FIRST BUDGET RETREAT TO COME BACK TO THEM WITH SOME MORE EVIDENCE, SOME MORE INFORMATION. SO WE BROKE DOWN THE BUDGET MORE. WE PROVIDED JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND PAY IN THE REGION SO THAT WE COULD PROVIDE THEM WITH A REAL, COMPREHENSIVE VISION OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING AT FOR SALARIES. SO SALARIES WAS THE LAST DECIDING FACTOR FOR OUR BOARD. SO THEY MET ON THURSDAY TO AS OUR LAST BUDGET RETREAT TO REVIEW THIS.

SO WE DO APOLOGIZE FOR IT BEING A VERY QUICK TURNAROUND TO GET IT TO YOU ALL FIRST THING ON FRIDAY MORNING. BUT I DO UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A LOT TO REVIEW. SO WE DO HAVE THAT IN, WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE, BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THEM IF THEY HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS AS WELL. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE ON WAGES THAT, MIDLAND ODESSA IS, PAYING, PRETTY HIGH WAGES FOR, FOR THOSE FIREFIGHTERS. IS THAT CORRECT? YEAH. WE CAN'T COMPETE WITH OIL MONEY, BUT THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER THERE IN THOSE AREAS. THE REEVES COUNTY IS ANOTHER ONE. AND SO THE SURROUNDING AREAS, WE CAN'T BE EQUIVALENT TO, BUT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN WITHIN OUR MEANS TO PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT, SALARY FOR A STARTING FIREFIGHTER. THANK YOU. AND I THINK THE NEW HEADQUARTERS WILL ALSO GO A LONG WAY TO PROVIDING THE TOOLS THAT OUR FIREFIGHTERS NEED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR JOB PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES. SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE HEADQUARTERS ONCE IT'S BUILT AND THE TRAINING FACILITY TO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU BOTH. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. AND NOW, WE HAVE ESD TWO READY FOR THEIR OWN PRESENTATION. THANK YOU CHIEF, SAME SITUATION. YES, SIR. BUDGET OKAY. WELCOME, CHIEF. WAIT. TALLER. SORRY. OH GOOD

[04:10:16]

AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. CHIEF ESPARZA WITH EL PASO COUNTY ESD NUMBER TWO. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS AFTERNOON AS WE BEGIN OUR PRESENTATION. OF COURSE, LET ME HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

WE DID A COMPLETE THE PURCHASE OF A NEW REAL ESTATE FOR OUR SOCORRO STATION NUMBER TWO, WHICH WILL BE, THE BEGINNING STAGES OF, DEVELOPMENT FOR IT, STARTING THIS FISCAL YEAR. WE ALSO PURCHASED TWO NEW QUINTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY OF CANUTILLO AND SOCORRO AREA. AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FABENS FIRE STATION. WE ALSO INITIATED THE STIPEND PROGRAM FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS. ESD TWO IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON COMPLETING THE SPECIAL PROJECTS OF THE TRAINING ROOM REMODEL AT OUR WEST SIDE FIRE STATION AND THE KITCHEN REMODEL AT THE MONTANA VISTA FIRE STATION. VOLUME OVERVIEW FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, 2019, WE HAD, 2020 9621 CALLS TO NOW THAT WE HAVE 10,305 CALLS. JUST KEEPS GROWING. THE RESPONSE TIMES FROM JULY 1ST, 2023 TO JUNE 30TH, 20 2024 IS WE'RE AVERAGING SEVEN MINUTES, 69 SECONDS FOR A RESPONSE AND WE HAVE THE BREAKDOWN OF EVERY DEPARTMENT THERE SO THAT YOU ALL CAN SEE. MEDICAL BREAKDOWN, RESCUE EMERGENCIES. WE HAD 6702 CALLS, 68% MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, 669 AT 7% SERVICE CALLS, 543 AT 6%. HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS 270 AT 3%. SPECIAL INCIDENTS 189 AT 2%. GOOD INTENT AND CANCELED CALLS, 28 AT 0% AND FALSE ALARMS AT 1416 AT 15%. THE 2023 FIRE BREAKDOWN IS AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A BRUSH FIRES 123 OVER PRESSURE, FIVE RUBBISH FIRES, 185, STRUCTURE FIRES, 123 AND 52. VEHICLE FIRES. THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE SERVICES ALL OF EL PASO COUNTY IS NUMBER TWO AND ENFORCES THE 20 2015 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE. WE INSPECT BUSINESSES, STRUCTURE FIRE INVESTIGATIONS, DEATH INVESTIGATIONS, AND ISSUE CITATIONS FOR FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS. CONSTRUCTION. OPERATIONAL PERMITS. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, 2021, WE HAD 254 COMPARED TO 467. NOW. OUR GROWTH IS BARELY BEGINNING. WE SEE A LOT OF GROWTH. WE SEE A LOT OF NEW HOTELS COMING TO EAST EL PASO, AND THEY'RE THEY'RE STARTING TO COME IN. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, WE HAVE A HOME2 SUITES HOTEL, A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BSG BUILDING, TWO KINGSHIP COMMONS, TROPICANA HOMES, URGENT CARE VANGUARD, FLEET, EASTWOOD BUILDINGS, THOR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, SOCORRO LOGISTICS AND MURPHY USA. I'LL HAND IT OVER TO MISS MARIANA NAVARRETE FOR THE BUDGET BREAKDOWN. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS. MARIANA NAVARETTE WITH ESD NUMBER TWO. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL HERE TODAY. SO JUST A LITTLE BIT OF OUR BUDGET BREAKDOWN. BREAKDOWN OUR BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425. OUR PROPOSED BUDGET IS AT 11,863,593, WITH 76. AND IT CONSISTS OF OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT, OUR SALES TAX AND OUR PROPERTY TAX. AND THAT IS OUR BIGGEST, BUDGET EXPENSE IS OUR SALARIES, PENSIONS AND PAYROLL COMING AT $2.9 MILLION. 26% OF OUR BUDGET, OUR LIABILITY AND INTEREST AT 1.790 5207, WITH 28 COMING AT 15%. OUR STIPEND PROGRAM AT $1.1 MILLION AT 9%, OUR PROFESSIONAL FEES AT 1 MILLION, WHICH IS 9%, OUR INSURANCE SERVICES, 1,108,487 WITH $0.28 AT 10%. OUR GENERAL EXPENSES 1.2 MILLION AT 10%. OUR BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE AT $382,000 740 WITH 3% OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT 1.4 MILLION, 12%. OUR FEED SUPPLIES, WHICH INCLUDE OUR FIRE, MEDICAL AND OFFICE AT 145,000, WHICH IS 1% OUR PPE AND UNIFORMS AT 394,203%. OUR TRAINING AND TRAVEL EXPENSES AT 175,000, A 2%. OUR BUDGET SUMMARY THE EL PASO

[04:15:02]

COUNTY USED TO BOARD OF OUR COMMISSIONERS WILL BE ADOPTING A BUDGET OF 11,863,593, WITH 76 ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH. FOR THE 2420 FIFTH FISCAL YEAR. THIS IS AN INCREASE OF $1.6 MILLION, A 16.57% OVER THE CURRENT 2324 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET RESERVES IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.2 WILL BE USED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2425. THE BREAKDOWN FOR OUR SALARIES, PAYROLL AND TAXES AND PENSIONS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 33 EMPLOYEES AND WE ARE ADDING AN ADDITIONAL FOUR FIREFIGHTER FULL TIME POSITIONS AND ONE CAPTAIN POSITION FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. A COLA HAS ALSO BEEN BUDGETED FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF, YOU KNOW, KEEPING US COMPETITIVE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AROUND US, OUR LIABILITY AND INTEREST, THIS CATEGORY DID DECREASE BY 267,787 WITH $0.46, A 13% CHANGE, AND THIS DECREASE, COMMISSIONERS, IS DUE TO FOUR OF OUR LOANS THAT WERE BEING PAID OFF. WE HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS NEXT YEAR FOR OUR BOARD TO GO INTO SOME DEBT.

SINCE OUR DEBT RATE IS IN DECREASING EVERY YEAR. SO WE HAVE THAT ACTUALLY ON THE AGENDA FOR TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THAT. OUR STIPEND PROGRAM DID NOT CHANGE. WE ACTUALLY KEPT THE SAME AMOUNT BUDGETED, THE ONE POINT MILLION, AND THAT IS DUE TO SINCE IT STARTED THIS YEAR IN JANUARY, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO ACTUALLY COST, AND WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE STIPEND COST FOR EACH VOLUNTEER, RIGHT NOW WE'RE PAYING ABOUT, WHAT, $5 FOR MEALS? WE DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH FOR, FOR THAT, FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS TO BE GETTING THAT STIPEND AMOUNT. SO WE ARE CURRENTLY TALKING TO OUR LEGAL TO SEE HOW INCREASE. SO WE CAN ALSO GET MORE MEMBERS TO, JOIN AS A VOLUNTEER. OUR PROFESSIONAL FEES THIS CATEGORY INCREASED BY 63,855 WITH $0.80, A 7% CHANGE. THIS IS DUE TO AN INCREASE IN THE DISPATCHING SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HORIZON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE COST INCREASE OF OUR ANNUAL AUDIT AND APPRAISAL DISTRICT FEES, OUR INSURANCES, THIS CATEGORY INCREASED BY 151,749 WITH $0.96, A 16% CHANGE. AND THIS IS ALSO DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL STAFF WE ARE BRINGING ON BOARD, INCREASE A WORKER'S COMP HEALTH INSURANCE AND OUR POLICIES. SORRY FOR BUILDING VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, THIS CATEGORY INCREASED BY 60,240. A 19% CHANGE. THIS INCREASE IN THE CATEGORY IS DUE TO OUR YEARLY PUMP LADDER TEST AND HOSE TESTING, AND OUR PPE TESTING, OUR PFD SUPPLIES AND FIRE MEDICAL DID NOT HAVE AN INCREASE. OUR GENERAL EXPENSES DID INCREASE BY 227,310. A 3% CHANGE. OUR PPE AND UNIFORMS. THIS CATEGORY INCREASED BY 50,375, A 15% CHANGE. THIS INCREASE IS DUE TO REPLACEMENT OF OUR OBSOLETE, OBSOLETE PPE FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF. OUR TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION WAS A SMALL INCREASE OF 4% $6,200, OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, THIS CATEGORY DID INCREASE BY ONE POINT MILLION, 1,185,576, A 472% CHANGE. THE REASON FOR THIS IS, SOME OF THESE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS WERE NOT DOING THEM. EVERY YEAR. THERE'S A ONE TIME, AS YOU KNOW, ESD WAS MENTIONING.

SO THERE IS AN INCREASE FROM THIS YEAR TO OUR CURRENT YEAR. AND THOSE, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ENCOMPASS IMPROVEMENTS TO MONTANA VISTAS, LANDSCAPING, A NEW TECHNICAL RESCUE EQUIPMENT ARCHITECT, PLANS FOR THE NEW SOCORRO STATION. WE PLAN TO BUILD ON NORTH LOOP AND HUECO TANKS AND REPAIRS TO OUR BURN BUILDING FOR THE CLINT STATION OR BURNT TRAINING BUILDING FACILITY. SORRY. AND THE PURCHASE OF 87 8500 MOBILE RADIOS. OUR BUDGET RECAP.

BUDGET. TOTAL AMOUNT OF 11,863,593. WITH $0.76, A 16.57% INCREASE FROM OUR CURRENT FISCAL

[04:20:02]

YEAR 2324, WHICH CONSISTS OF OUR PROPERTY TAX AT 5,444,674, WITH $0.70 SALES TAX PROJECTED AT 4,820,940. AND AS I MENTIONED, RESERVES OF 1.2 MILLION WOULD BE USED TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET. CODE ENFORCEMENT $350,000. AND OUR BOARD IS PROPOSING TO ADOPT A TAX RATE OF 0.078856, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE INS TAX RATE OF 0.024744, AND THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING OF 0.054112. AND WE ARE ESTIMATING TO HAVE ON OUR RESERVE BALANCE OF 5 MILLION, WHICH IS A 58% OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET. QUESTIONS. COMMISSIONERS I'VE GOT A QUESTION ON THE RESERVES, IS THERE A NEED TO HAVE IT CLOSE TO 60%? THAT'S WE'RE ACTUALLY THAT AMOUNT IS GOING TO GO DOWN BECAUSE WE'RE USING SOME OF THOSE RESERVES TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET. YES. SO IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABOUT 4.8 MILLION. OUR RESERVES OKAY. BUT IT'LL STILL BE ABOUT 50%. IT STILL BE ABOUT 50%. YEAH. I JUST WANT TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT ARE WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE WATER POINTS IN BOTH THE AREAS THAT YOU ALL COVER, AS FAR AS THE ACCESS TO THEM? AND DO WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT IN THE, IN THE COUNTY TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE WHEN THE CALLS COME UP, LIKE, MORE WATER SERVICE IN EAST MONTANA AND THE EAST EL PASO, SOME AREAS IN THE COUNTY OR AREA ARE ALSO LACKING. IT'S NOT A LOT, BUT IT'S BETTER THAN WHAT IT USED TO BE. OKAY AND WHAT IS THE PLAN TO REMEDY THAT TO US? IT WOULDN'T IT WOULD BE THE COUNTY'S PLAN TO HANDLE THAT. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS TO REMEDY THAT. OKAY. AND HOW DO YOU PRESENT THAT TO US SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ACTION? IT'S A VERY HARD, TOUCHY SUBJECT BECAUSE YOU ALL ONLY COVER A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE WATER SYSTEMS. AND THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER MUDS THAT WOULD BE UP TO THEIR BOARDS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THAT SQUARED AWAY. SO WE COVER, I BELIEVE LIKE SEVEN DIFFERENT MUDS WITHIN OUR AREA. AND THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT. RIGHT. BUT HOW DO WE HOW DO WE COORDINATE SO THAT WE'RE ABLE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES? I THINK IT'D BE BENEFICIAL TO HAVE A MEETING WITH ALL THOSE MUDS AND KIND OF BRING THEM TOGETHER AND, AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN EXPAND. THERE'S A NEED OUT THERE. HOW CAN WE DO THAT? WE CAN WORK WITH THE ESD AND WORK ON BRINGING TOGETHER ALL THE MUDS TO ADDRESS. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE WHAT THE ACCESS POINTS ARE. NOW, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT IN GIS, BUT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND OUT, AND MEET WITH ALL THE MUDS AND THE ESD AND SEE WHAT WHERE THE ACCESS POINTS SHOULD BE. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A GOOD THING TO DO THIS COMING YEAR TO PLAN FOR, MAKE SURE THAT ACCESS. I KNOW SOME AREAS IN THAT SOME REALLY BAD FIRES HAPPENED BOTH IN COMMISSIONER GAINES AND MY PRECINCT, AND I'M SURE AND COMMISSIONER LEONE'S ISSUES THAT THEY'VE HAD OUT THERE WITH THOSE, SO I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO KIND OF ADDRESS THESE WITH, WITH THE DIFFERENT AND COORDINATE WITH THAT. BUT THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. YEAH COMMISSIONER LEON, POLICE CHIEF, WHEN YOU FOUGHT THAT BIG FIRE WE HAD OVER IN MONTANA VISTA EARLIER THIS YEAR, THOSE ARE AN EXTREMELY HEAVY USE OF WATER THAT WE USE, DO YOU REMEMBER HOW MUCH WATER WE USED AND WHO PAYS FOR THAT? SO I BELIEVE WE USED, ABOUT 2 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER. AND THAT ALL IS THE TAXPAYERS. IT'S COMING OUT OF COUNTY FUNDS THAT ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT. YEAH, YEAH, I KNEW WE HAD USED A VAST AMOUNT OF WATER. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS IN THE 2 MILLION GALLON AREA. WOW. OKAY. THANK YOU. FURTHER QUESTIONS. YOU HAVE NONE. THANK YOU BOTH. THANK YOU EVERYONE. HAVE A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU JOHN. THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. THIS WILL BE BROUGHT BACK, BETSY NEXT. YES, SIR. WE'LL BRING WE'LL PUT THEM BACK ON, ONCE WE'VE GOT THE WE'VE DONE THE BUDGET REVIEWS AND WE'LL PUT THEM BACK ON FOR THE COURTS ACTION. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL.

[04:25:04]

ITEM NUMBER TEN A FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE DISSOLUTION OF THE EL PASO COUNTY BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE. GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE.

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the dissolution of the El Paso County Bond Advisory Committee. Jose M. Landeros, Director, Strategic Capital Development, 915-546-2159]

COMMISSIONERS NETTLESWORTH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, AS OUR OFFICE WILL BE PRESENTING A FEW ITEMS RELATED TO OUR ONGOING CAPITAL PLANNING PROCESS, ONE THAT WE WANTED TO, TO TAKE CARE OF ADMINISTRATIVELY BEFORE DOING THAT. IS THE DISSOLUTION OF THE BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE COURT ORGANIZED THIS COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP A RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND REVIEW IN TERMS OF DEBT OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE COUNTY HAS AT THIS TIME, THE TERMS FOR ALL THE MEMBERS EXPIRED ON JULY 31ST. SO LAST MONTH, AND SO JUST GIVEN THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE MET THEIR CHARGE, THE BYLAWS THAT WERE ADOPTED AND THE RULES THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE ALL REVOLVED AROUND THE IDEA OF DEVELOPING THIS RECOMMENDATION OR RECOMMENDING THAT THE COURT FORMALLY DISSOLVE THE COMMITTEE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL BEGIN WORKING ON, DRAFTING THE NEW ITERATION OF WHAT THOSE RULES AND PROCEDURES ARE FOR THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER HAVING A DEBT, OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, WHICH IS VERY MUCH BE THE SAME IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF JUST ENSURING THAT THERE'S TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. BACK TO THE TO THE TAXPAYERS ON THE COUNTY'S USE OF DEBT MOVING FORWARD. AND SO WE ASK FOR YOUR FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION. I'M AVAILABLE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE. THEY'VE BEEN NOTIFIED RIGHT? YES. WE NOTIFIED THEM THIS MORNING AND THEY WERE BRINGING BACK, AN ITEM IN THE COMING WEEKS TO RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID. YEAH. JUDGE, BY THE WAY, THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB. JUDGE YES, COMMISSIONER. I JUST I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S A LOT OF TIME, THAT THEY HAVE TO DEDICATE AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IT'S DURING WORK HOURS. AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SERVICE THAT THAT THEY ALL PROVIDED. AND I KNOW WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING THEM. BUT IT'S A IT'S A PRETTY TOUGH JOB TO SIT THERE THROUGH ALL THOSE PRESENTATIONS AND BE ABLE TO, MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OUT OF THEM AND DO THE PRIORITIES THAT THEY THINK ARE, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS. AND SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. DO YOU HAVE A WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. JOSE. ITEM NUMBER TEN. BE DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF THE EL PASO COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROGRAM PROJECT LIST. DO YOU REMEMBER EARLIER WHEN JOSE SAID HE WAS GOING TO MAKE ME NERVOUS? NOW IT'S MY TURN. NO. JUST KIDDING,

[B. (Item to be heard at approximately 1:00 P.M.) Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the adoption of the El Paso County Capital Improvement Bond Program Project List. Jose M. Landeros, Director, Strategic Capital Development, 915-546-2159]

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS BETSY KELLER, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, THE COUNTY HAS DISCUSSED THE NEED TO IMPROVE OUR ASSETS, LIKE PARKS AND THE COLISEUM AND THE NEED TO ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES FOR OUR COMMUNITY, SUCH AS ANIMAL SERVICES, MENTAL HEALTH, REHABILITATION AND VICTIM SERVICES AND SENIOR SERVICES.

AND DURING THE AUGUST THIRD MASS SHOOTING AND THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS FOR OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE. BUT THIS COURT HAS BEEN DOING MORE THAN DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES. YOU HAVE BEEN ADDRESSING AND PREPARING FOR THESE NEEDS AND PROACTIVE WAYS WITH PLANS SUCH AS THE PARKS MASTER PLAN, STUDIES LIKE THE COLISEUM AND EVENTS VENUE STUDY GRANTS LIKE COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING REQUEST FOR THE SENIOR NUTRITION KITCHEN AND FOR PARKS YOU'VE SOUGHT DONATIONS OF PROPERTY YOU'VE SUPPORTED INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE PROGRAMS, AND YOU'VE DEMANDED COMMUNITY INPUT THROUGHOUT THESE PLANS AND STUDIES OF THE STAFF YOU'VE DEMANDED FROM STAFF THAT WE DO THAT. AND AS PART OF THIS PROCESS IN PREPARING, THE COURT CREATED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO UNDERSTAND HOW VARIOUS TYPES OF BONDS WORK AND TO EVALUATE THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DEMANDS WE HAVE FOR INVESTING IN THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY. THE COMMITTEE DID ITS BEST WITH WHAT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB IN DETERMINING THE PROJECTS TO RECOMMEND FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION. THE PROCESS ALSO INCLUDED TWO ROUNDS OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AS WELL AS FOCUS GROUPS AND SURVEYS, AND THAT FEEDBACK WAS INCORPORATED INTO THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MEASURES. THE COURT WILL CONSIDER. TODAY. WE'RE ASKING FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER TAKING THIS PROCESS TO THE NEXT STEP FOR COMMUNITY INPUT, AND THAT'S TO ORDER AN ELECTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE THEIR DECISION ON WHETHER THESE PROJECTS ARE THINGS THEY WANT TO COME TO BE AND ARE WILLING TO BE LEVIED A TAX ON THEMSELVES TO PAY FOR THESE INITIATIVES. I'D LIKE TO TURN THIS OVER TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT, JOSE LANDEROS, TO TAKE US THROUGH THE PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU, BITSY. THANK YOU, MRS. KELLER, AND GOOD AFTERNOON,

[04:30:06]

