[00:10:10]
          LIVE FROM EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. FROM INSIDE THE ALICIA CHACON 
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COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE. YOU ARE WATCHING THE 
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EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. TODAY IS 
          [1. OPEN MEETING]
MONDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2025. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS MEETING IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION. TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY ASL INTERPRETERS DARIO GARCIA AND TAMARA MARQUEZ. DO WE HAVE A PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE? STUDENTS FOR TODAY. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT FOR TODAY. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE VETERAN OF THE YEAR, DEBORAH WAKEFIELD. 
          [2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. THANK YOU. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THE TEXAS PLEDGE. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS. ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. AND NOW WE WILL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM PASTOR ANTHONY BEDOYA FROM CALVARY CHAPEL, SUN CITY. WELCOME, PASTOR. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. LET'S PRAY. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR 
          [3. INVOCATION]
BLESSING US WITH LIFE AND HEALTH. WE THANK YOU FOR PUTTING US ON THE WAKE UP LIST THIS MORNING. WE THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER DAY. MOST OF ALL, WE THANK YOU, FATHER GOD AND JESUS FOR THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE YOU BOTH MADE FOR US ON THE CROSS. WE THANK YOU FOR OUR SALVATION. 
          THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, HAS MADE. LET US REJOICE. HEAVENLY FATHER, I PRAY YOU BLESS. JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONER. BUTLER, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, COMMISSIONER STOUT, AND COMMISSIONER OLGUIN WITH GREAT WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT REGARDING THE DECISIONS THEY WILL BE MAKING TODAY. I PRAY THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE BRING YOU GREAT HONOR AND GLORY. AND LORD, I PRAY FOR OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. I PRAY YOU BLESS THEM WITH PEACE, HEALTH AND REMIND THEM THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, GOOD OR BAD, YOU ARE WITH THEM AND THAT YOU LOVE THEM. BLESS ALL OUR STAFF MEMBERS. WITHOUT THEM THIS THE OFFICES IN THIS BUILDING WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION. THEY ARE THE PULSE AND HEARTBEAT AND I PRAY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS. TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT AND KINDNESS, AND THAT THEY NEVER TAKE THEIR STAFF FOR GRANTED. I PRAY FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT THEY WOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER TO BE HUMBLE, CARING AND RESPECTFUL, BLESS THEM WITH WISDOM AND HELP THEM RUN THE OFFICES ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL. REMIND THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE POSITIONS THEY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED, BECAUSE WHAT YOU GIVE YOU CAN ALSO TAKE AWAY. LORD, I PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY. I PRAY OUR COUNTRY WOULD TURN BACK TO YOU AND YOUR WAYS AND YOUR TRUTH. AND I PRAY FOR HEALING UPON OUR NATION, AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO THAT. I PRAY FOR OUR STATE, OUR COUNTRY, AND OUR PRESIDENT. I PRAY YOUR HAND OF PROTECTION BE UPON THEM. BLESS THIS MEETING, BLESS THIS DAY, AND PLEASE BLESS THIS WEEK. MAY YOU FILL US WITH YOUR PEACE AND MAY WE LIVE OUR LIVES FOR YOU. GOD BLESS EL PASO, GOD BLESS TEXAS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA. IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY. AMEN. THANK YOU PASTOR. ALWAYS WELCOME HERE. THANK YOU. 
          GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THANK YOU. JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE SOME OPENING COMMENTS BEFORE WE BEGIN? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY. I, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR COMMISSIONERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE VERY PLEASED. WE HAVE SOME GREAT, GREAT RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP AND SOME GREAT TOPICS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WANT TO DO FOCUS A LITTLE BIT ON PRETTY BUSY WEEK. BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, BECAUSE I TEND TO FORGET THAT THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY, REALLY SPECIAL. AND THAT IS BETSY'S BIRTHDAY. COMMISSIONER CORONA WANTS TO SEE IF YOU CAN JOIN US ON SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY. WOULD THAT BE OKAY FOR EVERYBODY? YES. 
          WONDERFUL. DO I NEED A MOTION FOR THAT? JUDGE. AND IT'S MADAM PRESIDENT. MADAM PRESIDENT. 
          [00:15:05]
THANK YOU. SO YOU WANT TO TAKE JORDAN? ABSOLUTELY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JESSE. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. THANK YOU. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW PLEASED WE ARE WITH HER DEDICATION. I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE AT THE BEGINNING WHEN I STARTED, I WAS. I SAID, SHOULD I JUST THROW SOMETHING AT HER? AND SHE'S NOT READY FOR IT. AND. AND EVERY TIME I DID, SHE EXPANDED AND WAS ALWAYS PREPARED. AND THEN I GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S VERY FEW THINGS THAT YOU CAN ASK BETSY THAT SHE'S NOT ABLE TO TELL YOU, AS IF SHE WAS ALREADY INVOLVED. I MEAN, ALREADY HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING IT AND THEN SORT OF READY FOR OUR QUESTIONS. SO, BETSY, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR BEING A LEADER TO A GREAT TEAM. 
          YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM THAT THAT THAT RESPECTS AND SUPPORTS YOU AND EVERYTHING. SO THANK YOU, BETSY. THANK YOU JUDGE. AND THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. THERE'S NO PLACE I'D RATHER BE THAN HERE ON MY BIRTHDAY. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I JUST WOULD LIKE IT A LITTLE MORE LOW KEY. BUT I DON'T THINK YOU HAD A CHOICE. I'M SORRY. JUST KIDDING. THANK YOU. NO, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS WEEK WAS FULL. I MEAN, JUST SO AMAZING THINGS. WE HAD THE UNVEILING OF THE PERSIAN GULF MEMORIAL THAT WAS VERY, VERY BEAUTIFUL. AND WE HAD THE HEALING GARDEN. THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. JUST THE COMMUNITY THAT COMES TOGETHER. I TELL EVERYBODY THAT IT'S HARD TO TELL PEOPLE FROM OUT OF EL PASO WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT, BUT WHEN THEY SEE SOMETHING LIKE THAT THAT CAME TOGETHER, THAT MY UNDERSTANDING IS IN ALL, AND THIS IS NOT A SLANT OR ANYTHING. 
          EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT CHALLENGES, BUT THE IDEA THAT MOST OF THE CITIES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH A TRAGEDY HAVE NOT COME UP WITH SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EFFORT TO BE ABLE TO HONOR THE VICTIMS. AND I ALWAYS SAY, I'M NEVER GOING TO BE. YOU KNOW, I'D BE REMISS IF I DON'T SAY THAT. 
          ALSO, THE WOUNDED, THE 24 THAT WE KEEP FORGETTING AND ALSO THAT THERE WERE FAMILIES FROM, FROM JUAREZ THAT THAT GOT THAT WERE WOUNDED AND, AND HAD FATALITIES. SO THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY. AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE'RE MADE OF IN A VERY TANGIBLE WAY, WITH THE MURAL AND ALL THE THINGS THAT COME WITH IT. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. AND THE OTHER ONE, I MEAN, I JUST SOMETIMES I'M RELUCTANT ON COMMISSIONERS COURT, BUT I WAS AT THE TESTIMONIAL FOR THE REDISTRICTING, AND I CAN TELL YOU HOW, HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO SEE THE OUTCOME, THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER. WE WILL BE PAYING FOR ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL THE STREETS THAT LEAD INTO THE AIRPORT, ALL THE STREETS THAT LEAD INTO INTO FORT BLISS, INTO THE ARMY MEDICAL CENTER. WE CONTINUE TO PAY THAT, BUT IT WILL BE AN ASSET FOR SAN ANTONIO OR THE DISTRICT 23, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE A INCREDIBLE ADVOCATE, AND CONGRESSWOMAN ESCOBAR BROUGHT IN $700 MILLION, $700 MILLION FOR THE VETERAN HOSPITAL, FOR THE MEDICAL HOSPITAL. AND NOW WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT'S 500 MILES AWAY. THAT IS PART OF THE BIGGEST, LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY. IS NOW ADDING MORE TO THAT AND TO OUR ADVOCATE, CONGRESSWOMAN ESCOBAR, WE'RE TAKING AWAY FROM HER SO DIFFICULT TIMES. BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, AS I'VE ALWAYS SAID, AND EVERYBODY HAS ALWAYS SAID, NOT ME, IT DOESN'T COME FROM ME, IS THAT EL PASO IS FORT BLISS AND FORT BLISS IS EL PASO. AND THAT'S A NASA THAT BELONGS TO US. AS A ■MATTER OF FACT, TWO YEARS, TWO YEARS BEFORE WE ESTABLISHED EL PASO, FORT BLISS WAS ESTABLISHED. SO THEY THEY WERE FIRST AND THEN WE BECAME PART OF THEM. SO ANYWAY, STAY TUNED TO HOW YOU AS A COMMUNITY SHOULD REACT TO SUCH A SITUATION. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I WISH ALL OF YOU JUST AN AMAZING DAY AND A VERY BLESSED WEEK. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. JESSICA. ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS FOUR A THROUGH FOUR Z. WE DO HAVE CORRECTIONS TO READ IN FOR TWO ITEMS FOR ITEM FOUR O, WITH A CORRECTION 
          [4. CONSENT AGENDA]
FROM THE CURRENT GRANTS DIVISION, APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. EL PASO COUNTY MANAGEMENT COST APPLICATION NUMBER 1823 AWARD. 
          FURTHER APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING GRANT. CLOSEOUT DOCUMENTS. THE AWARD IS IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,035.37 FOR FEMA COVID 19 PROJECTS OF SERVICES 
          [00:20:08]
PROVIDED FROM OCTOBER 19TH, 2020 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2022. NO COUNTY MATCH REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2025 0605 AND ITEM £0.04 WITH A CORRECTION FROM THE COUNTY OPERATIONS. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE A RENEWAL OF THE COUNTY OF EL PASO'S BURN BAN ORDER FOR AN ADDITIONAL 90 DAYS, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 6TH, 2025. OPINION NUMBER 9087. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS MEMBERS OF THE COURT OR PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION? IF NOT, I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. JUDGE, IF I MAY. YES. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WERE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. ONE OF THEM WAS THE AUTHORIZATION OF OUR REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THEIR BALLISTIC VESTS. I JUST WANT TO MENTION EVERYBODY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS THIS BUDGET YEAR, WE CUT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND PREVENTED OUR A LOT OF OUR DEPARTMENTS FROM BEING ABLE TO FILL THINGS, EQUIPMENT. AND PART OF THOSE VESTS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THEIR VEHICLES FOR DEPARTMENTS AND EVERYTHING. AND SO I KNOW WE'RE IN A TOUGH SITUATION FOR A BUDGET, BUT WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THE OTHER ONE IN ON A GREAT POSITIVE NOTE, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE CANUTILLO FRUITS AND VEGGIES FOR THEIR GRANT THAT THEY JUST RECEIVED FOR THE HEALTHY FOOD INITIATIVE. AND SO THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, AND WE WILL BE POSTPONING THE FOOD. SO IF ANYBODY IS HEARING AND PREPARING FOR IT, IT'S 14 D WILL BE POSTPONED FOR ONE WEEK. AND SO THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY PREPARING FOR AND THINKING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ADDRESSING 14 OR WE POSTPONE THAT ITEM. CAN I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION? THERE'S OTHER ITEMS ON THERE BESIDES THE LONGEVITY PAY. COULD WE GO SOME OF THOSE WE WOULD LIKE TO GET DIRECTION ON. WE WOULD BE POSTPONING THE SECTION ON PROPOSED ATTORNEY LONGEVITY PROGRAM. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. GOOD. GOOD OBSERVATION BETSY. SO IT JUST THE ITEM ON THE JUDICIAL AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY PAY. THAT WOULD BE. AND THE REMAINING ITEMS WOULD BE HER JUST THE PROPOSED ATTORNEY LONGEVITY PROGRAM WOULD BE I JUST WANTED SO THAT THEY WOULD KNOW AHEAD OF TIME. SO. WELL THANK YOU BETSY. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. ITEM FIVE RESOLUTIONS FIVE A APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 3RD THROUGH NINTH, 2025 AS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK 
          [A. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing August 3-9, 2025, as National Health Center Week in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU. YOU WANT TO CAN I HAVE CHRISTINA? AND WHOEVER YOU YOU WISH TO HAVE HERE? THANK YOU. SO THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL BECAUSE I THINK WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HOW WE INTRODUCE SITUATIONS THAT THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T FULLY, FULLY UNDERSTAND. AND I THINK YOU'LL HEAR FROM DOCTOR BOSS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC AND SOME OTHER TIMES. SO THESE HAVE BECOME VERY ESSENTIAL IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I'LL READ IT INTO THE RECORD. WHEREAS FOR NEARLY 60 YEARS, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS HAVE PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY, AFFORDABLE, COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY AND PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE IN OUR NATION'S MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, DELIVERING VALUE TO AND HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON AMERICANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WHEREAS THE COUNTY'S LARGEST PRIMARY CARE NETWORK, COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, ARE THE HEALTH CARE HOME FOR OVER 32.5 MILLION AMERICANS AND OVER 16,000 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ONE IN EVERY TEN PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES GETS THEIR CARE AT A COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTER, WHEREAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS ARE A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF THE NATION'S HEALTH SYSTEM, SERVING RURAL, SUBURBAN ISLAND, FRONTIER URBAN POPULATIONS, OFTEN PROVIDING THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE AND DEPENDABLE SOURCES OF PRIMARY CARE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. NATIONWIDE, COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS SERVE ONE IN EVERY FIVE RESIDENTS OF RURAL AREAS, WHEREAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTERS ARE RESPONDING TO THE CHRONIC DISEASE EPIDEMIC BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO PRIMARY 
          [00:25:03]
CARE, WHICH KEEPS AMERICA HEALTHY AND OUT OF EXPENSIVE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS LIKE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS. WHEREAS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS DEVELOP NEW APPROACHES TO INTEGRATING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES BEYOND PRIMARY CARE, INCLUDING ORAL HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND PHARMACY SERVICES TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CARE, ALLOWING EACH PATIENT TO THRIVE. HEALTH HEALTH CENTERS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED THEIR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE IN THE LAST DECADE. TO MEET AMERICA'S GROWING NEED FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH, CENTERS ARE GOVERNED BY PATIENT MAJORITY BOARDS, ENSURING PATIENTS ARE ENGAGED IN THEIR HEALTH CARE DECISIONS, WHEREAS THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTER MODEL CONTINUES TO PROVE AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO HEALTHCARE ACCESS, INCLUDING GEOGRAPHY, INCOME, INSURANCE STATUS, IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND REDUCING HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. COSTS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS PROVIDE MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION CANCER SCREENINGS IN 2023, AND HELP 65% OF PATIENTS CONTROL THEIR HYPERTENSION AND 71% OF THEIR PATIENTS CONTROL THEIR DIABETES, WHEREAS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE AMERICA'S NEARLY 1500 COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER ORGANIZATIONS WITH OVER 16,000 SERVICE DELIVERY SITES, INCLUDING MORE THAN 4100 SCHOOL BASED SITES. WE HONOR THEIR DEDICATED STAFF, BOARD MEMBERS, PATIENTS AND ALL THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS AND GROWTH SINCE THE FIRST HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS OPENED THEIR DOORS NEARLY 60 YEARS AGO. 
          WHEREAS DURING NATIONAL HEALTHCARE WEEK, WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF AMERICA'S COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THEIR VITAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF AMERICA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AUGUST 3RD THROUGH THE NINTH, 2025, AS NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK. SIGN THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. DOCTOR. BUS. DOCTOR OPUS IS ALSO A MEMBER OF OUR WOMEN'S COMMISSION, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AS WELL. BESIDES EVERYTHING ELSE YOU DO. JUDGE. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO BE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TODAY. AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK. NATIONAL HEALTH CENTER WEEK IS A CELEBRATION ACROSS THE NATION WHERE WE GET TO CELEBRATE THE FACT THAT WE SAW OVER 32 MILLION INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE NATION, 2 MILLION OF THOSE JUST IN TEXAS, AND THOUSANDS HERE IN EL PASO. 
          OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. AND THAT'S THE MAJORITY OF OUR GOAL. WE OFFER SERVICES FROM BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TO DENTAL TO PRIMARY CARE PEDIATRIC CARE. WE ARE THE INVENTORS OF THE WHEEL WHEN IT COMES TO PRIMARY CARE, AND TODAY, I AM BLESSED TO BE STANDING UP HERE WITH LA FE LEADERS FROM LA FE, LEADERS FROM PROJECT VIDA, CENTRO SAN VICENTE, WHERE WE ARE THE THREE ENTITIES IN EL PASO PROVIDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ANYONE WHO REQUESTS THEM. I'M ALSO ALSO HONORED TO STAND UP HERE WITH LEADERS FROM CENTRO SAN VICENTE, ONE OF WHOM WHO TOOK THE TIME TO WRITE THE RESOLUTION THIS MORNING. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND OF COURSE, OUR BOARD CHAIR, WHO IS WITH US ALSO HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE KNOW THAT YOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE CENTER IS IN OUR IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE YOUR HOMES AS WELL. WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND THE RECOGNITION THAT YOU'RE PROVIDING FOR US TODAY. THANK YOU. DOCTOR BUS, WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELVES OR IF THERE'S ANY OTHER COMMENTS YOU WANT TO ADD, YOU'RE WELCOME TO. 
          I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, LUCY ROBERT FROM CENTRO DE SALUD. FAMILIAR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. 
          GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. LILY GUTIERREZ MOLINA, CEO OF PROJECT HEALTH CENTER. AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US THIS MORNING. THANK YOU. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL. MY NAME IS ELENA CARRILLO AND I'M FROM PROJECT VIDA AS WELL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AS WELL. I'M CRYSTAL DURANT, I'M THE CFO FROM CENTRAL SAN VICENTE. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DANIEL DEL TORO FROM CENTRO SAN VICENTE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS DAVID PORTER, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF CENTRO VICENTE, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING CENTRO SAN VICENTE, PROJECT VIDA AND PROJECT LAFAYETTE. WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY, AND WE'RE HONORED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT HAVE THE MOST NEED. SO ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. DAVID. DAVID IS ALSO ON THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD. 
          SO VERY PROUD OF. SO I REALLY WANT TO THANK THE BOARD AND EVERYONE IN YOUR TEAM. AND I 
          [00:30:02]
HOPE THAT THEY'RE HEARING THAT. WE JUST WE KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH. THERE WAS A TIME WHERE RURAL, MOST VULNERABLE WAS ALMOST LIKE A LIKE A SECOND THOUGHT. AND THERE THEY ARE. 
          RIGHT. BUT WE FOCUSED ON MAINSTREAM. THAT WAS THE FOCUS, HOW YOU'VE REACHED OUT AND HOW YOU'VE REACHED TO THE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE SO VULNERABLE IS JUST INCREDIBLE. SO THIS IS A NEW AGE WHERE WE REALIZE THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD BE TREATED THE SAME, AND WE SHOULD HAVE ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUALITY FOR EVERYONE CONCERNED. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. PLEASE LET YOUR TEAM KNOW THAT WE AND YOUR BOARD MEMBERS KNOW THAT WE TRULY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. 
          ITEM FIVE B APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 7TH, 2025, AS PURPLE HEART RECOGNITION DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. I PROMISE YOU, I HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL 
          [B. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing August 7, 2025, as "Purple Heart Recognition Day" in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
PURPLE HEART THAT SAYS PURPLE HEART ADVOCATE. BECAUSE OF MY BROTHER BEING KILLED IN VIETNAM. 
          AND I PUT IT THERE, I SAID I WAS GOING TO USE IT, AND I GUESS I WAS TRYING TOO HARD BECAUSE I APOLOGIZE, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THAT SPECIAL PIN. SO I'LL READ INTO THE RECORD AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM THESE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN. WHERE'S THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL IS THE OLDEST MILITARY DECORATION STILL PRESENTED TO AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS. 
          ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1782 AS A BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT, AND LATER RECEIVED IN 1932 AS A PURPLE HEART. WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART IS AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED OR KILLED IN ACTION AGAINST AN ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES, SERVING AS A SOLEMN SYMBOL OF COURAGE, SACRIFICE, AND DEDICATION. WHEREAS PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS REPRESENT THE HIGHEST IDEALS OF MILITARY SERVICE, HAVING BORNE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS OF COMBAT IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION AND ITS FREEDOM. AND WHEREAS THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART AND IN PARTICULAR LONE STAR CHAPTER 393 LOCATED IN EL PASO, TEXAS, CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE FOR THE SUPPORT COMBAT WOUNDED VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH, VETERAN ASSISTANCE, AND PATRIOTIC SERVICE. WHEREAS AUGUST 7TH IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS PURPLE HEART RECOGNITION DAY, A TIME TO HONOR AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXTRAORDINARY SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE EARNED THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL AND TO ENSURE THEIR SERVICE IS NEVER FORGOTTEN, WAS EL PASO COUNTY IS PROUD TO BE DISTINGUISHED AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY AND REMAIN STEADFAST IN ITS COMMITMENT TO HONORING AND SERVING THE COMBAT WOUNDED VETERANS WHO CALL THIS COMMUNITY HOME. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZES AUGUST 7TH, 2025 AS PURPLE HEART RECOGNITION DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY AND URGES ALL CITIZENS TO HONOR AND PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS AND THEIR UNWAVERING DEVOTION TO DUTY AND COUNTRY. SIGNED THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST 2025, WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME. THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. VETERANS IN EL PASO COMMUNITY. I'M ROBERT 
          [00:35:03]
GARZA. I'M THE REGIONAL I MEAN, I AM THE CHAPTER COMMANDER FOR LONE STAR CHAPTER 393. AND BEFORE I GET STARTED, I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SOME GREAT HEROES HERE IN THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JAMES DE NOLA, SERVED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND WAS INJURED DURING AN IED EXPLOSION ON MY CONVOY BACK IN IRAQ IN ZERO THREE. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS GEORGE ELSASSER. I WAS WOUNDED IN 2010, IN AFGHANISTAN. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS PHIL HERRERA. I WAS WOUNDED IN AUGUST OF 2006, KORENGAL VALLEY, AFGHANISTAN. THANK YOU. AND REPRESENTING OUR AUXILIARY TODAY. THANK YOU. HELLO, DOCTOR. 