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE OFFICE OF CAPITAL PLANNING AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. ALSO A PROUD BURGESS ALUMNI, GO MUSTANGS, I'M PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THE NEXT TWO ITEMS RELATED TO THE COUNTY'S ONGOING MULTI-YEAR CAPITAL PLANNING PROCESS. HIGH RISK, HIGH YIELD JOKE. JUDGE. YEAH, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE, THOUGH. YEAH, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT THE JUDGES AND THE MINORITY, INSOFAR AS YES, I'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT I'LL WORK ON THAT, THIS PAST YEAR HERE ON THE SLIDE REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF YEARS WORTH OF WORK RELATED TO A ROBUST PLANNING EFFORT. BUT REALLY, THE STEPS THAT THE COUNTY TOOK TO GET TO THIS POINT, GO BACK APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS, AS SEVERAL STEPS WERE TAKEN BEGINNING IN 2015, TO BEGIN ADOPTING AND IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES RELATED TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND DEBT MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING THE CREATION OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR AND HER OFFICE, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING THE BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE DIRECT PURVIEW OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE COUNTY'S CAPITAL PLANNING PROCESS HAS EVOLVED OVER SEVERAL YEARS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COURT AND DIRECTION OF CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR KELLER, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, THE COUNTY EMBARKED ON A MOST COMPREHENSIVE AND DELIBERATE PLANNING PLANNING PROCESS TO LEAD US TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY. AFTER 24 PUBLIC MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, APPROXIMATELY 20 POP UP PRESENTATIONS TO VARIOUS CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMITTEES, NINE MEETINGS OF OUR CITIZEN LED BOND ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND FOUR COMMISSIONERS COURT CAPITAL PLANNING WORKSHOP. IN THE PAST RECENT WEEKS. WE ARE NOT THE FINAL TWO STEPS OF THIS PLANNING PROCESS. THE FIRST ITEM IS RELATED TO THE RECOMMENDED PROJECT LIST ASSOCIATED WITH A POSSIBLE GENERAL OBLIGATION BON, AND THE NEXT ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION WOULD BE AN ITEM TO ADOPT AN ORDER CALLING FOR A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE COUNTY ON NOVEMBER. ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT. THERE ARE 26 PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE DETAILED PROJECT LISTING, ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA ITEM THAT REFLECT THE ONGOING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND REVISION PROCESS I MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE. AFTER THOROUGH REVIEW BY OUR STAFF, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND BOND COUNSEL AND FINANCIAL ADVISOR, WE ARE RECOMMENDING STRUCTURING THE UPCOMING ISSUANCE TO BE GROUPED INTO THE FOLLOWING FIVE PROPOSITIONS. PROPOSITION A PARKS AND RECREATION TOTALING $95.6 MILLION AND INCLUDES INVESTMENTS IN THE COUNTY'S REGIONAL AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS SYSTEM. THE 19 PROJECTS THAT ARE PROPOSED UNDER THIS PROPOSITION INCLUDE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO ASCOT PARK, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FESTIVAL GROUND SPANNING OVER THE FORMER WESTERN PLAYLAND SITE, AS WELL AS THE EQUIPPING AND EXPANSION OF FACILITIES AT VETERANS PARK AND REISINGER PARK IN FABENS, GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR NORTHWEST, SPARKS PARK, COYOTE PARK IN TORNILLO, RUBEN ESTRELLA AND MONTANA VISTA, AGUA DULCE PARK, SAN FELIPE PARK, NORTH OF FABENS. WESTWAY PARK AND THE MODERNIZATION OF THE LIGHTING SYSTEM AT THE COUNTY SPORTS PAR. THE PROPOSITION ALSO FUNDS VARIOUS TRAILS CONNECTING PARKS TO OTHER TRAIL SYSTEMS OR DESIGNATED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE SPACE AT THE ESCALA REGIONAL. AT THE ESCALA REGIONAL PARK FOR RELATED OFFICES, PROPOSITION B, TOTALING $26.7 MILLION, PROVIDES FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY'S GROWING DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE. THIS PROJECT MAY ALSO INCLUDE THE ACQUISITION OF LAND TO CONSTRUCT A FACILITY WHOSE DESIGN IS WELL UNDERWAY THROUGH THE USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDIN. PROPOSITION C SUPPORTS THE COURT'S GOAL AND VISION OF MEETING RESIDENTS WHERE THEY ARE BY PROVIDING FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW COUNTY COURTHOUSES OR ANNEXES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE CORBIN ZAMBRANO CENTER IN SOUTH CENTRAL EL PASO. AN EXPANSION OF THE YSLETA ANNEX LOCATED ALONG THE HISTORIC MISSION TRAIL, AS WELL AS A NEW COUNTY ANNEX TO SERVE THE FAR EAST SIDE OF THE COMMUNITY. THE PROPOSITION TOTALS $63.29 MILLION. PROPOSITION D AT $105.5 MILLION, INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS IDENTIFIED BY EL PASO COUNTY'S EVENTS AND VENUE FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE COLISEUM. THIS CONSISTS OF RENOVATIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE SEATING OPTIONS AND ADA ACCESSIBILITY, AND POTENTIALLY ADD OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING'S OUTDOOR AREA. THIS INCLUDES ADDING A SECOND SHEET OF ICE TO THE, AS WELL AS RENOVATING THE SHERMAN BARN TO ACTIVATE IT INTO A REVENUE GENERATING EVENT SPACE TO INCREASE CAPACITY FOR PUBLIC, PUBLIC SKATING AND HOCKEY AND OTHER EVENTS. THE FINAL PROPOSITION E, IS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EAST MONTANA ANIMAL SHELTER, WHICH WILL BE ADJACENT TO THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THE SHELTER WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CARE OF THE PETS IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING LOW COST OR NO COST VACCINATIONS, AS WELL AS SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES IN TURN, THIS WILL REDUCE THE SPREAD OF DISEASE IN THE POPULATION OF STRAY ANIMALS, AND ADDITIONALLY, THE ANIMAL SHELTER WILL ALLEVIATE THE NEED TO TAKE ANIMALS TO THE CITY OF EL PASO

[04:35:04]

SHELTER, WHICH IS LOCATED MORE THAN 30 MILES FROM THE COUNTY'S DIRECT SERVICE AREA. THIS PROPOSITION TOTALS $32.7 MILLION. THE FIVE PROPOSITIONS TOTAL $323.795 MILLION AND, IF APPROVED BY VOTERS, WOULD RAISE THE COUNTY'S DEBT TAX RATE BY $0.03. WHAT THIS MEANS TO THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER IN 2024, WITH A HOME VALUE OF $200,956, IS ABOUT $5 PER MONTH, OR A LITTLE OVER $60 PER YEAR. THE AMOUNTS PRESENTED ON THIS SLIDE AND THOSE THAT I JUST MENTIONED REFLECT THE PROJECT FUNDS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT. THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE FOR THIS AMOUNT IS ESTIMATED TO BE $486,000,449, $449,750, MEANING THE COUNTY WOULD PAY APPROXIMATELY. $183,339,750 IN INTEREST OVER THE COURSE OF THE ANTICIPATED 20 YEAR REPAYMENT, WHICH REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT COST. FOR COMPARISON, IF SOMEONE WERE TO FINANCE A $200,000 HOME TODAY, WHICH IS ABOUT THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE IN OUR COMMUNITY, USING A 20 YEAR MORTGAGE, PROVIDING THE REQUIRED 3.5% DOWN PAYMENT OF $7,000, AND ASSUMING A MARKET INTEREST RATE OF 6.7%, THE HOME BUYER WOULD PAY $158,347 IN INTEREST OVER THE COURSE OF THE LOAN REPAYMENT PERIOD, WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 80% OF THE AMOUNT OF THEIR HOME COST. JOSE, I'M SORRY, I'M NOT SURE IF THERE WAS ANOTHER SLIDE THAT HAD ALL OF THOSE FIGURES. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE YOU REPEAT NO, MA'AM, NO, BUT I'M HAPPY TO REPEAT THEM IF YOU'D LIKE. OKAY YES. SO THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE IS $486,449,750. AND SO THE INTEREST THAT IS ON THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST IS $183,339,750. THANK YOU. YES, MA'AM. AND JOSETTE, WHAT PERCENT DOES THAT PROJECTION? WE ARE PROJECTING AN INTEREST RATE OF 6.5% TO GIVE US FLEXIBILITY IN THE EVENT THAT THERE IS A NEED, TO PURSUE A TAXABLE INTEREST TO PROVIDE FOR, TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE USE IN ANY OF THE FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY FACILITIES THAT MIGHT REQUIRE IT, LIKE THE COLISEUM OR EVEN SOME OF THE PARKS, AND SO THAT WAS THE PERCENTAGE THAT IS, WAS UPDATED IN THE ORDER, AFTER COORDINATION WITH BOND COUNCIL AND OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. OKAY. IS THERE ANY PROPOSAL FOR, TAX FREE MUNICIPAL BONDS TO BE OR CERTAIN TYPE OF TAX FREE BONDS? A MAJORITY OF THE PLANNING THAT'S GONE IN IS PRESUMING TAX EXEMPT ISSUANCES. BUT WE'RE STILL WE'RE STILL PROJECTING POTENTIAL HIGHER INTEREST RATE FOR THE NEED TO HAVE SOME FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO TAXABLE ISSUANCES AS WELL. OKAY. AND THAT ASSUMES THOSE THOSE NUMBERS AND THOSE RATES ASSUME THAT THERE'S NO, AHEAD OF SCHEDULE PAYDOWNS. AND AGAIN, THEN THE SALES TAX CONTINUES.

PROBABLY WILL BE AHEAD OF TIME AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, PAY DOWN ON AN INCREASE IN THE PROPERTY TAX VALUES. CORRECT. IF THE COUNTY WERE TO PROCEED WITH CALLING FOR AN ELECTION AND THE VOTERS APPROVED THE PROPOSITIONS AS OUTLINED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, THE COUNTY WOULD PURSUE TWO TRANCHE ISSUANCES FOR FUNDING OF THESE PROJECTS, THE FIRST IN 2025, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 125 MILLION, AND THE SECOND TWO YEARS LATER FOR THE. THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE PROJECT FUNDS REQUIRED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES, THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF 325 IS ILLUSTRATED HERE, BUT THAT $200 MILLION FIGURE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WOULD STILL BE REQUIRED ON THAT SECOND, SECOND ISSUANCE, BUT NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNT THAT'S AUTHORIZED BY VOTERS. THESE VALUES REPRESENT THE MAXIMUM ISSUANCES AND MAY BE ADJUSTED IN THE EVENT SOME PROPOSITIONS ARE APPROVED AND OTHERS MAY NOT BE. AS I PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, THE COUNTY HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A SERIES OF ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO OUR ONGOING CAPITAL PLANNING PROCESS. AS WE'VE CONTINUED TO WORK THROUGH OUR INTERNAL TIMELINE, WE HAVE PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING TIMELINE AND TWO OF THE COURT'S MOST RECENT CAPITAL WORKSHOPS A PUBLIC OUTREACH PLAN RELATED TO PROVIDING RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE COUNTY'S PROPOSITIONS. THE SESSIONS ARE FOCUSED ON PROVIDING FACTUAL BASIS INFORMATION TO EACH OF THE PROPOSITIONS, AND WOULD SPAN OVER 12 PUBLIC MEETINGS. THAT WOULD BE A COMBINATION OF FOUR VIRTUAL AND EIGHT IN-PERSON MEETINGS, WHICH WOULD BE SCHEDULED THURSDAY EVENINGS OR SATURDAY MORNINGS BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER AND RUNNING THROUGH OCTOBER. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE WORKING ON SCHEDULING QUICK BRIEFING MEETING OPPORTUNITIES, OPPORTUNITIES WITH VARIOUS CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS LOCAL ROTARY CLUBS TO OCCUR DURING THAT SAME TIME FRAME. BASED ON THE COURT'S PREVIOUS DIRECTION, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FINALIZING THIS MEETING SCHEDULE AND IMPLEMENTING PRELIMINARY

[04:40:03]

STEPS TO ENGAGE OUR CONSULTANTS TO HELP PROMOTE THESE INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS. I WOULD ADD THAT THIS EFFORT WILL BE LED STRICTLY BY THE COUNTY'S COMMUNICATION DIVISION, INCLUDING DOCTOR AGOS AND HER COMMS TEAM. ALL OF THESE EFFORTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-OCTOBER, WITH EARLY VOTING BEGINNING ON EARLY VOTING BEGINNING ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 21ST AND CONCLUDING ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH AND ELECTION DAY BEING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER FIFTH.

CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION ON THIS FIRST ITEM, BUT BEFORE PRESENTING THE COURT WITH THE RECOMMENDED ACTION RELATED TO THE ITEM, I'D ASK FOR YOUR INDULGENCE TO ALLOW ME TO THANK THE VAST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED DILIGENTLY OVER THIS PAST YEAR ON THIS EFFORT, STARTING WITH MISS NORMA RIVERA PALACIOS AND THE PUBLIC WORKS LEADERSHIP TEAM, INCLUDING MR. FERNIE HERNANDEZ, MR. MICHAEL MCELROY, MR. TIM FULTON, MR. ROBIN SULLY, MISS LYDIA ARIAS, MISS MOLINA BANUELOS, MR. MUNZER AL-SARRAJ, OUR INTERNAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND ALL OF THESE PROJECTS AS WELL AS MR. JORGE MORALES AND MISS ALMA BONILLA, WHO HELPED STRUCTURE THE IMPORTANT DATA ON A PUBLIC FACING GIS WEBSITE. MISS MELISSA CARRILLO AND THE LEADERSHIP TEAM THAT SHE HAS IN IT AND BUDGET, INCLUDING MR. ART NEVAREZ AND MISS KARINA CAMPOS, AS WELL AS MR. JOHN, SARAH, MISS JESSICA GARZA AND DOCTOR LAURA GALLEGOS, AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION. DESIREE MIGUEL, ALEXIS, ELIJAH, OSCAR AND ELLEN FOR HELPING US DAY IN AND DAY OUT TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT. COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTINA SANCHEZ, ALSO A PROUD BURGESS MUSTANG, AND HER LEADERSHIP TEAM INCLUDING MR. EDDIE SOSA, MISS ERICA ROSALES, NICK GAGLIONE BURGESS, MUSTANG, AND MISS CLAUDIA ARANDA, A PROUD JEFFERSON SILVERFOX. AND MISS MISS CLAUDIA ARANDA, WHOSE WORK OVER THE PAST YEAR ON DEBT MANAGEMENT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LEAD HER TO AN HONORARY DEGREE IN FINANCE IN THE FUTURE, MISS BARBARA PARKER AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, INCLUDING MISS DONNA TEAGUE AND MR. JIM UTTERBACK, OUR CONSULTANTS ON THIS EFFORT, INCLUDING OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, STIFEL, OUR BOND COUNSEL, MCCALL, OUR PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM AT BARRACUDA, AND THE TECHNICAL MINDS AT MAC ARCHITECTS AT SPECIFICALLY THANK THE HARD WORK OF A FEW INDIVIDUALS, WHO'S WORKED BEHIND THE SCENES, KEPT THE ENTIRE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD FROM COVERING PRESENTATIONS AND SUNRISE TO CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO LATE NIGHT EMAILS AND MESSAGES TO HELP MEET OUR INTERNAL DEADLINES, MR. ROBERT REED BURGESS MUSTANG, MR. CHRISTIAN MARTINEZ, MISS DANIELLE CHAVEZ AND MISS CHRISTINE CUEVAS, ANOTHER BURGESS MUSTANG FROM THE CAPITAL PLANNING TEAM. I'M PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE THEM. TO HELP FACILITATE THIS PROCESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, YOU JUDGE COMMISSIONERS AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR KELLER. YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND FEEDBACK HELPED MAKE THIS PROCESS SUCCESSFUL, AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION AND DRIVE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. AND WITH THAT, WE'D ASK FOR THE COURT'S FAVORABLE CONSIDERATION ON THIS ITEM. AND I'M AVAILABLE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU AND WE THANK YOU. SAM THANK YOU FOR THAT LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. WE HAVE MR. RON COME YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYBODY, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU WATCHED THE KVI NEWS THE OTHER DAY. THEY HAD A GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE WHO WAS INVESTIGATING AN EIGHT PACK OF DOGS THAT ATTACKED AND KILLED EVERYTHING IN A BIRD SANCTUARY. BUT I WANT YOU TO LISTEN, BECAUSE HE BROUGHT UP EL PASO COUNTY. MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY. AND, GUYS, CAPTAIN RAY SPEARS ALSO TOLD ME THAT RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST CONCERNS IS THAT THESE LOOSE DOGS COULD KEEP BACKING UP AND ATTACK ANY LOCAL RESIDENTS, OR EVEN CHILDREN. I REACHED OUT TO THE EL PASO ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION. THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL SOON GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THIS CASE. OKAY, WELL, WE ALL KNOW THEY DON'T, BUT THAT'S BESIDES THE POINT. BASICALLY, BECAUSE OF EL PASO ANIMAL SERVICES AND THEIR MANAGED INTAKE AND LEAVING LOOSE STRAYS AND NOT ALLOWING TO TAKE YOUR STRAYS, WE HAVE, OVERCROWDED THE CITY, THE COUNTY WITH, LOTS OF STRAYS. THE PROBLEM IS, IS NOW THEY'RE STARTING TO ATTACK, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE BEEN TELLING THEM IT WAS GOING TO DO FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. BUT NOBODY LISTENS NOW. RIGHT NOW, YOUR COMMUNITY IS AT RISK OF BEING ATTACKED BY STRAY DOGS BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE A SHELTE, NOT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK, BUT YOU HAVE NO PLACE TO PUT THEM. EL PASO ANIMAL SERVICES AVERAGED 1000 LESS STRAYS A MONTH FOR 2021, 22, 23. I HAVEN'T DONE 24 BECAUSE THEY

[04:45:01]

DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THROUGH EL PASO ANIMAL SERVICES. SHELTER REPORTS. THIS IS NOT NUMBERS I'M MAKING UP. THEY'RE TELLING YOU THEY CAN'T DO THIS. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY. THE PROBLEM IS, IS WE HAVE THE MANAGEMENT AT THE SHELTER IS NOT INCREASING, ADOPTIONS IS NOT INCREASING RESCUE POLLS. THEY'RE THEY'RE JUST NOT DOING THEIR JOB. I GAVE THEM A LIST IN 23 OF 15 THINGS THEY NEEDED TO DO TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE ISSUES AT THE SHELTER, AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY IGNORED. AND HERE WE ARE. WE'VE GOT STRAYS EVERYWHERE. WE GET PEOPLE GETTING ATTACKED. WE HAD TWO CRITICAL ATTACKS IN EL PASO CITY LIMITS LAST YEAR. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IT'S INSANE. THIS ONE WAS, EIGHT DOGS OVER ON THE WEST SIDE. THE PEOPLE THAT LOST ALL OF THEIR THEIR BIRDS AND THEIR BIRD SANCTUARY. THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THERE'S CONSTANTLY DEAD DOGS AND CATS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS TYPICAL EVERYWHERE, WHETHER IT'S CITY OR COUNTY, AND IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PICKING THEM UP. IF WE DON'T PICK THEM UP AND GET THEM SPAYED AND NEUTERED AND THEY'RE RUNNING LOOSE, THEY'RE MAKING MORE STRAYS. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE CATASTROPHE. WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, IT'S A CRISIS. AND THE CITY'S NOT REALLY HELPING.

WE GOT THE SCHOOL, BUT THEY DIDN'T REALLY EXPAND IT. SUPPOSEDLY THEY'VE GOT ANOTHER VETERINARIAN. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD BY MARIO THE OTHER DAY. WE'LL SEE. I JUST WE'RE WE NEED YOU TO ■UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CANT COUNT ON THE CITY. YOUR PROBLEM WITH THE STRAYS IN THE COUNTY IS BECAUSE THE CITY DIDN'T WANT TO DO THEIR JOB. A THOUSAND LESS STRAYS A MONTH WERE INTAKT. AND WHAT DID THEY TELL YOU? OVERFULL OVERCROWDED. DON'T HAVE ROOM. SO WHERE'S THE. WHERE'S THE PROBLE? A THOUSAND LESS STRAYS A MONTH AVERAGE. AND I HATE TO KEEP SAYING IT, BUT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND. YOU'VE BEEN TOLD CERTAIN THINGS. NOW I'M TELLING YOU, IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE TRUTH, LOOK AT THESE. THIS EL PASO ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTER REPORTS, THIS IS THEIR REPORT SAYING WHAT THEY DID. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE. WE NEED TO PROTECT THE STRAYS. THIS. THIS IS WE'RE IN A CRISIS SITUATION. IT WAS BROUGHT ON BY THE SHELTERING PLAN BY BEST FRIENDS IN AUSTIN, PETS ALIVE. THIS MANAGED INTAKE, MANAGED INTAKE, MR. OWEN, YOU CAN RELATE TO THIS. MANAGED INTAKE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS ILLEGAL UNDER 826.01282, 6.0141015 AND 033. THE FACT THAT THE CITY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS DO, BUT THE CITY TELLS THEM TO LEAVE THEM WHERE THEY FOUND THEM OR PUT THEM BACK WHERE THEY FOUND THEM, MAKES THE CITY SHELTER. A GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR ABANDONMENT UNDER 4292. SO WE'RE SITTING HERE. WE'RE BREAKING ALL KINDS OF LAWS. NOBODY SEEMS TO CARE, PD HAS COVERED UP FOR HIM FOR WAY TOO LONG, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY INSTANCES I BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION THAT, QUOTE UNQUOTE. WELL, PAULA SAID IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. WELL, THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. IF SOMEBODY FILES A COMPLAINT OR A LEGAL PROBLEM, IT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. YOU GUYS HAVE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT, YOU HAVE YOUR SHERIFFS, THEY GO OUT. YOU NEED A SHELTER. BOTTOM LINE, YOU NEED A SHELTER. YOU GOT TO YOU CANNOT EXPECT EL PASO TO DO THE JOB THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AT THIS POINT. AND UNTIL THINGS CHANGE IN EL PASO, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO CREATE MORE STRAY, MORE STRAYS, MORE DANGER. WE JUST HAD AN OUTBREAK OF RABIES IN, COLORADO. BABY PUPPIES GOT TRANSPORTED OUT OF TEXAS, AND THEY BROUGHT. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, GENTLEMEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. LET'S GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SIR. TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, PLEASE. THANK YO. I BELIEVE THERE'S ANOTHER SPEAKER. IS THERE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE NEXT ITEM? SHOULD WE HAVE THE NEXT ITEM READ INTO SO WE CAN I THINK SO FOR THAT ONE AS WELL. ITEM NUMBER TEN. SEE DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF AN ORDER CALLING FOR A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD IN EL PASO COUNTY ON NOVEMBER 5TH, 2020 FOR CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0628. WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM, IS MR. GROSSMAN ONLINE? YOU HAVE MR. MAX GROSSMAN. YES, I AM HERE. CAN

[04:50:02]

YOU HEAR ME? YES WE CAN, DOCTOR GROSSMAN, GO AHEAD. OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M SURPRISED THAT I'M THE ONLY SPEAKER, GIVEN THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL BOND ISSUES. BUT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU ONE FIGURE, $12,000. I WAS LUCKY, TO HAVE A BABY FIVE MONTHS AGO. A HEALTHY BABY. SHE'S A GIFT FROM GOD. BUT ALONG WITH HER BIRTH, I GOT ANOTHER GIFT FROM THE GOVERNMENT. SHE'S IN DEBT. $12,000 TO THE FIVE TAXING ENTITIES. IF YOU GO TO THE TEXAS BOND REVIEW BOARD, YOU CAN CHECK ALL OF THE, DEBT ISSUES FOR ALL THE TAXING ENTITIES IN TEXAS. I'VE CONFIRMED IT WITH THE CITY CFO.

12. LET'S SEE. IT'S, JUST ABOUT $10.7 BILLION. IS THE TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS IN BONDS ALL BONDS FOR OUR FIVE TAXING ENTITIES. THAT'S $12,000 FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, INCLUDING MY BABY DAUGHTER. WHICH IS WHY I'M CALLING YOU. I'M THINKING ABOUT HER AND ALL THE OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE INHERITING ALL THIS DEBT. I'D LIKE TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF MATH WITH YOU. IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE, UMC, WHICH THANKFULLY IS GOING FOR A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND RATHER THAN A KO LIKE THEY DID IN 2022, IS PROPOSING A 4.5 CENT PROPERTY TAX INCREASE IF THE COUNTY GEO PASSES TODAY, $323.8 MILLION, THAT'S $0.03. AND IF YOU GO FORWARD WITH YOUR CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION, AM I UNDERSTANDING AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 174 MILLION BEFORE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION? THAT'S ANOTHER $0.02. 4.5 CENTS, $0.03, $0.02. THAT'S $894.4 MILLION. AMONG THE THREE ISSUES FOR A 9.5 CENT INCREASE. AND BASED ON THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE IN 2025 THAT WE HEARD FROM UMC, $220,000, I TOOK MY CALCULATOR. THAT TURNS OUT TO BE $209 TAX INCREASE IN 2025 FOR THE AVERAGE HOME VALUE THAT WILL INCREASE OUR DEBT SERVICE BY $1.6 BILLION AND MORE THAN TRIPLE THE COUNTY DEBT. THE COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS DEBT SERVICE OF 285.8 MILLION, ACCORDING TO YOUR OWN BACKUP, THAT WILL MORE THAN TRIPLE. THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED. IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THAT, YOU'RE GOING TO DECIDE ON OUR TAX RATE. LAST YEAR, YOU RAISED OUR TAX TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, $34 MILLION. IF YOU GO FOR THE VOTER APPROVED APPROVED RATE THIS YEAR, THAT'S 5.2 CENTS, WHICH WOULD BE 14.7 CENTS TOTAL, WHICH WOULD BE $323 PER HOUSEHOLD.