          NOLA, I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART AUXILIARY, AND I AM SPOUSE AND CAREGIVER TO JAMES NOLA. THANK YOU, DOCTOR, FOR WELL BEFORE. JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. AND AS WE ALWAYS SAY, WELCOME HOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TODAY ABOUT A SYMBOL WE ALL RECOGNIZE, THE SYMBOL OF PROFOUND SACRIFICE AND COURAGE, THE PURPLE HEART. THIS ISN'T JUST A MEDAL. IT'S A TESTAMENT. A STORY OF AN AMERICAN WHO SHED BLOOD IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION. THE PURPLE HEART IS GIVEN TO THOSE WOUNDED OR KILLED IN COMBAT. IT REPRESENTS A WOUND SUSTAINED WHILE FACING AN ENEMY, A WOUND THAT FOREVER CHANGES THE LIFE, A FAMILY AND A COMMUNITY. WHEN WE SEE A VETERAN WITH A PURPLE HEART, WE AREN'T JUST SEEING A SOLDIER. WE'RE SEEING A PATRIOT WHO WAS WILLING TO GIVE EVERYTHING FOR THE IDEALS WE HOLD DEAR. THEIR SACRIFICE ISN'T JUST ABOUT THE MOMENT THEY WERE WOUNDED. IT'S ABOUT THE LONG ROAD OF RECOVERY, THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SCARS THEY CARRY FOR A LIFETIME. THEIR COURAGE ISN'T JUST ABOUT FACING DANGER ON THE BATTLEFIELD. IT'S ABOUT THE STRENGTH THEY SHOW EVERY SINGLE DAY, CONTINUING TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND THEIR COMMUNITIES IN COUNTLESS OTHER WAYS. LET'S NEVER FORGET THE COST OF OUR FREEDOM. LET'S HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO EARNED A PURPLE HEART BY LIVING LIVES WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE. LET'S SUPPORT THEM, THANK THEM, AND REMEMBER THAT THEIR COURAGE IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SECURITY. MAY WE NEVER FORGET THE FALLEN AND THE FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN. GOD BLESS THE TROOPS. EL PASO COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, ROBERT. I MEAN, IT'S JUST IT'S JUST AMAZING. PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT IT BRINGS COMFORT. YOU KNOW, WHEN SOMEONE, A FAMILY IS RECOGNIZED, WHEN YOU KNOW THOSE THESE WOUNDS, RIGHT, THAT LEAD INTO SPIRITUAL MENTAL. I MEAN, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT. IF YOU SEE THESE INCREDIBLE MEN, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW, RIGHT? WHAT THEY'VE GONE THROUGH, WHAT THEY'VE STRUGGLED WITH AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY'VE BEEN CHALLENGED WITH. SO IT'S AN EXTREMELY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT AND I WANTED. SO, YOU KNOW, THOSE THINGS THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO SAY AND YOU DON'T SAY THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS VERY PAINFUL FOR ME WAS WHEN SOMEBODY SAID TO ME, IS YOUR WASN'T YOUR BROTHER KIA? AND THEY ABBREVIATE IT, THEY ABBREVIATED KILLED IN ACTION TO KIA. PLEASE DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ANY SERVICE PERSON. PLEASE DON'T EVER SAY KIA KILLED IN ACTION WHILE FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM OF THIS COUNTRY. SO INSTEAD OF ABBREVIATING IT, LET'S EXPAND IT AND GIVE THEM MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE THE FAMILIES DO. IT HURTS. AND THE FAMILIES, EACH ONE OF YOUR FAMILIES DEALS WITH THE WOUNDS THAT YOU HAVE. THE FAMILY DEALS WITH THEM. AND I'M SURE, DOCTOR, YOU KNOW HOW HOW DIFFICULT THAT IS. SO I SEE DEBO CREEPING UP TO THE PODIUM HERE, SO I'M GOING TO HAVE HER COME UP. I DO WANT TO ADD ONE MORE THING. WE KNOW THAT EL PASO IS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY THAT WAS ESTABLISHED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. BEFORE BEFORE ANY OF US PROBABLY WERE IN THE CHAPTER. BUT AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY AND AS WE CREATED OTHER, YOU KNOW, WE MADE PURPLE HEART CITY, SOCORRO, PURPLE HEART CITY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO EXPAND THAT AS WE CALL PAINT WEST TEXAS PURPLE TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE SACRIFICE OF THE PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS. ONE THING THE COUNTY NEVER RECEIVED, JUDGE, WAS A PROCLAMATION FROM OUR ORGANIZATION THAT WE WERE GOING TO PRESENT TO YOU TODAY. AND IF I MAY, MAY I READ THIS REALLY QUICK? OH, ABSOLUTELY. YOU'RE VERY WELCOME TO KNOW ALL MEN AND WOMEN BY THE PRESENCE THAT THE LONE STAR CHAPTER OF THE MILITARY, PURPLE HEART USA, IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS, CONFERS THIS PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS, HAS DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO HONORING AND SUPPORTING OUR NATION'S VETERANS, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED OR KILLED IN COMBAT. AND WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART BEING THE OLDEST MILITARY DECORATION IN PRESENT USE AND WAS INITIALLY CREATED AS THE BADGE OF MILITARY MERIT BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON IN 1782. AND WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN SERVICE AWARD OR DECORATION MADE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMON SOLDIER, 
          [00:40:04]
AND IS SPECIFICALLY AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE UNITED ARMED UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED OR HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN COMBAT WITH A DECLARED ENEMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND WHEREAS, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS RECOGNIZES AND SEEKS TO EXPRESS ITS GRATITUDE FOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES MADE BY THOSE WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO OUR NATION, THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF EL PASO. IN TIMES OF PEACE AND IN TIMES OF WAR, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE PURPLE HEART AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS THE PURPLE HEART DESIGNATION SERVES AS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, OUR VETERANS BOTH WHO RETURNED WOUNDED FROM COMBAT AND THOSE WHO FELL IN COMBAT, AND THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO RETURN HOME. THE OFFERING OF SOLACE GOES TO THEIR LOVED ONES. AND WHEREAS ON THIS DAY, AUGUST 7TH, 2025, HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN DESIGNATED THE DAY REAFFIRMING THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS, OF ITS CONTINUED DEDICATION TO THE VETERANS OF ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THOSE WHO ARE RECIPIENTS OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO IN THE STATE OF TEXAS IS OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AS A PURPLE HEART COUNTY. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF AUGUST 2025. ROBERTO GARZA, CHAPTER COMMANDER OF THE PURPLE HEART, LONE STAR CHAPTER 393. OH MY GOODNESS. LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE WERE ALWAYS VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. WE JUST SORT OF PROCLAIMED SOMETHING THAT ALREADY EXISTED. AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. THERE'S SO MANY PILLARS THAT COME UP TO BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT. AND SO WE THANK YOU. WE'VE NEVER GIVEN A RESOLUTION AND THEY GAVE US ONE BACK. I MEAN, THAT'S HISTORICAL. 
          SO GO AHEAD. ANTOINETTE. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. ALTHOUGH THE PURPLE HEART IS THE OLDEST MILITARY AWARD, THIS IS NOT AN HONOR ANYBODY SEEKS. IT SIGNIFIES EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE AND COMMITMENT. IT REPRESENTS THE RESILIENCE OF THOSE WHO ENDURED INJURY IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND CONTINUE TO PRESS FORWARD IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY. THESE RECIPIENTS EXEMPLIFY STRENGTH AND SACRIFICE THAT DEFINES THE AMERICAN WARRIOR, AND WE THANK THEM AND HONOR THEM FOR HAVING DONE SO. AND IN THAT NOTE, I HAD SOMETHING MADE FOR THEM. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL WANT TO SEE IT THIS WAY AND THEN TURN IT. IT'S UPSIDE DOWN. SO I HAD THIS MADE AND THEN WE CAN TURN IT. SO THE A NOTICE IS PURPLE. AND YOU GUYS THIS IS YOURS. AND I HOPE YOU CAN PROUDLY DISPLAY IT ON SATURDAY. THIS I SEE IT IN PRACTICE COMING UP HERE. 
          MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART CHAPTER 393. THANK YOU. THIS IS VERY SPECIAL. AND I ALSO WANT TO ADD THAT BECOMING A PURPLE HEART COUNTY AND CREATING THE PURPLE HEART TRAIL THAT WE HAVE, THE PURPLE HEART TRAIL IN EL PASO COUNTY IS THE LARGEST PART OF THE PURPLE HEART TRAIL IN THE ENTIRE NATION. SO I JUST THOUGHT I'D THROW THAT OUT THERE. OH MY GOODNESS. SEE? IT NEVER ENDS. WHAT DO WE DO FOR VETERANS AND WHAT THEY DO FOR US? SO DEBO, WERE YOU GOING TO SAY A FEW WORDS? NO. OKAY. SO WE HAVE ANOTHER UNUSUAL MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY OF. THANK YOU. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET BACK. GET BACK IN. SEE, I TOLD YOU NOT TO TAKE VACATION. GO AHEAD. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THE DEPTH AND BROADNESS OF THIS, OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND WHAT THEY DO FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND WE'LL TAKE PICTURES HERE. THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          [00:45:49]
THANK YOU. ITEM FIVE C. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING EL PASO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BETSY C KELLER FOR HER OUTSTANDING DEDICATION AND MEANINGFUL 
          [C. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing El Paso County Administrator, Betsy C. Keller, for her outstanding dedication and meaningful contributions to the community and the administration of El Paso County, Texas. Her commitment to public service has made a lasting impact and continues to inspire those around her.
Jackie Butler, Commissioner, Precinct 1, 915-273-3594]
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. HER COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE HAS MADE A LASTING IMPACT AND CONTINUES TO INSPIRE THOSE AROUND HER. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM VERY HONORED TO READ TODAY'S RESOLUTION FOR OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OUR WONDERFUL COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WHO IS RIGHTLY GETTING RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY AMONG HER PEERS. AND SO I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION. AND THIS, YOU KNOW, IF THERE WAS A WAY TO CO-SPONSOR RESOLUTIONS, WE WOULD DO THAT. BUT COMMISSIONER STOUT ALSO HELPED WITH THIS RESOLUTION, WHEREAS BETSY KELLER SERVES AS EL PASO COUNTY, SERVES EL PASO COUNTY WITH OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION, BRINGING OVER TWO DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCE TO HER ROLE AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. AND WHEREAS, MISS KELLER HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERTISE AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EFFICIENCY, EARNING THE TRUST AND RESPECT OF COUNTY OFFICIALS, STAFF, AND THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS, UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, EL PASO COUNTY HAS IMPLEMENTED INITIATIVES TO EXPAND PUBLIC SERVICES, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PROMOTE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, MAKING EL PASO COUNTY A MODEL OF EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT. AND WHEREAS, MISS KELLER HAS BEEN NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT CONNECTS COUNTY LEADERS AND PROMOTES INNOVATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION, AND ADVOCACY AMONG COUNTY LEADERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. AND WHEREAS, HER ELECTION TO THIS PRESTIGIOUS ROLE REFLECTS NOT ONLY HER PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE, BUT ALSO THE HIGH REGARD IN WHICH HER PEERS NATIONWIDE HOLD HER. AND WHEREAS MISS KELLER'S LEADERSHIP AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL WILL CONTINUE TO UPLIFT, UPLIFT COUNTIES AND SUPPORT BEST PRACTICES IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THAT BENEFIT COMMUNITIES IN EL PASO COUNTY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE BETSY KELLER ON HER APPOINTMENT TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS AND COMMEND HER FOR HER CONTINUED DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE IN COUNTY LEADERSHIP. SIGNED THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THANK YOU TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COURT. I AM INCREDIBLY HONORED TO RECEIVE THIS RECOGNITION, AS I BELIEVE IT'S A REFLECTION OF EFFORTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF A MUCH LARGER GROUP OF PEOPLE THAN MYSELF BEING SELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, NACA, AS WE CALL IT BY MY PEERS, HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGH FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION SINCE 2016 AND HAVE SERVED AS REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AND AS SECRETARY TREASURER AND OF COURSE, AS PRESIDENT ELECT BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO PRESIDENT. THE ASSOCIATION IS THE PREMIER ORGANIZATION FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING AMONG COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. IT WAS FORMED WITH THE HELP OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES OVER 65 YEARS AGO, AND IN THE HISTORY, I THINK I AM THE ONLY THIRD FEMALE TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT. AND THE LAST PRESIDENT THAT WAS FEMALE WAS ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HOW THIS IS EVEN POSSIBLE, GIVEN THE DEMANDS OF MY WORK HERE AT THE COUNTY FIRST COMMISSIONERS COURT. YOU ALL HAVE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATION AND LEADERSHIP. YOU'VE ILLUSTRATED THIS IN YOUR 
          [00:50:02]
OWN ACTIVITIES. EACH OF YOU SERVES ON VARIOUS BOARDS, YOU'RE IN LEADERSHIP ROLES, AND YOU'VE REALLY SET THE STANDARD FOR ALL OF US. AND YOU ALSO HAVE IT IN YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN, UNDER YOUR OBJECTIVES. UNDER GOAL FIVE IS ABOUT BEING A LEADER AND SERVING ON DIFFERENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES. OUR TEAM AT THE COUNTY WHO KEEPS OPERATIONS MOVING. WHEN I ATTEND TO NACA BUSINESS, THIS INCLUDES ALL OF MY COUNTY ADMIN TEAM, OUR PARTNERS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE LEGAL, PURCHASING AND AUDITORS, DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND ESPECIALLY JOEL, NORMA AND MELISSA WHO ARE THE POINT OF CONTACT WHEN I'M AT THESE EVENTS. BUT THEY MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO ATTEND THESE THREE MEETINGS EACH YEAR. AND THEN OUR NACA STAFF, WE HAVE CASEY FULLERTON FROM ICA, ICMA, AND PAULA FREEZE FROM NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, WHO PROVIDE THE HEAVY LIFTING TO GET THINGS READY AND TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES AND ACTIONS OF OUR NACA BOARD. I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE CHIEF AIDE LORENA RODRIGUEZ, WHO ATTENDS THESE MEETINGS AND HELPS ME GET READY AND GOES WITH ALL MY CRAZY IDEAS TO MAKE OUR REPRESENTATION ON NACA STAND OUT. AND ALL OF MY FELLOW NACA BOARD MEMBERS AND THE MEMBERS ACROSS THE NATION, ESPECIALLY OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, MICHAEL COLBERT FROM MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO, KENNETH WILSON FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO, AND JONATHAN LEWIS FROM SARASOTA, FLORIDA, WHO SUPPORT AND HELP GUIDE THE WORK OF NACA IN SERVING OUR MEMBERS AND MY FAMILY, WHO GIVES ME THE TIME TO DO THIS WORK BECAUSE THEY KNOW I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT GROWING OTHERS AND MYSELF FOR THE BETTER OF GOOD GOVERNANCE. AND I DO THIS SERVICE TO NACA AND THIS WORK IN MY ROLE, BECAUSE I WANT TO BRING POSITIVE ATTENTION TO EL PASO, TO YOU ALL, AND I WANT TO LEARN AND BRING BACK BEST PRACTICES TO OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT YOU EXPECT AND OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES WITH THE SUPPORT OF EVERYONE I MENTIONED. AND ONCE I'M SURE I MISSED, I'M PROUD TO SERVE IN THIS ROLE, AND I THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ME AS A REFLECTION OF ALL OF US AND WHAT IT TAKES. 
          THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MR. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU ALL. AND YOU GUYS KNOW, I USUALLY I LIKE TO BE BEHIND THE SCENES. I LOVE MY ROLE. I LOVE TO SHED THE LIGHT ON YOU ALL AND ON OUR COMMUNITY. 
          THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU BETSY. YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO SAY SOMEONE'S IMPECCABLE, BUT I'VE NEVER, EVER IN THE COMMUNITY. ALL I HEAR IS THAT WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE BETSY AS YOUR CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR. WHEN WE GO TO CONFERENCES, HER NAME ALWAYS COMES UP. AND SO, I DON'T KNOW, PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS WHEN SOMEONE'S AN ADVOCATE. YOU CAN IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT KNOW EL PASO THE WAY IT IS, INSTEAD OF HOW THEY THOUGHT IT WAS. 
          THROUGH BETSY, IN EVERY COMMITTEE SHE'S IN AND EVERY PLACE SHE ANYWHERE SHE GOES, SHE BECOMES A HUGE, HUGE ADVOCATE FOR US. AND THAT'S SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE, AS I SAID COMMONLY, THEY THEY THINK OF US IN A CERTAIN WAY THAT HAS NOTHING, NOTHING TO DO WITH US. AND SHE CLARIFIES THAT BY HER OWN SELF, NOT ALWAYS IN IN TELLING THEM, BUT AS A ROLE MODEL. AND I'M SURE THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ORGANIZATION'S GOING TO BE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE YOUR INSIGHT, YOUR CREATIVITY, YOUR INNOVATION, AND YOUR CONTINUED AMBASSADORSHIP FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU ALL. THANK YOU. SO DO I GET MY PHOTO WITH THE COURT FINALLY, COMMISSIONER STOUT, PLEASE. YEAH, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I IF I DIDN'T SAY A FEW WORDS, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO HAVE HAVE HAVE SERVED THE LONGEST WITH BETSY OUT OF THE MEMBERS HERE ON THE ON THE COURT. WHEN I FIRST STARTED, SHE WAS NOT OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, BUT, YOU KNOW, SOON, SOON AFTER WE CREATED THE POSITION, SHE SHE STEPPED UP TO THE ROLE. AND, YOU KNOW, BETSY, I JUST AM VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED ME AND MY OFFICE OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS THAT WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER. YOU KNOW, I IT'S HARD TO FIND A MORE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT HERE IN EL PASO. YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S THE WORK THAT YOU DO IN HERE, IN THIS, YOU KNOW, IN THIS COURTROOM OR INSIDE THIS BUILDING OR THE WORK THAT YOU DO ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S WITH ROTARY OR, YOU KNOW, THE MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU ARE A MEMBER OF. YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW ANYBODY WHO HAS ANYTHING BAD TO SAY ABOUT BETSY. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS, THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOW AT THE HEAD OF, OF THE NACA IS, IS JUST A HUGE FEATHER IN YOUR 
          [00:55:03]
CAP AND IN OURS AS WELL. WE WEREN'T MEMBERS OF NACO UNTIL 2016, WHEN WE WERE APPROACHED BY FORMER PRESIDENT WHO'S FROM TEXAS COUNTY, JUDGE GLENN WHITLEY FROM FORT. I'M SORRY, FROM TARRANT COUNTY. AND HE CAME TO US AND SAID, HEY, WHY AREN'T YOU ALL MEMBERS OF NACO? AND WE SAID, WELL, WHAT IS NACO? YOU KNOW? AND HE EXPLAINED IT TO US, AND WE CAME BACK AND MADE A PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY TO BECOME MEMBERS OF NACO AGAIN. AND REALLY THAT HAS HAS BORNE SO MANY FRUITS, WHETHER IT'S INFORMATION THAT WE'VE GLEANED, POLICIES THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT, BEST PRACTICES THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING BACK TO EL PASO, GRANTS AND FUNDING THAT WE BROUGHT BACK. AND THEN, OF COURSE, JUST BEING ABLE TO SHOWCASE EL PASO AT A NATIONAL LEVEL, IT REALLY IS AMAZING. YOU KNOW, I GO TO THESE MEETINGS AND EVERYBODY PEOPLE KNOW BETSY MORE THAN THEY KNOW ME. AND I, YOU KNOW, I'M PRETTY INVOLVED AND, YOU KNOW, SO, YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS COURT AND TO THIS COMMUNITY. SHE IS A YES WOMAN. 
          SHE IS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WILL MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. NO MATTER, NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES. 
          AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, SHE HAS TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COURT. AND LIKE SHE SAID, BUT ALSO YOUR STAFF, YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF, YOU KNOW, PICKING AND CHOOSING GREAT MEMBERS OF STAFF THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE PART OF YOUR TEAM AND THAT ARE PART OF OUR COUNTY FAMILY. AND REALLY, YOU HELPED SET THE TONE AND THE CULTURE FOR THIS ORGANIZATION. AND, YOU KNOW, I HOPE YOU STAY AROUND FOREVER, OR AT LEAST AS LONG AS I'M AROUND. SO, SO, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO, TO DO GREAT THINGS AND, AND WORK SO HARD ON BEHALF OF THIS COUNTY AND, AND JUST CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER STOUT HAS A FRONT ROW SEAT OF EVERYTHING BECAUSE HE'S VERY, VERY INVOLVED AT THE AT THE COUNTY NATIONAL LEVEL. AND SO HE HAS WHAT HE SAYS IS EVEN MORE ACCURATE BECAUSE OF HIS ACTUAL INTERACTIONS IN THE SAME ORGANIZATION. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THANK YOU, JUDGE BETSY. YOU KNOW, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ELECTION. BUT MORE THAN THAT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY, YOUR ACCESSIBILITY, YOUR WILLINGNESS TO FACE CHALLENGES HEAD ON. I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HEARD YOU JUST SAY, NO, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE. YOU ALWAYS COME BACK WITH LET US LOOK AT IT. LET US TRY TO FIND A SOLUTION. AND IF SOMETHING REALLY ISN'T POSSIBLE, THEN YOU TAKE GREAT CARE TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC WHY THAT IS THE CASE. AND I THINK THAT IS SO, SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. I'VE BEEN ON THIS COURT NOW FOR A LITTLE OVER FOUR YEARS, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING AVAILABLE, ALWAYS BEING WILLING TO STEP IN WHEN NECESSARY, WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR COUNTY. AND I, I THINK THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I'VE SEEN YOUR YOUR FACE BE THE COLOR OF YOUR JACKET TWICE NOW IN ONE DAY. CONGRATULATIONS. 
          THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. COMMISSIONER CORONADO. BETSY, YOU KNOW, I'M NO LONGER THE JUNIOR MEMBER ON THE COURT. COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THANK YOU. 
          BUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU, YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE SERVICE THAT YOU DO. AND NOT JUST TO THE COURT, TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, BUT TO THE COMMUNITY. AND, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY ONE THING THAT REALLY EVERYBODY, THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO, THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT, IS BETTER IN THIS DAY AND AGE BECAUSE OF YOU. 
          THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU ALL. COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THANK YOU. 
          JUST A JUST A COUPLE MORE REMARKS. AND ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, EVEN THOUGH I AM THE JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE COURT, BETSY HAS BEEN A MENTOR TO ME FOR MANY YEARS. AND I CREDIT YOU WITH A LOT OF WHAT I KNOW ABOUT COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND FOR EVEN HAVING THE COURAGE TO RUN FOR THIS OFFICE. SO THANK YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL FOR YOUR MENTORSHIP AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 
          I KNOW YOU'RE USED TO SITTING IN THE BACKGROUND, BUT WHEN I WENT TO NACO, I SAW THAT YOU'RE AT THE FOREFRONT, RIGHT? EVERYBODY ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL RECOGNIZES YOU AS THE BEST COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE COUNTRY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE RECOGNIZED AS SUCH HERE AT HOME. 
          [01:00:02]
BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO EL PASO. SO THANK YOU AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 
          THANK YOU. THERE IS NO OTHER COMMUNITY I WOULD RATHER BE EVER. I WILL FINISH MY CAREER IN EL PASO COUNTY. I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY. I LOVE THIS COURT, I LOVE OUR TEAM AND I LOVE EL PASOANS. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR. YOU KNOW, IT'S ON THE RECORD, RIGHT? WHAT YOU JUST SAID I I'M NOT AFRAID OF IT. IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? OKAY. 
          RIGHT. YOU KNOW SO. COME ON. 
          COME ON. 
          FAMILIES. ALEXIS, LOOK AT THE PICTURE. REMOTE CAMERA. SO I CAN GET. I MEAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO. COME ON. CAMERA. 
          ITEM FIVE D APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 2025 AS BLACK BUSINESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. COMMISSIONER STOUT. ALL RIGHT. VERY, VERY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO 
          [D. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing August 2025 as Black Business Month in El Paso County, Texas.
David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-273-3559]
READ THIS RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD. I KNOW MANY OF US HERE ARE FAMILIAR WITH MANY OF THE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN EL PASO, BUT WE MAY NOT KNOW THE BIGGER PICTURE OR THE HISTORY. SO I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY GO OVER SOME FACTS AND THEN READ THE RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM OUR GUESTS. SO THE SHARE OF EMPLOYER BUSINESSES OR BUSINESSES WITH AT LEAST ONE EMPLOYEE THAT ARE BLACK OWNED IN EL PASO INCREASE FROM 2.2% IN 2017 TO 3.3% IN 2022, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD NEWS. HOWEVER, THIS REPRESENTATION IS STILL FAR BELOW BLACK AMERICANS. 
          AMERICANS 14.4% SHARE OF THE US POPULATION, AND I THINK WE'RE STILL HEALING FROM FROM OUR HISTORY. WHILE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IS AS ORIGINAL AS ANY COMPONENT OF NON-INDIGENOUS 
          [01:05:03]
COLONIZATION AND TRANSFORMATION OF THE AMERICAS, OUR HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND DISCRIMINATION PREVENTED EQUAL ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION. BUT IT DID NOT PREVENT ENTREPRENEURS FROM DOING THEIR THING AND THRIVING FOLLOWING THE CIVIL WAR. AFTER EMANCIPATION, SEGREGATION WAS THE RULE, AND BLACK BUSINESSES AND BLACK BUSINESS DISTRICTS EMERGED IN PLACES LIKE HAITI, DISTRICT OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, BROWNSVILLE AND CHICAGO, SWEET AUBURN OF ATLANTA, THE VILLE IN SAINT LOUIS, BLACK BOTTOM IN DETROIT, BLACK DOWNTOWN IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, AND HERE IN EL PASO AS WELL. 1900 TO 1930 BECAME KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN ERA OF BLACK BUSINESS. IN 1900, THE BLACK BUSINESS LEAGUE WAS FOUNDED, BUT THINGS TOOK A TURN, AND IN TULSA, WHITE RACIST MOBS DESTROYED GREENWOOD IN 1921, BUT GREENWOOD REBUILT WITH MORE THAN 400 BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES AND THEN WAS DESTROYED A SECOND TIME, EVEN MORE COMPLETELY IN THE 1960S, WHEN INTERSTATE 244 WAS WAS TAKEN THROUGH. EL PASO WAS RELATIVELY TOLERANT, BUT THE HIGHWAY STILL DID ITS WORK. 
          COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE DOCUMENTED 55 BUSINESS BUSINESSES, BUT THERE WERE MORE, AND I-10 SCATTERED OUR BLACK COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES. DESPITE THE HISTORIC OBSTACLES, RACIST MOBS AND URBAN REMOVAL AND OBSTACLES THAT REMAIN LIKE LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL, BLACK BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO GROW AND STILL DOES. IN THE 1980S, REGINALD LEWIS IS CREDITED WITH THE FIRST BLACK OWNED BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS. IN 2004, ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEUR ENTREPRENEUR FREDERICK E JORDAN PARTNERED WITH THE PUBLISHER JOHN WILLIAM TEMPLETON TO CREATE BLACK BUSINESS MONTH TO HIGHLIGHT AND EMPOWER BLACK BUSINESSES AND THEIR OWNERS, IN PART BECAUSE OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCE STRUGGLING TO GAIN FINANCIAL BACKING AND FUNDING. 
          WHEN HE BEGAN HIS OWN FIRM IN SAN FRANCISCO IN 1969. AND SO NOW WE'RE HERE TODAY MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, TO SUPPORT PROGRESS TOWARDS GREATER OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE. SO I'M GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM OUR GUESTS. 
          THE RESOLUTION STATES. WHEREAS NATIONAL BLACK BUSINESS MONTH, FOUNDED IN 2004, INVITES US TO RECOGNIZE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HIGHLIGHT THEIR IMPORTANCE TO COMMUNITIES AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY. AND WHEREAS THE COUNTY OF EL PASO RECOGNIZES THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ECONOMY, AND PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, ENCOURAGING ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND INSPIRING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ENTREPRENEURS. AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT HISTORY, DESPITE BEING SYSTEMICALLY ISOLATED FROM INVESTMENT CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES AND DIGITAL VISIBILITY, BLACK BUSINESSES HAVE PRESERVED, PERSEVERED AND THRIVED DESPITE FACING SYSTEMIC RACISM, REDLINING, AND EVEN EXTREME VIOLENCE SUCH AS THE TULSA MASSACRE OF 1921. AND WHEREAS, THE COUNTY OF EL PASO RECOGNIZES AND HONORS THOSE WHO HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR THE CURRENT INCREASE OF ENTREPRENEURS IN EL PASO COUNTY, SUCH AS JOHN AND MARY WOODS, WHO WERE BORN INTO SLAVERY AND AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, MARRIED AND BECAME EL PASO'S FIRST BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, BUILDING A NETWORK OF FLOURISHING BUSINESSES. AND WHEREAS BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES THRIVED IN SOUTH CENTRAL EL PASO ALONG VIBRANT COMMERCIAL MAIN STREETS LIKE ALAMEDA, COPIA AND PIEDRAS, AND WHILE THE FREEWAY CONSTRUCTION AND PASSAGE OF TIME ERASED MANY BUSINESSES, BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN EL PASO. AS WITH THE BLACK HISTORY LIVING BUSINESS MUSEUM, THE BLACK BUSINESS NETWORK, THE BLACK BUSINESS DIRECTORY, AND BLACK EL PASO VOICE, WHICH PRODUCES THE ANNUAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AWARDS, WHICH RECOGNIZES BUSINESSES AND CHAMPIONS OF DIVERSITY SUCH AS THE EL PASO MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF EL PASO. AND WHEREAS, BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS BRING UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES, TALENTS, AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS THAT ENRICH THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY, SUCH AS THE 2025 BLACK BUSINESS AWARD RECIPIENTS, DIFFERENT BREED PERFORMANCE TRAINING GENZEL NASH AND ALEXIS THORNTON. DUKES COMICS. RYAN ELVIRA DUKES, BEAUTY MARKS, ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBER TIA MARKS AND VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR TOTAL ECLIPSE TINTING ARMY VETERAN MICHAEL MARKS, AND SEVERAL OTHERS WHO ARE PROGRESSING IN OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND AS MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY, ARE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY AND COUNTY OF EL PASO, DESERVEDLY EARNING A FEW COMMUNITY AWARDS FROM BLACK EL PASO VOICE BEING NICOLE GOMEZ FROM KVIA, RECOGNIZED AS MEDIA PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR, DAN WEBB RECOGNIZES VETERAN OF THE YEAR AND MRS. DEAN DAVIS RECOGNIZED AS LEGACY COMMUNITY LEADER OF THE YEAR. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT DECLARES AUGUST 2025 AS BLACK BUSINESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. 
          [01:10:04]
AND WE URGE ALL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK ENTREPRENEURS. SIGNED THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST 2025, THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER STOUT, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME, MONICA. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. SUPPORT RESOLUTION, ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER STOUT WHO IS EVERYWHERE, EVERYWHERE AND SUPPORTS THE BLACK COMMUNITY GREATLY. MY NAME IS MONICA TUCKER. I AM THE FOUNDER OF BLACK EL PASO VOICE. I'VE BEEN IN EL PASO SINCE 96. I CAME HERE AS A MILITARY SPOUSE AND MY HUSBAND RETIRED NOW AND I LOVED IT SO MUCH WE STAYED HERE. SO DURING THAT TIME I STARTED A BUSINESS HERE IN EL PASO AND SAW THE NEED TO HELP OTHERS AS WELL. SO THAT'S WHERE ALL OF THIS STARTED AND I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, IN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE THE NOW THE AWARD CEREMONY, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SUPPORT FOR BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IS HERE. IT'S JUST SOMETIMES IT'S A MATTER OF GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO BUSINESS OWNERS, TO BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS TO BE PROUD TO BE BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS. AND THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE STUCK RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE MANY BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE AFRAID TO SAY THAT THEY'RE BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES. AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE CULTURE ACROSS THE NATION. AND EVEN MORE SO, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO RECOGNIZE BLACK BUSINESSES HERE BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT WITHOUT SAYING NAMES, CURRENT ADMINISTRATION THAT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF TRYING TO BANISH OUR CULTURE, WHETHER WHETHER IT'S IN THE COMMUNITY OR BUSINESS. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S KNOWN THAT WE'RE HERE IN EL PASO AND BUSINESSES ARE OPENING UP EVERY DAY. WE'RE PROUD TO SAY THAT MANY ARE SOLE PROPRIETORS, SOME ARE LLCS, SOME ARE CORPORATIONS. BUT THEY'RE PROUD TO START BUSINESSES HERE IN EL PASO BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. SO WE DO HAVE A FEW PEOPLE HERE TODAY WHO I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO. AND WE DO HAVE AN EVENT WHERE WE WILL HONOR THOSE IN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY ON AUGUST 16TH. SO WE INVITE YOU ALL TO ATTEND, AND WE'LL ALSO HONOR OUR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT, CHIEF KILLINGS, WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. AND DEFINITELY MISS AUSTIN DAVIS, WHO IS A PROBABLY THE HAS THE LONGEST BLACK OWNED BUSINESS HERE IN IN EL PASO. AND WE'RE HONORED TO HONOR HER AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS. AND WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR THAT. 
          BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ALSO THAT I SERVE AS A BUSINESS, A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, AS A BUSINESS OWNER AND ENTREPRENEUR, BUT ALSO AS A MENTOR AND SUPPORTER TO OTHERS. WE HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TYPES OF BUSINESSES HERE AND BUSINESS OWNERS. BUT WHAT WE'RE WANTING TO SEE, I GUESS, IS I GUESS MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM THE COUNTY AND THE CITY TO WE KNOW THAT THERE'S RESOURCES HERE AND WE SHARE THE RESOURCES, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO SIT DOWN WITH THE COUNTY AND WITH THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN DO MORE TO SO THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE WE COME FROM AS BLACK ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS. SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IT'S ALL THE SAME, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE INTRICACIES, I GUESS YOU CAN SAY IN THE COMMUNITY, WHEN WE'RE SHARING INFORMATION, THERE'S STILL RACISM. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S STILL RACISM IN EL PASO. 
          AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S SHARED, IT AFFECTS SOME BUSINESS OWNERS AND SOME DON'T LIKE TO COME FORTH. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR, TO WE'RE HERE TO BE A VOICE, TO SHOW THEM THAT WE'RE STILL HERE AND WE CAN DO IT AND SO CAN THEY. SO WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT. YOU KNOW AS WELL. SO I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST HAVE SOME OF THE, SOME OF THOSE WHO ARE DO HAVE A BUSINESS HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU MONICA. WELCOME. THANK YOU. HELLO. MY NAME IS YOLANDA HILL. 
          I'M TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE MILITARY AND I'M SETTING ROOTS HERE IN EL PASO. AND SO MY BUSINESS I JUST LAUNCHED IS CALLED G.H. GLAM VENDING MACHINES AND IT'S BEAUTY VENDING MACHINES. AND I'M EXCITED TO SET ROOTS HERE AND GROW MY BUSINESS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I AM TIFFANY HOPPER AND I'VE BEEN IN EL PASO FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS. AND I JUST STARTED MY POP UP BOOKSTORE CALLED COLORFUL CHAPTERS BOOKSTORE. AND WE POP UP 
          [01:15:01]
WHEREVER, WHERE ALL THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. I AM A WOMAN, VETERAN OWNED, LOCALLY OWNED, AND BLACK OWNED BUSINESS, AND OUR CODE FOR THE COLORFUL CHAPTERS BOOKSTORE IS TO SHARE THE JOY OF READING IN THE EL PASO COMMUNITY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR KIDS COMPREHENSION LEVELS ARE REALLY, REALLY LOW AND I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY READING BOOKS. IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ENJOY THAT AND JUST FIND US ON FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM. SHARING THE JOY OF READING COLORFUL CHAPTERS BOOKSTORE. THANK YOU. HELLO! MY NAME IS MICHELLE WALDO AND I HAVE A BUSINESS WHERE IT TURNED FROM A HOBBY TO A BUSINESS. I CROCHET ITEMS AND ALSO SELL COSMETICS HANDMADE BY ME. I'VE BEEN HERE TEN YEARS AND I'M PROUD TO BE HERE. MONICA IS MY MENTOR AND I APPRECIATE HER AND I GLAD TO BE HERE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING JUDGES, COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE. MY NAME IS REVEREND TYRONE DURANT MCDUFFIE, JUNIOR. I WILL DO MY BEST TO BE OBEDIENT TO MY ASSIGNMENT AND BE BRIEF. IT IS AN HONOR HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU BRIEFLY THIS MORNING, AUGUST BEING BLACK BUSINESS MONTH AND BEING THE BLACK BUSINESS OWNER AND FOUNDER AND VETERAN OF COUNSELING CARE CENTERS PLC, WHICH TAKES CARE OF ALL YOUR COUNSELING, CONSULTING, AND TRAINING NEEDS, IS MY HONOR TO BE HERE WITH MONICA TUCKER THIS MORNING. A LOT OF TIMES, BLACK BUSINESSES DON'T GET THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY DESERVE FOR THE SERVICES AND WHAT THEY PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND MONICA HAS CREATED A PLATFORM THAT GIVES BLACK BUSINESSES THAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE RECOGNIZED. AND I THANK HER FOR THAT. AND IT WAS MY HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE HER VERY FIRST KEYNOTE SPEAKER WHEN SHE HOSTED HER FIRST COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS, AND I REALLY TAKE PLEASURE IN THAT. BUT THIS YEAR IS EVEN A BIGGER HONOR FOR ME, BECAUSE THIS YEAR MY SON, TYRONE DURANT MCDUFFIE, THE THIRD, IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR HIS COMMUNITY SERVICE WHILE BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO AND PLAYING ON THE FOOTBALL TEAM AT THE SAME TIME. SO I JUST WOULD SAY IT IS MY HONOR TO BE HERE THIS MORNING. IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO THANK EVERYBODY WHO HAS POURED INTO THE LIFE OF MY SON, FROM EDUCATORS TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO COMMUNITY LEADERS, TO EVERYBODY THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS UPBRINGING AND HIM GROWING UP. IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD, AND I THANK EVERYBODY FOR THAT. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU TO THE COURT. THANK YOU TO THE JUDGE. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE HERE FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN BUSINESSES. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, THANK GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. I WAS LOOKING FOR MR. MR. WEBB MR. HE ASKED ME MR. WEBB IS OUR VETERAN OF THE YEAR. IF I WERE TO CONSIDER RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND I SHOULD HAVE TOOK HIM UP THERE BECAUSE I LOOK LIKE I LIVE UP HERE NOW. GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. IT IS IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE. IT IS AN HONOR BECAUSE I WAS I UNDERSTAND I WAS ELECTED AS, AS VETERAN OF THE YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE BLACK EL PASO VOICE. AND THAT IS A THAT IS AN HONOR FOR ME. THAT IS TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE BE THE RECIPIENT OF THAT THAT AWARD. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I DON'T WANT TO LINGER WITH WITH A LOT OF SPEAK. BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THIS. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT BLACK BUSINESS FOR A PROJECT BORN OUT OF SELMA, ALABAMA, WHO GREW UP ON GOVERNMENT CHEESE, WHO HAVE ACHIEVED THE THINGS THAT ACCOMPLISH THE THINGS THAT I FEEL THAT I'VE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE CITY OF EL PASO. I AM VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF THE PEOPLE THAT I'M SURROUNDING WITH. THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. YEAH, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. THANK YOU AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS RESOLUTION. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY. I CALL EL PASO A KALEIDOSCOPE OF CULTURES. THAT'S JUST HOW MUCH I LOVE IT HERE AND THAT MY CHILDREN GREW UP HERE. MY DAUGHTER JUST GRADUATED FROM UTEP AND SHE TOO IS STARTING A BUSINESS, AND SHE DECIDED TO STAY HERE IN THE COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO STAY HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, TO TRY TO GIVE BACK AS WELL. SO AGAIN, WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO COME HERE AND HEAR US. AND ALSO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU, MONICA, AND THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER STOUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT ADVOCATE, AND WE 
          [01:20:05]
HAVE SO MUCH TO DO AND WE WILL TAKE THE CHALLENGE. THANK YOU FOR THAT CHALLENGE OF HELPING AND BEING MORE FOCUSED ON ON WHAT'S AVAILABLE. AND YOU SAID THE CITY, YOU'VE GOT A GREAT ADVOCATE IN MAYOR JOHNSON BEING A BUSINESS PERSON HIMSELF AND GONE THROUGH THE STRUGGLES. AND I THINK HE'S GOING TO BE A HUGE ADVOCATE AS WELL. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I GREW UP IN THAT AREA. YOU KNOW, THE ALAMEDA, YOU KNOW, WENT TO JEFFERSON. I MEAN THE ALL THAT AREA, THE COPIA PIEDRAS, ALL THAT AREA WAS WHERE WE, WE LIVED AND WE COULDN'T WE DIDN'T SEE DIFFERENCES. AND I WISH WE WERE LIKE THAT. YOU KNOW, OUR FOOTBALL PLAYERS, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T SEE THESE KINDS OF DIFFERENCES THAT WE SEE NOW IN THE WORLD. AND WHEN YOU SAY THAT THERE'S STILL, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST BLACK BUSINESSES JUST, OH, THAT'S NOT EL PASO. AND I THINK IF YOU MADE A GREAT COMMENT THAT IF ONCE PEOPLE ARE AWARE, JUST FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE REALLY IMPROVED INDIVIDUALS GOING OR PEOPLE GOING TO VETERAN OWNED. 
          AND HERE YOU'VE GOT ALREADY TWO OF THEM VETERAN OWNED AND THEN BLACK OWNED. I MEAN, MY GOODNESS, I THINK OUR COMMUNITY, ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING, THEY TEND TO RALLY VERY POWERFULLY. AND I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. WE JUST NEED TO GET THAT INFORMATION OUT THERE. AND I KNOW THEY'LL BE VERY SUPPORTIVE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MONICA, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EVERYONE ELSE. THANK YOU. AND CONGRATULATIONS ON ON EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. 
          COMMISSIONER STOUT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THE HONOR OF PRESENTING THIS RESOLUTION AND WORKING WITH YOU ALL. LET'S LET'S KEEP BUILDING. LET'S KEEP BUILDING. THANK YOU. 
          WELCOME. AND I KNOW. THAT. SO. 
          MANY ENTITIES. THREE MILES. 
          SO. ITEM FIVE, APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR EMMA ACOSTA FOR BEING NAMED THE 2025 LULAC TEXAS WOMAN OF THE YEAR IN EL PASO COUNTY, 
          [E. Approve and adopt a resolution to recognize and honor Emma Acosta for being named the 2025 LULAC Texas Woman of the Year in El Paso County, Texas.
Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]
TEXAS. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, THANK YOU. JUDGE. SO IT IS MY HONOR TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO REALLY A GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND I SAY THAT AS A AS A JOKE BECAUSE OF YOUR A SHORT GIANT. YES, THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO SAY IT. SO I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH EMMA FOR OVER 20 YEARS, WHETHER IT BE THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THROUGH YOUR TIME ON CITY COUNCIL, AND IT'S AN HONOR, REALLY, TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE YOU FOR THIS TREMENDOUS ACHIEVEMENT. SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME MORE OF OUR LULAC LEADERSHIP IN THE AUDIENCE. SO IF ANY OF THEM WANT TO COME UP AS WELL. WHEREAS EMMA ACOSTA, A DISTINGUISHED CIVIC LEADER AND LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SERVICE, HAS BEEN NAMED THE 2025 LULAC TEXAS WOMAN OF THE YEAR, A RECOGNITION OF HER REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO EL PASO AND THE BROADER LATINO COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS, EMMA ACOSTA SERVED THE CITY OF EL PASO WITH HONOR AND 
          [01:25:03]
DISTINCTION AS A CITY REPRESENTATIVE, MAYOR PRO TEMPORE, AND ALTERNATE MAYOR PRO TEMPORE, DURING WHICH SHE CHAMPIONED ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE REFORM, TRANSPARENCY IN CITY FINANCES, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AND WHEREAS, MISS ACOSTA HAS BEEN A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR INCLUSION AND EDUCATIONAL ACCESS, LEADING THE CHARGE TO EXPAND LULAC SCHOLARSHIP, MATCHING FUNDS TO INCLUDE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SEEKING VOCATIONAL TRAINING. A BOLD INITIATIVE THAT BEGAN IN EL PASO AND IS NOW GARNERING NATIONAL ATTENTION AND SUPPORT. 