HOPEFULLY YOU WILL NOT DO THAT AND GO FOR NO NEW REVENUE LIKE THE CITY, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE PAST IS ANY MEASURE OF THE PRESENT. I'M EXPECTING YOU TO GO FOR THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT WITH THIS INSANE LEVEL OF DEFICIT SPENDING, THE COUNTY IS MAKING A MOCKERY OF THE CITY'S ACHIEVEMENT AND MAINTAINING A NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR TWO FISCAL YEARS IN A ROW, AND NOT ISSUING ANY NEW DEBT. YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY DENYING EL PASO PROPERTY OWNERS MUCH NEEDED TAX RELIEF. NOW, THE UMC BOND IS ONE THING THAT'S LIFE SAVING STUFF CANCER BURN UNITS AND SO ON. OKAY. AND THEY'RE GOING FOR A GEO. THEY'RE LETTING THE VOTERS DECIDE AND, YOU KNOW, I HAVE NO OPPOSITION TO THAT BOND. IT'S AN ESSENTIAL SET OF SERVICES. I'LL BE THE FIRST TO SAY IT, BUT LOOKING AT THE FIVE PROPOSITIONS THAT YOU'RE PUTTING UP, COLISEUM, 105 MILLION TRAILS THAT ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH, ALL THIS STUFF THAT YOU'RE PUTTING OUT AT THE SAME TIME AS THE UMC BOND, IT'S LIKE YOU WANT THE UMC BOND TO FAIL. THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO SEE SIX BONDS, SIX PROPOSITIONS ON THE 20 ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH BALLOT, A, B, C, D, E FROM THE COUNTY AND UMC, AND ONLY THE UMC BOND IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. I'M ADVISING YOU TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN, WHO'S PROPOSING A TOTAL ISSUANCE FROM THE COUNTY OF $175 MILLION, WHICH IS THE THRESHOLD FOR NOT RAISING TAXES. THE URGENT STUFF FROM YOUR CEO STICK IT INTO A GEO, PUT IT ON THIS BALLOT AND ALL THE TOYS AND CANDY AND ALL THAT STUFF. SOME OF IT, YOU KNOW, IS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. I GET IT. BUT A LOT OF IT, LET'S NOT BE DISINGENUOUS, IS A WISH LIST, AND IT CAN WAIT. AT THE UNIFORM ELECTION IN MAY, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO STEP IN AND ASK FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WE DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO WAIT A COUPLE OF ELECTION CYCLES BEFORE YOU COME BACK TO THE VOTERS.

HOPEFULLY RETIRING SOME DEBT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE, BUT LOOK, 175 MILLION, THAT WOULD BE ONE BOND PROPOSITION FROM THE COUNTY NEXT TO THE THREE, 96.6 MILLION THAT THE UMC

[04:55:01]

IS VERY LEGITIMATELY ASKING FOR. THAT'S WHAT SHOULD APPEAR ON THE BALLOT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU, DOCTOR GUZMAN. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC COMMENT. HEARING NONE. PLEASE, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

THERE ARE THERE ARE TWO ITEMS TEN B AND WE WOULD ASK FOR THE COURT TO, AS YOU CONSIDER ANY, ANY MOTIONS THAT YOU TAKE THOSE ITEMS SEPARATELY, EVEN THOUGH THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN READ INTO THE RECORD TOGETHER. THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO ADOPT THE PROJECT LIST FIRST AND THEN, THE IF OUR MULTIMEDIA TEAM CAN GET UP THE SECOND POWERPOINT, THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THE, BOND ORDER WILL COME UP ON THE SCREEN. BUT IN FACT, THE MAYOR IS VERY MUCH LANGUAGE THAT THE COURT CONSIDERED PREVIOUSLY TODAY WITH RESPECT TO THE UMC BOND ORDER TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, WHICH ORDERS THE ELECTION TO BE HELD, AND TO RESOLVE ALL THE MATTERS RELATED THERETO, THIS WOULD BE THE RECOMMENDED, MOTION AND ACTION FOR ITEM TEN C BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE VOTING ON TEN. RIGHT NOW WOULD BE TEN B, WHICH IS THE PROJECT LIST. JUST THE PROJECT TEN B. YES JUDGE, BEFORE WE BEFORE WE VOTE, WE VOTE. YEAH. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY IF ANYBODY WANTS TO DO ANY DISCUSSION, BUT SINCE I'M THE NEWBIE, I'LL GO LAST. IF, IF SOMEBODY ELSE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I DO, I ACCEPT IT. BUT BUT I'LL, I'LL DEFER TO THE SENIORITY ON THE COURT. NOBODY. NO GO. GO AHEAD. WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M BEING THE NEW ONE IN THE COURT. I WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL AND LET OTHERS SPEAK FIRST. I HAVE SOME SOME THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY, BUT, I'M. I'M CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR YOUR PLAN. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THAT THAT THAT, MR. GROSSMAN IS TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW IF THE COURT AS A WHOLE HAS HAS HEARD YOUR PLAN FROM FROM YOUR FROM YOUR MOUTH. SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON WHAT WHAT? SO THIS IS SOMETHING. OH. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD. NO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'VE MENTIONED DURING SEVERAL MEETINGS, UNFORTUNATELY, IT DIDN'T EVER APPEAR TO HAVE INTERESTED ANYONE ELSE, BUT MY, COMMENTS THAT I'VE MADE THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE PROCESS IS THAT I REALLY WANTED THE COUNTY TO LIMIT OURSELVES TO A DEBT ISSUANCE THAT WOULD NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE. THAT NUMBER HAS FLUCTUATED. ORIGINALLY IT WAS 150 MILLION, AND THEN IT WENT UP TO 195 MILLION. NOW THE FINAL NUMBER IS 175 MILLION. SO ISSUING DEBT IN THAT AMOUNT WILL NOT AFFECT THE TAX RATE. SO AT SEVERAL MEETINGS I'VE ASKED WHY WE'RE NOT DOING THAT LIMITING LIMITING OURSELVES TO THE 175.

WE KNOW THAT THE ADDITIONAL 325 WILL IMPACT THE TAX RATE. THAT'S THE $0.03 EXTRA THAT JOSE JUST MENTIONED, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, LIMITING OURSELVES TO THE 175 IS, WELL, EVER SINCE I CAME ONTO THE COURT THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, MY MEMORIES OF ALL OF THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD AT THAT TIME WAS THAT WE ALL FELT WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE COUNTY WAS IN SUCH A GOOD FINANCIAL PLACE THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE PAYING OFF OLD DEBT SO THAT WE COULD ISSUE NEW DEBT FOR IMPORTANT PROJECTS THAT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE TAX RATE. I MEAN, I REMEMBER THOSE DISCUSSIONS VERY CLEARLY. WE WERE ALWAYS SO HAPPY THAT WE WOULDN'T AFFECT THE TAX RATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THIS THIS PROCESS STARTED, IT SEEMS THAT WHAT BECAME MOST IMPORTANT FROM MY OBSERVATION WAS NOT EXCEEDING OUR DEBT CAPACITY SO THAT OUR BOND RATING WOULDN'T BE AFFECTED. AND THAT'S WHERE THIS $500 MILLION FIGURE CAME UP FRO, SO I'VE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MENTIONED THAT I FELT THE MORE PRUDENT THING WOULD BE, WOULD BE TO LIMIT OUR ISSUANCES, WHETHER WE DO HAVE SOME CRITICAL PROJECTS THAT REALLY SHOULD BE A CO, AND WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THOSE ARE, AND THEN THE REMAINING PROJECTS PUT THEM ON A GEO OR PUT THEM ALL OUT TO THE VOTERS. FRANKLY, BUT I'VE ALWAYS FELT AND I'VE MADE MY FEELINGS CLEAR, THAT WE SHOULD LIMIT AN ISSUANCE TO 175 MILLION, BECAUSE THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT WILL NOT IMPACT THE TAX RATE. I'VE SAID MULTIPLE TIMES THAT I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT WE ARE ASKING THE CITIZENS OF EL PASO TO CHOOSE BETWEEN INCREASING THEIR OWN TAXES AND GETTING BETTER PARKS AND FACILITIES. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS WITHOUT HAVING TO FORCE THEM TO VOTE, TO INCREASE THEIR TAXES AND I'VE SAID THAT MULTIPLE TIMES, IT WASN'T EVER A FORMAL PLAN BECAUSE HONESTLY, I NEVER I NEVER RECEIVED THE IMPRESSION THAT ANYONE ELSE WAS INTERESTED IN TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO LIMIT OUR DEBT ISSUANCE TO THE 175 MILLION THAT WOULDN'T IMPACT THE

[05:00:03]

TAX RATE. COMMISSIONER LEON. IN LOOKING AT ALL THIS AND ALSO, I AGREE WITH YOU, JUDGE, THAT THE BOIC DID A TREMENDOUS JOB AND WE HAD, OVER 12 MEETINGS THAT THAT THROUGHOUT THE, THE COUNTY. AND I WOULD HEAR OVER AND OVER THAT SOME, SOME OF THE FOLKS WOULD SAY, I LIKE THEM ALL. SOME WOULD SAY, I LIKE THIS ONE. I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THIS ONE. BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A DISCUSSION ON WHAT THEY WOULD VOTE FOR, WHAT THEY WOULD NOT, OR THEY WOULD VOTE FOR ALL OR, BUT MY FEELING IS THAT WE GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OUR PUBLIC TO MAKE THIS DECISION. I KNOW THAT MAX GROSSMAN PUT OUT SOMETHING THAT SAYS COUNTY TO VOTE TOMORROW ON AUTHORIZING X AMOUNT OF, OF BONDS. EL PASO COUNTY SHOPPING BINGE AND THE THEY SENT ME A LITTLE VIDEO, A LITTLE, PICTURE.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING ON A SHOPPING BINGE BINGE. WE'RE SIMPLY PROVIDING THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON THIS. IF THEY IF THEY LIKE WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING, GREAT. IF THEY DON'T, THEN THEY VOTE AGAINST IT. BUT I THINK THAT WE ARE MANDATED TO AT LEAST TELL THEM THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. YES, WE CAN'T BUY EVERYTHING WE NEED ON THE CEOS. WE JUST CAN'T, THERE'S THINGS THAT THAT WE JUST CAN'T STAND STILL AND HAVE NO IMPROVEMENTS. SO THIS IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS TOLD US OVER AND OVER AND OVER. SO WE'RE PUTTING IT OUT TO, TO A VOTE TO SEE IF THEY, IN FACT, WANT THOSE. I MEAN, EVERYTHING FROM WATER ISSUES TO MODERNIZING THE COLISEUM, WHERE WE HAVE SO MANY, SO MUCH HISTORY AND POSSIBLY NEW AND BETTER. ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES FACILITY THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE. BUT I THINK IT'S SO I AGREE WITH YOU. IT'D BE NICE IF WE COULD JUST STICK TO THOSE HEELS, BUT THERE'S SO MUCH NEED THAT EVEN THE PUBLIC HAS TOLD US. AND I THINK IT'S THE EASIEST THING THAT WE CAN DO IS LET THEM CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT. IT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT. IT'S WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS ASKED US TO PUT ON THE BALLOT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STONE. GO AHEAD NOW. I'LL GO LAST, THANKS, JUDGE, SO I'VE GOT, A NUMBER OF NUMBER OF COMMENTS AND, AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK, FIRST OF ALL, OUR STAFF AND, AND EVERYBODY WHO HAD INVOLVEMENT IN, BRINGING US TO, TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY, I APPRECIATE THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT THAT WAS PROVIDED BY, MR. LANDEROS. AND AND THE WORK THAT SO MANY OF US HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST TEN, TEN YEARS OR SO, TO, TO BRING US TO THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, WHICH I, AS HE SAID, THE CREATION OF OUR ADMINISTRATION, THE CREATION OF OUR BUDGET TEAM, THE WORK THAT WE, WE'VE DONE WITH OUR WITH OUR, FINANCIAL ADVISORS TO, PAY THINGS OFF EARLY AND WORK TO, TO BRING US TO THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, I THINK ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTES THAT THAT THAT I'VE TAKEN SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE IN MY, NINE YEARS, ALMOST TEN YEARS ON, ON, ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND IT'S NOT AN ISSUE THAT, THAT I TAKE LIGHTLY. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S ON A WHIM. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING AND YEARS IN PREPARATION, YOU KNOW, I, I THINK WE, DID, PUBLIC OUTREACH. WE WERE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH. I THINK WE'VE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN, PART OF THIS PROCESS, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS THAT WE HAD, I THINK, 20, 24 MEETINGS, YOU KNOW, SIX IN EACH COMMISSIONER'S COURT, ALL THE POP UP MEETINGS, ALL THE MEETINGS, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, DISCUSSIONS THAT WE'VE HAD, AMONGST OURSELVES, THE FOCUS GROUPS, THE SURVEYS, TO OUR MEDIA PARTNERS. THANK YOU AS WELL FOR, COMING ALONG WITH US ON THIS, ON THIS JOURNEY AND HELPING US TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, ABOUT WHAT WE'RE WE'RE LOOKING TO DO HERE. YOU KNOW, THE ALL OF THE PUBLIC INPUT THAT CAME ABOUT WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PARKS MASTER PLAN WE DID THAT WAS A VERY PUBLICLY, YOU KNOW, LED

[05:05:03]

PROCESS. AND WE DID FOCUS GROUPS AND INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ASKING THEM THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT HOW THEY FELT THE COUNTY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR PARKS, WITH SAME THING WITH I THINK WITH THE COLISEUM, YOU KNOW, AND, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE, ALL OF THE OTHER OTHER PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I, I LOOK AT THIS LIST AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THIS IS PEOPLE'S QUALITY OF LIF, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD, THE DECISION ON THE, ON THE UMC BOND, AND WE AND WE JUST, VOTED LAST WEEK ON, ON UMMC'S. TAX RATE AND, AND THEIR BUDGET. AND I LOOK AT AND I LOOK AT THIS LIST AND I AND OF, OF, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE GO AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS, I THINK, A SHOWING OF OUR OF OUR VALUES AND, IT'S IT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH THE HOSPITALS, NOT NOT ONLY ARE WE TRYING TO PROVIDE HIGH LEVEL OF SERVICE WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE'S HEALTH CARE, BUT WE'RE ALSO ASKING PEOPLE TO INVEST IN, IN THEMSELVES AND IN THE PREVENTIVE SIDE OF HEALTH CARE. YOU LOOK AT YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THESE INVESTMENTS IN OUR PARKS, YOU KNOW, SCOTT AT THE PARK AND GALLEGOS PARK AND VETERANS PARK, SPARKS, COYOTE, SPARKS. RISINGER, RUBEN, ESTRELLA, AGUA DULCE, ALL OF THESE PARKS IMPROVEMENTS, YOU KNOW, WE CANNOT EXPECT TO HAVE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IF WE DON'T PROVIDE THEM, THE SPACE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE OUTSIDE TO EXERCISE, TO, HAVE THAT QUALITY OF LIFE THAT THAT COMES WITH, WITH THESE PARKS. SAN FELIPE, WESTWAY, THE SPORTS PARK AGAIN, ASCARATE PARK, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THESE ARE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THAT ARE GOING TO HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE, WHITTLE DOWN AT THAT ISSUE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. SO MANY SO MANY TIMES WHEN IT COMES TO HOW HEALTHY OUR COMMUNITY IS, YOU KNOW, COVID WAS A WAS A STARK, I THINK A HUGE INDICATOR AND HIGHLIGHTED, YOU KNOW, WHY WE NEED TO MAKE FURTHER INVESTMENTS IN THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE LOST SO MANY PEOPLE, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY HAD PREEXISTING CONDITIONS. PREVENTABLE HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT MANY TIMES HAVE TO DO WITH EXERCISE AND DIETS AND, YOU KNOW, WE CANNOT CHANGE THE MENTALITY OVERNIGHT. BUT IF WE IF WE INVEST IN THESE, IN THESE ITEMS AND, PROVIDE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY, I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE GOING DOWN THE ROAD OF HAVING, A MORE HEALTHY COMMUNITY AND A COMMUNITY THAT IF, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A PANDEMIC IN THE FUTURE, WILL BE MUCH, MUCH BETTER OFF.

YOU KNOW, I, I THINK THAT WE, WE SHOULD SUPPORT THIS, THIS GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ISSUANCE. WE ARE ASKING THE VOTERS TO MAKE THIS DECISION. IT IS IT IS ON THE VOTERS. AND WHEN IT COMES TO THE CEO, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT A LOT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE, ON THE, ON THE LIST, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS THERE THAT ALSO WOULD, WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE MAJORITY OF THOSE PROJECTS HAVE TO DO WITH THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER AND, AND, PROJECTS THAT HELP THIS COUNTY PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES AND, AND KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN AND KEEP US FROM, FROM HAVING ISSUES WITH, WITH THE PROVISION OF SERVICES, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY COGNIZANT OF, THE, THE IMPORTANCE OF, OF WHAT WE'RE WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. I KNOW THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT, TO, TO MAKE THIS DECISION, BUT AGAIN, ANOTHER ARGUMENT THAT'S BEEN MADE THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE AGAIN, I THINK IS, THE FURTHER WE KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, THE MORE EXPENSIVE IT IS GOING TO BE FOR OUR TAXPAYERS. WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE. WE HAVE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT AS WELL.

INFLATION AND CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND LABOR COSTS CONTINUE TO RIS. AND EVERY YEAR THAT WE THAT WE,

[05:10:06]

KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD MEANS MORE COST FOR, FOR OUR TAXPAYERS. AND, AND I, YOU KNOW, I WOULD HAVE, LOVED TO SEE A PROPOSAL, FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT. WHO HAD OTHER IDEAS ON HOW WE COULD HAVE FUNDED THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WE DON'T HAVE CASH RESERVES ON HAND TO PAY FOR A LOT OF THESE THINGS. THIS IS WHY WE USE BONDS. THIS IS WHY WE BORROW MONEY TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE COSTS OF THESE THINGS. WE, YOU KNOW, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THE COLISEUM FALL APART. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET ASCARATE PARK. AFTER ALL THE YEARS THAT WE'VE PUT FUNDS INTO THAT, THAT FACILITY. TO GO BACK INTO DECADENCE AND FALL BEHIND, THESE OTHER PARKS THAT YOU KNOW, NEED A HUGE INVESTMENT. YOU KNOW, THE CORBIN ZAMBRANO CENTER, WHICH HAS BEEN A VERY PUBLICLY LED PROCESS AS WELL, IS SOMETHING THAT I'M VERY PROUD OF. AND, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE IN THAT DISTRICT DESERVE SOME, INVESTMENT WITH, YOU KNOW, THERE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HARP ON QUITE A BIT WHEN IT COMES TO MY DISTRICT AND THE SPENDING THAT OCCURS IN PRECINCT TWO. YOU KNOW, THESE THESE, YOU KNOW, THESE THESE PROJECTS ARE NOT, IN MY OPINION, WASTEFUL. THEY'RE NOT. WE'RE NOT HERE MAKING OTHER PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, MILLIONAIRES RICH OR OR, YOU KNOW, PRIVATE ENTITIES. WE'RE WE'RE HERE TRYING TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, AND PLANT THAT SEED. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I, I DEFINITELY AM GOING TO BE SUPPORTING THE LIST OF HERE ON THE GOES. I THINK THAT OUR PUBLIC DESERVES TO VOTE ON IT. AND THEY'LL TELL US WHETHER OR NOT THEY THEY'D LIKE TO SEE THAT THOSE EXPENDITURES, AND I'LL RESERVE ANY FURTHER COMMENTS TO, TO TILL AFTER EVERYBODY ELSE HAS, HAS HAD A CHANCE. BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES, FOR THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE ON THIS, IT'S A GREAT MOMENT, IN MY OPINION, IN THE HISTORY OF EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER. JUDGE. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER, AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON ON YOUR POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE 175 MILLION PROPOSAL FOR THE CEOS, ARE YOU SAYING THAT YOU YOU WOULD RATHER THOSE BE AS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, I JUST DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY WE COULDN'T SEND THE ENTIRE, CLOSE TO 500 MILLION THAT THIS COURT IS CONSIDERING ISSUING IN A BOND ISSUANCE. I DON'T SEE WHY WE COULDN'T HAVE JUST SENT IT ALL TO THE VOTERS.

AND I ASKED THIS QUESTION A COUPLE OF MEETINGS AGO ON WHY WE WERE SPLITTING IT UP WITH CEOS VERSUS GEOS, WHEN WE CLEARLY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT. I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY. SO I HAVE ASKED WHY IT IS THAT WE COULDN'T HAVE JUST PLACED IT. BUT AGAIN, THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE AN APPETITE FOR DOING THAT. SO YOU'RE OKAY WITH SENDING OUT THE 325,000,000IN GOES TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE 175 IF WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY TO PAY FOR A DEBT ISSUANCE THAT SUBSTANTIAL, THEN YES, I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE A SAY. I THINK THEY SHOULD MAKE THE ULTIMATE DECISION. THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO ULTIMATELY PAY FOR IT. IN MY MIND, CEOS ARE FOR TRULY EMERGENCY EXPENSES WHEN WE REALLY DON'T HAVE TIME TO PUT THEM OUT FOR THE BALLOT. WE DID THAT WHEN WE ADOPTED THE TAX NOTES LAST YEAR. WE HAD THE ROOF FAILING AT JPD. WE HAD THE SECURITY SYSTEM AT THE JAIL.