          AND WHEREAS, AS PRESIDENT OF LULAC COUNCIL 22269, EMMA HAS MOBILIZED EFFORTS TO BRING THE 2027 LULAC NATIONAL CONVENTION TO EL PASO, AN INITIATIVE THAT PROMISES TO BRING NATIONAL VISIBILITY, ECONOMIC BENEFIT AND CIVIC PRIDE TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS EMMA ACOSTA ORGANIZED THE LARGEST WELCOME HOME CELEBRATION FOR VIETNAM VETERANS IN EL PASO'S HISTORY, A FULL SEVEN DAYS OF EVENTS HONORING OVER 2000 VETERANS MADE ENTIRELY FREE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH GENEROUS LOCAL BUSINESSES, ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO SERVED WERE FINALLY WELCOMED HOME WITH THE DIGNITY AND GRATITUDE THEY DESERVED. AND WHEREAS, HER COMPASSION AND COMMITMENT TO THE MOST VULNERABLE ARE EVIDENT IN HER ANNUAL BLANKET DRIVE FOR SENIORS UNDER ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES CARE, ENSURING THAT EACH ELDER RECEIVES A BLANKET AND A PERSONAL HOLIDAY CARD DURING CHRISTMAS, A REMINDER THAT THEY ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AND ALWAYS VALUED. AND WHEREAS THROUGH HER ROLE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BOOKS ARE GEMS, EMMA ACOSTA HAS NURTURED LITERACY ACROSS GENERATIONS BY PROVIDING FREE BOOKS TO CHILDREN, FREE CLASSROOM RESOURCES TO OVER 800 TEACHERS ANNUALLY, AND LAUNCHING A NEW INITIATIVE INVITING ELECTED OFFICIALS TO READ BOOKS TO CHILDREN ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAWS, JUSTICE AND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY, BOTH IN PERSON AND VIA FACEBOOK LIVE. AND WHEREAS HER IMPACT CONTINUES DAILY THROUGH HER LEADERSHIP, HER ADVOCACY, AND HER UNWAVERING DEDICATION TO SERVING THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST BE THEY STUDENTS, SENIORS, VETERANS, OR WORKING FAMILIES. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IN RECOGNITION OF HER OUTSTANDING SERVICE, TIRELESS ADVOCACY, AND LIFELONG DEDICATION TO EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY. AND IN HONOR OF HER SELECTION AS A 2025 LULAC TEXAS WOMAN OF THE YEAR, THAT AUGUST 4TH, 2025, BE HEREBY DECLARED AS EMMA ACOSTA DAY. IN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION THEREOF, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY AFFIXES THEIR SIGNATURES THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. EMMA. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS EMMA ACOSTA. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. ALL THE ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE COURT. IT IS WITH DEEP HUMILITY AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE THAT I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY BEING NAMED THE 2025 TEXAS WOMAN OF THE YEAR. IT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST HONORS OF MY LIFE. AND TO HAVE THIS COURT PROCLAIMED TODAY AS AMONG US TODAY IS SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE. THE RECOGNITION IS NOT MINE ALONE. IT BELONGS TO EVERY MEMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR LOCAL COUNCILS, AND TO THE MANY DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK OUR LOCAL MEMBERS FOR SOME OF WHO ARE HERE WITH ME TODAY, AND THE BROADER TEXAS LULAC MEMBERSHIP WHO SUPPORTED AND BELIEVED IN THE WORK WE'VE UNDERTAKEN HERE IN EL PASO. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK OUR PAST DIRECTOR, RITA RAMIREZ, WHO WAS DILIGENT IN MAKING ME IN IN APPLYING FOR THIS APPLICATION, FROM EXPANDING ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES, TO LAUNCHING NEW LITERACY PROGRAMS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES, OUR WORK IS A REFLECTION OF SHARED VALUES, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND SERVICE, AND OUR NEW LEGAL LITERACY FOR CHILDREN IS AN INITIATIVE TO TEACH CHILDREN NOT JUST LEARNING HOW TO READ, BUT TO LEARN ABOUT LAW, LAWS, VOTING, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY. OUR FIRST READER WILL BE COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTINA SANCHEZ IN AUGUST. IN SEPTEMBER, WE HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONER JACKIE BUTLER. IN OCTOBER, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELENA OLGUIN, WHO WILL BE TAKING THIS INITIATIVE INTO SAN ELIZARIO. AND IN NOVEMBER, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER DAVID STOUT. THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP TO THIS AND TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAWS OF VOTING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ALSO HAVE WITH ME OUR BOOKSTORE, GEMS BOOKSTORE MANAGER, SUSAN PATTERSON, WHO DOES THE DAILY DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS, BUT WHO ACTUALLY SELECTS THE BOOKS THAT ALL OF YOU WILL BE READING. SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU. THIS IS AN 
          [01:30:04]
INITIATIVE FROM EXPANDING ACCESS TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. WHO IS? IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, I BELIEVE THAT OUR OUR DISABLED POPULATION DESERVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY RECEIVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING THAT THEY MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE. AND SO THIS IS A NEW INITIATIVE THAT IF IT'S SUCCESSFUL IN EL PASO WE'LL GO NATIONAL. AND SO I'M VERY I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE TRAINING THAT THEY NEED TO GET OFF OF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. I'M ALSO PROUD TO SHARE THAT THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE MANY LOCAL AND STATE LEADERS, THAT EL PASO IS NOW ONE OF THE TOP THREE CONTENDERS TO HOST THE 2027 LULAC NATIONAL CONVENTION HERE IN EL PASO. THIS WILL BE A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITY TO SHINE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE, AND I THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED US GET THIS FAR. AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO GAVE US A LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WAS SENT TO THE TO THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE. A SPECIAL THANK YOU, JUDGE SAMANIEGO, FOR GENEROUSLY PROVIDING TOTE BAGS THAT WE WILL BE HANDING OUT AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION THIS WEEK IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE FOR EL PASO TO BE SELECTED AS A 2027 HOST OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. AND THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER OLGUIN FOR PLACING THIS RECOGNITION ON THE AGENDA. AND THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE COURT FOR THIS INCREDIBLE RECOGNITION. I ACCEPT IT WITH HUMILITY AND RENEWED COMMITMENT TO CONTINUE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WITH PURPOSE AND PRIDE. AND LAST, I WANT TO THANK MY HUSBAND, ISMAEL ENRIQUEZ, WHO'S SITTING OVER THERE, WHO ALWAYS SUPPORTS ALL MY COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. AND I WANT TO THANK THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THIS IS I COULD NOT DO THIS BY MYSELF. IT TAKES, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES EFFORT, IT TAKES ALL THE MEMBERS, IT TAKES ALL OF YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET EL PASO RECOGNIZED AS IT SHOULD BE. AND SO WITH THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, EMMA, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM YOUR YOUR PEERS. SO. ALICIA I DON'T KNOW IF. WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. JUDGE COMMISSIONERS COURT, IT IS WITH ON BEHALF OF DISTRICT FOUR AND OUR IMMEDIATE DISTRICT DIRECTOR, WHO WAS HERE EARLIER BUT HAD TO LEAVE. WE JUST WANT TO THANK EMMA FOR GIVING SO MUCH OF HERSELF TO HER COMMUNITY. SHE BUT WITH THE BACKING OF THE DISTRICT. BUT SHE HERSELF WHOLEHEARTEDLY, WHOLEHEARTEDLY TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE OF GETTING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. AND IF IT WORKS OUT, IT'S GOING TO GO NATIONWIDE. BUT EL PASO WAS THE TRIAL THIS YEAR, AND WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. THANKS TO HER HARD WORK. ALSO, THROUGH HER HARD WORK, WE ARE WORKING ON BRINGING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO EL PASO. WE'LL BE HEADING OUT TO LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, SOME ON WEDNESDAYS, SOME ON THURSDAY, POUNDING THE PAVEMENT, MEETING WITH EVERYBODY THERE TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THOSE VOTES TO BRING IT TO EL PASO IN EITHER 2027 OR 2028. WE'RE HOPING IT'S 2027, BUT THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ALWAYS SUPPORTING LULAC AND WE APPRECIATE IT. AND EMMA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR GIVING HEART. AND THANK YOU ALSO FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. WE APPRECIATE THAT. GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. MEMBERS OF THE COURT. MY NAME IS JAVIER BANALES. I'M A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION, HAVE BEEN FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS. OVER THE LAST 3 TO 4 YEARS, EMMA ACOSTA HAS BEEN DILIGENTLY WORKING ON THOSE TWO PROJECTS TO BRING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO EL PASO. IN 2029, IT WILL BE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION. AND SO IT IS FITTING THAT RIGHT BEFORE THAT OCCURS, THAT THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZES THE WORK IN EL PASO BY BRINGING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION HERE, ANOTHER PROJECT THAT EMMA HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 YEARS WAS MENTIONED, AND THAT IS TO EXPAND SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, PRIMARILY TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. THE ORGANIZATION GIVES SCHOLARSHIPS EVERY YEAR THIS YEAR, THE TEN LULAC COUNCILS AWARDED ABOUT 80 SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING IN EXCESS OF $180,000. SO EACH COUNCIL, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEM WILL AWARD 10,000, SOME 15,000. BUT WHEN YOU PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER THIS YEAR, WE EXCEEDED $80,000. AND EMMA HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT WE ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THERE ARE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES THAT NEED ALSO THAT 
          [01:35:01]
FINANCIAL SUPPORT. AND THROUGH HER EFFORTS, AS IGNACIO MENTIONED, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED A PILOT PROGRAM IN EL PASO WITH THE COUNCILS AND OF THE TEN COUNCILS, I BELIEVE THERE ARE ABOUT 7 OR 8 DID IDENTIFY AND SELECT A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOW RECEIVED THAT AWARD, AND WILL BE USED TO HELP THEM IN THEIR EDUCATION AS THEY CONTINUE EITHER AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR UTEP OR ANOTHER FACILITY. AND SO THAT'S PART OF THE WORK THAT EMMA HAS DONE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELECT AND TO RECOGNIZE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING, EMMA. GOOD MORNING, OSCAR RAMIREZ. THANK YOU. COURT JUDGE. AND. I HAVE JUST A COUPLE OF WORDS TO SAY ABOUT EMMA. SHE'S THE ENERGIZER BUNNY. SHE DOES NOT STOP. AND I THINK THAT HER HUSBAND CAN AFFIRM THAT. CONGRATULATIONS, EMMA. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OSCAR. ALICIA. ALICIA. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. 
          COMMISSIONERS. FRIENDS, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TODAY AS WE HONOR OUR FRIEND EMMA ACOSTA, THE 2025 LUBBOCK, TEXAS WOMEN ARE WOMEN OF THE YEAR AND JOIN IN THIS PROCLAMATION MONDAY, AUGUST THE 4TH AS EMMA ACOSTA DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY. CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE. I'M PROUD TO SHARE THAT EMMA HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED AS TEXAS SILVER HAIR LEGISLATOR, REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY WITH DEDICATION AND HEART. I'M EQUALLY HONORED TO SAY THAT WE HAVE JUST BEEN SWORN IN FOR THE 21ST TEXAS SILVER HAIR LEGISLATURE SESSION, WHERE OUR MISSION IS SIMPLY TO PROTECT OLDER TEXANS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE REARED, RESPECTED, AND PROTECTED. OUR EL PASO DELEGATION INCLUDES MYSELF, ALICIA DAVIS. I'M SERVING MY FIFTH TERM. OUR NEW MEMBER, DAVID JOHNSON. DID YOU KNOW HER? AND SERVING THEIR SECOND TERM? WE HAVE LAURA AGUIRRE, MARY YANEZ, AND OUR HONORARY TODAY, EMMA ACOSTA. WE PROUDLY SERVE SILVER LEGISLATURE DISTRICT EIGHT, AREA AGENCY ON AGING, RIO GRANDE. CONGRATULATIONS, EMMA. YOUR LEADERSHIP INSPIRES US ALL. AND THIS IS FOR YOU. THANK YOU. 
          YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYONE FOR THIS GREAT HONOR. I DO WANT TO REMIND ALL OF YOU, YOU KNOW, MY, MY INITIATIVE, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SCHOLARSHIPS IS SOMETHING THAT I ADVOCATE FOR. HAVING A GRANDSON WHO HAS WHO HAS, WHO IS DISABLED. AND I REMIND ALL OF YOU THAT NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE ARE VISIBLE. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS THAT MAY BE DEAF, THAT MAY BE BLIND, THAT MAY BE HAVE MAYBE HAVE SOME KIND OF NEUROLOGICAL DISABILITY. BUT WHAT I'VE LEARNED FROM MY GRANDSON AND WHEN HE SAYS, HE SAYS, GRANDMA, I DON'T HAVE A DISABILITY, I HAVE A CHALLENGE AND CHALLENGES CAN BE OVERCOME. AND SO THAT IS WHAT PROMPTED ME TO SAY, YOU KNOW, THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE. AND MAYBE THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR THE TRAINING, MAYBE THEY WON'T BE A 4.0 GPA STUDENT. BUT THEY HAVE THE WILLINGNESS AND THEY HAVE THE INITIATIVE AND THEY WANT TO LEARN AND THEY WANT TO WORK. AND SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR THIS, THIS, THIS HONOR THAT I HAVE AND REMIND, REMIND YOU TO PLEASE, YOU KNOW, HONOR ALL THE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT MAY BE DISABLED. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EMMA. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WELL, YOU KNOW, I LOVE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY THE FULL NAME IN EL PASO. YOU SAY EMMA. THEY KNOW WHO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. AND SHE'S INVOLVED IN SO MANY THINGS. AND, YOU KNOW, I SEE SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING NOW. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GETTING OLDER. THEY'RE THEY'RE GOING INTO ANOTHER PHASE IN THEIR LIFE, LIKE AT THE BELEN ROBLES. AND I SEE YOU, EMMA, AS COMING IN AND 
          [01:40:03]
TAKING SOME OF THAT BURDEN THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'VE ALWAYS THEY'VE ALWAYS SHOULDERED EVERYTHING IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEY'VE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN. AND I THINK YOU'RE STEPPING INTO TO THAT ROLE, AND I THINK WE ALL FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WHEN YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE. SHE'S THE PERSON. ALL SHE HAS TO DO IS LOOK AT YOU AND YOU GO, OKAY, WHAT AM I GETTING INVOLVED IN HERE? BUT BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S WE'RE VERY THANKFUL BECAUSE IT'S INDIVIDUALS LIKE THAT IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER YOU WERE IN POLITICS OR. BUT I THINK YOU GET IT. I THINK YOU GET IT MORE THAN MOST MOST PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT EL PASO NEEDS WHEN THEY NEED IT, THE TIMING OF THAT. AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO DO JUST AN INCREDIBLE JOB IN LULAC HAS ALWAYS BEEN PART OF YOUR LIFE, WHETHER IT'S THE LAW SCHOOL THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET IN EVERYTHING. THERE'S GOING TO BE HER FOOTPRINTS GOING TO BE THERE, AND THEN YOU FEEL GOOD. 
          YOU KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF ENERGY GOING INTO THAT DIRECTION. YOU KNOW SHE'S NOT GOING TO ALLOW SLACKING BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. IT'S LIKE YOU'LL PICK UP THE SLACK SO OFTEN, AND I HOPE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT TOO MUCH THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT YOU AS A COMMUNITY. YOU KNOW, OUR COMMISSIONERS COURT IS VERY SUPPORTIVE OF YOU AND ANYTHING THE COUNTY COULD DO. BUT CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THAT. I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO GET THAT CONVENTION COMING TO EL PASO. AND ONCE AGAIN, YOU'LL PUT US ON THE MAP. SO THANK YOU, EMMA, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU JUDGE. WELL CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN EMMA. IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND ALL OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND OF COURSE, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP BRING THE CONVENTION. PLEASE LET US KNOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE EVERYONE COME UP FOR A PHOTO? OKAY. 
          JUDGE TAKING A BREAK. NATURE BREAK. OKAY. ITEM FIVE F POSTPONE JULY 28TH, 2025. 
          APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PBS RESTAURANT FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE CANUTILLO COMMUNITY. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FOR JUDGES. OR DID HE WANT US TO GO FORWARD WITH IT? OKAY, COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS AT THIS TIME FOR FIVE MINUTES. YES, IT IS 11:14 A.M. YEAH. 
          [01:52:57]
GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 11:23 A.M. ITEM 
          [01:53:07]
FIVE F POSTPONED. JULY 28TH, 2025. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PEPPER'S RESTAURANT FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE CANUTILLO COMMUNITY. 
          [F. (Postponed 7/28/25) Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Peppe's Restaurant for their exceptional achievements and positive impact in the Canutillo community.
Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3596]
COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COURT. YOU KNOW IT IS. IT'S VERY REASSURING. VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY A PRIVILEGE TO DO THIS, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES, OUR CULTURE AND THE CULTURE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THE NOT JUST THE CULTURE, BUT THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS EMBEDDED INTO OUR FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY. AND IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, TO OUR RESTAURANT THAT IS HOMED IN, HAS ITS HOME IN CANUTILLO, PEPE'S RESTAURANT. AND I'M VERY, VERY HONORED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COURT. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND LET OUR GUESTS IDENTIFY THEMSELVES FOR THE RECORD, AND THEN GIVE THEM A FEW MINUTES TO GIVE US THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR BUSINESS. WHEREAS PEPPER'S RESTAURANT, LOCATED IN CANUTILLO, TEXAS, HAS LONG BEEN A CHERISHED LOCAL INSTITUTION KNOWN FOR PRESERVING AND SHARING THE ICONIC FLAVORS OF BORDERLAND CUISINE. AND WHEREAS PEPE'S HAS SERVED AS MORE THAN A RESTAURANT, IT HAS BEEN A GATHERING PLACE, A CULTURAL LANDMARK AND A SYMBOL OF LOCAL PRIDE IN THE CANUTILLO COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. AND WHEREAS PEPE'S RESTAURANTS, AS A SMALL BUSINESS, HAS DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION, MOST RECENTLY BEING AWARDED THE SPECTRUM REACH, PAY IT FORWARD GRANT, A NATIONAL RECOGNITION THAT CELEBRATES AND UPLIFTS OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESSES FOR THEIR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL 
          [01:55:01]
EXCELLENCE. AND WHEREAS, THE COMMITMENT OF PEPE'S RESTAURANTS TO MAINTAINING CULINARY HERITAGE, SUPPORTING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND ENRICHING THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF EL PASO COUNTY IS TRULY COMMENDABLE. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND THIS HONORABLE COURT PROUDLY RECOGNIZES PEPPER'S RESTAURANT FOR ITS HISTORIC AND CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS, CONGRATULATES THE RESTAURANT ON RECEIVING THE SPECTRUM REACH GRANT, AND EXTENDS HIS DEEPEST APPRECIATION FOR THE ONGOING SERVICE AND SPIRIT THAT THEY BRING TO THE CANUTILLO COMMUNITY AND TO EL PASO COUNTY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER CORONADO, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS. I'M NOT. YOU CAN ASK ME HOW MANY TACOS I HAVE AT HOME AND I CAN TELL YOU, BUT STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOU, JUDGE SAMANIEGO, AND ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE SUPPORTED US AND GIVEN US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER. THEY ARE THE WHOLE SUPPORT IN THE HEART OF THAT BUSINESS AND I WANT TO THANK THEM ALSO FOR THIS. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU SENORAS. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS LORENA MORALES. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU, MR. SERGIO CORONADO, BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THOSE WORDS AND CANNOT DO AND THANK YOU ALL FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE. HERE, AND WE'D LIKE TO INVITE IT TO EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JEANETTE MORALES, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. WE APPRECIATE IT. WELL THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER CORONADO IS NOT BIASED AT ALL ABOUT CANUTILLO OR THE BUSINESSES THERE. AND HE'S GOT A GREAT EYE FOR THINGS. AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, JUST TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS FOR SO LONG. BUT ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT I ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, THAT I DON'T SEE TOO OFTEN IS A SMALL BUSINESS CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY AND BEING RECOGNIZED FOR CONTRIBUTING. YOU MIGHT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE VERY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY AND YOU MIGHT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, BUT WE GO THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TELLING SMALL BUSINESSES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BECOME A MILLIONAIRE, OKAY, TO CONTRIBUTE BACK. YOU COULD CONTRIBUTE BACK AT ANY GIVEN POINT. AND WE NEED SMALL BUSINESSES. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE, YOU KNOW, WHO COVERS THE BURDEN OF QUALITY OF LIFE, IT'S A IT'S A TAXPAYER. 
          AND THAT'S WHEN THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY HELPS OUT. IT TAKES A LOT OF BURDEN OFF OFF THE COUNTY. SO WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND LIKE I SAID, I KNOW COMMISSIONER CORONADO HAS A GOOD WAY OF RECOGNIZING GREAT INDIVIDUALS AND GREAT BUSINESSES. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THANK YOU JUDGE. APPRECIATE YOU ALL. YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. YOU KNOW, THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS FAMILY HAS CARRIED ON THE TRADITION EVER SINCE IT WAS SERVING, YOU KNOW, AS COOKS OR EMPLOYEES IN GREG'S RESTAURANT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY REMEMBER AND HAVE TAKEN THAT, THAT, THAT CULTURE AND GIVEN IT THEIR OWN FLAIR IN THE COMMUNITY OF CANUTILLO. WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. I REMEMBER MY BROTHER AND MY NEIGHBOR AND, YOU KNOW, HIS MY, MY NEIGHBOR AND HIS HIS MOTHER USED TO WORK AS A COOK THERE AT GREGG'S RESTAURANT. AND I KNOW YOU REMEMBER HER, LAURA. AND SO I APPRECIATE Y'ALL CONTINUING, THAT TRADITION, KEEPING THAT CULTURE, KEEPING THAT SPIRIT AND THAT ENTREPRENEURIAL DEDICATION ALIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR, YOU KNOW, YOUR SERVICES, YOU KNOW, CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMY AS AS A SMALL BUSINESS. 
          SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU. IF WE CAN TAKE A PICTURE. 
          THANK YOU. 
          [02:00:04]
YOU KNOW, YOU. YES, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER. 
          AND THEN. AND THEN THEY. GET. THE FINAL. AND I THINK. WE NEED MICROPHONE. HERE. OKAY. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN PUBLIC. FIRST TIME I NEVER DO THIS BEFORE. BUT I'D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT SO. LAS MANANITAS. EL REY DAVID HOY POR SER. I. DESPIERTA ME. YO. LA LUNA. YEAH. SAY. THANK YOU. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THAT WAS AS WONDERFUL. THANK YOU. THAT WAS AS WONDERFUL AS YOUR SALSA AND YOUR MARGARITAS. YOU KNOW. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE'D LIKE TO SEE YOU THERE. YES, YES, YES. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. I GOT GREAT FOOD. DID YOU EVER GO TO THE GIGS? THANK YOU. LAS MARGARITAS, AS YOU COULD SEE THAT. SO EVERY TIME THERE'S SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL AND SHE SAYS I'M NOT PREPARED, I GO, MA'AM. MY GOODNESS. THAT'S THAT'S NOT BEING PREPARED. THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU JESSICA. ITEM FIVE G APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MR. VERNON RANDY CARUTHERS FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEDICATION TO EL PASO, TEXA. FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA. COMMISSIONER CORONADO, THANK 
          [G. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Mr. Vernon “Randy” Carothers for his contributions and dedication to El Paso Texas Flags Across America.
Sergio Coronado, Commissioner, Precinct 4, 915-273-3596]
YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THIS IS TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COURT. WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT RANDY THAT OTHER THAN HIS INVOLVEMENT, HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY AND CONTINUED AS A CIVILIAN TO JUST, YOU KNOW, LIGHT AND SHINE IN EL PASO, WE REALLY THANK HIM FOR EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES FOR HIS SERVICE AND AFTER HIS SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR COUNTRY THAT HE'S GONE ON AT FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA, WHICH IS JUST A GREAT, GREAT INSTITUTION THAT WE REALLY NEED TO UPLIFT. AND IT WAS GREAT FOR US TO THE COUNTY BE ABLE TO DONATE, YOU KNOW, THE PURPLE, A PURPLE ROBE, LOCUST TREE IN HONOR OF THE PURPLE. 
          MEMORIAL THAT WAS DONE THERE AT FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA. AND I WILL AT THIS TIME READ THE RESOLUTION INTO THE COURT. WHEREAS EL PASO, TEXAS FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 2003 WITH THE MISSION TO HONOR THE AMERICAN FLAG AND PROMOTE PATRIOTISM, REMEMBRANCE, AND UNITY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS MISTER VERNON RANDY CARUTHERS HAS BEEN A DEDICATED AND STEADFAST VOLUNTEER WITH EL PASO, TEXAS FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA SINCE 2007 AND SERVED AS THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT FROM NOVEMBER 2017 THROUGH JANUARY 2020, CONTINUING TO ACTIVELY VOLUNTEER IN SUPPORT OF ITS MISSION. AND WHEREAS MR. CROTHERS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ORGANIZING AND CREATING A TRACKING SYSTEM FOR MEMORIAL BRICKS PURCHASED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, ENSURING THAT TRIBUTES TO FALLEN AND HONORED SERVICE MEMBERS WERE PRESERVED WITH ACCURACY AND CARE. AND WHEREAS SINCE 2018, MR. CARUTHERS HAS LED THE FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PERSIAN GULF MEMORIAL, A MONUMENT THAT WILL HONOR BOTH MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL 
          [02:05:05]
WHO SERVED IN THE PERSIAN GULF REGION BETWEEN 1990 AND 2021. AND WHEREAS, THE PERSIAN GULF MEMORIAL WILL BE FOUNDED AT THE EL PASO FLAGS FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA SITE AS A PERMANENT AND POWERFUL TRIBUTE TO THE COURAGE, SACRIFICE AND LEGACY OF ALL WHO SERVED IN THAT HISTORIC THEATER OF SERVICE. AND WHEREAS MR. CARUTHERS SERVED HONORABLY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOR 23 YEARS, INCLUDING TWO DEPLOYMENTS TO THE PERSIAN GULF REGION AND ASSIGNMENTS BOTH STATESIDE AND OVERSEAS. RETIRING FROM FORT BLISS, TEXAS IN 2010 AT THE RANK OF FIRST SERGEANT. AND WHEREAS MR. CARUTHERS HAS CONTINUED HIS SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY AND ITS MISSION THROUGH KEY CIVILIAN ROLES, INCLUDING AS A DEFENSE CONTRACTOR, LOGISTICS WAREHOUSE SUPERVISOR, AND OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR FOR NASA, AND CURRENTLY AS A DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIAN WITH ARMY FIELD SUPPORT BATTALION AT FORT BLISS, WHERE HE HAS SERVED AS THE BATTALION S3 TRAINING FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. AND WHEREAS MR. CARUTHERS IS ALSO A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN MARRIED TO THE FORMER DENISE HEAD OF BOWDON, GEORGIA, AND TOGETHER THEY ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF TWO DAUGHTERS, CAITLIN AND CARRINGTON, AND HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THREE BEAUTIFUL GRANDCHILDREN. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY HONORS AND COMMENDS MR. VERNON RANDY CARUTHERS FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY MILITARY SERVICE, CONTINUED PUBLIC SERVICE AS A CIVILIAN, AND IS ENDURING LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING THE MISSION OF EL PASO, TEXAS. 
          FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA SIGNED THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST 2025 BY THE HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS AND THE HONORABLE JUDGE SAMANIEGO. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER CORONADO, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. RANDY. WELCOME. ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALL MINE. GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. BGM TEAM AND THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR TO BE HERE. WE STARTED THIS PROJECT SEVEN YEARS AGO WITH A FRIEND OF MINE WHO HAD DAVE ELLIOTT, WHO HAD PASSED NOW IN 2021. HE WASN'T ABLE TO SEE IT, BUT AS THE AS THE JUDGE WAS THERE AND, AND OTHER FOLKS WAS THERE, THERE WAS AN EMPTY CHAIR BESIDE ME, AND ONE OF OUR MEMBERS OF FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA CAME UP AND TOLD ME THAT DAVE WAS THERE. HE WAS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO ME DURING THIS, SO THAT WAS GREAT. I, WE LIKE I SAID, WE'VE WORKED SEVEN YEARS FOR THIS. THIS IS TO HONOR ALL VETERANS WHO HAS DEPLOYED TO OPERATIONS DESERT STORM, DESERT SHIELD, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, AFGHANISTAN AND THE WAR ON TERROR. A LOT OF TIMES FOLKS GET LEFT OUT BECAUSE THEY'RE NON-COMBATIVE WHEN THEY GO OVER THERE, BUT THEY STILL PLAY A ROLE, A KEY ROLE IN, IN, YOU KNOW, OBTAINING AND SECURING THE AREA LIKE WE ALL DID WHILE WE WAS OVER THERE. SO THIS IS FOR NON-COMBAT AND COMBAT OF PERSONNEL FOR EVERYONE. BUT I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY WIFE DENISE, AND MY TEAM HERE. PHIL HERRERA, OSCAR GUTIERREZ, SORRY. YEAH. GUTIERREZ FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE GLORIA NICHOLSON, MY FRIEND DEBORAH WAKEFIELD, SHE'S AWESOME. AND MISS PERLA, SHE'S EVERYONE KNOWS MISS PERLA. SHE'S EVERYWHERE. SO. BUT I COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITH WITHOUT THESE FOLKS HERE. AND, AND THERE'S OTHER FOLKS BEHIND THE SCENES THAT ARE NOT HERE, BUT I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE, FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME UP IN HERE AND RECEIVE THIS AWARD. WELL, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. IT JUST THINGS THAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, VIETNAM HAPPENED AND WE'VE BEEN SO WELCOMING, BUT THEN WE HAD OTHER WARS AND VERY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THAT, THAT YOU'RE SORT OF BRINGING EVERYBODY INTO THE FOLD, KIND OF WE'RE NOT LEAVING ANYBODY OUT. 
          AND I THINK THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION AND YOUR COMPASSION ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT IT'S SORT OF THE SAME AS A HEALING GARDEN YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT. YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN, BUT YOU CAN'T. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEANT. SAME THING WITH FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA AND, YOU KNOW, SAME THING THAT WE DEAL WITH WITH THE HEALING GARDEN THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT. SOMETHING THAT IS SO INCREDIBLE AND THEN FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA. YOU CAN'T FIND THAT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. YOU CAN'T FIND THAT. 
          [02:10:06]
AND IT'S ALL HARD WORK. IT'S ALL DEDICATION, IT'S ALL DONATIONS. AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WHAT IT TAKES TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. BECAUSE WHEN YOU BRING PEOPLE THERE, THEY AUTOMATICALLY SAY, NO WONDER WE'RE THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE COMING TOGETHER OF EVERY ORGANIZATION TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND THE BO AND EVERYONE ELSE. I THINK I TELL EVERYBODY IF SHE'S NOT THERE, I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE SHE'S GOT TO BE PART OF IT. LIKE LIKE GOING THERE IN THE FLAGS, NOT THERE. RIGHT? LIKE PERLA'S NOT THERE. BUT I THANK YOU ALL IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. BUT I JUST ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY. STOP BY. GO, GO LOOK AT IT. YOU KNOW, GET YOUR, YOU KNOW, RIGHT WHEN YOU GET YOUR YOUR STARBUCKS, JUST MAKE A LITTLE TURN AND GO HAVE IT OVER THERE. AND OF COURSE, RANDY ALWAYS ENCOURAGES WEDNESDAY NIGHT EVERYBODY GOES THERE. THERE'S FOOD TRUCKS, THERE'S MUSIC, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF ACTIVITIES. AND, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO MAKE IT A POINT AS WELL. EVERY TIME I FORGET TO DO THAT. BUT I JUST THANK YOU, RANDY, FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE. I SAID AT THE ON SATURDAY THAT HIMSELF AND CLIFF, THEY WORE THEIR HEART ON THEIR SLEEVE. I MEAN YOU JUST IT POURS WITH WITH LOVE FOR OUR VETERANS AND FOR FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA. SO THANK YOU, RANDY, AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. JUDGE. THANK YOU RANDY. WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THAT? YOU KNOW, WE REALLY THIS COMMUNITY APPRECIATES YOU NOT JUST FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL, NOT JUST FOR YOUR SERVICE BUT YOUR CONTINUED MISSION AT FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA TO MAKE IT A SOLEMN BUT A JOYFUL PLACE FOR US TO REMEMBER AND REJOICE IN THOSE SACRIFICES THAT ALL EVERYBODY THAT HAS BEEN PART OF THIS, OF THE MILITARY AND SERVICE HAS EXPRESSED THEIR DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY. AND WE THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE COURT. AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US. THANK YOU. YOU AND I. 
          APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. 
          ANYONE? WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU. FOR. BEING. THERE. AND. BEING SO. WE BREAKING AT 12 OR AFTER. WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE CAT, THE CAT, THE CAT. AND THEN WE'LL GO ARE WE GOING TO ARE WE GOING TO DO THE BORDER. ITEM SIX COMMISSIONERS COURT SIX A APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION URGING THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THAT FORT BLISS AND THE EL PASO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REMAIN IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16. WITHIN THE RESOLUTION. MY RESOLUTION. YES. YES. OKAY. I WAS GOING TO ASK, CAN WE CAN WE TAKE THAT RESOLUTION AT AT THIS AFTER WE DO THE LEDGE UPDATE? YES. CAN WE CAN WE DO AFTER LUNCH? WOULD THAT BE AFTER LUNCH? YES, SIR. YES, SIR. OKAY. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER 
          [02:15:05]
SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. CORRECTION. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME. WE DO, WE DO, BUT THEY'RE NOT READY. DID YOU HEAR THAT, JESS? YES. OKAY. 
          WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO ITEM H. PRESENTATION EIGHT A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE EL PASO CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT ON THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. 2025 CERTIFIED CERTIFIED 
          [A. Receive a presentation from the El Paso Central Appraisal District on the County of El Paso 2025 Certified Appraisal Roll.
Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-273-3582]
APPRAISAL RULE. COMMISSIONERS. GUIDED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHIEF APPRAISER, EL PASO CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT. AND DAVID STONE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT. WE'RE GOING TO TAG TEAM AGAIN, KIND OF GET STARTED AND GIVE YOU SOME NUMBERS. AS YOU GET STARTED INTO YOUR BUDGET PROCESS. HOPEFULLY YOU HAVE THE PRESENTATION SO YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN. I WANTED TO START OUT WITH THE PARCEL COUNT THAT WE'RE SHOWING AFTER WE CERTIFIED. WE DID CERTIFY THE ROLE, THE APPRAISAL ROLE ON JULY 24TH, AND IT WENT TO ALL OF THE TAXING ENTITIES. SO Y'ALL'S DEPARTMENTS, YOUR FINANCIAL DEPARTMENTS. AND MISS KELLER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAS HAD THAT FOR A LITTLE WHILE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THAT. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF AN INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, SMALL INCREASE IN MULTIFAMILY, AND THE NUMBER OF PARCEL COUNTS. YOUR COMMERCIAL IS STILL RATHER LOW CONSIDERED COMPARED TO YOUR RESIDENTIAL AND THEN ALL OF YOUR OTHER. THE ONE I REALLY WANTED TO SHOW YOU, WHICH YOU REALLY CAN'T SEE ON THE SCREEN. HOPEFULLY YOU'VE GOT IT IN FRONT OF YOU. IS YOUR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE DID GO UP AFTER WE CERTIFIED AT 7.2% OF AN INCREASE. YOUR COMMERCIAL REAL PROPERTY WENT UP ABOUT 4.95 OF AN INCREASE, AND YOUR INDUSTRIAL WENT UP 8.94. WE HAVE WAIVERS ON THE REFINERY AND THE ELECTRIC COMPANY. SO THOSE ARE YOUR BIGGEST INCREASE. AND WITH THE WAIVERS SIGNED, THERE WILL BE NO SUITS FILED ON THOSE. SO THAT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO HEAR. ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WANT TO POINT OUT TO YOU TO BE CAUTIOUS IS YOUR L1 CATEGORY. THAT IS YOUR COMMERCIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY. THAT IS THE ONE THAT'S BEING UP BEFORE THE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER. WE'VE GOT A SLIDE A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS THE END THAT WILL SHOW YOU WHAT KIND OF A HIT THAT MIGHT BE ON, ON THE ON THE COUNTY BEFORE YOU MOVE ON. SORRY. BEFORE YOU MOVE ON FROM THIS SLIDE, CAN I JUST ASK YOU ONE QUESTION? YES, MA'AM. THE MULTIFAMILY RESIDENCE. I KNOW IT WAS A VERY SMALL INCREASE, BUT I'M WONDERING IF YOU KNOW WHY THE ACTUAL TAXABLE VALUE WENT DOWN. YES, MA'AM. THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT ABOUT. HOLD ON. LET ME FLIP THIS OVER SO I CAN GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS YOU HAVE. EL PASO COUNTY HOUSING FINANCIAL CORPORATION. OKAY. 
          THAT THAT WAS MY QUESTION. YES. THAT'S IT. THAT OKAY. THOSE WE PUT THEM AS EXEMPT, BUT WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH THE FOLKS TO GET THE INFORMATION BEFORE WE OFFICIALLY EXEMPT THOSE PROPERTIES. THERE'S ABOUT 43 PROPERTIES THAT WILL BE OFF THE ROAD. BUT WE'RE WANTING A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARIFICATION. BUT WHEN WE SENT THE NUMBERS, WE SENT THAT AS THAT WAY. SO IT WOULD BE WOULDN'T BE SUCH A BIG HIT. OKAY. SO THESE NUMBERS MAY MAY CHANGE, I GUESS AFTER YOU GET THAT ADDITIONAL AFTER WE GET THE IF WE GET THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT CONFIRMS THAT THEY ARE EXEMPT, THEN IT'LL STAY THAT WAY. IF WE GET THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT SHOWS THAT THEY'RE NOT BECAUSE THEY'VE ONLY FILED FOR THE LAND AND NOT THE IMPROVEMENTS, THEN IT COULD GO UP. OKAY. THANK YOU. SLIDE JUDGE ON THE INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING REAL PROPERTY THAT WENT UP 8.9%. IT SHOWS A NEGATIVE. COUNT. SO WE LOST THREE PROPERTIES IN THAT CATEGORY. BUT YET THE VALUATION WENT UP QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY. CORRECT. YOU CAN HAVE BUSINESSES REAL ESTATE BUSINESSES, SHOPS OR GROCERY STORES, THAT TYPE OF THING THAT WILL CLOSE. BUT THE OTHER BUSINESSES ARE INCREASING. SO JUST BECAUSE YOU LOSE COUNT DOESN'T MEAN YOU LOSE VALUE. 
          OKAY, THIS IS INDUSTRIAL AND MANUFACTURING. ARE THERE OTHER DATA? WHICH ONE ARE YOU LOOKING AT? THE OH THE F2 CATEGORY. OKAY. YEAH 241 DOWN TO 238. ONE OF THE REASONS COULD BE THAT WE HAD SOME OF THE SMALLER MANUFACTURING. I CAN'T TELL YOU WHICH ONES LEFT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT ONES THAT ARE THERE, THE VALUES WERE INCREASED. RIGHT? I'M JUST WONDERING IF IT'S DRIVEN BY A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN MANUFACTURING CAPACITY. WELL, IT COULD BE. IT 
          [02:20:01]
COULD BE DUE TO INCREASE IN MANUFACTURING. IT COULD BE WHERE THEY'VE EXPANDED THEIR MANUFACTURING. IT COULD BE THAT THEY'VE REPLACED THEIR EQUIPMENT, NEWER EQUIPMENT. ONE OF THE ONES THAT WE SAW WAS AMAZON. THE REAL ESTATE IS STILL VERY STRONG, BUT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY WENT DOWN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AS MUCH THERE WITH THE TERRORISTS COMING IN. SO WE'RE WATCHING THAT ONE TO SEE ALSO ON YOUR YOUR I WAS TRYING TO THINK WHAT ELSE IS ON YOUR F2 WAREHOUSES. YES. SO EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE A LOT OF WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW WAREHOUSES. SO WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN VALUE IN THAT ON THE, ON THE WAREHOUSES, ON THE REAL ESTATE. AND WE MAY HAVE LOST SOME OF THE OLDER ONES THAT THEY'VE REMODELED INTO SOMETHING ELSE. SOME OF THE WAREHOUSES TURNED INTO RETAIL, THEY TURN INTO CHURCHES. SO THAT TYPE OF THING. OKAY. AND WITHOUT HAVING THE ACTUAL ROLE IN FRONT OF ME, I COULDN'T TELL YOU SPECIFICS. OKAY. THAT ONE. YEAH. 
          OKAY. OKAY. SO TALKING ABOUT THE VALUES, THE RESIDENTIAL VALUES INCREASED FROM 41.8 BILLION TO 45.8 BILLION, ALMOST A $4 BILLION INCREASE IN RESIDENTIAL VALUES. THE MULTIFAMILY HAD A DECREASE OF ABOUT 275 MILLION. AND AS DIANA POINTED OUT, THAT WAS DUE TO THE FINANCE CORPORATION ACTIVITY. THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES INCREASED ABOUT 700 MILLION. THE BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY INCREASED ABOUT 23 MILLION, AND ALL OTHER PROPERTIES INCREASED ABOUT 300 MILLION. THIS SHOWS HISTORICALLY THE CHANGE IN VALUES FROM PRELIMINARY VALUES, WHICH WE ISSUE ON APRIL 30TH, TO THE CERTIFIED VALUES THAT GET ISSUED ON OR ABOUT JULY 25TH. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE FIVE YEAR AVERAGE WAS ABOUT 4.77, AND THIS YEAR WE HAD A DECREASE OF 4.72. SO WE HELD A LITTLE BIT MORE VALUE THAN WE HAVE HISTORICALLY. THIS SHOWS A TEN YEAR HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF EL PASO'S TAXABLE VALUE. AS YOU CAN SEE OVERALL WE INCREASED FROM. 67.3 BILLION TO 71.9 BILLION. WE'RE STILL IN. VERY FOR US HIGH INCREASE. WE'RE NOT LIKE EAST TEXAS, BUT WE HAVE BEEN INCREASING ABOVE WHAT'S TYPICAL FOR EL PASO COUNTY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST HALF OF THE CHART BEFORE 2021, THE SLOPE IS A LOT SHALLOWER THAN IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2021. SO I GUESS THAT'S GOOD THAT OUR PROPERTY VALUES ARE INCREASING. BUT IT'S KIND OF STICKER SHOCK FOR THE TAXPAYERS. THE NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE SHOWING THE HISTORICAL MARKET VALUE IN THE COUNTY COMPARING RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL. THE TOP LINE IS RESIDENTIAL. THE BOTTOM LINE IS COMMERCIAL. BOTH ARE INCREASING, BUT THE RATE OF INCREASE ON RESIDENTIAL IS MUCH GREATER THAN THE INCREASE IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY VALUE. MR. STONE, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT CAN CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHY IT IS THAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY VALUES ARE NOT RISING AT THE SAME RATE AS AS RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES? I THINK IT'S. WELL, THERE'S A I'LL JUMP IN. OKAY. THERE'S A COUPLE OF REASONS. NUMBER ONE, THERE'S MORE HOMES BEING BUILT THAN THERE ARE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. IF YOU NOTICED ON THE FIRST PAGE I SHOWED YOU THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IS OVER, WHAT, 200 PLUS AND COMMERCIAL IS 12,000 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE. SO WE HAVE A LOT LESS COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE THAN WE DO RESIDENTIAL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGES. SO WE HAVE LESS THAT ARE THAT ARE PROTESTING. THE MARKET RIGHT NOW IS VERY STRONG. STILL IN RESIDENTIAL, WE'RE HAVING ABOUT 4.2 MONTHS WORTH OF NEW INVENTORY. SO THAT'S AN INCREASE. SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE SEEING THE GROWTH HERE. AS TO OVERALL VALUES. THE MARKET VALUES IN EL PASO COUNTY IS STABILIZING BUT IT'S STILL NOT GOING DOWN. COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES AGAIN THEY COME IN AND PROTEST EVERY SINGLE YEAR. THEY FILE LAWSUITS. MAJORITY OF OUR LAWSUITS THAT ARE FILED I WANT TO SAY 99% IS FILED BY COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. WE HAVE ABOUT 1400 LAWSUITS THAT ARE FILED, THAT ARE FILED THAT ADD TO EVERY YEAR PARCEL COUNT. SO 
          [02:25:02]
THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES WILL FILE A LAWSUIT. THEY'LL END UP BEING A SETTLEMENT. SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THAT IT'S PRETTY MUCH THE SAME EVERY YEAR TO LEGISLATION COMES IN AND CHANGES THAT. I THINK YOU'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT OR UNTIL WE START SEEING MORE GROWTH IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES TO OFFSET THE GROWTH OF RESIDENTIAL. I THINK YOU'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT. DID THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER STOUT? THANK YOU. IS THAT THE SAME TREND IN OTHER COMMUNITIES? THE NUMBER OF LAWSUITS? YES, SIR. YES, SIR. CONSISTENT. WE'RE LOW COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHERS. HERE'S AN EXAMPLE. KIND OF SHOWS YOU PARCEL COUNT. WE'RE REAL SIMILAR TO AUSTIN. WE'RE LOWER THAN WILLIAMSON. WILLIAMSON. WE HAVE PROBABLY 100, 150,000 MORE PARCELS. WE HAD 47,000 PROTESTS. THEY HAD 170,000 PROTESTS IN WILLIAMSON. WILLIAMSON HAS A COUPLE OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES, BUT IT'S MOSTLY RESIDENTIAL THERE. BUT YOU'RE STILL SEEING A LARGE NUMBER. SO IT'S THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE'RE STILL SEEING THAT. DO YOU THINK IT'S SOMETHING I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW FAIR OR YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE ALL THE INNUENDOS OF THAT, BUT IS THERE SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, WE COULD SUPPORT LEGISLATION TO BECAUSE IT SEEMS MORE LIKE A STRATEGY JUST TO DELAY THE, YOU KNOW, THE PAIN. AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING WELL, IN, IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BECAUSE PROPERTY OWNERS NORMALLY HIRE A LAWYER OR AN AGENT TO REPRESENT THEIR PROPERTY, THEY MAKE MORE MONEY. IF THEY TAKE A BOARD ORDER AND THEN FILE A LAWSUIT, THEY GET A BIGGER PERCENTAGE, VERY POSSIBLY FROM THEIR CLIENT. THERE IS THERE IS STATUTES IN THE PROPERTY TAX CODE THAT SAY, WELL, YES, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE TO SET AN EQUITY, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO USE STANDARD APPRAISAL PRACTICES. 