THAT'S WHY WE ISSUED THOSE TAX NOTES. THAT'S WHY WE ISSUED THE SOME OF THOSE CEOS, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. AND THEY WERE TRULY EMERGENCY SITUATIONS HERE. WE CLEARLY HAVE TIME TO GET IT PLACED ON THE BALLOT. AND THAT'S WHY I ASKED IF THAT WASN'T STILL POSSIBLE. AND JOSE ANSWERED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE. BUT HONESTLY, THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE ANY APPETITE TO DO THAT. OKAY, SO YOU'RE OKAY WITH SENDING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT FOR GEOS? I WOULD, TIRE 500 MILLION. I WOULD, YES. OKAY. WELL, THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE THINGS ARE REALLY THINGS THAT ARE NOT THINGS THAT WE ARE, YOU KNOW, COMING THAT'S COMING OUT OF OUR DECISION. A LOT OF THESE THINGS ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE. LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, ON THE ON THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION, WE HAVE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE EXPANSION. LAST TIME I SAW JUSTICE SECURITY LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE ENTIRE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND INDIGENT HEALTH CARE IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. AND I'M NOT DISAGREEING WITH THAT. I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF THERE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE TRUE EMERGENCIES, WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT PUTTING THOSE ON A GEO. BUT OTHERWISE, THE MORE OF A

[05:15:08]

VOICE THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE ON DEBT ISSUANCES OF THIS MAGNITUDE, IN MY EYES, THE BETTER. SO YOU'RE OKAY WITH TAKING THE PROJECTS ON THE CEO LIST THAT ARE IN YOUR CONSTITUENTS PRECINCT AND TO THE GEOS? YES, YES. I MEAN, A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT MY CONSTITUENTS ARE ALREADY IN THE GEOS. YEAH. AND THAT MIGHT BE GREAT FOR YOU AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS. BUT MY CONSTITUENTS DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY. THEY WANT, YOU KNOW, IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, VOTED THAT THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR THEM WAS WATER AND WASTEWATER ISSUES, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. AND I THINK FOR MOST OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND, AND TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ABOUT A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS IN JUST WATER, WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER ISSUES. HOW DO YOU PROPOSE WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT OUT OF OUR MO AND OVER THE NEXT TIME, TEN YEARS, THESE ARE NOT SOLUTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO COME OVERNIGHT. WE HAVE HAD TREMENDOUS SUCCESS AS A COUNTY GETTING GRANT FUNDING FOR A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS. IF WE CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT, LIKE YOU SAID SO YOURSELF, THE FOCUS GROUPS SAID THAT WATER AND WASTEWATER WERE A BIG PRIORITY. PEOPLE WANT TO FUND THOSE, SO WHY WOULDN'T WE PUT IT IN A GEO IF WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WANT TO FUND THEM, WE KNOW THAT THEY DO.

OUR CONSULTANTS TOLD US THAT, SO WE SHOULD PUT IT IN A GEO WELL. BUT THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE ARE THAT WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO OBTAIN FUNDING FOR AND MAKE BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE'RE NEVER GOING TO STOP. WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIX ALL OF THESE ISSUES. THIS IS CONTINUOUS. THESE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO FACE COURTS FOR GENERATIONS. SO THE AMOUNT OF THE ISSUANCE THAT WE'RE MAKING NOW ISN'T GOING TO FIX EVERYTHING. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON AS TIME GOES BY. NO, I UNDERSTAND, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DO UNDER OUR CURRENT AVAILABILITY. THAT'S WHAT WE CAN DO. AND I THINK WE OWE IT TO THE CONSTITUENTS TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN THOSE PRIORITIES ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR THEM.

AND WE'RE A BILLION AND A HALF SHORT OF DOING ALL THE WATER, WASTEWATER AND STORMWATER ISSUES. SO WHY WOULDN'T WE LET THEM VOTE ON IT? A BILLION AND A HALF? NO, ON EVERYTHING ON THE CO. WHY WOULDN'T WE LET THEM? BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO, LIKE LIKE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER. AND IF WE DON'T DO THAT, AND FOR SOME REASON, THE STATE DECIDES THAT NOW THEY'RE GOING TO PUT 18 YEAR OLDS IN OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HOLD THEM. AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO SHIP THEM OUT, AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY, YOU KNOW, TWICE AS MUCH FOR HOLDING THEM. EXAMPLE OF A PROJECT THAT MAY VERY WELL BE AN EMERGENCY. I MEAN, WE'VE APPROVED COES AND TAX NOTES FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER IN THE PAST BECAUSE THOSE ARE EMERGENCIES. BUT THE REMODELING OF THE COURTHOUSE, IN MY MIND, THAT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO THINK OF. AND WE NEED TO PLAN FOR. BUT IN MY MIND, THAT IS NOT AN EMERGENCY. WELL, YOU KNOW, I AND I, YOU KNOW, I RESPECT YOUR POSITION, BUT FRANKLY, THE STATE DOESN'T TELL US ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY WILL YOU DO THESE SERVICES. THEY DON'T TELL US THAT THEY THE DEFINITION OF CO WILL DO X, Y AND Z STRUCTURE.

EXCUSE ME. THE DEFINITION OF A CO IS FOR ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE. IN MY MIND I FEEL THAT THAT MEANS WHEN THERE'S AN EMERGENCY AND WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO CALL AN ELECTION. I DISAGREE BECAUSE THAT'S ONLY GOING TO COST US MORE, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY, FOR EXAMPLE, IN OUR JAIL, IF WE DON'T HAVE CAPACITY TO BUILD A JAIL, WE DON'T THAT CAPACITY FOR THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER. IT'S GOING TO COST US WAY MORE. AND I THINK THAT'S NOT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY. SO, HEY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MORE BECAUSE THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO THIS, NOT BECAUSE WE WANT YOU TO DO IT, BECAUSE THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO IT. OKAY BUT THERE ARE THINGS ON THE LIST THAT THE STATE IS NOT REQUIRING US TO DO. AND THAT ARGUMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP PAYING MORE ONLY WORKS IF WE AGREE THAT EVERY SINGLE PROJECT ON THE LIST IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND HAS TO BE DONE. WE HEARD THAT THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER SOME OF THE COURTHOUSE REMODELING PROJECTS WERE EVEN NECESSARY, THE PERSON WHO MAY BE OUR NEXT DA QUESTIONED WHETHER OR NOT THE REMODELING OF THE SECOND FLOOR WAS NECESSARY. SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE CAN SAY THAT EVERY SINGLE PROJECT ON THE SEO LIST IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. AND ABSOLUTELY HAS TO GET DONE OTHERWISE, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT ARGUMENT WORKS. IF IT WE'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT EVENTUALLY, BECAUSE THAT ASSUMES THAT IT HAS TO ABSOLUTELY BE DONE. AND WE'VE GOT EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS ON THESE LISTS WHERE THAT'S NOT THE CASE. YEAH. WELL, YOU KNOW, I RESPECT YOUR POSITION, BUT I DISAGREE. I THINK THE SHERIFF DOWNTOWN JAIL CABLING IS ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY. THE COURTHOUSE AND I WOULD CABLING INFRASTRUCTURE IS ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY. NOW, YOU KNOW THE

[05:20:01]

JAIL ANNEX SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM UPGRADE. I THINK THAT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. NOW, THE EAST SIDE ANNEX BUILDING ADDITION, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR POSITION ON THAT, BUT FOR EXAMPLE, THE YSLETA ANNEX BUILDING EAST AND LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, THE EAST SIDE ANNEX.

BETSY, HOW DID WE BUILD THE ALL THE ANNEXES TO THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM? WITH WHAT KIND OF FUNDS? I BELIEVE WE USE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION. CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION? WHY COULDN'T WE HAVE DONE THEM WITH NO. WHY WE DON'T HAVE CAPACITY, SIR. AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE DO IT THROUGH THE MA'AM. I'M NOT SURE WHY. THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE MENTIONING. I MEAN, MY POINT IS THAT I THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE BIT MORE AT A TIME, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DO SO MUCH ALL AT ONCE. WE ARE, IN EFFECT, MAXING OUT OUR CAPACITY, WHICH LEAVES US VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR EMERGENCIES, UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCIES IN THE FUTURE THAT WE MAY HAVE TO ISSUE A COE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. WE ARE MAXING OURSELVES OUT BY DOING THE GEO AND THE COE. WELL I WAS SIMPLY PROPOSING WANTING TO DO THINGS ON A SMALLER SCALE, SMALLER AMOUNTS, AVOIDING IMPACTING THE TAX RATE, AND AVOIDING MAXING OURSELVES OUT. SO I'M NOT ARGUING WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER, ABOUT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS. I AGREE WITH YOU. SOME OF THEM MAY VERY WELL BE EMERGENCIES THAT SHOULD BE FUNDED BY A COE, BUT WE NEVER GOT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION BECAUSE THIS COURT SEEMED TO INDICATE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING THAT IT WAS PERFECTLY HAPPY WITH ISSUING THE 500 MILLION WORTH OF DEBT. WELL, BUT BUT JUST I'VE GOT TO I GOT TO I KNOW I'LL DEFER TO YOU IN A MINUTE, COMMISSIONER, BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THAT IS NOT OUR MAXIMUM. THAT'S THE MAXIMUM THAT THE STAFF IS PROPOSING. SO. NO, I BEG TO DIFFER. THAT'S WHAT THE MAXIMUM THAT THE STAFF AND OUR, OUR COUNCIL IS PROPOSING THAT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR BOND RATING.

CORRECT THAT'S OUR MOST THE MAXIMUM RESPONSIBLE. YES. SO THAT IT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR BOND RATING TO BE CLEAR, IT'S NOT OUR MAXIMUM. YOU'LL AGREE WITH THAT UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE IRRESPONSIBLE WITH THE BOND RATING. WELL, NO, I'M JUST SAYING BECAUSE YOU SAID MAXIMUM.

WELL, MAXIMUM AMOUNT RESPONSIBLE BY STAFF. SO THAT IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE BOND RATING. THE MAXIMUM RESPONSIBLE AMOUNT SO THAT IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE BOND RATING. YES. YES. OKAY NOW WE'RE CLEAR BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A HIGHER MAXIMUM. AND IF FOR EXAMPLE, DOWN THE ROAD WE HAVE ISSUES OF SUPER EMERGENCY THAT WE DON'T, WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE CAPACITY FOR THAT, BUT IT WILL AFFECT OUR BOND RATING. WELL, MAYBE MAYBE NOT NEXT YEAR. WHO KNOWS? WHO KNOWS? WHO KNOWS? THEIR CAPACITY COULD CHANGE. STAFF COUNSEL. WHERE'S OUR BOND COUNSEL AND OUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. AND NANCY ROCHELLE WITH STIFEL IS HERE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THAT, WITH REGARD TO OUR WHAT WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT GO INTO OUR BOND RATING, BUT, COMMISSIONER, WHAT YOUR POINT IS, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE WHAT THE POINT YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE IS THE 500 MILLION IS THE RECOMMENDED CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN OUR BOND RATING, TO GET THE LOWEST POTENTIAL INTEREST RATES.

THAT'S RIGHT. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THE COUNTY COULD ISSUE MORE, BUT THE RISK OF DOING THAT WOULD BE IT WOULD HURT OUR BOND RATING AND MAKE US PAY HIGHER INTEREST RATES. IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT KNOW THAT WE MAY PAY A HIGHER INTEREST RATE FOR THAT EMERGENCY REPAIR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

EXACTLY. AND JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, IF I MIGHT, A COUPLE OF THINGS TO CLARIFY EARLIER, COMMISSIONER, YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE INTEREST RATE, THE ORDER ALLOWS US TO GO UP TO 6.5%, BUT ALL THESE MODELS WERE DEVELOPED ON 4.23%. ASSUMING THAT INTEREST RATE, ALSO LATE LAST WEEK, WE'VE NOT SHARED THIS INFORMATION YET WITH, WITH THE COURT. IT CAME IN AT THE END OF THE WEEK, THE COUNTY'S BOND RATING FROM FITCH HAS ACTUALLY BEEN UPGRADED FROM DOUBLE A TO DOUBLE A+, CITING A LOT OF OUR RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL PRACTICES IN PLACE. HOW THAT PLAYS IN HERE IS THAT POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, OUR BOND RATING IS EFFECTIVELY THE CAPITAL MARKETS VIEWPOINT ON OUR OUR FINANCIAL STATUS AS AN ORGANIZATION. AND SO AN UPGRADE IS SIMILAR TO OUR INDIVIDUAL CREDIT SCORES. WHEN IT GOES UP, IT'S A GOOD THING ALLOWS YOU TO SECURE LOWER INTEREST LOANS AND BORROW MONEY AT A AT A LOWER COST. AND SO WE ANTICIPATE THAT HAVING SOME IMPACT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH WITH ANY DEBT, WHETHER IT BE TAX NOTES TO THE GEO BONDS, WHATEVER THAT CASE MAY BE, I THINK IT'S A GOOD STEP, BUT I'LL TURN IT OVER TO MISS ROCHELLE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE STIEFEL RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF $500 MILLION AS IT RELATES TO BEING THE CAP FOR NOT AFFECTING OUR BOND RATING AND WHAT OUR MAXIMUM CAPACITY WOULD BE THEREAFTER. COMMISSIONERS NANCY ROCCA WITH STEVE FOR YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, SO JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY ON THE UPGRADE OR THE RATING PROCESS. SO THE RATING AGENCIES ARE AN

[05:25:03]

INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY WHO REALLY IS THEIR JOB IS TO LOOK AT DATA, LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL HEALTH AND OPERATIONS OF ANY ENTITY THAT HAS ISSUED BONDS. SO THEY COULD GIVE A CLEAR, UNBIASED PICTURE TO THE BOND HOLDERS, TO THE BOND HOLDING COMMUNITY, THEY, AS WAS MENTIONED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, FITCH RATINGS HAD UPGRADED, HAD, MADE SOME CHANGES TO THEIR CRITERIA. THEY ASSESSED THE COUNTY, I BELIEVE IT WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO, A MAYBE A MONTH AGO. AND THEY TOOK A LOOK AT HISTORICAL ANALYSIS. THEY ALWAYS TAKE, A VERY, VERY AMPLE VIEW OF THE COUNTY'S OPERATIONS. THE REVENUES, THEIR EXPENDITURES, THEIR, PLANS TO ISSUE BONDS, THEIR CURRENT DEBT, THE ALSO THE DEBT IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS, THAT THAT TAX HOLDERS HAVE TO, OR SORRY, TAXPAYERS, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THAT IN COMBINATION, THE RATING AGENCIES BASICALLY MAKE AN ASSESSMENT, ABOUT YOUR HEALTH, ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL PROFILE, YOUR INHERENT FLEXIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO EXPENDITURES, REVENUES, DEBT CAPACITY. AND, AND WE WERE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE RATING CAME BACK, AS AN UPGRADE. SO THAT IS A MESSAGE TO THE INVESTOR COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW THE COUNTY HAS BEEN MANAGING THEIR FINANCES. AND THAT BASICALLY SAYS FOR THE PUBLIC OUT THERE THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET A BETTER INTEREST RATE, THAT USUALLY WHAT IT MEANS WHEN YOU HAVE A HIGHER RATING, JUST LIKE A CREDIT SCORE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, A 708 HUNDRED IS USUALLY, TRANSLATED INTO A LOWER COST OF CAPITAL. THANK YO.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WERE THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE KO LIST THAT DIDN'T END UP ON THE GEO LIST? FOR EXAMPLE, THE OVERLAND STAGE BRIDGE AND MAYBE THE DALVA CROSSING. HOW MUCH HAVE WE SPENT ON THE OVERLAND STAGE BRIDGE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE OF THE GETTING WASHED OUT? JOSE, DO YOU REMEMBER THAT FIGURE? I DON'T RECALL THE FIGURE. I DO REMEMBER THAT MR. HERNANDEZ AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES, HAD PRESENTED THAT THE ROAD HAD WASHED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, I BELIEVE AT LEAST A HANDFUL OF TIMES WITHIN A PERIOD OF 2 TO 3 YEARS. I'M NOT SURE IF MISS PALACIOS OR MR. HERNANDEZ, IF HE'S ON TEAMS, MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT TO THE MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP WITH, OR THE OVERLAND STAGE BRIDGE PROJECT OR ANY OF THE ROADS THAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED WASHOUTS IN, IN OUR SERVICE AREA. MY UNDERSTANDING AND I DON'T KNOW IF I MAY BE CORRECTED, BUT IT WAS EIGHT TIMES, EIGHT TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND IT WAS ABOUT $150,000 EVERY TIME THEY HAD TO REPAIR IT, 50,000 150,000 150,000 TIMES EIGHT. WHAT IS THAT? NORMA WELL, I BELIEVE IT WAS SEVEN, ACTUALLY. AND FURNACE SEVEN. ALL RIGHT, I STAND CORRECTED. SEVEN. YEAH, ABOUT $1 MILLION. IT'S ABOUT $1 MILLION.

YES SIR. AND FURNACE ON THE LINE. AND I THINK HE CAN CONFIRM THAT. SO IT WAS WOULD THAT BE RESPONSIBLE THEN FOR US TO FIX THIS SO WE DON'T OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE TO KEEP PAYING THIS MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS JUST TO MAINTAIN THAT LITTLE PART. AND I ACTUALLY DO AGREE WITH YOU THAT I THINK THAT IS A NECESSARY PROJECT. I AGREE THAT IS A NECESSARY PROJECT AND THAT THAT SHOULDN'T BE SENT TO THE GEO. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHY WHY SPEND AN EXTRA MILLION DOLLARS EVERY THREE YEARS WHEN WE CAN FIX IT NOW? I MEAN, THAT'S MONEY WE COULD SAVE TO DO OTHER THINGS, BUT WHY ARE YOU SO OPPOSED TO SENDING IT TO THE PUBLIC? DO YOU THINK THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO APPROVE IT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE? BECAUSE I THINK BECAUSE I THINK IT SAVES MONEY TO THE COUNTY AND THE CONSTITUENTS, PERIOD. I AGREE, AND IF WE EXPLAIN THAT, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH ALL OF OUR GEO PROJECTS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DON'T FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I JUST THINK THAT THAT THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR US. WE WERE VOTED TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS. AND I THINK IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP MORE TIME, BUT I THINK IT'S JUST THE RESPONSIBLE, FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO FOR THESE PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHERE THE STATE REQUIRES US THAT WE PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

AND IF WE DON'T PREPARE FOR THEM, WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING A LOT MORE, NOT ONLY BECAUSE,

[05:30:03]

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO SHIP THESE PEOPLE OUT, BUT ALSO IT'S JUST GOING TO END UP COSTING US A LOT MORE DOWN THE ROAD. I WANT TO, CONTINUE, THOUGH, THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS REALLY A $35 MILLION. WE WERE PUT IN THE HOLE FOR SOME OF THESE STATE MANDATED SERVICES OVER THIS LAST BUDGET YEAR. 35. THAT'S APPROXIMATELY $35 MILLION AT THAT RATE. WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THINGS LITTLE AT A TIME WITH WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO. THEY KEEP PUTTING MORE AND MORE MANDATES ON US, COMMISSIONER STOUT, YOU MENTIONED THAT, YOU KNOW, WE THOUGHT IT WAS 55 TO 60%, BUT BECAUSE OF ALL THE RELATED OTHER COSTS INCIDENTAL TO PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES, IT'S MORE LIKE 70%. SO REALLY, ALL THESE 70% OF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO IS RELATED TO PROVIDING STATE MANDATED SERVICES THAT THEY DON'T GIVE US MONEY. AND SO MY POSITION IS, NOT ONLY WE NEED TO ADVOCATE MORE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE FEDERAL LEVEL, ESPECIALLY ON THESE IMMIGRATION CASES, IS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE RESPONSIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, THAT THESE STATE MANDATES DON'T COST US MORE. THESE ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE ON. I MEAN, I DIDN'T SEE JAIL CABLING AND, AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AS A TOP OF THE ORDER FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS. I DIDN'T SEE THAT AT THE TOP. I DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THESE ISSUES THAT THE, THE COURTHOUSE, THE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM, THE ANNEX OVER IN, COMMISSIONER LEON'S PRECINCT.

THAT DOESN'T HAVE ONE. THEY HAVE MOBILE HOMES BY GOD, I DIDN'T SEE THAT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

SO, JUST TO BE CLEAR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE SAYING THAT WE CAN'T TRUST THE VOTERS TO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT SOME OF THESE PROJECTS ARE. I THINK THAT WE CAN TRUST THE VOTERS WITH THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS THAT ARE PROPOSED. THESE OTHERS WERE THE STATE REQUIRES TO DO IT IF THEY DECIDE TO VOTE, THAT THESE NOT ATTRACTIVE ENOUGH FOR THEM, WE STILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THEM. BUT WE CAN'T TRUST THE VOTERS. WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THEM, CAN WE? SO WE'RE SO YOU'RE SAYING WE CAN'T TRUST THE VOTERS WITH THOSE? I'M JUST SAYING THAT THE STATE REQUIRES US TO DO IT. AND IF THE VOTERS PUT THEM DOWN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY TO PAY FOR THEM. AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD. IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE. BUT WE CAN'T TRUST THE VOTERS TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I SAY THAT WE HAVE TO TRUST THE COURT TO MAKE THOSE HARD DECISIONS, TO SAVE MONEY IN THE FUTURE FOR THE CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE THE STATE'S GOING TO REQUIRE US TO DO THEM ANYWAYS. THESE ISSUES, LIKE PARKS, IF THEY VOTE THEM DOWN, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THEM. THAT'S FINE. THE VOTERS HAVE THAT DECISION, BUT THE JAIL, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE ANNEX, THE COURTHOUSE, ALL THOSE ISSUES, IF THEY VOTE THEM DOWN, GUESS WHAT? WE DON'T HAVE THE CHOICE. WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. ABSOLUTELY. WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. AND I'D RATHER IT COST US LESS THAN MORE. THAT'S MY POSITION. AND YOU'RE FREE TO DISAGREE, I GET IT, THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT, THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL YOU KNOW, VOTED UP HERE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS. BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE HARD DECISIONS WE HAVE TO MAKE. BUT THE STATE PUTS US UNDER THAT PROBLEM. THE STATE PUTS US UNDER THAT PROBLEM. AND I'D RATHER MAKE THE DECISION TO SAVE MONEY FOR THE CONSTITUENTS TO WAIT AND SEE IF THEY DECIDE WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD OR NOT. IT BASICALLY, YOU'RE ASKING THEM, DO YOU WANT THIS TO COST YOU MORE OR LESS? WE SHOULD ASK THAT QUESTION BECAUSE IT'S NOT WHETHER YOU WANT IT OR NOT.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD ASK THE VOTERS FOR, IS WHETHER THEY WANT THESE THINGS OR NOT.

THE ONES WHERE WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO, WHETHER THEY VOTE ON WHETHER OR NOT I THINK THAT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE STATE'S MADE IT OUR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY DON'T TELL US ONLY IF THE VOTERS APPROVE IT. WILL YOU DO THIS? DO THEY? AND THAT MAY BE TRUE FOR SOME OF THE PROJECTS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM. WELL, WE KNOW THAT IT'S NOT STATE MANDATED SERVICES, BUT NOT ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE. WELL, THEY'RE REQUIRED FOR US TO DO THOSE SERVICES. AND THOSE ARE SERVICES THAT ARE ON THE LIST TO THE JAIL, TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. ALL THOSE ISSUES. NOT TOO LONG AGO, YOU WERE IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE ASCARATE SHELTERS TO THE CEO. YOU THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT? YOU WERE IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE ASCARATE THE SHELTERS TO THE CEO. THAT'S A STATE MANDATED, MANDATED SERVICE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE CEO. YOU WERE IN FAVOR OF THAT? YEAH, I WAS IN FAVOR OF THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT'S I THINK IT'S A, SOMETHING THAT I THINK THE COMMUNITY, DESERVES BECAUSE, ONE I THINK THAT PARK HAS BEEN NEGLECTED. IT IS A VERY PROMISING, SITE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. AND I THINK IT DESERVES THAT KIND OF TREATMENT. YES. SO

[05:35:07]

THEN YOU. COS I MEAN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PROJECTS BEING REQUIRED AND THAT AND ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. AND THAT'S WHY THEY HAD TO BE ON THE CEO. YOU'D INCLUDE THE SHELTERS, THE PARK SHELTERS. I DID INCLUDE THE PARK SHELTER. YES, I DID OKAY. AND IT ENDED UP BEING TAKEN OUT. YES.

AND THAT'S THAT WAS THE ONLY PROJECT. AND THE REASON I DID THAT IS WE KIND OF I WANTED TO KIND OF EVEN OUT THE DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN THE GEOS AND THE COS, SO THAT IT. NO, BUT I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE, WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU CONSIDER NECESSARY PROJECTS FOR CEOS. WELL, IT WASN'T AT THE TOP OF MY LIST TO INCLUDE IN THERE, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE CHANGING FROM GOES TO COS I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ONLY FAIR THEN RATHER THAN PUT ONE PROJECT IN THE CEO'S, THAT WAS ONLY FOR ONE PRECINCT THAT WE INCLUDED ONE THAT WAS FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY, THAT WAS MY POSITION. NOT THAT I JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE THAT ONE IN THERE. AND I THINK I MADE IT VERY CLEAR. IS THAT RIGHT, COMMISSIONER STOUT? SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST I JUST THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, THIS THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT TIME, A HAPPY TIME FOR US.

REALLY WE HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO DO THESE THINGS. AND I GET IT. SOME PEOPLE ARE, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE ARE FEELING THE CRUNCH. BUT IF WE DON'T DO THESE THINGS, ESPECIALLY A LOT OF THE ITEMS ON THE CEO LIST, IT'S JUST GOING TO END UP COSTING THE COMMUNITY MORE. AND I WASN'T, YOU KNOW, I WASN'T VOTED IN TO YOU KNOW, JUST PAWN EVERYTHING OFF ON THE CONSTITUENTS. I THINK THERE'S A DECISION. THERE ARE HARD DECISIONS FOR US TO DO. BUT I THINK WE NEED WHEN, YOU KNOW, WHEN THAT PROPOSITION COMES BEFORE US THAT THESE SERVICES, IF, IF WE DON'T DO THEM, THE STATE'S STILL GOING TO REQUIRE US TO DO THEM AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO COST US MORE. I, YOU KNOW, I'LL MAKE THAT HARD DECISION TO DO THAT. ABSOLUTELY. EVERY TIME I WANT TO SAVE THE CONSTITUENTS MONEY, I WILL DO THAT IN MY BEST, IN MY BEST JUDGMENT. I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO NOW. THE GEOS, THIS IS SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I THINK WE SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW, HAPPY TO PUT THESE VOTES, THESE PROJECTS OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. I THINK THIS IS A GREAT TIME. THIS IS AN EMPOWERMENT. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO TELL US WHETHER THEY WANT THESE THINGS OR NOT. AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT LIST. AND WE'VE MADE IT VERY, VERY CONVENIENT THE WAY THAT OUR STAFF AND OUR BOND COMMITTEE HAS PROPOSED THAT WE DO IT INTO FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS, RATHER THAN ONE VOTING FOR JUST ONE ITEM. I THINK WE'VE REALLY MADE IT VERY, VERY, I GUESS AMENABLE AND VERY USER FRIENDLY FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE. THEY DON'T JUST HAVE ONE DECISION, THEY HAVE FIVE DECISIONS TO MAKE. AND YOU KNOW, I TRUST THE VOTERS ON THOSE ISSUES THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT US TO DO IN TERMS OF QUALITY OF LIFE. THE OTHERS, I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO THOSE TO KEEP THE COSTS FROM GOING UP AND TO KEEP FROM US FROM HAVING TO PAY MORE. AND THAT INCLUDES OUR CONSTITUENTS IN THESE MANDATED SERVICES THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT WHETHER WE WANT TO DO THEM OR NOT. WE HAVE TO DO THEM. AND JUST JUST TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE POINTS THAT WAS DONE BY MR. GROSSMAN, HE SAYS THAT WE'RE GOING TO INCREASE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT. WELL, THAT'S NOT CORRECT. NEXT YEAR. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE FULL AMOUNT. THE BUYOUT ON THESE BONDS IS ONLY, I BELIEVE, CLOSE TO ABOUT A THIRD, A LITTLE OVER A THIRD OVER THE NEXT YEAR. IS THAT CORRECT, JOSE? JUST TO BE CLEAR, SO THAT WE'RE CLEAR WITH THE COMMUNITY. CAN YOU REPEAT YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER? YEAH. IF THE COURT DECIDES TO VOTE, IF THE FOUR COURT DECIDES TO VOTE ON THE CEOS AND THE GEOS, HOW MUCH OF THAT IS GOING TO APPEAR IN THE NEXT YEAR? SO IN THE SCHEDULE FOR, FOR YOUR $500 MILLION OF CAPACITY ARE, APPROXIMATELY, 200 IN FISCAL YEAR 25, ANOTHER 227 AND THEN THE FINAL 100 IN 2028. AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS WITH MR. GROSSMAN, CORRECT. IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CENTS THAT THAT'S GOING TO COST THE FULL 500. I DID NOT HEAR THE EXACT FIGURE THAT HE TOLD ME WHAT IT IS THE, THE FULL COST OF THIS DEBT ISSUANCE IS, FOR THE 325 MILLION ALONE IS ABOUT 486 MILLION.

THERE'S A THERE'S ABOUT BRINGING UP MY FILE HERE. THAT'S THAT'S THE MOST IT WILL COST US BECAUSE FOR THE 20 YEAR OR THE 20 YEAR SPECIFICALLY LIMITED TO THE 323.98 GEO OBLIGATION. THOSE BONDS, THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE I. $486,449,750, MEANING THE COUNTY WOULD PAY. APPROXIMATELY

[05:40:13]

$183,339,750 IN INTEREST. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE SENSE THAT WILL INCREASE THE TAX $0.03, $0.03. SO IF IT'S THAT'S THE ENTIRE 500 OR 300, SO THE COUNTY CAN ISSUE 500 BECAUSE 175 WON'T RAISE THE DEBT TAX RATE. THE 325 THAT IT WOULD, WOULD RAISE TAX. THE TAX RATE BY AN ESTIMATED $0.03. OKAY. SO $0.03. AND WE'RE DOING ABOUT OUT OF THE JUST THE GEOS WE'RE DOING WHAT ABOUT A LITTLE OVER A THIRD OF THAT. YES. BUT THE WAY, THE WAY THE ISSUANCES ARE STRUCTURED IS AT $0.03 WOULD BE EXPERIENCED IN FY 26. SO 26. YES. SO THE TIMELINE WOULD BE NOVEMBER FOR THE ELECTION IF VOTERS APPROVE IT, WE'D WORK WITH FINANCIAL ADVISOR BOND COUNSEL AND THE ATTORNEY, THE TEAM TO STRUCTURE THE ISSUANCE FOR THE SPRING OF 25. AND THEN THAT WOULD BE CALCULATED IN YOUR DEBT TAX RATE FOR 2020, FOR FY 26. SO FOR NEXT TAX YEAR, WE WILL IF ALL OF THESE ARE VOTED, WE WILL NOT SEE A TAX INCREASE FROM THE BONDS FOR FY 25. NO. FOR FY 26, IF THE COURT ISSUES THE VOTERS APPROVE THE DEBT, IT WOULD GO UP BY $0.03, RIGHT? SO NO TAX INCREASE NEXT YEAR, NEXT FISCAL IN FY 20 IT WOULDN'T GO UP BY THREE SIX AND 26. IT WOULD GO UP BY A PENNY AND A HALF BECAUSE ONLY 200 WOULD BE WOULD BE WOULD BE GONE OUT FOR IN 26. NO. THE WAY THE WAY THE FINANCE IS STRUCTURED IN WORKING WITH STIFEL TO, TO FRONT LOAD A LOT OF THIS TO GAIN SOME OF THAT ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IN TERMS OF PROJECT FUNDING, THE $0.03 WOULD BE EXPERIENCED IN THE BEGINNING. FROM THE BEGINNING, RIGHT OFF THE BAT, THAT'S STILL 26. THAT'S STILL 26 FY 26 TAX RATE. OKAY I'M SORRY, JOSE, CAN I CONFIRM THE NUMBERS WITH YOU? SO IT'S THE 324 MILLION WITH 183 MILLION OF INTEREST? YES. SO THE TOTAL DEBT SERVICE, HOW IS IT ONLY FOR 86? SHOULDN'T IT BE CLOSER TO 507? RIGHT. 324 PLUS 183. YEAH. I'LL DEFER TO MISS ROCHA WITH STEVE TO EXPLAIN THE NUMBERS. SO WHEN WE ISSUE BONDS, THERE, THERE IS. WE'RE LEAVING ROOM.

WE'RE RUNNING THE NUMBERS BASED OFF ASSUMPTIONS OF WHAT, THE BONDS USUALLY SELL. SO THERE ARE SUCH A THING CALLED, PREMIUM BONDS. AND SO THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SELL LESS BONDS AND GET MORE FOR THE PROJECT FUND. IT'S A LITTLE BIT TECHNICAL, WHICH IS WHY THE MATH DOESN'T, DOESN'T, WHEN YOU'RE DOING THE MATH, IT DOESN'T ADD UP BECAUSE FOR A PROJECT FUND, OF THREE WHAT IS IT? 328 IS THAT 320 2423 SORRY, WE WOULD SELL IT 303 MILLION BECAUSE THE REST OF IT IS WILL COME INTO THE PROJECT FUND AS PREMIUM. SO IT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS, YOU'RE SELLING THE BOND TO A BOND HOLDER FOR WHATEVER I MEAN, THERE'S SOME TECHNICAL REASONS WHY THEY WANT TO BUY A PREMIUM BOND, SO BASICALLY YOU'RE SELLING IT TO THEM FOR MORE THAN THAT, THAN WHAT IT'S WORTH. SO YOU GET ACTUALLY MORE, RETURN MORE. YES, MORE ACTUAL CAPITAL, INTO THE FUND AS OPPOSED TO, THE VALUE THE NOMINAL VALUE OF THE, OF THE BOND. RIGHT. AND AGAIN, THEY COULD DO THAT FOR TAX REASONS. THAT'S WHY THEY BUY PARTICULAR TYPES OF BONDS, PREMIUMS OR DISCOUNTS. AND THAT'S REALLY KIND OF ASSET. INSTITUTIONAL ASSET MANAGERS BUY PREMIUM BONDS ALL THE TIME. AND I KNOW YOU SAID THAT WAS AN ASSUMPTION, BUT WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. YEAH. THE STRUCTURES ARE PRETTY COMMON. WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS INVESTORS LOOKING FOR PREMIUM BONDS, AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT, AGAIN, THERE ARE ASSUMPTIONS BASED OFF OF WHAT HAS SOLD RECENTLY. BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE ACTUAL BOND SALE, SOME OF THOSE, SOME OF THOSE FACTORS WILL WILL MOVE HOPEFULLY IN YOUR DIRECTION. BUT WE TRY TO RUN THE NUMBERS AS CONSERVATIVELY, CONSERVATIVELY AS POSSIBLE TO JUST GIVE A REALISTIC FRAMEWORK. FRAMEWORK FROM WHICH TO START, BUT AGAIN, WE WOULD RATHER SURPRISE YOU WITH BETTER NEWS THAN THAN THAN NOT SO GOOD NEWS. SO WE ALWAYS TRY TO BE CONSERVATIVE IN ALL OF OUR ASSUMPTIONS. JUST HAVE WE'VE DONE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AS WE'VE LAID OUT ASSUMPTIONS FOR TAXES, VALUATIONS, THE PROPERTY VALUATIONS, WE'VE, WE RUN CONSERVATIVE NUMBERS BASED OFF OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES THAT, THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, CURRENTLY THAT WE'RE SEEING. SO WE PAD THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT, THAT WE'RE GETTING A VERY CONSERVATIVE VIEW OF WHAT THAT

[05:45:08]

ISSUANCE WOULD LOOK LIKE. AND HOPEFULLY COME BACK, YOU KNOW, WAY, WAY BETTER. SO IT'S INTEREST RATES, PROPERTY VALUES, NEW PROPERTY COMING ONTO THE TAX ROLLS. YOU'RE ALSO BEING VERY CONSERVATIVE IN IN YOUR PROJECTIONS ON THAT. CORRECT? CORRECT. THE COUNTY HAS EXPERIENCED SOME PRETTY HEALTHY, PROPERTY VALUE INCREASES, BUT WE DON'T WE DON'T USE THAT NUMBER BECAUSE WE LOOK AT LONG TERM, WE WOULD WE WOULD RATHER WORK ON A CONSERVATIVE BASIS. SO IF YOU HAD A 15% INCREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY VALUES, WE DON'T USE THAT 15%. WE USE, YOU KNOW, A REALISTIC AVERAGE. AND THEN WE TAKE EVEN A MORE CONSERVATIVE VIEW ON THAT. SO WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT, WE DON'T WE DON'T OVER PROMISE OR THAT WE CERTAINLY DON'T PROVIDE, FIGURES THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT AGGRESSIVE, WE'D RATHER BE CONSERVATIVE THAN, THAN AGGRESSIVE ON THOSE FIGURES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUST JUST TO SUM UP, I THINK YOU KNOW, I THINK WE OWE IT TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO LET THEM MAKE THESE DECISIONS ON THESE, WHAT THE PROPOSAL IS ON THE LIST OF THESE PROJECTS AND THE GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROPOSAL, YOU KNOW, IT'S WITHIN THEIR PURVIEW. IT'S THEIR DECISION, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK, LIKE WHAT? WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THIS IS WHAT THEY TELL US ARE ON THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR, YOU KNOW, AND WE'VE MADE IT VERY EASY. THE PROPOSAL I WANT TO THANK OUR ADMINISTRATION, OUR BOND COMMITTEE, OUR COUNCIL, JOSE, ALL OF YOU, EVERYBODY INVOLVED. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY GREAT, OPPORTUNITY. AND THE WAY IT'S BEING PRESENTED, I THINK IT'S GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY. THEY'VE GOT FIVE DECISIONS TO MAKE. IT'S VERY, VERY CONVENIENT, VERY EASY. AND, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON SOMETHING THEY DON'T LIKE. THEY YOU KNOW, IT'S FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS, WHATEVER'S AT THE TOP OF THEIR MIND. AND I REALLY THINK THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THERE THAT ARE YOU KNOW, FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY AREA. AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO, I THINK. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID, BUT I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT I WANT TO REINFORCE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT THE ADVISORY BOARD DID VET A LOT OF WHAT WENT INTO THE CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION AND THE GEO. SO IT WASN'T AS IF WE WOULD BE US NOT LISTENING TO THEM AND SAYING, LET'S PUT IT ALL ON THE GEO WHEN THEY SUGGESTED THAT KIND OF BREAKDOW.

SECONDLY, I DO BELIEVE COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THAT THAT THERE'S DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, WE HAVE A VANTAGE POINT. WE GET TO DO THE RESEARCH. WE GET TO LOOK AT THINGS, WE GET TO TALK TO CONSTITUENTS. WE GET TO DO A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT AT THE AT THE, AT THE HANDS OF THE VOTER. AND SO I DON'T KNOW ANY CEO AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND WE TRY TO RUN IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE THAT WOULD SAY, WELL, LET'S SEE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE WANTS, WE WERE VOTED IN TO REALLY MAKE HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, BASED ON, YOU KNOW, HOW WE SAVE MONEY, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A NARROW PERSPECTIVE, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE TAXES IF YOU OPEN THE LENS, THEN YOU LOOK AT OTHER PERSPECTIVES FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE JOB CREATION. YOU HAVE COMPANIES BEING MORE INTERESTED BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO SEE THESE THINGS. I MEAN, WE'RE AT THE FRONT END WHEN COMPANIES WANT TO COME TO EL PASO. YOU SHOULD SEE ALL THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO THEY'RE GOING TO BRING EMPLOYEES FROM FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THEY WANT TO KNOW THE QUALITY OF LIFE. THEY WANT TO KNOW ALL OF THESE THINGS. AND SO IF YOU OPEN THE LENS, IT'S NOT JUST A COST TO THE PROPERTY OWNER AS MUCH AS WHAT ELSE ARE WE DOING TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T CONTINUE AND THAT WE CAN OFFSET? WE NEED COMPANIES TO BE INTERESTED IN EL PASO. WE WANT MORE COMPANIES TO COME IN. THEY ALWAYS ASK ABOUT THIS, THE OTHER THING THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT IS THAT WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT PRESENT THEIR VIEWS QUITE OFTEN TO US THAT CAN AFFORD THESE AMENITIES. THEY AFFORD THESE AMENITIES. THEY CAN GO TAKE TRIPS TO ITALY. THEY CAN DO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO THAT OUR PEOPLE CAN'T DO SOMETIMES. SO IT'S VERY EASY FOR SOMEONE TO SAY, DELAY YOUR AMENITIES BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO

[05:50:05]

INCREASE THE TAXES. BUT WHO'S TAKING CARE OF THOSE? YOU KNOW, WHO'S TAKING CARE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAN'T HAVE THE THINGS THAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS? SO IT'S A RESPONSIBILITY ON OUR BEHALF TO LOOK AT. IS THERE GOING TO BE AN INCREASE IN COST? IS THERE GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, IS THE INFLATION GOING TO BE DIFFICULT? AND ALSO LIKE I SAID, I SEE IT AS A GREAT INVESTMENT AND YOU'RE RIGHT THAT IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T BE AT THIS CAPACITY TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO AT SUCH A REASONABLE WAY OF LOOKING AT IT, MAKING SURE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT OUR RATING STAYS WHERE IT SHOULD BE, MAKING SURE THAT THAT THAT WE'RE NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. I CAN AND I THINK WE'VE HEARD, KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE YOU KNOW, FURTHER OUT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER STOUT AND OTHERS, WE FEEL THAT YOU KNOW, WE JUST CAN'T WAIT. AND DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO NOW. I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S A DECISION. AND I'LL DO IT'S MORE OF A PERSONAL DECISION. I'VE BEEN AROUND IN A CEO CAPACITY, AND, IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE INDIVIDUALS TO DO SOMETHING LATER. YOU KNOW, LET'S DO SOMETHING LATER. WE PAY A BIG PRICE FOR DOING THINGS LATER. AND I THINK THE EMPHASIS HAS BEEN VERY STRONG THAT WE HAVE SO MANY UNFUNDED MANDATES. AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATIONS. AND IF YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, IF WE PUT THEM ALL AND IT'S NOT PASSED, AND WHAT DO WE DO AT THAT POINT? HOW DO WE ADDRESS SOME OF THE FUNCTIONS, THE VERY ESSENTIAL THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO? SO THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION. BUT I FEEL THAT HEARING THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE A CONSENSUS FROM, YOU KNOW, AND I'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE MAJORITY ALL THE TIME. AND I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ASKING FROM THE CONSTITUENTS. WORRY ABOUT HOW WE MANAGE THE SITUATION. AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE VERY PROUD. AND YOU'VE SEEN THE WORK FROM EVERYBODY, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME AMAZING THINGS WITH THE MONEY WE HAVE. I THINK WE'VE PROVEN OURSELVES THAT WE'RE VERY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND THAT WE'RE GOING TO USE THAT MONEY PROBABLY BETTER THAN ANY ANY COMMISSIONERS COURT. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THE BEST THING THAT WE CAN. AND THAT'S WHERE THE ADVANTAGE IS. WE'RE ABLE TO GET MONEY TO DO THINGS, AND YOU'RE GIVING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO AN EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY RESPONSIBLE AND PROFESSIONAL COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET MUCH MORE OUT OF THE WHAT YOU'RE SPENDING BECAUSE OF THE KIND OF THE WAY WE LOOK AT THINGS, INDIVIDUALS LIKE JOSE AND THE TEAMS THAT ARE HERE. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME AMAZING THINGS AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH WHAT WE GET. AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE OUR CONSTITUENTS SHOULD LOOK AT. HOW DO WE AS COMMISSIONERS COURT USE THAT MONEY? I DON'T THINK THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT THAT WE USE IT FOOLISHLY AND WISELY, WE DO SOME GREAT THINGS WITH WITH AS LITTLE AS WE CAN. I FEEL VERY, VERY COMFORTABLE ABOUT THAT. AND THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION THAT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOU PROUD OF, OF WHATEVER INCREASE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET. YOU'RE GOING TO GET A TREMENDOUS RETURN SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE APPROACH OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I WANTED TO, HAD HAD SOMETHING ADDITIONAL, THERE WAS A COMMENT MADE EARLIER BY BY COMMISSIONER GANNON. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, COMMISSIONER OLGUI, IT'S NOT MY FAULT, OR ANYBODY ELSE ON THE COURT'S FAULT THAT A PROPOSAL TO, REDUCE THE BOND PACKAGE WAS NOT WAS NOT MADE. I MEAN, YOU MAY HAVE UNDERSTOOD THAT WE, WERE GOING IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION, BUT THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE HUNG OVER MY NECK. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR. I MEAN, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT EVERYBODY ON THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT, WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS, WE ALL VOTED TO CREATE THE BOAC. WE ALL VOTED TO APPOINT BOAC, WE ALL VOTED TO DO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND I'M SURE THAT YOU HAD CONVERSATIONS JUST LIKE I DID WITH THE FOLKS ON THE BOAC ABOUT PRIORITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR YOUR FOR YOUR DISTRICT. AND, YOU KNOW, I, I JUST, YOU KNOW, I DID NOT HEAR FROM ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THINGS. I MEAN, WE HAD CONVERSATIONS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THINGS ON THE CEO.

AND I HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INVESTMENTS HERE IN THE COURTHOUSE. AND I THINK, I MEAN, OUR PHILOSOPHIES ARE ARE DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE USAGE OF CEOS AND THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE. BUT, YOU KNOW, I JUST I THINK IT'S UNFAIR TO, TO, TO BLAME THE REST OF THE COURT

[05:55:06]

AND SAY, WELL, BECAUSE YOU GUYS, IT LOOKED LIKE YOU GUYS WERE GOING IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION.