          BUT THAT EQUITY IS THAT I CALL IT GOING DOWN THE DRAIN FUNNEL. ONCE THAT EQUITY GETS ADJUSTED BY SOMEBODY, THEN EVERYTHING FOLLOWS SUIT AND GETS A VALUE LOWERED BASED ON THAT. ALSO THINK OF SOMEBODY LIKE EL PASO COUNTY, WILLIAMSON COUNTY, EVEN HARRIS COUNTY, AND GOING TO COURT ON 1800 LAWSUITS. YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT. THE NUMBERS ARE ASTRONOMICAL. SO BUSINESS OWNERS KNOW THIS AND IT'S A GAME PLAN. AND I MEAN, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO IT ACCORDING TO THE STATUTES. SO THE STATUTES ARE I BELIEVE ARE WHAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT IS TO TAKING THOSE LOOPHOLES AND CLOSING THOSE LOOPHOLES, MAKING IT A LITTLE BIT TIGHTER. WE HAVE A COMPANY THAT IS FAIRLY NEW COMPANY. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, IN WILLIAMSON, 170,000 PROTESTS, 35,000 WERE SET BY ONE AGENT PROTEST, BY ONE AGENT TRYING TO KEEP THE ROLE FROM BEING CERTIFIED IN EL PASO COUNTY. OUT OF OUR 47,000 PROTESTS, OVER 8000 PROTESTS WERE FILED BY ONE COMPANY, AND THEIR GAME PLAN IS, WELL, JUST GIVE US A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE ACROSS THE BOARD ON ALL OF OUR CLIENTS AND WE'LL WITHDRAW, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO HOLD UP THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS. SO IT IS A BUSINESS THAT PEOPLE CAN DO. THERE'S IT'S A LEGITIMATE AS TO WHETHER IT'S WALKING THE LINE OF, OF ETHICAL OR UNETHICAL. THAT'S NOT UP TO ME TO SAY, BUT THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE THAT I THINK LEGISLATION NEEDS TO FIX A LITTLE BIT. THANK YOU FOR I, I ALSO THINK, YOU KNOW, HAVING HAVING GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS NUMEROUS TIMES MYSELF AND HAVING SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF CONSTITUENTS OF MINE THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SEEM TO FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CARDS ARE REALLY STACKED AGAINST RESIDENTIAL, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE MOST, MOST RESIDENTS AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR AN ATTORNEY TO SIT IN, YOU KNOW, WITH THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD, AND YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL APPRAISER THAT'S PRESENTING EVIDENCE. AND EVEN THOUGH YOU COME IN AND PRESENT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN PRESENT EVIDENCE OF PROPERTIES THAT ARE COMPARABLE, THAT YOU'VE FOUND THAT YOU KNOW, OR YOU SHOW PICTURES OR YOU EVEN I'VE EVEN BROUGHT AN APPRAISAL MYSELF THAT I'VE HAD PRIVATELY APPRAISED JUST TO, TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. IT DOESN'T MATTER. A LOT OF TIMES AND, AND YOU KNOW IT. YOU MAY GET YOU MAY GET SOME SOME REDUCTION. BUT YOU KNOW, I SAW THIS THIS THIS YEAR. YOU KNOW, I BROUGHT IN THE SAME COMPARABLE AS, AS THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD BROUGHT IN OR THE APPRAISER BROUGHT IN IN FRONT OF THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD AND SHOWED THAT THIS YEAR THE SAME PROPERTY THAT THEY WERE USING WAS FROM LAST YEAR. IT WAS HIGHER. BUT AND I SHOWED THEM THIS YEAR'S AND. YOU KNOW, IT'S 
          [02:30:08]
JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY IT'S VERY DIFFICULT UNLESS YOU HAVE AN ATTORNEY AND YOU HAVE THE YOU HAVE THE, THE MEANS, THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO, TO GO IN AND FIGHT IT. IT'S A IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR ANY RESIDENT. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S THE SAME FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. SO I MEAN, I THINK WE SHOULD TALK WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND LOOK AT SOME TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, BILL, THAT THAT MAY BE ABLE TO BE FILED IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. THAT REALLY EVENS THE PLAYING FIELD FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS. I THINK IT'S OUR DUTY TO BE ABLE TO, TO, TO DO THAT, BECAUSE, AGAIN, HAVING GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HAVING HEARD STORIES FROM OTHER OF MY CONSTITUENTS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS, IT REALLY IS SO MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. THE APPRAISAL REVIEW BOARD WAS SET UP BY STATE LEGISLATURE TO HEAR THE PROTESTS BETWEEN PROPERTY OWNERS AND THEMSELVES. IN OTHER STATES. THEY HAVE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. SO IF YOU CAN'T SETTLE IN AN INFORMAL, YOU GO TO A STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. AND THAT'S BASICALLY IT. IT STOPS RIGHT THERE IN TEXAS. THEY SET UP A JURY SOMEWHAT FORMAT, WHERE YOU HAVE A PANELS THAT DON'T HAVE TO HAVE ANY TRAINING OR EXPERTISE THAT LISTEN AND ARE SUPPOSED TO LISTEN BETWEEN THE EVIDENCE FROM ONE TO THE OTHER AND GO WITH WHOEVER HAS THE PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE. AND UNFORTUNATELY, SO MUCH OF THE TIME THEY COME UP WITH A THIRD OPTION. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE BASED ON WHAT THEY'VE BEEN HEARING IN THEIR HEARINGS. SO I THINK APPRAISER, APPRAISER, REVIEW BOARD MEMBERS GET TWO DAYS OF TRAINING FROM THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, AND THEN THEY BRING IN THEIR OWN TRAINING TO THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS TO HAVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING THAT RECENTLY CHANGED, WHERE THEY'RE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AND WE'LL GO BACK TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO BE REAPPOINTED BASED ON ON THE TAXPAYER LIAISONS REPORT, THAT TYPE OF THING. ONE OF THE THINGS WITH RESIDENTIAL, WE TEND TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AS AN APPRAISAL DISTRICT THAN WE DO ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET INCOME ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. WHAT IS THE INCOME? WHAT ARE YOUR EXPENSES? TEXAS NONDISCLOSURE. OTHER STATES HAVE DISCLOSURE. SO THE PRICE THAT YOU PAID FOR A HOME IS DISCLOSED. SO YOU HAVE A LOT LESS PROTEST BECAUSE THAT'S IT. HERE'S WHAT YOU PAID FOR IT. 
          HERE'S WHAT'S ON TEXAS IS A NON-DISCLOSURE. SO GETTING THE INFORMATION IS REALLY DIFFICULT. 
          SO YES, THERE ARE SOME THERE'S QUITE A BIT THAT THROUGH LEGISLATION WOULD REALLY BE BENEFICIAL TO HOMEOWNERS. THE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT HELP THE NON HOMESTEADED PROPERTY OWNERS WAS THE PILOT PROGRAM, WHAT WE CALLED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER, WHICH GAVE A 20% CAP LEGISLATION DID NOT ACT ON THAT. SO IT WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF 2026. SO THAT CAP WILL GO AWAY. SO THERE ARE THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT DEFINITELY LEGISLATORS, I THINK I THINK COULD LOOK AT. COMMISSIONER STOUT, I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. 
          THANK YOU. I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON ON THIS SLIDE SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE IT'S JARRING TO SEE THIS. AND WE HEAR FROM FROM THE VOTERS AND THE TAXPAYERS AND THE CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE, THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES AND HOW UNSUSTAINABLE IT IS FOR TAXES TO KEEP GOING UP, EVEN THOUGH LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS KEEPING THE TAX RATE AS STEADY AS POSSIBLE. PEOPLE ARE STILL PAYING MORE IN TAXES. AND YOU LOOK AT THIS SLIDE AND YOU SEE EXACTLY WHY. THE PROBLEM IS WAGES AREN'T INCREASING AT THAT SAME RATE. OUR COMMERCIAL BASE ISN'T GROWING, OBVIOUSLY. AND SO PEOPLE ARE STUCK WITH THE SAME JOBS, THE SAME WAGES, BUT PAYING SUBSTANTIALLY MORE YEAR OVER YEAR IN TAXES. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE MARKET IN TEXAS. APPRAISAL DISTRICTS MUST APPRAISE PROPERTY VALUES AT MARKET VALUE. IF WE DO NOT APPRAISE AT MARKET VALUE, THEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN LOSE FUNDING BECAUSE THE STATE COMES IN AND DOES AN AUDIT OF OUR VALUES. WE DO NOT HAVE MARKET INFORMATION GIVEN TO US. WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO MLS, SO WE DO A LOT OF RESEARCH AT THE MARKET VALUE. WE'RE STILL SEEING THE MARKET VALUE GOING UP IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. YOU KNOW, WAGES HAVE BASICALLY STAYED THE SAME. 
          WE'VE SEEN SOME BIG BUSINESSES COMING IN FOR EMPLOYMENT. BUT THE MARKET VALUE AS WE WATCH IT CONSTANTLY TO SEE WHERE IT'S GOING. IF THE MARKET VALUE WERE TO DROP, WE WOULD DEFINITELY DROP VALUES. BUT STATE OF TEXAS, WE HAVE TO APPRAISE AT 100% OF MARKET VALUE. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO THAT APPRAISES AT 33% OF MARKET VALUE. THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, 
          [02:35:05]
THOUGH, HAS A STATE INCOME TAX. YOUR YOUR RESIDENTIAL CARRIES. WHAT DID WE SAY 6,063%? I THINK IT WAS 63, 63% OF THE OVERALL VALUE ON OUR APPRAISAL ROLL IS RESIDENTIAL. SO YES, THAT'S WHERE WE'LL SEE THE MAJORITY OF THE INCREASES BECAUSE THE MARKET IS STILL HEALTHY, AS LONG AS WE HAVE TO APPRAISE AT 100% OF MARKET VALUE, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO HAVE TO LOOK AT. THERE ARE CAPS, THOUGH, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I'M KIND OF GLAD, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, YOU BROUGHT THIS UP, EVEN THOUGH WE MAY HAVE LEFT THE VALUE THE SAME OR EVEN GONE DOWN A LITTLE BIT, THE VALUE WILL STILL IF IT'S YOUR HOMESTEADED PROPERTY, IT WILL STILL GO UP 10% EVERY YEAR UNTIL IT HITS THE MARKET. SO IF YOU BOUGHT A HOME THAT WAS QUITE A BIT BELOW THE MARKET YOU'VE GOT, IT'S YOUR HOME, IT'S YOUR HOMESTEAD. YOU HAVE THAT CAP ON THERE AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP 10% EVERY YEAR UNTIL IT HITS WHAT THE MARKET IS. SO HAVING A STABLE MARKET IS GOOD. IT MEANS IT'LL IT'LL HIT THAT THAT CAP OR THAT TOP SOONER. LEGISLATION LOOKED AT LOWERING THAT TO 5% FROM 10%, SO IT WOULDN'T BE AS MUCH OF A HIT. WELL, BUT THAT MAKES IT GO LONGER BECAUSE IN 5% INCREMENTS, IT'S A LONG TIME TO GET TO THAT MARKET, ESPECIALLY IF YOU BOUGHT IT AT A REALLY GOOD DEAL OR YOU BOUGHT IT BEFORE THAT CAP HIT. SO THAT CAP, IT WILL GO UP EVERY YEAR. 
          EVEN IF WE LEAVE THE VALUES TOTALLY ALONE, THEIR TAX PART OF IT WILL GO UP 10% EVERY YEAR. SO THAT'S A LOT OF THINGS. A LOT OF TIMES PROPERTY OWNERS GET A LITTLE CONFUSED ON, HEY, WAIT A MINUTE, IT WENT UP AND I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. WELL NO, YOUR YOUR VALUE, YOUR MARKET VALUE STAYED THE SAME. IT WAS YOUR APPRAISED VALUE OR YOUR ASSESSED VALUE THAT WENT UP. BECAUSE OF THAT, 10% CAP CAPS ARE GREAT, BUT THEY EXTEND HOW MUCH IT'S EITHER PAY FOR NOW OR PAY FOR IT LATER. AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE, YEAH, YOU'RE GOING TO BE PAYING FOR IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. 
          OF COURSE, WE ALL KNOW THE SCHOOLS HAVE PASSED. THE LEGISLATURE PASSED FOR LARGER EXEMPTIONS ON THE SCHOOLS ON YOUR HOMESTEADED OR IF YOU'RE OVER 65 PROPERTIES. AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST PART OF THE TAX BILL. SO THAT WILL BE A BENEFIT. BUT EVEN SAYING THAT FOR YOUR CITY OR YOUR COUNTY, IT'S STILL GOING TO GO UP 10%. AND JUST THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS KILGORE. AND MR. STONE, YOU PRESENTED AT A COMMUNITY MEETING THAT THAT I HOSTED IN THE SPRING, AND YOU SPENT TWO HOURS TALKING TO US ABOUT THE PROCESS AND WHY IT IS THE WAY IT IS. AND AS A LOT OF IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, THE MARKET IS STRONG IN EL PASO, BUT THERE'S NOT GROWING BUSINESSES OR WAGES. AND SO IT IT'S ALMOST CONTRADICTORY TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. AND, AND THE TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HURTING AND FEEL THE BURDEN OF IT. YOU COULD SEE THIS IN THE SLIDE, RIGHT? I UNDERSTAND AFTER HEARING FROM MR. STONE FOR TWO HOURS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF IT IS DRIVEN BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE FUNDED, THAT THAT YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE IN, IN HOW YOU APPRAISE PROPERTIES. AND THEN WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE OF ACCEPTING THESE PROPERTY VALUATIONS. AND SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF WIGGLE ROOM FOR ANYBODY HERE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THOUGH, THAT OUR OUR CONSTITUENTS AREN'T HURTING BECAUSE OF THIS. BUT I WANTED TO POINT OUT ON THE ON THE OTHER SLIDE, AGAIN, THAT SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE YOU SAY GREW BY 4726 PROPERTIES. AND THAT MEANS THAT THAT'S HOW MANY NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WERE BUILT. NO. YOUR NEW CONSTRUCTION. YOUR ACTUAL COUNT. 
          JUST LET ME GET THAT SLIDE BACK. THE NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES WAS ALMOST 2%. SO 1.9063 IF YOU LOOK AT THE SLIDE THAT LET ME GO BACK TO THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT THAT SLIDE RIGHT THERE, IF YOU LOOK AT YOUR VERY FIRST LINE, IS YOUR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, GO ALL THE WAY TO THE END. YOU SEE YOUR PERCENT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION CHANGE. IT'S 1.9%. AND BUT HOW MANY PROPERTIES IS THAT? BECAUSE IT SAYS CHANGE COUNT 4007. YOU CAN LOOK AT LET'S SEE, 4726 NEW NEW PROPERTIES. THAT'S THAT'S WHAT I, THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO POINT TO, TO SAY, EVEN THOUGH WE'RE NOT GETTING A LOT OF NEW COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES OR, OR HIGHER WAGES, NEW HOMES ARE 
          [02:40:01]
STILL BEING BUILT, WHICH MEANS THE DEMANDS ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE GROWING. MEANWHILE, YOU KNOW, OUR OUR. OUR WE'RE WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP OUR TAX RATE LOW AND STEADY. AND THE STATE IS REDUCING THE AMOUNT THAT WE COULD THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT WE CAN GET. WHILE THE BIGGEST PERCENT OF CHANGE IS IN SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE, OUR BIGGEST EMPLOYERS HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY ARE GOVERNMENT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE BIGGEST EMPLOYERS, YOU'VE GOT UTEP, YOU'VE GOT FORT BLISS, YOU HAVE THE CITY, YOU HAVE THE COUNTY, YOU HAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. OUR BIGGEST EMPLOYERS ARE GOVERNMENT BASED. SO WHERE WE DON'T SEE A LOT OF COMMERCIAL COMPANIES COMING IN OR BIG COMPANIES COMING IN, WE DID SEE AMAZON. WE DO SEE AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRIC COMPANY DUE TO THE SOLAR FARMS THAT ARE GOING OUT. AND WE SAW AN INCREASE IN THE REFINERY DUE TO THEIR PRODUCTION. SO WE ARE SEEING THAT. BUT WHEN THAT'S ALL WE HAVE IS HIGH DOLLAR THAT THAT DOES. BUT WE'RE VERY MUCH A I ALWAYS SAY WE'RE A FAMILY BASED COMMUNITY. SO MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE COUNTY HOSPITAL EMPLOYS, YOU KNOW, QUITE A LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES. THE OTHER HOSPITALS, OF COURSE, DO, DO EMPLOY, BUT WE DON'T. BUT WE DO HAVE A VERY HEALTHY MARKET IN RESIDENTIAL. WE FOR THE LONGEST TIME WE HAD LESS THAN 2% OF NEW HOME INVENTORY. IT'S NOW 4.2 AND WE'RE SEEING THAT INCREASE. SO THE BUILDERS ARE STARTING TO BUILD AGAIN BECAUSE HOMES ARE SELLING. THE EXISTING HOMES ARE WHERE WE SAW A BIG JUMP IN VALUE THIS YEAR WAS FOR EXISTING HOMES BECAUSE SINCE THERE WASN'T A LOT OF NEW HOMES ON, WE SAW A MARKED INCREASE IN EXISTING HOMES, PEOPLE BUYING EXISTING HOMES BECAUSE THEY CAN FINANCE IT BETTER. THAT HAS A LOT, LOT TO DO WITH IT. BUT WE ARE STILL SEEING GROWTH. IT HAS SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT AND WE WERE SEEING DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH THERE FOR 21, 22, 23. SO WE'RE WE'RE NOW DOWN TO I THINK OVERALL GROWTH FOR YOU GUYS WAS JUST OVER 5%. SO THAT'S THAT'S A LITTLE BIT HEALTHIER. BUT AGAIN RESIDENTIAL WHEN IT'S 63% OF THE APPRAISAL ROLE THAT'S WHERE THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU I KNOW THAT WASN'T THAT WAS MORE STATEMENTS THAN QUESTIONS. BUT ONE COMMENT BETSY AND JUDGE MAYBE IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE GET WHEN WE GET BRIEFED ON THE PROPERTY VALUES, MAYBE WE CAN ALSO HAVE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS COME IN AND PRESENT ON WORKFORCE DATA SO THAT THERE'S A LOT OF LINES AND CONNECTIONS TO BE DRAWN HERE. AND I THINK COULD INFORM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES MOVING FORWARD. I THINK JUST TO JUST TO DOVETAIL A LITTLE BIT, JUDGE TO ME, YOU KNOW, TO SUMMARIZE, IT'S. THE PROCESS IS DESIGNED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE. THE PROCESS WHICH MAKES IT EASIER FOR COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS TO, TO PROTEST, WHICH MAKES IT HARDER FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROTEST. THE, THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS GOVERNED AND MUST DO APPRAISALS IS BY DESIGN THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. 70% OF OUR COUNTY BUDGET IS MANDATED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. SO WHEN YOU HEAR STATE LEGISLATORS TELLING YOU THAT YOU, EL PASO RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYERS, THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING YOU WITH TAX RELIEF, IT'S SMOKE AND MIRRORS. DO NOT BELIEVE IT. WE YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT THIS TODAY AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE NUMBERS HOW AND IN THESE GRAPHS HOW THE DESIGN THAT HAS BEEN SET FORTH BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS THAT WHICH IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE SEEING HERE, THE DESIGN THAT IS PUT FORTH BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR OWN, WITH OUR BUDGET AND THE INCREASING UNFUNDED MANDATES THAT WE SEE EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION. AND SO, AGAIN, WE NEED TO WORK AS HARD AS WE CAN, I THINK, TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS BY DESIGN, DONE BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE. WE'LL TAKE IT. 
          OKAY. GO AHEAD. DAVID. OKAY. THE NEXT SLIDE IS A COMPARISON OF THE HISTORICAL NEW CONSTRUCTION VALUE. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAD WE HAD A SHARP INCREASE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION STARTING IN 2021. 