I'M NOT I DIDN'T TAKE THE TIME TO PROPOSE ANY, ANY, ANY, ANY CHANGES OR ANY REDUCTIONS IN I MEAN, I, I MEAN, DO YOU NOW IS, YOU KNOW, YOU WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT AT THE, AT THE VERY, AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT. AND I ALSO FEEL LIKE IT'S UNFAIR TO HAVE THAT SPRUNG UPON US, YOU KNOW, AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT, I MEAN, ARE THERE PROJECTS WITHIN YOUR DISTRICT THAT YOU DON'T THINK SHOULD BE FUNDED? AND I'M NOT, TRYING TO SAY THAT I BLAME YOU ALL. I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M COMING FROM. I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE THESE SUGGESTIONS, BUT I'VE ALWAYS FELT THAT THERE JUST WASN'T AN APPETITE FOR THAT. I FEEL THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING THE PROJECTS, TO REALLY TRY TO IDENTIFY PROJECTS THAT WE REALLY FELT WERE ESSENTIAL, BUT HONESTLY, I THINK ONCE AND AGAIN, THIS IS MY PERSONAL FEELING. ONCE WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAD THE CAPACITY OF 500 MILLION, THAT WOULDN'T AFFECT OUR BOND RATING. IT SEEMS THAT THAT'S THE ONLY NUMBER THAT WE'VE EVER DISCUSSED. AND I MENTIONED THAT SEVERAL TIMES THAT THAT SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY NUMBER THAT WE WERE DISCUSSING, SO AND I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW I'M GOING TO BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF SENDING THIS BOND PROPOSAL TO THE VOTERS BECAUSE I THINK THAT DECISIONS OF THIS SIGNIFICANCE REGARDING ISSUANCES OF THIS SIZE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE MADE BY THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY ARE, AFTER ALL, THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE ISSUANCES, SO I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR, BUT THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THAT IN ADDITION TO LIMITING OURSELVES TO A DEBT ISSUANCE OF 175 THAT I'VE ADVOCATED FOR FROM THE BEGINNING, I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE DEBT ISSUANCES THAT THE COUNTY IS CONSIDERING WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE VOTERS, AND NOT JUST THE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE DISCUSSING TODAY, WE CLEARLY HAD TIME TO ADD THOSE ADDITIONAL PROJECTS TO THE BALLOT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW, SO THAT WAY THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE HAD AS MUCH OF A VOICE AS POSSIBLE IN THIS DECISION OF THE DEBT THAT THIS THIS COURT IS CONSIDERING ISSUING. I BELIEVE THAT IF WE REALLY, TRULY WANT OUR RESIDENTS TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE FUTURE PATH OF OUR COUNTY, WE SHOULD TRUST THEM TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS OVER AS MUCH OF THESE PROJECTS AS MANY OF THESE PROJECTS AS POSSIBLE, AND NOT JUST THE ONES THAT WE DISCUSSED TODAY. AND FOR ME, IT'S NOT AN ISSUE OF WHETHER WHETHER WE TRUST THEM OR NOT. BUT LIKE I SAID, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES WHEN IT COMES TO HOW CEOS COULD BE USED. RIGHT, SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A NUMBER OF WATER AND WASTEWATER, FIRST TIME WATER AND WASTEWATER. I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THOSE ARE THOSE ARE BASIC NEEDS THAT PEOPLE HAVE. AND, AND I THINK COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER CORONADO MADE THE POINT OF A NUMBER OF THESE PROJECTS, HAVE TO DO WITH THINGS THAT ARE THAT ARE STATE MANDATED, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP UP THE JAIL AND THE COURTHOUSE AND SUCH. AND THERE ARE SOME, SOME ITEMS ON THE CEO, YOU KNOW, LIKE SOME OF THE RENOVATIONS HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE, THAT I ALSO HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT. YOU KNOW, I ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS. OUR STAFF BROUGHT BACK INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE. AND, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, IT'S, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE VOTERS AND THE TAXPAYERS, WHEN WE DECIDED TO, BUILD OR CONSTRUCT A BUILDING, IN MY OPINION, IT HAS TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT AT SOME POINT WHEN YOU BUILD THAT BUILDING, THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE UPGRADES AND THINGS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CHANGED, AND THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE MODERNIZATIONS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE OUR, OUR EMPLOYEES AND THE PEOPLE WHO COME AND DO BUSINESS HERE, YOU KNOW, SAFE AND COMFORTABLE WORKSPACES, AND, AND TO ME, THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THAT'S MY PHILOSOPHY, RIGHT? I MEAN, IT MAY NOT BE THAT IT'S A PRESSING EMERGENCY FOR US TO, YOU KNOW, MOVE INTO THE TO THE, TO THE BORDER TOBACCO BUILDING. BUT I THINK I THINK OUR STAFF, WE WE'VE ALWAYS CONSIDERED OUR STAFF AS OUR, AS PART OF OUR FAMILY. AND THESE ARE, RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES THAT, I MEAN, WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN AT SOME POINT ANYWAY, AS AS OUR STAFF IS GROWING AS, AS DIFFERENT NEEDS THAT WE HAVE FOR OUR WITHIN OUR PERSONNEL. AND THESE ARE JUST THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED WITHIN INSTALLATIONS AND BUILDINGS THAT WE ALREADY OWN.

AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT'S NOT ABOUT WHETHER WE TRUST THE TAXPAYER OR THE VOTER OR NOT.

[06:00:02]

IT'S THAT IT SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD THAT WHEN YOU BUILD A BUILDING, CHANGES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE AT SOME POINT. NO, AND I AGREE. I JUST THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE IT IN SMALLER ISSUANCES THAT WOULDN'T IMPACT THE TAX RATE. STIEFEL MADE A MADE A PRESENTATION. THEY GAVE A PRESENTATION TO US WHERE THEY TALKED ABOUT EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE AND MORE CAPACITY WHERE IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE TAX RATE. I WOULD HAVE MUCH RATHER HAVE SEEN US DO IT IN SMALLER PHASES THAN ALL AT ONCE, BECAUSE I AGREE THE REPAIRS ARE GOING TO BE NECESSARY. I'M NOT CLAIMING THAT NOTHING IS EVER NECESSARY. I JUST FEEL LIKE WE COULD HAVE HAD WE WANTED TO DONE IT IN SMALLER PHASES SO THAT IT WOULDN'T IMPACT THE TAX RATE. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM THE PRESENTATION. WE HEARD FROM BRA, AND WHAT I UNDERSTOOD FROM PRESENTATIONS THAT WE GOT FROM PUBLIC WORKS IS, YOU KNOW, COSTS ARE GOING TO GO UP AS THE YEARS GO ON. THEY'VE SHOT UP A LOT RECENTLY, AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS TALK EARLIER ABOUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING GRANTS AND SUCH. AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. BUT THAT'S GOING TO INCREASE OUR IMMANUEL SITE OF SITE OF OUR EXPENDITURES. RIGHT. BECAUSE IF WE HAVE TO RAMP UP OUR GRANTING CAPABILITIES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND MAY HAVE PLAYED A SMALL PART IN WHY WE HAD TO INCREASE OUR TAX RATE LAST YEAR. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE I MEAN, IT'S FINE AND DANDY TO SAY, OKAY, LET'S, LET'S WRITE MORE GRANTS, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE CAPACITY. AND THAT'S GOING TO COST US MORE IN THE NO SIDE. AND SO THAT MEANS ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A FULL THE FULL COURT VOTING IN FAVOR OF A TAX INCREASE FOR THOSE FOR THOSE EXPENDITURES? I MEAN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT, AND WE ALSO HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT THE, YOU KNOW, PROPERTY VALUES HAVE BEEN GOING UP AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO REDUCE THE TAX RATE TO, TO COUNTER COUNTERACT THAT. AND SO WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT BRINGING IN THE, THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE THAT COMES FROM THE INCREASE IN THE TAX BASE DUE TO NEW CONSTRUCTION AND THAT WAS WHAT LIKE $4 MILLION THIS YEAR? I DON'T REMEMBER BUDGET OR BETSY, 4 TO $5 MILLION THIS YEAR, THAT DOESN'T EVEN COVER THE COST OF SOMETHING THAT WE ALL VOTED FOR, WHICH IS THE SHERIFF'S ASSOCIATION'S CONTRACT FOR THIS YEAR. SO WE'RE ALREADY, YOU KNOW, IN THE HOLE FOR SOMETHING THAT WE ALL VOTED FOR. BUT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE MY POINT IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THAT MONEY IS ALREADY SPOKEN FOR. AND SO ANY ADDITIONAL WE I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO PAY OFF, YOU KNOW, ON THE NO SIDE TO FUND THESE PROJECTS THROUGH. NO. AND THAT'S NOT BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. I'M NOT SAYING THAT WE FUND THESE PROJECTS THROUGH. NO I'M SAYING THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE SMALLER ISSUANCES NOW AND DONE MORE ISSUANCES IN THE FUTURE AS CAPACITY BECAME AVAILABLE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. OKAY. AND I AGAIN, I WAS VERY CLEAR, MADE VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION, YOU KNOW, HAS HOW MUCH HAS IT GONE UP OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS? TEN, 15, 20% A YEAR, 30% A YEAR, YOU KNOW, AND SADLY, IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY KEEP GOING UP. YEAH AND SO I JUST AGAIN, THAT'S WHY I DON'T FEEL LIKE THAT'S A FEASIBLE MANNER OF, OF FUNDING THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE WE'RE PUTTING OUR TAXPAYERS ON THE HOOK FOR 30% MORE A YEAR. BUT JUST THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT COIN IS THAT THOSE THOSE COSTS ARE GOING TO STILL GOING UP, BE GOING UP. WE CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THE FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO BE OR THE FUNDS GENERATED BY THESE DEBT ISSUANCES ARE GOING TO BE ENOUGH FOR ALL WE KNOW, IN TWO YEARS, THREE YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH SOME OF OUR ARPA PROJECTS AND HAVE TO ALLOCATE MORE MONEY. RIGHT? SO IT'S BETTER IN MY OPINION, TO FUND THEM IN TWO YEARS THAN IN TEN YEARS. YEAH. SO WE CAN STOP BEATING THAT DEAD HORSE. BUT I JUST WANT YOU AND THE COURT AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, MY, MY, MY REASONING FOR DOING, FOR DOING WHAT I'M DOING. AND I APPRECIATE THE, THE VERY CIVIL DISCOURSE I APPRECIATE I APPRECIATE THE, THE FACT THAT WE CAN SIT HERE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION AND DEBATE AN, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE GOING TO WALK OUT OF HERE AND, AND HAVE $325 MILLION ON THE BOND. OKAY. AND I'M GLAD THAT WE ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS A DECISION THAT SHOULD BE MADE BY THE VOTERS. CERTAINLY OKAY.

CAESAR WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND SECOND, FROM THIS IS ON THE BOND PROGRAM PROJECT LIST CAN BE JUST THE LIST. THAT'S ALL. IT'S BEING APPROVED RIGHT NOW. VOTING IS OPEN, AND THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM C, DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE

[06:05:03]

ADOPTION OF AN ORDER CALLING FOR A BOND ELECTION TO BE HELD IN EL PASO COUNTY ON NOVEMBER FIFTH, 2024. CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0628. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. THERE YOU CAN SEE THE RECOMMENDED MOTION

[C. (Item to be heard at approximately 1:00 P.M.) Discuss and take appropriate action regarding the adoption of an Order calling for a Bond Election to be held in El Paso County on November 5, 2024. (Contract No. 2024-0628) Jose M. Landeros, Director, Strategic Capital Development, 915-546-2159]

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT THE ORDER AND TO MAKE ALL NECESSARY, PROVISIONS AND ACTIONS RELATED TO ADOPTING THAT ORDER AND CALLING FOR THAT ELECTION. AGAIN, I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE. I THINK THE INVESTMENT IN THE COLISEUM AT THE PARK, EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE PUTTING OUT TO THE VOTERS IS, IT'S GOING TO BE TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR THIS COMMUNITY. AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THAT WE HAVE SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY TO DO SO. THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY I, I'M REALLY VERY HAPPY TO PUT THIS FORWARD OUT TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE I THINK THEY DESERVE THIS, AND I REALLY VALUE THEIR OPINION THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IF THEY WANT, A DIFFERENT EL PASO, A MORE IMPROVED EL PASO. IT'S WITHIN THEIR GRASP, WITHIN THEIR OPINION, WITHIN THEIR VOTE. PLEASE. YOU KNOW, IF THIS PASSES, PLEASE GO OUT TO VOTE. I YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO ENGAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE. YOU KNOW WHAT I WOULD WISH THE ENTIRE ELECTORATE OF THE COUNTY WOULD REALLY COME OUT TO VOTE AND TELL US EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE THINKING. SO I I'M ALL FOR IT, PUTTING IT UP TO VOTE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS NOW, NOW THAT THIS IS A POLITICAL MATTER THAT'LL BE ON THE BALLOT, OUR INFORMATION HAS TO BE VERY LIMITED. SO WE JUST URGE YOU IN KEEPING YOUR CONVERSATIONS. ANYTHING REGARDING PUBLIC RESOURCES, VERY DELIBERATE AND FACTUAL, BASED, BECAUSE NOW THIS WILL BE A POLITICAL MATTER, WE'LL LET YOU KNOW ALSO THAT LATER THIS AFTERNOON, A PRESS RELEASE WILL GO OUT, ALSO OUTLINING THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE IN ANTICIPATION OF YOUR VOTE TODAY, WHERE ALL OF THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSITIONS, INCLUDING A PROJECT MAP AND DETAILED PROJECT LISTING, CAN BE ACCESSED ONLINE AT CAPITAL-L. COUNTY.COM. WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOUR OFFICES TO FINALIZE THE MEETING SCHEDULE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, AS WELL. AND THAT INFORMATION WILL BE THERE. AND AGAIN, THAT WEBSITE IS CAPITAL-L COUNTY.COM. AND WE EXPECT THAT SITE TO GO LIVE IN A FEW HOURS THIS AFTERNOON. SO THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, ONE THING IS THAT WE'RE NOT PREVENTED FROM MAKING SURE WE TELL OUR PEOPLE OUT THERE IN EL PASO, PLEASE GO OUT TO VOTE YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

BETSY, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO YOU WANTED TO TAKE A BREAK RIGHT NO. I'M SORRY. JUDGE, YOU WANT TO TAKE ITEM? DO YOU WANT TO TAKE AN ITEM BEFORE A BREAK? I THINK THE COUNTY CLERK HAS BEEN WAITING FOR A WHILE. JUDGE. MAYBE WE CAN. HERE WE HAVE COUNTY CLERK FEES AND WE ALSO HAVE TAX OFFICE TAX RATE. GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. JUDGE. ITEM NUMBER 11 A COUNTY IN DISTRICT CLERK PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 118. 025G HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECORDS, ARCHIVES PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION PLAN AND THE

[A. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 118.025(g), hold a public hearing regarding the County Clerk's Records Archive Preservation and Restoration Plan and the assessment of a $10.00 fee for Fiscal Year 2024 – 2025. Delia Briones, County Clerk, County Clerk, 915-546-2071]

ASSESSMENT OF A $10 FEE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025. WE HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING.

YOU HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER LEON, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN. AND B HAS TO DO WITH THE PUBLISHING OF THE PUBLIC NOTICE. AND IT HAS TO BE FOR $70 THAT WE NEED TO PAY THE EL PASO INC. AND I'M ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO PAY THAT TAB. THANK YOU. WE'RE ON THE A PART THOUGH FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING. RIGHT. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT B, RIGHT? NO, MA'AM. WE HAVE TO DO THAT FOR A $10 FEE.

AND I THOUGHT YOU ALL AGREED BECAUSE I SAW ALL AGREED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IT WAS TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING. AND THE $10 FEE IS SO THAT IT IS PART OF THE RECEIPT WHEN THE PUBLIC COMES IN TO PAY, YOU'LL SEE THE BREAKDOWN AND HOW IT EVEN BREAKS DOWN, HOW WE HAVE TO PAY THE SHERIFF.

WELL, YOU ALSO HAVE TO PAY THE COUNTY CLERK THE $10 FEE FOR THE ARCHIVAL FEE. THAT'S WHAT THAT IS. AND THERE'S NO CHANGE TO THAT FEE, CORRECT? NO, IT'S BEEN $10 FOR MANY YEARS. GREAT. THANK

[06:10:05]

YOU. WE HAVE NOBODY SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE MOMENT, IT'S JUST OPEN FOR DISCUSSION FOR THE COURT. IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, COULD WE HAVE A MOTION TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? I HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 11. ITEM NUMBER 11. B, PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 118. 025B APPROVING ADOPT THE COUNTY CLERK'S RECORDS ARCHIVES PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 2025. FURTHER APPROVE PAYMENT TO EL

[B. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code Section 118.025(b) approve and adopt the County Clerk's Records Archive Preservation and Restoration Plan for Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025. Further, approve payment to El Paso Inc., in the amount of $70.00 for the publishing of the Public Notice Hearing. Funding is available in GF-CNTYCLK-ADVERTISING. Delia Briones, County Clerk, County Clerk, 915-546-2071]

PASO INC IN THE AMOUNT OF $70 FOR THE PUBLISHING OF THE PUBLIC NOTICE HEARING FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND COUNTY CLERK ADVERTISING. YES. COMMISSIONERS I'M SORRY FOR JUMPING THE GUN A MINUTE AGO. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE VOTING WAS FOR, BUT YES, THAT WAS THE $70 TO PAY FOR THE PUBLISHING. STATING ABOUT THE ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION PLAN. SO WE ARE GOING INTO OUR 11TH YEAR OF THIS PLAN. SO IT'S ASKING FOR YOU TO ALLOW FOR THE $2,070 TO BE PAID. THAT'S NORMAL FOR THE COURT TO APPROVE THE ADVERTISING FEE.

CORRECT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO.

VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER LEON, YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT WAS SHORT, WASN'T IT? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DALIA. THANK YO. DO WE WANT TO CONTINUE WITH 12? YES OKAY. ITEM 12 A TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR ACCEPT THE 2024. NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. NO NEW REVENUE RATE, 0.219526 PER $100. VOTER APPROVAL RATE

[A. Accept the 2024 No-New-Revenue (NNR) & Voter-Approval Tax Rate (VAR) Calculations for the El Paso County Hospital District: No-New-Revenue Rate: 0.219526/$100; Voter-Approval Rate: 0.233385/$100. Ruben Gonzalez, Tax-Assessor Collector, Tax Assessor - Collector, 915-273-3430]

0.233385 PER $100. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS YVETTE SANCHEZ, THIS IS MY COLLEAGUE CLAUDIA ROSALES. WE'RE HERE ON BEHALF OF MR. RUBEN GONZALES COUNTY, TEXAS. DISTRICT COLLECTOR, TO PRESENT TO YOU THE 2024 NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATES. AS A REFRESHER, THERE ARE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. IS THE TAX RATE THAT WOULD GENERATE ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE RECEIVED ON PROPERTY TAXED FOR THE PRIOR YEAR AND CURRENT YEAR. IF THE PROPERTY VALUE RIGHTS, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE WILL GO DOWN AND VICE VERSA. THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE IS A CALCULATED MAXIMUM. I'M SORRY, CAN WE? I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT YOU, CESAR, COULD YOU PLEASE READ IN TEN B I MEAN, 12 B. HE'S ALREADY. HE'S READ IN THE HOSPITAL. ONE. NO. YEAH, I READ IN THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL ONE COULD YOU READ IN 12 B ALSO? ITEM NUMBER 12 B ACCEPT THE 2024. NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR EL PASO COUNTY. NO NEW REVENUE RATE 0.426323 PER $100 VOTER APPROVAL RATE.

[B. Accept the 2024 No-New-Revenue (NNR) & Voter-Approval Tax Rate (VAR) Calculations for El Paso County: No-New-Revenue Rate: 0.426323/$100; Voter-Approval Rate: 0.478306/$100. Ruben Gonzalez, Tax-Assessor Collector, Tax Assessor - Collector, 915-273-3430]

0.478306 PER $100. THANK YOU. SORRY, YVETTE. THAT WAS OUR FAULT. GO AHEAD. NO, THAT'S FIN.

OKAY. FOR EL PASO COUNTY DISTRICT, THE 2024. I'M SORRY. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT 2024. NO NEW. THE PRESENTATION THAT'S UP IS THE COUNTY ONE. DO WE HAVE A SEPARATE ONE FOR THE. OKAY. OH

[06:15:09]

OKAY. I'LL GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE. I APOLOGIZE. HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M CLAUDIA ROSALES ON BEHALF OF RUBEN GONZALEZ. COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR. COLLECTOR, TO PRESENT THE 2024 TAX RATES FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY, THE 2024. NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE IS 0.426323 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE. THE 2024 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE IS 0.478306 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE, LAST YEAR, THE 2023 ADOPTED TAX RATE WAS 0.458889 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE.

WE'RE REQUESTING THAT YOU ACCEPT THE 2024 NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY. NO NEW REVENUE RATE, 0.426323 PER $100 OF VALUE. AND THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE 0.478306 PER $100 OF VALUE. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, WE JUST NEED A MOTION TO ACCEPT THESE. YOU'RE NOT SETTING THE RATE TODAY. YOU'RE JUST ACCEPTING THE RATES.

AND IS THIS FOR BOTH OR WE'RE DOING EACH INDIVIDUALLY. IF WE DO EACH ONE INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL ON THE COUNTY FIRST BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONE THAT'S BEEN PRESENTED, PLEASE. THAT'S COUNTY IS B CORRECT. WHAT I'M SAYING COUNTY IS B AND THAT'S WHAT'S UP ON THE SLIDE. YOU HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. VOTING IS OPEN. OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. GO AHEAD. CONTINUING WITH THE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, THE 2024. NO NEW REVENUE RATE IS 0.219526 PER $100 VALUE. THE 2024 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE 0.233385 PER $100 PROPERTY VALUE LAST YEAR, THE 2023 ADOPTED TAX RATE WAS 0.235650 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU ACCEPT THE 2024 NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. NO NEW REVENUE RATE 0.219526 PER $100 OF VALUE. THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE 0.233385 PER $100 OF VALUE.

WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ANY TIME JUDGE. TAKE A BREAK.

CESAR OKAY, TEN MINUTE BREAK, SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE A TEN MINUTE BREAK? OKAY. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR TEN MINUTES. IT IS 3:49 P.M.

[06:23:50]

VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO AMOS A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A

[06:25:04]

COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY. AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH, PUT THEM ON IN JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUTED PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT, YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED. I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING. YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES. I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE, THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT, THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT, CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY.

[06:30:03]

COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY.

WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN, BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES AND OF COURSE, THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING. NOWADAYS.

THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY, AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT WILL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER.

WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE

[06:35:02]

HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOLGUIN THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[06:41:24]

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNA SALTENAS LOS NINOS MAS DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NUEVE LA VACUNA COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS.

VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH JULY 4TH. THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH. HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED.

I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING.

YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

[06:45:17]

THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE, THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FU.

IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND TODAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKED SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT'LL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID, AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO.

[06:50:01]

JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN, BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND.

SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING, AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO D, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY. WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE.

THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS, WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ILIANA HOGAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[06:55:49]

GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 4:26 P.M. WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 13, A PUBLIC WORKS ITEM 13 A DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION ON THE APPEAL HEARING FOR A VIOLATION OF THE COUNTY'S RIGHT OF WAY ACCESS ORDER AT 800 ACTON STREET. WE'D LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO DELETE FROM THE COURT. PLEASE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER

[A. Discuss and take appropriate action on the appeal hearing for a violation of the County’s Right-of-Way Access Order at 800 Acton Street. Michael McElroy, Director, Planning and Development, 915-273-3330]

OLGUIN. DO WE HAVE A SECOND TO DELETE? NOT. I WOULD NOT TAKE IT, BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME. NOT LETTING ME LOG IN AT ALL. JUST SOMEBODY SECOND. I'LL SECOND. OKAY SECOND. VOTING IS OPEN.

MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 14, A BUDGET AND FINANCE. PURSUANT TO THE PROPERTY TAX CODE, SECTION 26.05 D PROPOSE A TAX RATE OR PURSUANT TO THE PROPERTY TAX CODE SECTION 26.05, A, ADOPT

[A. Pursuant to the Property Tax Code, § 26.05(d) propose a tax rate, or pursuant to the Property Tax Code, § 26.05(a), adopt a tax rate for El Paso County. John Sarah, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-546-2262]

THE TAX RATE FOR EL PASO COUNTY. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. JOHN SARAH, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND FINANCE. ALL RIGHT. THIS IS PART OF OUR FY 25 BUDGET PROCESS. SO WE'RE STARTING OFF WITH THIS CHART, THIS CHART PROVIDES AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW THE AVERAGE HOME OWNERS TAX DOLLAR IS DIVIDED UP AMONGST DIFFERENT ENTITIES BY YEAR, PERCENTAGE AND RATE, THIS TAX RATE CHART IS BASED ON THE CURRENT TAX RATES, AS WE DO NOT HAVE THE ADOPTED RATES FOR THE ENTITIES SHOWN AT THIS TIME. THE COUNTY'S TAX RATE MADE UP, 16.59% OF THE AVERAGE HOME OWNERS TAX BILL, IN 2024. AND ALTHOUGH THIS LOOKS LIKE, AN INCREASE, A PERCENTAGE INCREASE COMPARED TO 23, THE ACTUAL COUNTY PERCENTAGE INCREASE WAS ONLY 7.65%, FROM OUR TAX RATE OF 0.42 62 TO 0.45 88, HOWEVER, DUE TO FUNDS APPROVED DURING THE 88TH LEGISLATION, THAT ARE PROVIDED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS DIRECTLY BY THE STATE, IT OFFSET THEIR PORTION REFLECTING A REDUCTION OF FOR THEM WHICH, YOU KNOW, WILL EVENTUALLY INCREASE ALL OTHER TAX ENTITIES. IT'S JUST A MATHEMATICAL ISSUE HERE. ON THIS SLIDE, WE'RE PROVIDING A COMPARISON OF OUR TAX RATES SINCE 2015. FROM 2015 TO 2018, COUNTY ADOPTED THE SAME TAX RATE. AND THEN, ALSO ADOPTED THE SAME TAX RATE IN 2020 AND 2021. IN FY 23, THE COUNTY ADOPTED THE NO NEW, REVENUE TAX, WHICH DECREASED OUR RATE BY ABOUT 9% IN 2024. THE COURT ADOPTED A 7.65% INCREASE OVER 23, WHICH

[07:00:03]

WAS ALMOST EQUAL TO OUR TAX RATE IN 2018. IN 2025, THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE WOULD DECREASE OUR RATE BY ANOTHER 7%. BY POLICY, WE WILL PROPOSE THE, VOTER APPROVAL RATE. AND THIS PROVIDES THE COURT AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER, ANY RATE, BETWEEN NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR ADOPTIO. JOHN, TO CORRECT JUST TO JUST TO CLARIFY, WE RECOMMEND WE RECOMMEND YOU PROPOSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. IT IS UP TO THE COURT. BUT BY YOUR POLICY, WE RECOMMEND YOU PROPOSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES. AND THEN YOU CAN ADOPT ANYWHERE BELOW THAT. BUT WHATEVER YOU ADVERTISE, YOU CANNOT ADOPT ABOVE. RIGHT AND I THINK WE'VE WE'VE TRADITIONALLY DONE THAT JUST JUST IN CASE SOMETHING SOMETHING COMES UP AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S BEEN A BEST PRACTICE THAT WE'VE, THAT WE'VE GOTTEN INTO OVER THE YEARS, IT'S WE JUST HAVE TO LET MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S THE CEILING. IT'S THE MOST THAT WE COULD GO TO. AND I THINK THAT WE'VE ALL SPOKEN TO OUR STAFF AND ARE HOPING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, BUT WE JUST I THINK IT'S PRUDENT AND RESPONSIBLE MOVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CEILING IS. AND THEN WE WHITTLED DOWN FROM THERE. JUDGE, IF I MAY. YES. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A POLICY THAT WE HAVE TO PROPOSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, BUT THEN DO OUR BEST TO NOT ACTUALLY ADOPT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, BUT OUR STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY HARD TO TRY TO GET US TO THE NO NEW REVENUE. WE ALL KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR STAFF.

WHAT I'M AFRAID OF IS THAT WE IF WE PROPOSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE TODAY, THAT'S ALL THAT THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO ARE GOING TO HEAR. COUNTY PROPOSES VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RATE ALLOWABLE BY LAW. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE A LOT OF ANXIETY IN THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE DID ACTUALLY ADOPT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE LAST YEAR, SO I FEEL AND AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND THE RATIONALE BEHIND WHY WE HAVE THIS POLICY, BUT I FEEL THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING, THAT OUR STAFF IS WORKING AS HARD AS THEY ARE TO TRY TO GET US TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. PERHAPS WE CAN'T PROPOSE THE NO NEW REVENUE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT AT THAT STAGE YET WHERE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT, BUT MAYBE WE CAN AT LEAST PROPOSE THE CURRENT RATE SO THAT AT LEAST THE RESIDENTS KNOW THAT THERE'S THAT WE'RE NOT PROPOSING THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT STAFF IS NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE ULTIMATELY ADOPT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. I'M JUST AFRAID THAT THAT'S NOT WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO HEAR. THEY'RE GOING TO HEAR THAT WE ARE PROPOSING THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. AND BECAUSE WE DID ACTUALLY ADOPT THAT LAST YEAR, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE A LOT OF ANXIETY THAT THAT'S MY CONCERN. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, I TEND TO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. IT MAY GO A LONG WAYS IN HARMING, OUR FUTURE PLANS. AND IF WE'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, MAYBE. MAYBE THAT'S THE MORE PRUDENT WAY TO GO, BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU. THEY MAY GET, THE WAY IT SEEMS A LOT OF TIMES IS THE MEDIA WILL POST THAT AND IT'S SENSATIONALIZED, AND WE'RE EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO COME DOWN, IN MY OPINION, IT MAY DAMAGE US. I, I AGREE, I THINK WE SHOULD PROPOSE THE CURRENT RATE, WHICH IS STILL LOWER THAN THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. THAT GIVES US LEEWAY, TO GO IN BETWEEN THE NO NEW REVENUE AND THE CURRENT RATE, WHICH IS STILL $0.02 OR SO. YEAH, ABOUT $0.02 BELOW THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. I THINK THAT'S PRUDENT. AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY. I MEAN, I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE WITH TRADITION AND POLICY AND PRACTICE THAT WE'VE DONE, YOU KNOW, AT THE END, AT THE END, IF WE IF WHATEVER RATE WE ADOPT IS THE RATE THAT WE ADOPT, I MEAN, THIS MAY BE A PROPOSAL, BUT THIS IS JUST PART OF TRUTH AND TAXATION. THE WHOLE YOU KNOW, THE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH AND, AND JUST TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THIS IS THE HIGHEST WE COULD GO, BUT WE'RE WE'RE WORKING TO NOT GO THAT HIGH. I THINK, I THINK THE, THE MESSAGE THAT WE'RE WORKING TO NOT GO THAT HIGH IS, IS, IS A STRONG. MY CONCERN IS REALLY NOT KNOWING THE BUDGET YET AND SORT OF GETTING AHEAD OF IT, ASSUMING TOO MUCH, AND BY, YOU KNOW, GOING WITH THAT RATE, I THINK IT

[07:05:04]

ALLOWS US TO COME DOWN, AND THEN I DON'T FEEL THAT I'M, THAT I'M ASSUMING THE BUDGET BEFORE IT HAPPENS. AND SO THAT THAT CONCERNS ME THAT THAT WE WOULD NOT TRY TO GET THE CEILING UNTIL WE SEE THE BUDGET COMPLETELY. WE'RE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND, OUR BUDGET AND THEN WE MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. BUT THAT THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY CONCERN THAT THAT WE GO IN WITH AN ASSUMPTION THAT IT'S GOING TO BE LOWER WHEN WE HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE BUDGET. WHAT IS THE DEADLINE, AGAIN, WHEN WE NEED TO ACTUALLY SET IT? SEPTEMBER. YEAH. SO, AGAIN, TODAY'S SESSION, WE'RE NOT ADOPTING ANYTHING. IT'S JUST THE 26TH IS THE DEADLINE. AUGUST 26TH. THAT'S THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT A TAX RATE. SORRY, JOHN, BUT THAT'S THAT'S WHEN YOU WILL ADOPT A TAX RATE AND BY TODAY WHAT YOU PROPOSE WE THEN ADVERTISE AND SAY THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD THAT DATE. I JUST THINK IT'LL GO A LONG WAY WITH THE PUBLIC FOR THEM TO SEE THAT WE REALLY ARE WORKING HARD, THAT OUR STAFF IS WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD TO TRY TO GET US TO THE NO NEW REVENUE. I JUST THINK IT'LL GO A LONG WAY. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WHAT'S GOING TO BE REPORTED IS IF WE PROPOSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, WE KNOW THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE REPORTED BY THE MEDIA. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO INTO THE MINUTIA OF EXPLAINING THAT THAT'S THE MAX, THAT'S THE CEILING. THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO NOT DO THAT.

THEY'RE JUST GOING TO SAY COUNTY PROPOSES VOTER APPROVAL RATE. I THINK THAT WILL CAUSE A LOT OF UNNECESSARY ANXIETY IN OUR RESIDENTS, AND I THINK THAT OUR RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW HOW HARD OUR STAFF IS WORKING, HOW HARD BETSY AND HER STAFF ARE WORKING TO AVOID THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND BY PROPOSING THE CURRENT RATE, AT LEAST WE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO HOLD OURSELVES TO. AND, BETSY, YOU'RE FEELING COMFORTABLE, OR AT LEAST YOUR STAFF IS COMFORTABLE THAT THE CURRENT RATE IS. SO JUDGE, WE'RE WORKING. WE'RE WE'RE BUILDING A BUDGET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BASED ON NO NEW REVENU. BUT WHAT WE HAVE NOT SET DOWN AND DISCUSSED WITH YOU ALL IS, IT'S INCLUDED IN THE HANDOUT THAT WE'VE GIVEN YOU ALL ABOUT THE PRESENTATION. ABOUT WHAT? ALL WE'VE CUT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. I DON'T I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU ALL COLLECTIVELY AS A BODY, WHETHER YOU ALL ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THAT. BUT THAT'S THAT'S GENERALLY WHY YOU WANT SOME FLEXIBILITY, THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE ITSELF WOULD GENERATE OVER $21 MILLION. I'M SORRY. THE CURRENT RATE WOULD GENERATE $21 MILLION MORE THAN THE CURRENT OR THAN THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, I THINK THAT IS MORE THAN WHAT THE COURT, AGAIN, I HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS WITH YOU ALL AS A GROUP, BUT I THINK THAT EVEN THE CURRENT RATE WOULD GENERATE MORE THAN WHAT YOU ALL WOULD POSSIBLY ADD BACK INTO THE BUDGET. AND IT'S STILL NOT SAYING THAT YOU'LL ADOPT THE NO.

THE CURRENT RATE, THE, THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE WOULD GENERATE $35 MILLION MORE THAN WHAT WE HAVE PROJECTED IN THE BUDGET. AND SO DEPENDING ON IF THERE ARE ANY THINGS THAT WE HAVE CUT OR ANYTHING THAT YOU ALL WANT TO DISCUSS WITH US FURTHER AFTER WE PROPOSE TO YOU ALL, IT'S HOW MUCH FLEXIBILITY YOU ALL WANT AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO DO A NO NEW REVENUE RATE BUDGET. AT A I THINK I'VE SHARED WITH YOU ALL SOME OF THE STRATEGY BEHIND THAT IS AT A NO NEW REVENUE RATE BUDGET, THE TAX RATE WOULD BE 0.426323. AND THAT'S A LITTLE OVER $0.03 LESS THAN THE CURRENT RATE, WHICH IS ALSO A FACTOR WHEN YOU'RE CONSIDERING ASKING THE VOTERS TO CONSIDER A THREE CENT SELF IMPOSED TAX THROUGH A GEO BOND ELECTION. SO IT'S REALLY IT'S REALLY THE COURT DISCRETION ON HOW MUCH FLEXIBILITY IT WANTS TO GIVE ITSELF. IF IF ANY. BUT YOU THINK THE 21 MILLION, IF WE PROPOSE THE CURRENT RATE WOULD GIVE YOU ENOUGH OR WOULD GIVE US ENOUGH FLEXIBILITY, I, I DO, I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET TO TRY TO DO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE FOR THAT BOND REASON, BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY YOUR POLICY DECISION. AND WE'LL SUPPORT WHATEVER YOU ALL DECIDE. WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT. WE PROPOSE THE CURRENT RATE.

AND, BETSY I APOLOGIZE, COMMISSIONER, BUT BETSY, ONE QUESTION. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, ABOUT HOW MUCH WOULD WE HAVE TO CUT IN MILLIONS, WE WE'RE CUTTING WELL

[07:10:08]

IN. FROM WHERE? FROM FROM THE CURRENT RATE, IT'S $21,000,021.9 MILLION LESS. AND WE HAVE PROPOSED AND PREPARED A BUDGET BASED ON THAT. AND TO DO THAT AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DISCUSSING WITH YOU ALL TOMORROW, WE'VE CUT OUR CAPITAL INVESTMENT ALLOCATION FOR THE YEAR. WE'VE CUT EQUIPMENT ALLOCATIONS FOR THE YEAR. WE HAVE FOREGONE, STEP AND COLA INCREASES FOR NON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EMPLOYEES FOR THE YEAR, THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS THAT WE HAVE KEPT OUT OF THE BUDGET, TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. WE'VE TRIMMED UP SOME OF OUR CONTINGENCY FUNDS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. OH YES. AND WE MADE A MAJOR REDUCTION TO OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. THANK YOU. WHAT ABOUT HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT IF WE GO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT OUR RESERVES, OUR RESERVE POSITION RIGHT NOW, BASED ON THE BUDGET WE'RE BUILDING WITH THOSE CUTS, IS ABOUT THE SAME. IT WAS AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR. IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER, ACTUALLY, VERY, VERY MINIMALLY. OKAY. WHICH MEANS BECAUSE WE SET THE TAX RATE LAST YEAR AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE, THAT KIND OF GIVES US A LITTLE CUSHION FROM WHAT IT LED US HAPPENED TO US FROM THE STATE OVER THE SMUGGLING CASES. IT LET US ABSORB THOSE INCREASED COST, AND PAID FOR PAST INVESTMENTS WE'VE MADE IN OUR BUDGET, LIKE THE INCREASING OF THE MINIMUM WAGE. WHERE WOULD WE BE IF WE HADN'T DONE THAT LAST YEAR? WE WOULD BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE WOULD NEED ABSOLUTELY NEED, HAVE LESS THAN 2% OF OUR RESERVES. IF I'M NOT. YEAH. IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY, WE WOULD HAVE DEPLETED RESERVES COMPLETELY. AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO DRAW DOWN ON RESERVES EVEN IN THIS BUDGET, EVEN WITH THE CUTS WE'RE PROJECTING A CONTINUED DRAWDOWN OF OUR RESERVES. YOU KNOW, I'M FEELING OKAY WITH IT, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE STATE? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T CONTROL, LIKE THEY DID ON THE SMUGGLING CASES THAT ANY ONE MINUTE THEY COULD JUST START DOING THEM, SENDING THESE MORE CASES, ARRESTING MORE OR. YEAH, NO, I THAT'S APART FROM THAT I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS. BUT THAT'S THE ONLY UNKNOWN THAT I'M FEELING IS THAT. AND AGAIN I WANT TO EMPHASIZE YOU'RE JUST PROPOSING A RATE FOR US TO ADVERTISE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING. SO WHATEVER THAT RATE IS AND WE DO, WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN ON OUR END TO MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATE THAT CLEARLY, WHATEVER RATE YOU ALL SELECT WILL WORK WITH OUR COMMUNICATIONS OUTREACH TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC OR THAT THE MEDIA HELPS US COMMUNICATE THAT TO THE PUBLIC, THAT THIS IS JUST THE CEILING. AND WHILE YOU GO THROUGH THE BUDGET HEARINGS, IT, IT, THE GOAL IS TO NOT HIT THE CEILING, BUT IT'S AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. AND ONE OTHER QUESTION DOES THAT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE 300 AND SOME ODD STATE PRISONERS? WE STILL HAVE ON THE SMUGGLING CASES THAT IN THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET DOES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CURRENT OPERATIONAL IMPACTS? BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POTENTIAL THAT WE RECEIVE OLS FUNDING OR SOME SPECIFIC RELIEF. WE CANNOT BANK ON THAT. AND OUR AUDITOR, I DON'T BELIEVE I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HER, BUT I DON'T THINK SHE'LL BANK ON IT BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE THAT'S PROVEN TO US YET. AND I WOULDN'T WANT US TO BANK ON AN UNKNOWN. LET'S SEE WHAT IS WHAT WHAT WHAT WOULD BE THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND STEPS, THE COLA AND THE STEP. I BELIEVE IT'S OVER BETWEEN COLAS AND STEPS. IT'S OVER $10 MILLION. WHAT PERCENT? COLA WOULD THAT BE? 3%. 3%? THAT TAKES UP HALF OF WHAT WE'RE CUTTING OFF RIGHT ABOUT. WELL THAT. SO I WANT TO I WANT TO CLARIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CUTS AND ADDS. SO WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE CUTTING. WE'RE CUTTING THINGS THAT ARE NORMALLY IN THE BUDGET, A NEW COLA OR STEP WAS NOT EVER ADDED TO THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THAT. WE STARTED OFF WITH WHAT WE HAVE IN NOW. THE STEPS IN COLAS WE'VE

[07:15:06]

PAID FOR IN THE PAST ARE IN, BUT WE DIDN'T PROPOSE ADDING NEW BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE. WE'RE TRYING TO CUT BEFORE WE'VE EVEN ADDED THOSE. WE NEEDED TO CUT TO STAY WITHIN OUR NO NEW REVENUE RATE. I MEAN, WE'RE CUTTING LIKE THINGS LIKE CAP, THAT'S 14. IT'S NORMALLY FOR A LITTLE OVER 14 MILLION. WE LEFT $1 MILLION IN THERE TO SUPPLEMENT FOR EMERGENCIES. BUT THAT'S A $13 MILLION CUT. THE ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND IS ABOUT $6 MILLION. THE, OPERATING EQUIPMENT, WHICH WE GAVE TO DEPARTMENTS SEVERAL YEARS BACK. AND IT WAS A MAJOR, A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT FOR US AND FOR OUR DEPARTMENTS. THAT'S ABOUT 1.7 MILLION. I BELIEVE.

THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE THAT'S THAT'S I MEAN, THE POINT THAT THE JUDGE MADE LIKE, WE WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER OUR BUDGET TOMORROW AND THEN THE REST OF THIS WEEK. I MEAN, TO M, IT'S IT WOULD BE MORE RESPONSIBLE OF US TO, TO, PROPOSE, THE, YOU KNOW, PROPOSE THE, THE HIGHER RATE AND THEN COME DOWN AND AS AND AS WE COME DOWN, I MEAN, WE CAN STILL I MEAN, FOR ME, IT'S INSTEAD OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, PUTTING OURSELVES IN A, IN A, IN A, IN A POSSIBLE BIND BECAUSE, I MEAN, WHAT HAPPENS IF WE CAN'T DO IT? THE DIFFERENCE I THINK I MENTIONED THIS ALREADY, THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN, CURRENT RATE AND VOTER APPROVAL RATE, IT'S ABOUT $13 MILLION. SO CURRENT RATE GENERATES 21.9 MILLION MORE IN POTENTIAL ADDED INCOME OVER NO NEW REVENUE. AND VOTER APPROVAL GENERATES 35 MILLION. CORRECT, JOHN. IT WOULD BE LIKE LAST YEAR ABOUT. SO IT'S ABOUT A $13 MILLION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO, THAT'S THE AMOUNT OF FLEXIBILITY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WHETHER TO KEEP FOR YOURSELVES OR NOT, IT'S WHATEVER THE COURT WANTS TO PROPOSE. WE WILL WORK WITH. BUT WHATEVER YOU PROPOSE IS YOUR CAP. I DON'T THINK IT'S DIFFICULT TO POINT THAT OUT. I DISAGREE, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET VERY UPSET.

RESIDENTS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT PERFECTLY. BUT THEM UP THERE IS THE VOTERS. VOTERS DON'T UNDERSTAND. NO. YEAH. SO. WELL, WE CAN MAKE THAT ARGUMENT IN THIS ONE TOO. LET ME TELL YOU.

IT'S THE MEDIA THAT'S GOING TO GIVE IT A TILT. BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO SAY THE COURT IS PROPOSING THE BECAUSE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. YEAH. YEAH. BUT BUT I MEAN, WE'RE PROPOSING THE CEILING. I MEAN, WE'RE PROPOSING THE CEILING. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN NOT LOOKING AT THE BUDGET AND THEN REALIZING THAT, ARE WE I MEAN, I'D RATHER LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND THEN MAKE THAT DECISION. TO ME, IT I'M NOT AS CONCERNED AS WHAT THE MOTOR IS GOING TO THINK. I'M MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE END UP DOING AND THEN HOW THEY PERCEIVE THAT. BUT IF THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WE WANT THAT CUSHION BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE BUDGET. THEN IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE US THAT KIND OF. IF I TOLD ANYBODY I'M DOING SOMETHING BEFORE I SEE SOMETHING ELSE, I THINK I'D GET CRITICIZED. BUT, I MEAN, THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CRITICIZE US, BUT, I COULD NOT GO IN THERE SAYING, I DON'T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, BUT I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND ASSUME THAT I DON'T NEED TO GO TO THAT HIGHER LEVEL. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN A POLICY OF OURS. YEAH. NO, YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS THIS IS THERE'S SO MUCH THINGS UP IN THE AIR THAT I'D RATHER ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION THAN POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY. THAT'S, YOU KNOW, THE LAST THING I'M GOING TO SAY. Y'ALL ARE RIGHT. THIS IS THIS IS JUST A TOUGH POSITION WE'RE IN. AND IT'S AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THESE, YOU KNOW, THE HIT WE'VE TAKEN TO OUR BUDGET OVER THIS LAST YEAR, 35 MILLION BETSY. IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT? ROUGHLY FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT IMPACTS TO THE BUDGET. WELL THERE'S ABOUT 18 MILLION THAT HAS MORE OR LESS IS

[07:20:06]

ABOUT THE LOSS IN REVENUE TO ON THE FEDS BECAUSE WE PUT IN MORE STATE, SMUGGLING CASES. RIGHT ROUGHLY. CORRECT RIGHT. THERE'S BEEN THE THERE'S BEEN THE REVENUE DECLINE, THE STATE SUSTAINED EXPENSES. YEAH I THINK WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT BEFORE WE CAP OURSELVES. YEAH I, I AGREE, IT IS TOUGH THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THAT. BUT, YEAH, I WOULDN'T BE PRUDENT. I AGREE.

OKAY. SO CAN CAN WE BRING THE MOTION BACK UP THE ORIGINAL MOTION TO APPROVE THE VAR. I DO BELIEVE WE HAD A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BY COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. OKAY, I HEARD A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. YES. WAS THERE A SECOND? YEAH, I'LL SECOND THAT. SO THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE CURRENT, WHICH NEEDS TO BE READ IN SPECIFICALLY IN A SPECIFIC WAY.

JUDGE, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT. OR, COMMISSIONER, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT THAT IS.

I HAVE MY LITTLE CHART. THING. THE TOP THERE. YES, MA'AM. OKAY, SO THE MOTION WOULD BE TO PROPOSE A PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR EL PASO COUNTY OF 0.45889 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR THE 2024 TAX YEAR, WHICH CONSISTS OF A RATE OF 0.408685 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR A MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTY, AND A RATE OF 0.050204 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE DEBT OF THE COUNTY. ARE WE GOING TO DO IT VERBALLY OR.