          WE HAD A SLIGHT DIP LAST YEAR, BUT NOW WE'RE BACK UP OVER WHAT WE WERE IN 2023. WE HAD ABOUT 
          [02:45:07]
$1.5 BILLION IN NEW CONSTRUCTION IN THE COUNTY. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PROTEST, WE INCLUDED THAT SO THAT YOU CAN SEE OVERALL, WE WERE AT 46,630 PROTESTS. WE WERE AT 45, EIGHT, 78 LAST YEAR. SO WE'RE STAYING RIGHT AROUND THAT. EVERY YEAR YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL PROTESTS VERSUS THE NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL PROTESTS. THE RESIDENTIAL WILL FLUCTUATE, BUT COMMERCIAL NORMALLY STAYS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE SAME. AND THEN YOUR YOUR BPP COMMISSIONER STOUT, THIS IS A SLIDE THAT I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THAT REFLECTS LEGISLATION ON TRYING TRYING TO HELP. IT IS GOING TO GO BEFORE THE VOTERS IN NOVEMBER, BUT IT'S $1.159 BILLION IN VALUE. THAT WILL VERY POTENTIALLY COULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR APPRAISAL RULE IN 2026 BECAUSE OF THE EXEMPTION ON PERSONAL PROPERTY, THE EXEMPTION RIGHT NOW BEFORE THE VOTERS IS 150,000. I'M SORRY, 125. YES, THAT'S RIGHT, 125,000. WE HAD IT AT 2500 FOR MANY YEARS WAS THE EXEMPTED AMOUNT, AND THAT WAS SET INTO PLACE TO CATCH THE SMALLER BUSINESSES LIKE THE GUY WHO'S A CARPENTER OR A PLUMBER WORKS FROM HIS HOME AND HAS HIS TRUCK TO HELP HIM GET A BENEFIT, TO BE ABLE TO BUILD HIS BUSINESS IN LEGISLATION. THEY WERE LOOKING AT 250. THEY SETTLED FOR 125,000 ON ALL PROPERTIES IN THE COUNTY. WE WERE THINKING IT WOULD BE LIKE, SAY, AN EXAMPLE OF MCDONALD'S. IT WOULD BE ONE MCDONALD'S IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT WILL BE ALL OF THEM. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING MORE CLARIFICATION ON THIS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW. AND THIS WILL BE FOR ALL PROPERTIES. EVEN YOUR HIGH DOLLAR PROPERTIES WILL GET 125,000 KNOCKED OFF. SO A LOT OF YOUR SMALLER BUSINESSES, THAT'S GREAT FOR THEM. THEY WON'T PAY ANY PROPERTY TAXES BECAUSE THAT WILL BE UNDER THE 125,000. YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF FAST FOODS THAT THAT WILL FALL. 
          THIS IS ON THE PERSONAL PROPERTY ONLY. THIS IS NOT ON THE REAL ESTATE. SO THERE'LL BE A LOT OF BUSINESSES THAT WILL QUALIFY. SO WE DID A WORST CASE SCENARIO JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA, BECAUSE THIS WILL GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1ST OF 2026. AND WE CAME UP WITH 1.159 BILLION. AND AGAIN, I MEAN IT'S GREAT TO SEE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT THAT JUST MEANS THAT THAT BURDEN THAT WILL BE SPREAD MOSTLY AMONGST THE RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYERS OF EL PASO IN EL PASO COUNTY. THE BURDEN THAT IS BEING, YOU KNOW, WE STILL HAVE TO WE STILL HAVE TO SPIN WHAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT SAYS WE HAVE TO SPEND. AND IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THEM NOW, THAT BURDEN THAT IS BEING LIFTED OFF THE SHOULDERS OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND LARGER BUSINESSES, TOO, RIGHT? BECAUSE, AS YOU SAID, THE MCDONALD'S AND OTHER AND OTHER BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS. THAT'S GOING TO BE THAT'S GOING TO THAT IMBALANCE IS GOING TO GROW. THAT 63% IS PROBABLY GOING TO GO UP WITH NO NEW REVENUE ON THE BUSINESSES, BUT ALL BUSINESSES WILL WILL GET THIS. SO EVEN YOUR YOUR LARGER BUSINESSES THAT COULD ABSORB THAT, EVERYBODY WILL GET THIS. 
          ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN READING AND RESEARCHING IS ONCE THAT THE RENDITION COMES IN IN 2026, THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO RENDER AGAIN, WHICH MEANS MORE WORK ON THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT TO ENSURE THAT A BUSINESS GROWS, SO THAT WE MAY HAVE TO ADD VALUE OVER THAT 125 THAT EXEMPTED THEM. SO OUR WORK, COMMISSIONER STOUT, JUST LIKE YOU SAID, YOU'RE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 
          WORK DOESN'T STOP. OURS WON'T EITHER, BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE TO REVIEW THOSE EVERY YEAR TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT GENERATING MORE OR DON'T HAVE MORE PERSONAL PROPERTY THAN THE 125. SO IT'S A GOING TO BE A LONG, LONG PROCESS, AND WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW IT. AND IF IT'S VOTED IN BY THE VOTERS, WHICH IT'S ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT ALONG WITH THE SCHOOL HOMESTEADS, YOU KNOW, ONCE IT GETS VOTED IN BY THE VOTERS, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. 
          ANY ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? I DO I HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU, MISS KILGORE. I YOU KNOW, I GUESS GOING BACK TO THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER BUTLER WAS MAKING ABOUT JUST HOW COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT SOMETIMES IT IS FOR RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THESE MOVING PIECES AND TAX CALCULATIONS AND WHY THEIR TAXES ARE GOING UP. I KNOW INEVITABLY EVERY YEAR WHILE 
          [02:50:01]
WE'RE HAVING THESE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, AT TIMES TAXING ENTITIES SEEM TO WANT TO SHIFT THE BLAME ONTO THE CAD FOR INCREASING THEIR TAXES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. CAN YOU JUST EXPLAIN THE SEPARATION? YES. OKAY. SO APPRAISAL DISTRICTS BY STATUTE, BY STATE CODE APPRAISAL DISTRICTS ARE MANDATED TO APPRAISE ALL PROPERTY IN A COUNTY AT MARKET VALUE AS OF JANUARY 1ST. THERE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS IN THERE, SOME DIFFERENT DATES. BUT JANUARY 1ST WE MUST MAINTAIN MAPS OF THE COUNTY. WE MUST MAINTAIN EXEMPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO WHO APPLY FOR EXEMPTIONS AND QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTIONS ALL THE WAY FROM HOMESTEAD TO SCHOOLS TO VETERANS. ALL OF THAT IS MAINTAINED. WE HAVE A PROTEST SEASON. NOTICES MUST GO OUT TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AS TO WHAT THEIR VALUES ARE, GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILE A PROTEST. 
          WE HAVE THOSE HEARINGS ONCE THE ROLE IS CERTIFIED AT 95%, WE STILL HAVE ABOUT 2% OF OUR PROTESTS TO BE HEARD, BUT 98% WAS ALREADY HEARD. WE FINISHED, SO WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT. 
          THOSE APPRAISAL WILL GO TO ALL OF THE TAXING ENTITIES, AND THEN THEY TAKE THOSE VALUES AND THEY LOOK AT WHAT IS THE PUBLIC WANT, WHAT KIND OF SERVICES DO WE NEED, WHAT KIND OF DEBT DO THEY DOES AN ENTITY HAVE? WHAT ARE THE CITIZENS WANT? DO THEY WANT STREETS, FIXED LIGHTS, SWIMMING POOLS? YOU KNOW, FLASH, WHAT DO YOU CALL SPLASH PADS? YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT DO WE WHAT DO THEY WANT? AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND SCHOOL BOARDS AND CITY COUNCILS THEN MUST SET THAT TAX RATE AND APPLY IT TO THE CERTIFIED TOTALS. THERE IS ABOUT $11 BILLION IN VALUE THAT IS EXEMPT FROM THE ROLL. SO THE NUMBER YOU'RE GETTING IS AFTER ALL THOSE EXEMPTIONS ARE REMOVED. SO RIGHT OFF THE BAT THERE'S A BIG AMOUNT THAT'S TAKEN OFF. AND THAT'S ALL EXEMPTIONS. THAT'S CHARITABLE. THAT'S NON-PROFITS. YOU KNOW THEN OF COURSE YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS. SO THAT'S A LARGE AMOUNT THAT THAT COMES OFF. I THINK IT'S GREAT WHEN A PUBLIC ENTITY WANTS TO BUY A PROPERTY TO THEN SET IT UP FOR THE PUBLIC TO USE, BUT THEN IT COMES OFF THE TAX ROLL IF YOU'RE BUYING A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND THEN NOW IT'S BECOME EXEMPT, LIKE WE'RE LOOKING AT ON ON THOSE LAND PURCHASES FOR THE HOUSING. SO THAT WILL COME OFF OF THE ROLL. BUT IT IS THE ENTITY'S RESPONSIBILITY BASED ON ON YOUR STATUTES AND YOUR, YOUR CHARTERS AS TO WHAT ARE THE CITIZENS, WHAT DO WE WANT? I MEAN, I WANT TO KNOW THAT WHEN I HAVE A POLICE OFFICER IN MY BUILDING THAT WE PAY FOR, THAT THAT POLICE OFFICER IS AVAILABLE TO HELP US. WE'VE HAD SOME INCIDENCES WHERE IT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE THAT. I WANT TO KNOW WHEN WE PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL AN AMBULANCE, WHEN I HAVE A PROPERTY OWNER THAT'S IN MY BUILDING THAT PASSES OUT OR IS FEELING BAD, THAT I KNOW THAT AMBULANCE IS GOING TO SHOW UP. I WANT TO KNOW PERSONALLY THAT WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS ILL AND I CALLED AN AMBULANCE, THEY WERE GOING TO SHOW UP. SO UNFORTUNATELY OR FORTUNATELY, WE'RE IN A SOCIETY THAT WE DO WANT THOSE WE DO HAVE TO PAY FOR THOSE. I HOPE THAT, ANSWERED MISS HOLGUIN. I KIND OF A LITTLE PERSONAL THERE. SORRY, BUT NO, THAT'S OKAY. NO, I JUST I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEIR PROPERTY TAXES GO UP, IT'S NOT THE CAD RAISING THEIR PROPERTY, IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CAD, AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE ENTITIES. THEY MAY LOWER THEIR RATE TO THE NO NEW, NO NEW REVENUE. BUT BECAUSE THE CAP VALUE GOES UP 10% EVERY YEAR, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP PAYING 10% MORE THAN YOU DID THE YEAR BEFORE. VERY POTENTIALLY, EVEN IF THE RATE STAYS THE SAME OR EVEN GOES DOWN A LITTLE BIT. SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. YOU ALL HAVE A HARD JOB. I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T WANT MY JOB AND I DON'T WANT YOUR JOB. SO YOU KNOW SO GOOD LUCK. WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, BOTH OF YOU. GREAT WORK. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. 
          THANK YOU JUDGE. JUDGE, WE DO HAVE SOMEBODY FROM PUBLIC COMMENTS. SO WE'LL GO BACK TO ITEM SEVEN. PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, MISS ELIZABETH 
          [7. PUBLIC COMMENT]
CRAWFORD. AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THERE IS A FIVE MINUTE TIME LIMIT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. 
          THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. ELIZABETH, LAST WEEK I THANK YOU. LAST WEEK I WAS ACTUALLY RIGHT OVER BY THE CIELO VISTA WALMART WHEN THE NEWS CAME THROUGH. IT WAS A PUBLICIZED REPORT OF THE PATRICK CRUSIUS INTERROGATION. IT FELT ALMOST SURREAL BEING RIGHT THERE BY THE SPOT WHERE SIX YEARS AGO, SO MANY LIVES WERE BRUTALLY TAKEN IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I READ MORE OF IT LATER ONLINE. THE SICKENING ACCOUNT, OR THE ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF THE AUGUST 
          [02:55:04]
3RD, 2019 MASSACRE THIS YEAR, THE JEWISH HOLIDAY TISHA B'AV WAS REMEMBERED STARTING SUNDAY ON AUGUST 2ND UNTIL NIGHTFALL AUGUST 3RD. SO BASICALLY THE BULK OF TISHA TISHA B'AV FALLING ON AUGUST 3RD. IT IS A DAY FOR REMEMBERING DISASTERS THROUGH ISRAEL'S PAINFUL HISTORY. 
          REGARDED BY MANY AS THE SADDEST DAY ON THE JEWISH CALENDAR. ONE OF THE COMPONENTS OF REMEMBERING TISHA B'AV INVOLVES THE PUBLIC READING OF THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS, THE BIBLE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS, LOOKING AT THE DEVASTATION AT JERUSALEM, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE, HORRIFIC DEATH ALL AROUND. AS GOD WAS USING THE BABYLONIAN INVASION BY KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR TO JUDGE HIS PEOPLE FOR THEIR SINS OF IDOLATRY, THE WRITER, PROBABLY THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, OFTEN CALLED THE WEEPING PROPHET. HE WROTE THIS BOOK OF MOURNING. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOOK IS A BEAUTIFUL PASSAGE OF COMFORT THAT SPEAKS OF HOPE SHINING BRIGHTLY EVEN IN THE FACE OF HORRIBLE MASSACRE. IN LIGHT OF THE EVENTS COMMEMORATED HERE IN EL PASO ON AUGUST 3RD, AND IN LIGHT OF THE AUGUST 3RD, COMMEMORATION OF TISHA B'AV BY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IS SO FITTING TO LOOK AT WHAT THE WRITER PENNED WHILE WRITING AND WRESTLING IN THE ANGUISH OF HIS SOUL. THOUGH THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE DIFFERENT, THE TRUTH OF HOPE THAT MAY BE FOUND IN THE LORD SHINES BRIGHTLY. LAMENTATIONS CHAPTER THREE. SO I SAY, MY STRENGTH HAS PERISHED, AND SO HAS MY HOPE FROM THE LORD. REMEMBER MY AFFLICTION AND MY WANDERING, THE WORMWOOD AND BITTERNESS. SURELY MY SOUL REMEMBERS AND IS BOWED DOWN WITHIN ME. THIS I RECALL TO MY MIND. THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE. THE LORD'S LOVING KINDNESSES INDEED NEVER CEASE, FOR HIS COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING. GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. THE LORD IS MY PORTION, SAYS MY SOUL. THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE IN HIM. THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM. 
          TO THE PERSON WHO SEEKS HIM, IT IS GOOD THAT HE WAITS SILENTLY FOR THE SALVATION OF THE LORD. 
          ALMOST ANYONE WHO GREW UP IN A CHRISTIAN CHURCH YEARS BACK KNOWS THE BELOVED HYMN GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. BASED ON THIS VERY PASSAGE IN LAMENTATIONS. THE FINAL VERSE OF THAT HYMN IS AS FOLLOWS. PARDON FOR SIN, AND A PEACE THAT ENDURETH THINE OWN DEAR PRESENCE, THE CHEER, AND TO GUIDE STRENGTH FOR TODAY, AND BRIGHT HOPE FOR TOMORROW. BLESSINGS ALL MINE WITH 10,000. 
          BESIDE GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS. MORNING BY MORNING NEW MERCIES I SEE. THOSE NEW MERCIES EVERY MORNING ARE FOUND IN CHRIST AND AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO BY HIS GRACE REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL. THEY ARE EVEN AVAILABLE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ACTED AS WICKEDLY AS PATRICK CRUSIUS, AND THOSE WHO HAVE ENGAGED IN OTHER ACTS OF INTENTIONAL, SENSELESS HATRED AND VIOLENCE. ETERNAL PARDON IS AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO, BY GOD'S MERCY AND GRACE, REPENT AND BELIEVE IN CHRIST THROUGH THE GOSPEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU ELIZABETH. BETSY FOR THE ORDER. I MEAN, WE'VE GOT IT'S BEEN A LONG SESSION. WE'RE GOING TO BE 12. CAN WE DO NINE A BEFORE WE BREAK? YEAH, WE'RE THINKING OF THAT. BUT YOU WERE THINKING OF ONE MORE. I WAS ALSO WANTING TO KNOW THE TAX OFFICES HERE TO PRESENT WHAT THE RATE CALCULATIONS ARE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU ALL WANTED TO HEAR THAT BEFORE YOU BROKE. IT'S USUALLY A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD ITEM. 
          IT'S UP TO THE COURT. IT'S A CALCULATION. IT'S A I MEAN, I WANT TO FINISH THE ONE PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSIONER, BUT THE OTHER ONE. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT TAX RATE? YEAH. OKAY. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE ITEM AND DO THOSE TWO ITEM NINE BOARD APPOINTMENTS NINE A DISCUSS AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE APPOINTMENT OF THE MEMBERS TO THE COUNTIES PILOT ARTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TWO YEAR TERM BEGINNING AUGUST 4TH, 2025 THROUGH AUGUST 3RD, 2027. APPOINTEES ARE AS 
          [A. Discuss and acknowledge the appointment of the members to the County's Pilot Arts Advisory Committee for a two-year term beginning August 4, 2025, through August 3, 2027.  Appointee’s are as follows:Cecilia Levine – County Judge, Judge Ricardo SamaniegoJavier Aguilar – Precinct 1, Commissioner Jackie ButlerEdward Reyes – Precinct 2, Commissioner David StoutAlbert Alvidrez – Precinct 3, Commissioner Iliana HolguinSydney Gaglio – Precinct 4, Commissioner Sergio Coronado
Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]
FOLLOWS CECILIA LEVINE, COUNTY JUDGE. JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO JAVIER AGUILAR, PRECINCT ONE COMMISSIONER JACKIE BUTLER EDWARD REYES, PRECINCT TWO COMMISSIONER DAVID STOUT, ALBERT ALVIDREZ, PRECINCT THREE COMMISSIONER ILIANA OLGUIN AND SYDNEY GAGLIO. PRECINCT FOUR COMMISSIONERS SERGIO CORONADO. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MICHELLE COCHRAN WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. WE DID HAVE A COUPLE OF HERE, BUT THEY HAD TO LEAVE DUE TO SOME WORK COMMITMENTS THAT THEY HAD. WE THOUGHT IT'D BE TAKEN A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, OR I'D LET THEM KNOW. IF WE CAME BACK LATER THIS AFTERNOON, WE MIGHT HAVE JAVIER ONLINE. I'M NOT SURE HE'S NOT ONLINE STILL. AND WE HAVE ONE IN THE AUDIENCE. YES. AWESOME. YOU WANT TO COME UP? SURE. ALL OF THE MEMBER OR APPOINTMENT APPOINTEES, EXCUSE ME, HAVE MET THE REQUIRED THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE APPOINTED, SO I'LL LET MR. EDWARD INTRODUCE HIMSELF. THANK YOU. MICHELLE. 
          WELL, GUYS, MY NAME IS EDWARD REYES. I'M JUST GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. I'M A FULL 
          [03:00:01]
BLOOD EL PASO IN. I LOVE THE IDEA OF INFLUENCING THIS COMMITTEE. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE. 
          I THINK WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THE MASTER PLAN AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. RIGHT. BUT. IT JUST I'M ALWAYS GOING TO HAVE EL PASO'S BEST INTERESTS, ESPECIALLY THE COUNTY. WE'RE REPRESENTING A LOT OF PEOPLE, LIKE FROM THE NATION TO THE PEOPLE IN FORT BLISS TO THE PEOPLE IN CENTRAL, TO ALL THE NEW MILITARY FAMILY IN THE FAR EAST. I THINK ART SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE, AND I THINK IT SHOULD REPRESENT EVERYONE. VERY BROAD SCOPE THAT WE HAVE HERE, TOO, WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN JUAREZ. THEY HAVE A 2 MILLION PEOPLE, A BEAUTIFUL ART COMMUNITY TOO, AND A LOT OF THEM TRAVEL OVER HERE. I THINK THAT EL PASO'S KIND OF BEEN STEREOTYPED IN A LITTLE BIT OF A CHICANO BUBBLE, THAT I THINK THAT WE'VE KIND OF OUTGROWN. WE'RE STILL CHICANOS. 
          IF WE'RE MAKING ART, IT'S STILL CHICANO ART. BUT I THINK THAT THERE'S A. JUST YEAH, JUST JUST THE WAY THAT THEY ENVISION IT, THAT WE COULD KIND OF GUIDE OUT OF THAT, THAT, THAT STEREOTYPICAL BUBBLE. BUT I'M LIKE, I'M THOROUGHLY EXCITED. I CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE TWO YEARS. 
          THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME REPRESENT YOU. THANK YOU. JUDGE. I'VE NEVER MET YOU, MISS HOLGUIN, BUT IT'S A PLEASURE. AND I'VE NEVER MET YOU, MISS BUTLER. BUT IT'S A PLEASURE. I'VE MET YOU BEFORE, MR. CORONADO. YEAH. IT'S GOING TO BE A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU GUYS. THANKS FOR THE. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A LEARNING CURVE, I THINK, ALSO FOR ALL OF US, JUST BECAUSE IT'S SO NEW, I THINK FOR THE COUNTY, TOO. AND I'M STRAPPED UP FOR IT. SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN AMAZING ASSET. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS. APPRECIATE YOU THANK YOU, THANK YOU EDDIE. THANK YOU EVERYONE. AND THEN WE HAVE SIDNEY. YES THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. WELCOME SIDNEY. I LET THEM KNOW YOU WERE WITH US AND HAD A HEAD BACK. BUT THIS IS SIDNEY GAGLIO. SHE IS A COMMISSIONER. CORONADO'S APPOINTEE. SIDNEY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COURT. THANK YOU. 
          SURE. HI, EVERYBODY. AM I OFF OF MUTE? IS IT WORKING? YES, IT IS WONDERFUL. HI. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO COMMISSIONER CORONADO'S OFFICE FOR APPOINTING HIM. I'M REALLY EXCITED. I MISSED EDDIE SPEAKING, BUT I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET TO. I JUST LEARNED THIS MORNING THAT HE WAS ALSO GOING TO BE A PART OF THE COMMITTEE. AND SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO GET TO COLLABORATE WITH HIM AND TO BE A PART OF THIS. I THINK ADVOCATING FOR THE ARTS IS SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. AND SO GETTING TO HAVE A VOICE AND GET TO TALK TO OTHER ARTISTS IN THE CITY AND THEN BRING IT TO YOU ALL IS SOMETHING THAT I'M, I'M REALLY EXCITED TO DO. SO THANK YOU. 