COULD YOU READ THOSE NUMBERS AGAIN, PLEASE, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN? YES. SO THE CURRENT RAT, 0.458889 FOR 100 ASSESSED VALUE. WHICH CONSISTS OF A RATE OF 0.408685 PER $100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR M AND O, AND A RATE. OF 0.050204. 050204 PER 100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST. COMMISSIONER, I THINK ON THE FIRST, SET OF NUMBERS YOU READ IN AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. THE THREE EIGHTS IS RIGHT. IT IS THE THREE EIGHTS.

YEAH, YEAH, FOUR FIVE. 8889. YES SORRY. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S WHAT I READ OR NOT, BUT YES.

POINT 458889. BY COMMISSIONER LEON. OPEN. VOTE. OH, THERE IT IS, THE MOTION FAILS. OKAY, SO THEN CAN CAN WE MAKE THE MOTION FOR THE TO PROPOSE THE TAX RATE, THE CEILING AT THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE? SO THAT WOULD BE THE EXACT SAME WORDING, THAT COMMISSIONER OLGUIN JUST READ, BUT WITH AN M A TOTAL RATE OF JUDGE. YOU HAVE THE LANGUAGE FOR THAT 1.478306 PER 100. YES. DOLLAR WITH AN M AND O PORTION OF. 0.428102. 0.428102. AND THIS THE WHAT?

[07:25:03]

WHAT THEY HAVE ON THE SCREEN IS CORRECT. DO YOU WANT THIS? NO I CAN SEE IT HERE. YES THE JUDGE ON THE SYSTEM HAS MADE THAT MOTION. COULD YOU? BECAUSE HE'S MAKING THE MOTION. LET ME SECOND. IT'S FINE. IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THE MOTION, THAT'S FINE, WE NEED US. DID WE GET A SECOND? YES. OKAY. COMMISSIONER CORONADO, SECOND. COMMISSIONER STOUTE SECONDS. I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THAT IN THE PAST 11 YEARS, I VOTED, IN THIS WAY, LIKE YOU ALL VOTED. BUT I THINK THIS YEAR IS SO DIFFERENT. AND PERCEPTION IS SO IMPORTANT IN MY EYES IN THIS ELECTION. AND I THINK WE'RE WE'RE DAMAGING OURSELVES. THAT'S JUST MY PERCEPTION. HOPEFULLY I'M WRONG.

THE MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. COULD WE HAVE THE ENTIRE SHEET READ THOUGH, THAT I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THE RECORD, NOT JUST THE NUMBERS WE NEED TO HAVE. THE ENTIRE HANDED HERE.

YES. YOU WANT TO READ IT, JUDGE? IT'S A MOTION TO PROPOSE A PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR EL PASO COUNTY OF 0.478306 PER 100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR THE 2024 TAX YEAR, WHICH CONSISTS OF A RATE OF 0.428102 PER 100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTY, AND A RATE OF 0.050204 FOR 100 ASSESSED VALUE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST ON THE DEBT OF THE COUNTY. NEED TO READ THE REST OF THE FURTHER SCHEDULE AND PUBLISHED NOTICE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED TAX RATE AS FOLLOWS. THE PUBLIC HEARING IS TO BE HELD ON MONDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2024 AT 9:30 A.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT CHAMBERS, THIRD FLOOR, ROOM 303, EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 500 EAST SAN ANTONIO AVENUE, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS TWO OPTIONS IN WHICH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ATTEND IN PERSON AT THE EL PASO COUNTY COURTHOUSE. AS NOTED EARLIER, OR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PARTICIPATE AND ADDRESS THE GOVERNMENTAL BODY VIA TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING, PLEASE CALL 888835727 6 OR 8 888. L PERSO AGENDAS WILL CONTINUE TO BE POSTED ONLINE AT H HTTP S. DOT SLASH SLASH EL PASO COUNTY DOT PRIME GOVERNMENT .COM/ PUBLIC SLASH PORTAL TO WATCH ONLINE, PLEASE VISIT. SO IT'S WW DOT U OR YOUTUBE.COM SLASH AT EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT SLASH S T R E A M S. I JUST WANTED TO CORRECT, THE MOTION. THE MOTION WAS MADE BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. IT WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THE EYES WERE THE JUDGE, COMMISSIONER STOUT.

COMMISSIONER CORONADO. AND VOTING NO WERE COMMISSIONER OLGUIN AND COMMISSIONER LEONE.

BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, ASK, FOR A MOTION TO DELETE ITEM NUMBER 15, B FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE CORRESPONDING REGULAR SESSION ITEM 16 A. HAVE A MOTION FROM

[B. Pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 551.071, discuss legal rights and responsibilities regarding litigation styled United States v. Texas, No. 24-50149, County Attorney’s File No. 0165-23-PL. Bernardo Cruz, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247]

JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES.

COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL NOW RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS 15 A AND 15 C PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.072 AND 551.071. COMMISSIONERS COURT

[07:30:06]

WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION.

[15. EXECUTIVE SESSION Only the members of the Commissioners Court have a right to attend an executive session, except that legal counsel must be present if the executive session is held pursuant to Government Code section 551.071. In addition to legal counsel, Commissioners Court may include in executive session certain officers and employees if it finds that (1) their participation is necessary to the matter under consideration; (2) their interests are not adverse to the county, and (3) their presence will not waive the attorney client privilege. Generally, the Chief Administrator, Budget Executive Director, County Clerk's representatives, and County Auditor's Office representatives attend the closed session items based on the enumerated criteria, and certain other persons may attend based on the above-listed criteria or as otherwise provided by law.]

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT. Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NUEVE LA VACUNA COVID-19 ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE

[07:35:04]

SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH. PUT THEM ON JULY 4TH THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNO, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED.

I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING.

YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY. A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY. EL PASO. I LOVE.

THAT WAS COOL. WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO SPECIALLY MADE AND CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY AT THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNIT, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED

[07:40:05]

WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP. AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO, I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT'LL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID, AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS, I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO, AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO. I'VE NEVER BEEN, BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW ABOUT. SO SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWERY, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL. SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GOT? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN ELIZARIO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT, AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE

[07:45:03]

CHAPEL. AND WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE, WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TIGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE.

THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY. ABOUT EL PASO. DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR. AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS. AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION. CITY COMMISSIONER ELIANA HOGAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[07:51:34]

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NUEVE LA VACUNA COVID ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE. GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY. AND FISH, SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY, WE'RE GETTING OUR 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH. PUT THEM ON IN JULY 4TH THIS YEAR. WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE. SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED.

I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING.

YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. HELL.

[07:55:26]

I WAS CLEAR WE ARE AT EL PASO'S LARGEST ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND. THIS IS A PROJECT THAT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS IN THE MAKING. BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT AND EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY IS SO EXCITED YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION MOMS ON BOARD, THE NONPROFIT, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, WE CREATED THE PLAN OF HAVING THREE ALL ABILITIES PARKS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE REACHED ALL CORNERS OF THE COUNTY. WOW SO THERE'S THE FIRST ONE THAT OPENED WAS GALLEGOS PARK IN THE FAR WEST AND FAR EAST WAS RISINGER IN FABENS. AND THIS ONE FINALLY TODAY, CENTRAL ASCARATE ONE, TWO, THREE. THE FLOORING IS ALSO ESPECIALLY MADE IN CONDUCIVE TO FOLKS WITH WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABILITIES. AND SO YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT SLIDES I MEAN IT'S A GREAT PLAYGROUND SWINGS. THERE YOU GO. READY THE AMENITIES AND THE PLAY STRUCTURES ARE MORE INCLUSIVE. THEY ALLOW FOR WHEELED DEVICES TO BE UTILIZED. SO FOR EXAMPLE THIS ONE OVER HERE, THE SWAY FUN. IT'S A SEESAW. BUT A CHILD OR A PERSON WHO'S USING A WHEELED A WHEELCHAIR DOES NOT NEED TO EXIT THEIR WHEELCHAIR. THEY CAN, WHEEL INTO IT AND EXPERIENCE THE FUN. AND I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANKS FOR JOINING US. YOU'RE WELCOME. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PARK? IT'S VERY GOOD, OBVIOUSLY. AND I KIND OF LIKE IT. GREAT. WELL ARE YOU GOING TO GO PLAY? YEAH. ALL RIGHT. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT, RIGHT? CADEN AND HIS CLASSMATES AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY WHO JOINED US TODAY. IT JUST OPENS UP THAT THAT COMMUNICATION AND THAT COMMUNITY, KIDS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WILL NOT THEIR PLAY ISN'T IMPACTED WITH NOW HAVING KIDS WITH DISABILITIES COME AND JOIN THEM. SO IT OPENS UP THAT DIALOG. IT OPENS UP THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THAT COMMUNICATION AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT UNDERSTANDING OF EVERYBODY IN OUR HUMANITY. WALK AROUND A DAY WITHOUT YOUR IDENTIFICATION AND SEE HOW MANY TIMES YOU REACH FOR YOUR WALLET. AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT, WHAT YOU CANNOT DO. VERY EXCITED, HAPPY AND PROUD THAT THAT THIS PROJECT HAS FINALLY COME TO FRUITION. BECAUSE THIS IS AN INITIATIVE THAT THE COUNTY STARTED WORKING ON, ALONG WITH BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. MANY, MANY YEARS AGO, NINE, ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO. I KNOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS SLOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE PERSEVERED AND WE DIDN'T GIVE UP. WE DID HAVE TO TALK TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS LIBRARY CARD WOULD BE ACCEPTED AS A FORM OF ID, AND I'M REALLY HAPPY TO REPORT THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS WHY THIS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT. IT'S A VERY GOOD PROGRAM THAT CAME OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN FABENS, THE COMMUNITY NEEDS SOMETHING LIKE THIS, TO BE ENHANCED AND FOR EVERYBODY TO KNOW. AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US. YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHO JUST CAN'T GET THAT STATE ISSUED ID, BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE. THIS IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACCESS BANKING SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, MEDICAL SERVICES. IT WILL HELP FOLKS WITH SCHOOLS, WITH LIBRARIES. YOU'VE GOT FOLKS WHO NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET COPIES OF THEIR KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNTY CLERK, WHO CAN NOW USE THIS ID TO DO THAT AS WELL. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE AN ID AND SO ARE AFRAID TO REPORT THAT THEY'VE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A CRIME TO POLICE, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE POLICE MIGHT ASK THEM FOR ID. SO NOW HAVING THIS ENHANCED LIBRARY CARD WILL GIVE THEM THAT SECURITY THAT THEY KNOW THEY CAN CALL AND ASK THE POLICE FOR HELP. THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY. WE CAN DO MORE OF THESE. I THINK IF WE TRY, WE ARE PROVIDING ONE MORE LEVEL OF INCLUSIVITY FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE IN EL PASO. THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS ESPOUSED. THE VALUE OF, BEING INCLUSIVE. AND THIS I THINK, EMBODIES THAT. I BET YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT ROUTE 66, BUT

[08:00:02]

WHAT ABOUT THE MISSION TRAIL? IT MAY BE ONLY NINE MILES LONG, BUT IT'S A VERY SPECIAL PART OF THE AREA NEAR EL PASO. AND IT MIGHT JUST BE A FUN VACATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 13, ILIANA HOLGUIN, JOINS ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NO, THANK YOU, DARYL, FOR THE INVITATION. EL PASO, I'VE HEARD ABOUT EL PASO.

I'VE NEVER BEEN. BUT NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. EVERYTHING I CAN ABOUT EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE. BECAUSE WE WANT TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME AND GET TO KNOW EL PASO. SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE TOURIST SEASON ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL, WHICH, LIKE YOU SAID, IS A NINE MILE STRETCH OF ROAD ENCOMPASSING THREE HISTORIC MISSIONS. THESE MISSIONS REPRESENT ABOUT 350 YEARS OF OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR TRADITIONS. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU CAN STILL SEE WEDDINGS BEING PERFORMED QUINCEANERAS THE TIGUA CULTURAL DANCERS. SO THESE ARE STILL ACTIVE MISSIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE WONDERFUL ART GALLERIES THERE. IF YOU LIKE ART, WE'VE GOT GREAT RESTAURANTS, A BREWER, CAFES, AND OF COURSE THE SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHICH OFFERS FREE CONCERTS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND. SO I MUST SAY, EL PASO HAS TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT ANYTHING NOWADAYS. THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY THAT WAS JUST MADE ABOUT EL PASO. YEAH, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE NATIONAL ATTENTION THAT EL PASO IS RECEIVING, AND JUST TO MENTION SOME MORE RECOGNITIONS THAT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF. SO FOR 2023, TEXAS TRAVEL MAGAZINE NAMED THE MISSION TRAIL THE BEST HISTORIC SITE IN TEXAS AND ONE OF THE SMALL COMMUNITIES LOCATED ALONG THE MISSION TRAIL SAN ELIZARIO. THE CITY OF SAN ELIZARIO, WHICH IS HOME TO THE PRESIDIO CHAPEL OF SAN ELIZARIO, WAS NAMED THE BEST HISTORIC SMALL TOWN IN AMERICA FOR 2023 BY USA TODAY. AND WHAT'S SPECIAL THAT YOU GUYS? I'M SURE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER, BUT THERE'S SOME SPECIAL STUFF THAT'LL BE HAPPENING THIS SUMMER. WELL, ON ANY THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, FOLKS CAN COME DOWN TO SAN YSIDRO, WHERE WE HAVE AN ART MARKET. WE HAVE A LOT OF WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL LOCAL ARTISTS WHO WILL SHOW OFF ALL OF THEIR ARTISTRY. WE ALSO HAVE A REENACTMENT OF BILLY THE KID BREAKING INTO THE WHAT WAS THEN THE EL PASO COUNTY JAIL TO BREAK OUT A FRIEND OF HIS FROM JAIL. SO WE HAVE SOME LOCAL ACTORS WHO DO A REENACTMENT AND IT'S JUST A VERY FUN ENVIRONMENT. THERE'S A LOT TO DO, A LOT TO SEE. YOU CAN WALK AROUND, OF COURSE, EXPLORE THE CHAPEL, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF GREAT RESTAURANTS AND NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED UP. SO FOR EXAMPLE, NEAR THE SOCORRO MISSION IN SOCORRO, TEXAS, WE HAVE A NEW BREWERY, WE HAVE A CAFE. WE HAVE SOME GREAT RESTAURANTS, AND THEN IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE YSLETA MISSION, THAT'S WHERE WE IT'S LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SPEAKING ROCK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, WHERE, AS I MENTIONED, THEY HAVE A LOT OF FREE CONCERTS. YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF TEGUA POTTERY. SO THAT'S THE HOME OF THE YSLETA DEL SUR PUEBLO. SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF NATIVE POTTERY THERE. THEY BAKE THEIR BREAD FRESH IN THE OVEN, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BREAD IS BAKED IN THE OLD TRADITION. SO IT'S JUST REALLY GREAT. THERE'S PLENTY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A LOT OF HISTORY, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE INCORPORATED A LOT OF ENTERTAINMENT TO BRING THAT INTO LEARNING HISTORY ABOUT EL PASO DEFINITELY. SO WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND OUR TRADITIONS. AND ONE OF THE NEATEST THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS IS THAT THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. SO A LOT OF TIMES YOU GO TO A HISTORICAL PLACES AND YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ROPED OFF AND YOU CAN'T REALLY GO IN. YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE THEM FROM AFAR AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH OUR MISSIONS. WITH OUR MISSIONS, THEY'RE STILL VERY ACTIVE. SO MASS IS STILL HELD THERE ON SUNDAYS. OKAY. SO FOR SOMEONE WHO'S NEVER BEEN TO EL PASO, WHAT'S THE PERFECT BLUEPRINT TO REALLY ENJOY EL PASO FOR THE FIRST TIME? WELL, WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO. WE HAVE SO MANY ATTRACTIONS, SO DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO START WITH THE MISSION TRAIL. WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE TO COME OUT TO THE MISSION TRAIL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WATER PARKS. WE ALSO HAVE A BASEBALL STADIUM. SO WE HAVE A LOT TO DO IN EL PASO. AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES EL PASO IS, YOU KNOW, FOLKS KIND OF DRIVE THROUGH EL PASO ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT IT'S JUST SO WORTH IT TO STOP FOR A FEW DAYS AND SPEND TIME IN EL PASO. WE DEFINITELY WANT EL PASO TO BECOME A DESTINATION CITY COMMISSIONER ELIANA HOGAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME THIS MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EL PASO OR PLANNING YOUR VACATION TO THIS AMAZING DESTINATION, YOU CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

[08:09:07]

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOUR CHILDREN TO STAY CURRENT ON ALL THEIR ROUTINE VACCINES. ALSO, CHILDREN FIVE AND OLDER ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE COVID 19 VACCINE. I'M CURRENT AND ALL MY VACCINES AND I ALSO GET THE COVID VACCINE, SO I AND MY LOVED ONES CAN BE PROTECTED. YOU AND YOUR KIDS SHOULD GET THE VACCINE TOO. AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE VACCINE, YOU SHOULD GET YOUR BOOSTER FOR YOUR CHILD'S ROUTINE VACCINES. VISIT EP HEALTH.COM. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE YOUR CHILDREN, SO REMEMBER, DON'T HESITATE, VACCINATE AS IMPORTANT Q SUS HIJOS TENGAN TODAS SUS VACUNAS ADEMAS DE LA VACUNAS RUTINAS LOS NINOS MAS DE CINCO ANOS, AHORA SON ELEGIBLES PARA LA VACUNA DE COVID NUEVE LA VACUNA COVID-19 ES GRATIS PARA LAS VACUNAS RUTINAS DE SUS HIJOS. VISITA EP HEALTH.COM SABEMOS CUANTO A TUS HIJOS, ASI RECUERDA NO LO DUDES VACCINATE.

[08:10:10]

GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY. WE ARE FRECUENCIA. SOMEBODY MAKE SOME NOISE. SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 4TH OF JULY HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. WE'RE IN A COUPLE OF HOURS. ONCE IT GETS DARK, WE'LL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR THE COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, ASCARATE PARK IS THE HEART OF EL PASO COUNTY, THIS IS OUR COUNTY PARK WHERE FAMILIES FOR GENERATIONS HAVE LOVED TO COME AND PLAY AND FISH. SO WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO OPEN UP THE PARK ON THE 4TH OF JULY. SO HOPEFULLY IF THERE'S FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO INVITE THEM TO JOIN US NEXT YEAR. HEY 4TH OF JULY GLASSES. YEAH JULY 4TH. THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING OUR VIP EVENT, WHICH I'M STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW HERE AT THE PAVILION. OUR SPECIAL EVENTS AREA. IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE IT HERE, SO IT'S WHERE YOU GET YOUR OWN PERSONAL TABLE. YOU HAVE, AREAS WHERE YOU CAN PLAY GAMES. WE HAVE BLOW UP SLIDES FOR THE CHILDREN. WE EVEN HAVE A MOVIE INDOORS. IF THE KIDS WOULD PREFER TO WATCH A MOVIE OVER FIREWORKS, BUT THE TICKETS FOR OUR VIP AREA THIS YEAR WERE $45 FOR ADULTS, AND THAT PROVIDED A BRISKET DINNER. AND THEN FOR THE REST OF THE PUBLIC, NOT AT THE VIP EVENT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE FOOD TRUCKS OVER HERE AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS AREA AND ON OUR LAWN. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO A FIREWORKS SHOW IN A SCOUT AT THE PARK, COME ON OUT. IT'S A IT'S A FUN TIME. PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING IT. YOU KNOW, PARKS ARE A PLACE OF DEMOCRACY WHERE WE ALL, YOU KNOW, ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE COMING TOGETHER AND SHARING. SO THAT'S KIND OF THE BEAUTY OF IT HERE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. YEAH HIGH FIVE. TODAY IS THE 4TH OF JULY OF THIS YEAR, 2024. I WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO HERE IN EL PASO AS A NEW RESIDENT, AND I LOOKED INTO SOME RESOURCES, I WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER THAT HERE IN ASCARATE PARK THEY HAD A GREAT FIREWORKS EVENT. THERE'S A NEW RESIDENT HERE TO THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. I'M QUITE IMPRESSED.

[16. REGULAR SESSION]

I'M I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS EXISTING.

YOU KNOW, WHERE I'M HERE WITH MY THREE BOYS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT. I CAN'T ASK FOR MORE. REALLY HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, EL PASO. JUDICIAL GO AHEAD. SEE.

COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. WE HAVE COMPLETED THE ITEMS, ITEM 16 HAS BEEN DELETED, BUT WE DO NEED TO RE, WE NEED TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

ITEM NUMBER FOUR. B FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM FOUR B IS GRANT AWARD APPROVING? AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE TEXAS OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. HOMELAND SECURITY'S GRANT

[V. GRANT AWARD - Approve and authorize the County Judge to accept the Texas Office of the Governor-Homeland Security Grants Division, Statement of Grant Award #522281, for the Region 1 -Border Prosecution Unit Supplemental Funding, El Paso District Attorney's Office, in the amount of $1,170,000.00, from September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2025. There is no County match required. (Contract No. 2024-0621) Bill D. Hicks, District Attorney, District Attorney's Office, 915-546-2059]

DIVISION. STATEMENT OF GRANT AWARD NUMBER 522281 FOR THE REGION ONE BORDER PROSECUTION UNIT SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING. EL PASO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,170,000 FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2025. THERE IS NO COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0621. IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO RECONSIDER THE ITEM, PLEASE. MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER LEON. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. AND THE CORRECTION TO THE ITEM IS JUST IN THE PORTION THAT SAYS STATEMENT OF GRANT AWARD. THE NUMBER ACTUALLY SHOULD BE FIVE, TWO, 22801. AND SO IF I MAY READ IT ONE MORE TIME AS CORRECTED ITEM FOUR, B SHOULD READ GRANT AWARD, APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE TEXAS OFFICE, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS DIVISION. STATEMENT OF GRANT AWARD NUMBER 5222801 FOR THE REGION ONE BORDER PROSECUTION UNIT SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING. EL

[08:15:01]

PASO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,170,000 FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023 THROUGH AUGUST 31ST, 2025. THERE IS NO COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0621. IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS CORRECTED, PLEASE. MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN. VOTING IS OPEN. AND MOTION CARRIES. AND THIS NOW COMPLETES ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA. JUDGE. THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WE CLEARLY RECOGNIZE OUR TRANSLATORS BACK THERE. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TAS. AND I JUST THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. AND EVERYBODY ELSE HAVE A GREAT, A GREAT WEEK. SEE YOU. EVERYBODY TOMORROW AT THE BUDGET SESSIONS. THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S MEETING AT 5:46 P.M.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

5. RESOLUTIONS

7. REGULAR AGENDA

8. BOARD APPOINTMENTS

9. COMMISSIONERS COURT

10. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

11. COUNTY AND DISTRICT CLERK

12. TAX ASSESSOR - COLLECTOR

13. PUBLIC WORKS

14. BUDGET AND FINANCE

Aug 12, 2024 Commissioners Court Regular

5. RESOLUTIONS

7. REGULAR AGENDA

8. BOARD APPOINTMENTS

9. COMMISSIONERS COURT

10. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION

11. COUNTY AND DISTRICT CLERK

12. TAX ASSESSOR - COLLECTOR

13. PUBLIC WORKS

14. BUDGET AND FINANCE

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