          WELL THANK YOU. WE'RE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE YOU. IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT COMMISSION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND JUST ONE LAST CHECK. DID JAVIER JUMP ON MIGUEL? OKAY. WELL, WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS COMMITTEE. AS EDDIE MENTIONED, THEY WILL ADVISE YOU ALL ON ALL THINGS ARTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ARTS MASTER PLAN WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED TO THEM AS WELL. THANK YOU. SO WITH YOUR APPROVAL, I'D LIKE TO JUST REALLY QUICKLY. SURE. IT'S ONE OF THOSE. MY POINT HERE WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT I THOUGHT, NO, THERE'S NO WAY SHE'S GOT TIME TO DO THIS. BUT CECILIA LEVINE HAS BEEN SO INVOLVED AND HAS THIS SORT OF BROAD NATIONAL CONNECTION. I'M HOPING THAT SHE ALSO BRINGS SOME BENEFIT FROM KNOWING WHERE THE GRANTS ARE AND KNOWING WHERE SOME OF THE MONEY IS AT, AND I'M VERY PLEASED THAT THAT SHE ACCEPTED THE, YOU KNOW, MY APPOINTMENT. SO THANK, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. TRYING TO COORDINATE EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. IT'S MY PLEASURE. I TRULY ENJOY IT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS GOING TO BE DOING WITH THAT. IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPOINT THE INAUGURAL EXCUSE ME ARTS COMMITTEE FOR THE COUNTY OF EL PASO MINDS BLANK, SO I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. YEAH. WE DON'T HAVE A MOTION BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. SECOND, TO ACKNOWLEDGE COMMISSIONER STOUT. I'M SORRY. OKAY. MOTION TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I'M NOT ON THE. THE VOTING IS. OPEN. MY VOTING WINDOW DIDN'T POP UP, BUT I VOTE I. JUDGE YOUR VOTE. YES. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. GREAT JOB. WE APPRECIATE MICHELLE. 
          OKAY. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE ITEM 13 FROM TAX ASSESSOR. COLLECTOR 13 A ACCEPT THE 2025. 
          [13. TAX ASSESSOR - COLLECTOR]
          [03:05:08]
NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR EL PASO COUNTY. NO NEW 
          [A. Accept the 2025 No-New-Revenue (NNR) & Voter-Approval Tax Rate (VAR) Calculations for El Paso County: No-New-Revenue Rate: 0.409349/$100; Voter-Approval Rate: 0.487797/$100.
Ruben Gonzalez, Tax Assessor - Collector, County Tax Office, 915-273-3430]
REVENUE RATE 0.409349 PER $100. VOTER APPROVAL RATE 0.487797 PER $100. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD A LITTLE POWERPOINT OR JUST TO SHOW THE RATES ON THERE. MIGUEL. I HAVE THEM HERE. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR TAKING US. BEFORE YOU BREAK, MY NAME IS YVETTE SANCHEZ. THIS IS CLAUDIA ROSALES. WE'RE HERE ON BEHALF OF MR. RUBEN GONZALEZ, COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. WILL BE FORMALLY PRESENTING THE TAX RATES TO YOU GUYS. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR EL PASO COUNTY. THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE. FOR 2025, NO NEW REVENUE RATE RATE IS 0.409349 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE. THE 2025 VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE IS SET AT 0.487797 PER $100 OF PROPERTY VALUE. LAST YEAR, THE 2024 ADOPTED TAX RATE WAS 0.426323. 
          SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ARE JUST REQUESTING THAT YOU PLEASE ACCEPT THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR EL PASO COUNTY FOR 2025. JUDGE, I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION. WHAT I DID NOT UNDERSTAND AND I'M NOT ASKING IT OF YOU LADIES. I'M ASKING I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S A LEGAL QUESTION OR A BARBER QUESTION. SO IF THAT ELECTION PASSES TO BECAUSE THAT WOULD CHANGE THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE CALCULATION. SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO BE GIVEN ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY OR WOULD THAT JUST ABSOLUTELY NOT IMPACT ANYTHING? BECAUSE I UNDERSTOOD THAT WAS TO GO INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY. BUT IS THAT FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR OR WAS IT WOULD IT AFFECT THIS? RIGHT. THAT'S THAT'S MY QUESTION IS BECAUSE IF THAT EXEMPTION GOES INTO EFFECT, IT CHANGES YOUR NO NEW REVENUE RATE. DO YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME THING AS WHAT HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS ELECTION WHEN WE HAD THE VOTERS VOTE ON THE EXEMPTION FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT REDUCTION, IT GOT BACKTRACKED FOR THE SAME YEAR. I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME. OKAY, COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS BARBARA PARKER, COUNTY AUDITOR. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE BILL IS. IF IT'S MARKED AS EFFECTIVE OF SEPTEMBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR OR OCTOBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR, THEN IT WOULD AFFECT THE RATES THAT ARE THAT ARE BEING CHARGED. IT WOULDN'T BE THAT CASE BECAUSE IT HAS TO IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT. 
          IT'S A IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. RIGHT, RIGHT. WOULDN'T BE IT WOULDN'T GO BACK TO THE DATE IS. SO IT WOULD GO FOR NEXT YEAR EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST 2026 IS WHAT. RIGHT. SO THE CALCULATIONS WOULD ALREADY BE DONE. SO IT WOULD NOT THAT. YEAH THAT WOULD BE FOR NEXT YEAR. SO THE EXEMPTIONS WOULD NOT REALLY GO INTO EFFECT IN JANUARY EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST. SO IT WOULD BE FOR THE FOLLOWING THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR THE FOLLOWING THE FOLLOWING TAX YEAR. RIGHT OKAY. NO, NO I DOES THIS NO NEW REVENUE RATE INCLUDE THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION INCREASE FOR THE VETERANS THAT WAS PASSED. OR IS THAT ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT? NO, I HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE CAT AND SEE WHAT'S IN THE CERTIFIED REVENUES. I BELIEVE IN THE AGENDA ITEM. I MEAN, I READ THE AGENDA ITEM AND IT SAYS THE FULL CALCULATIONS ARE AVAILABLE. OF COURSE, AT THE TAX OFFICE, BUT THAT THIS INCLUDES. JUST A SECOND. DINA JUST TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD COME OFF. THAT WE NEED TO ASK HER TO CLARIFY. BUT SHE SAID THAT MEANS WHAT WE WOULD SEE IS WE WOULD SEE WE WOULD HAVE A MID-YEAR NEGATIVE BUDGET IMPACT IF IT GOES INTO EFFECT. AND WE DID NOT TAKE IT INTO ACCOUNT IN THESE RATES, WHICH WE CAN'T DO TODAY BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW THE AMOUNT, WE WILL END UP WITH A BUDGET DEFICIT IN REVENUE. BUT 
          [03:10:02]
WE'LL GET THAT CLARIFICATION. WE'LL WORK ON GETTING THAT. WE'LL WORK ON GETTING THAT CLARIFICATION. MY ESTIMATE, BASED ON HER WORST CASE SCENARIO. AND I'M NOT BUT I MY ON HER WORST CASE SCENARIO NUMBER SHE SHOWED TODAY AT OUR CURRENT TAX RATE THAT WOULD BE A $4.9 MILLION DEFICIT. THAT'S THAT'S THAT'S REGARDING THE THAT'S JUST ON THE PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR BUSINESS. OH THE BUSINESS ONE OKAY. FOR MY BENEFIT AND AGAIN FOR THE BENEFIT OF, OF OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR TAXES, CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY GO OVER THE PROCESS FOR, FOR DEVELOPING THESE RATES, THE PROCESS WE GET OUR NUMBERS FROM THE CERTIFIED ROLL FROM THE CAT. SO ANY NUMBERS ARE INCLUDED. THERE IS WHAT WE PUT IN THE CALCULATIONS. SO IT'S JUST A STRAIGHT CALCULATION. THERE'S NO VERIFICATION PROCESS ON YOUR END. WE DO HAVE A VERIFICATION PROCESS. WE VERIFY WITH THE CITY AND AS WELL WITH THE COUNTY OKAY. AND SO THE PROCESS IT IS COMPLEX. THERE IS A SPECIFIC PROCESS THAT THE FROM THE COMPTROLLER OF WHAT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO INCLUDE AND NOT INCLUDE. SO THE NO NEW REVENUE IS THE BASE AND THAT IS CALCULATED TO GENERATE THE EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE BASED ON THE CERTIFIED VALUES FROM YOUR CENTRAL APPRAISAL DISTRICT. THE THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO EXEMPT FROM YOUR. FROM THE CAP, AND THAT IS YOUR INDIGENT DEFENSE COST A PORTION OF YOUR INDIGENT DEFENSE COST. THE COUNTY SPENT $19.6 MILLION FROM JULY 1ST, 2024, TO JUNE 30TH, 2025, FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE EXPENSES. AND WE RECEIVED $15 MILLION IN I'M SORRY, IN MY MINUS ANY STATE APPROVED GRANTS TOWARDS THAT EXPENSE. SO AND THEN THE PRIOR YEAR, WE SPENT 15.2 MILLION IN INDIGENT DEFENSE EXPENDITURES. SO THE AMOUNT OF INCREASE ABOVE LAST YEAR'S INDIGENT DEFENSE EXPENDITURES IS INCREASES THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE. YOU'RE ALLOWED TO INCREASE YOUR VOTER APPROVAL RATE BY WHAT THAT TRANSITIONS TO. AS FAR AS PROPERTY TAX VALUATION. SO THAT GAVE US A LITTLE BIT HIGHER VOTER APPROVAL RATE BY 0.001080 PER $100, TO RECOUP 5% MORE THAN THE PRECEDING YEARS. RECUPERATIONS THEN THERE'S ALSO THE STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANDATE. SO WE SPENT 4.9 MILLION IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS FOR NO COST OF KEEPING INMATES SENTENCED TO THE TDC, AND EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF HAS PROVIDED THE INFORMATION ON THESE COSTS, MINUS THE STATE REVENUES RECEIVED FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF STATE SUCH COSTS THAT INCREASED THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE BY 0.002987. YOU ALSO ARE ALLOWED THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION, AND IT'S A MORE COMPLEX CALCULATION. 
          BUT IF YOU DIDN'T USE ALL OF THE 3.5% INCREASE LAST YEAR, YOU'RE ALLOWED TO CARRY SOME OF THAT OVER TO THIS YEAR. AND SO THAT ALSO MAKES THE ADJUSTMENT TO THE VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE. SO THERE'S MULTIPLE THINGS THAT GO INTO THOSE NUMBERS. AND SO IT'S NOT IT'S NOT SIMPLY TAKING THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE AND MULTIPLYING IT BY 3.5% TO GET TO THE 0.487797. THOSE OTHER THINGS ARE FACTORS AS WELL. AND I'M JUST TRYING TO CLARIFY AND UNDERSTAND THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR'S ROLE IN THAT PROCESS. IS MOST OF THAT INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE COUNTY AND THEN GIVEN TO THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR TO VERIFY, OR HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK, WHICH THE INFORMATION THAT BETSY JUST TALKED ABOUT, ALL OF THE EXEMPTIONS THROUGH THE COUNTY, THROUGH THE AUDITOR INFORMATION, BARBARA PARKER, COUNTY AUDITOR. MOST OF THAT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE TAX OFFICE, BY MY DEPARTMENT, BY THE COUNTY AUDITORS DEPARTMENT. AND THEN SO THE TAX ASSESSOR, THE TAX OFFICE, YOUR. PART OF YOUR YOUR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS IS TO PRESENT THOSE NUMBERS TO THE TO THE TAXING ENTITIES, TO OR JUST TO THE COUNTY, TO THE COUNTY. 
          OKAY. OKAY. THANK YOU. WE DO HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM. I'LL GO AHEAD AND READ IN THAT PUBLIC COMMENT. DEAREST COMMISSIONERS, I WRITE TO YOU AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE COUNTY'S 
          [03:15:01]
WOMEN'S COMMISSION TO EXPRESS MY CONCERNS OVER THE 2025 NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL RATE NATIONWIDE. WE'RE SEEING PRICES INCREASE DUE TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS AS A BORDER COMMUNITY. THOSE INCREASES CAN BE PARTICULARLY DEVASTATING, ESPECIALLY FOR MANY RESIDENTS WHO ARE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE, INCLUDING WOMEN. IN EL PASO COUNTY, WAGES HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING. CHILD CARE IS EXPENSIVE AND AT TIMES INACCESSIBLE. NATIONAL SOCIAL PROGRAMS THAT ASSIST FAMILIES ARE SEEING SIGNIFICANT FUNDING CUTS. TEXAS IS AIMING TO COPY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND REDUCING SERVICES AS WELL. I KNOW IT IS A HARD DECISION AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, I URGE YOU NOT TO APPROVE ANY TAX INCREASE. INCREASING FINANCIAL BURDENS RIGHT NOW COULD CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC HARM TO EL PASO COMMUNITY. AND THAT WAS FROM MELISSA HARGROVE. END OF PUBLIC COMMENT. AND I'D LIKE TO NOT IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I'M NOT. BUT SPECIFICALLY ON THIS ITEM. COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE FOR THE MEDIA AND FOR THE COURT, YOU ARE ACCEPTING THE CALCULATIONS UNDER THIS AGENDA ITEM. YOU ARE NOT SETTING YOUR TAX RATE. YOU WILL NOT SET YOUR TAX RATE UNTIL AUGUST 18TH. THAT IS WHEN YOU ADOPT FORMALLY ADOPT A TAX RATE. SO TODAY YOU ARE ACCEPTING THE RATE CALCULATIONS FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR. YOU ARE NOT SETTING THE RATE. YOU WILL PROPOSE AN ADVERTISER RATE UNDER A DIFFERENT AGENDA ITEM LATER TODAY. AND THAT IS STILL NOT SETTING THE TAX RATE. THAT IS THE NOTICE THAT WE GIVE TO THE PUBLIC. AND THEN ON AUGUST 18TH, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ADOPT ANY RATE UP TO THAT AMOUNT THAT YOU PROPOSE TODAY. JUST SORRY, I JUST ONE MORE QUESTION, JUDGE. 
          WHERE IS OUR TAX ASSESSOR TODAY? HE'S OUT TODAY. HE HAD A FAMILY EMERGENCY. OKAY. I JUST I WISH HE WAS HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA BECAUSE THIS IS HIS ROLE. CORRECT? OKAY. THANK YOU. SO WE WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION ON THIS ITEM TO ACCEPT THE NO NEW REVENUE AND VOTER APPROVAL TAX RATE CALCULATIONS FOR THE COUNTY AND NO NEW REVENUE RATE OF. YES. THANK YOU. 
          WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER STOUT, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          JUDGE LYONS. THANK YOU. JUDGE. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          APPRECIATE THAT. JUDGE. AT THIS TIME, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND RECESS? YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR. IT IS 12:48 P.M. MY WINDOW WASN'T COMING OUT, SO I REFRESHED. 
          [03:23:31]
YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD ENJOYMENT, GOOD RELAXATION, GOOD THERAPY COMING OUT HERE AND COPING WITH SITUATIONS AND RELAXATION. IT'S PEACEFUL, IT'S QUIET, IT'S NICE. IN THE SUMMERTIME. IT'S NICE AND COOL DOWN HERE. ABOUT 8:00 IT STARTS GETTING WARM, BUT IT'S A NICE AND COOL COME DOWN HERE, RELAX FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GO OUT HERE AND FACE THE WORLD. THE BAIT, IT VARIES. YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT HERE, THEY WERE HITTING ON CHICKEN BREASTS. THEY STOPPED HITTING ON CHICKEN BREASTS. WHAT'S VERY POPULAR IS WEENIE HOT DOG. AND THEN THEY STOP HITTING ON THE HOT DOG. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY START HITTING ON THE SHRIMP, AND THEN IT SLOWS DOWN ON THE SHRIMP. NOW I'M USING SOME STINK BAIT AND IT REALLY STINKS, SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN CATCH SOMETHING WITH SOME STINK BAIT, BUT IT'S GREAT WHEN THE FISH ARE BITING. IT'S GREAT. 
          YEAH, THE TROUT WILL PUT THE HOOK IN THEIR MOUTH, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THEY PULL ON IT. LIKE THEY PULLED BEFORE THEY YANK ON THE LINE, GET THE HOOK SET IN THEIR MOUTH, AND YOU GOT TO TRY THAT. YOU'RE KIND OF HARD FISHING FOR TROUT. LIKE THAT. YEAH. 
          [03:25:10]
THERE YOU GO. WELL, THE LARGE ONE, THE LARGEST ONE I CAUGHT HERE WAS A 15 POUNDER. YEAH, YOU CAN EAT THEM. I DON'T, BECAUSE I LIKE TO CATCH AND RELEASE. I WOULD IF I WAS GONNA EAT FISH. I USED TO FISH. AND I'VE BEEN FISHING HERE FOR 16 YEARS AND. YEAH, LIVED TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. 
          I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT CARS WERE JUST ZOOMING AROUND THIS PLACE. WE TOOK THEM OUT TO A PARK. WE PICKED HIS BRAIN A LITTLE BIT, AND THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. CHECK IT OUT. WE ARE STANDING ROUGHLY, PROBABLY RIGHT OFF OF TURNS ONE AND TWO FOR EVANS OVAL. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY MODERN RACETRACK BUILT HERE IN EL PASO. BACK IN 1939, WALTER GOULD DECIDED THAT HE'D HAD ENOUGH OF THE CITY. HE WAS RACING OVER IT AT THE RODEO FIELD, WHICH IS NOW THE COUNTY COLISEUM. EVERYBODY WAS COMPLAINING. IT'S TOO LOUD, IT'S TOO DUSTY, HE SAID. YOU KNOW WHAT? FORGET YOU GUYS. I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND BUILD A NEW SPEEDWAY. AND THIS IS WHERE HE BUILT IT. IF WE'RE STANDING WHERE I THINK WE'RE STAYING, WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT TURN NUMBER ONE. SO TURN ONE AND TURN TWO WOULD COME AROUND HERE. THE BACKSTRETCH IS PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT WHERE THAT PALM TREE IS. AND THEN WHAT WOULD BE THE PITCH WOULD BE RIGHT ABOUT WHERE OUR GOLF CARTS ARE. AND THEN THE REST OF THE GRANDSTANDS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT HERE. AND BIG SCOREBOARD OVER HERE ON THE NORTH SIDE, WHERE PEOPLE WOULD POKE THEIR HEADS THROUGH AND WATCH THE RACE. WE WERE THE CENTER OF RACING. WE HAD PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO COME HERE. 
          IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF. WE HAVE A RICH RACING HISTORY, WHETHER IT'S QUARTER MILE DRAGSTERS, DRAG BOATS, GRAND PRIX, THERE WERE SO MANY WEEKENDS, SO MANY PEOPLE OUT HERE, NOT JUST THE DRIVERS, BUT THE FAMILIES AND EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT. IT WAS A VERY VITAL PART OF THE CITY. EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU HAVE A SPEEDWAY THAT DEVELOPS ON THE, ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF, OF A CITY, EVENTUALLY THE CITY IS GOING TO CATCH UP WITH IT. AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. THEY CAME OUT HERE ANOTHER GOOD 20 YEARS, AND THEN THE CITY CAUGHT UP WITH THEM AND THEY HAD TO MOVE AGAIN. I THINK IT WAS A VERY, VERY VITAL PART BECAUSE IT BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER AND THEY SAW THIS SPACE THAT COULD BE USED FOR MORE THAN JUST, YOU KNOW, PAVING IT OVER. THEY MADE A PARK. YOU KNOW, IT'S SAD AS I AM, TO SEE THE SPEEDWAY GO. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE NOW, BUT IT IS PART OF THE HISTORY. AND YOU NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE REMINDED ABOUT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU SEE THAT GOLF COURSE OR YOU SEE THAT EMPTY LOT AND IT WAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT'S STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT IT AND YOU'LL SAY, OH YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY COOL. 
          [03:31:27]
WELL, ONCE YOU'RE IN A SPOT AT THE PARK, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE IS A LITTLE COMMUNITY GARDEN RIGHT HERE. THIS IS WHAT IT IS. IT'S A TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION GARDEN. WE'RE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO MEET SOMEONE WHO IS KIND OF IN CHARGE OF THIS PLACE, AND HE'S GOING TO WALK US THROUGH ON HOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE. COME ON, LET'S GO MEET THEM. HI. EVERYONE IS HERE WITH US TODAY. EDUARDO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS GARDEN. WHAT IS THIS? SO THIS IS BASICALLY TO TEACH THE COMMUNITY HOW THEY CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN BACKYARD GARDEN AND HOW THEY CAN GROW THEIR OWN PRODUCE. SO THIS THESE ARE BRUSSEL SPROUTS. YOU JUST. WOW. THESE ARE SO TINY, SO BEAUTIFUL. NOW YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT THE GARDEN IS A NONPROFIT. YES, CORRECT. AS A NONPROFIT, WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF THIS ASSOCIATION OR FUNDRAISING. MOST OF THE MONEY THAT WE DO THROUGH FUNDRAISING OR SALES IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE FUNDS AND BUDGET TO REPLACE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE GARDEN. ALL RIGHT. SO THIS IS REALLY UNIQUE PART OF YOUR GARDEN. YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN A I CAN ACTUALLY EAT THIS. YES. IT SHOULD BE VERY BUTTERY. IT IS ACTUALLY IT'S REALLY GOOD. 
          PERFECT FOR LIKE OMELETS OR FOR LIKE SALADS, SMOOTHIES. YOU DON'T PUT ANY PESTICIDES ON THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. NO SPRAYING. WE USUALLY TRY TO TELL THE COMMUNITY THAT IT SHOULD BE USED AS A LAST RESORT, BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER PRACTICES THAT YOU CAN APPLY IN YOUR GARDEN TO PREVENT PESTS FROM COMING IN. I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO START GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANTS THAT THEY CAN GROW HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. EL PASO CAN OFFER YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS OF GROWING CONDITIONS. HELLO EVERYONE. SAM GUZMAN, HERE WE ARE LIVE AT ASCOT AT THE PARK FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF SMALL TOWN SPOTLIGHT AND SCOUTING. THE PARK IS HOME TO MANY THINGS. ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS ITS GOLF COURSE. WHETHER YOU'RE A SEASONED PRO OR SOMEONE WHO JUST WANTS TO APPRECIATE WHAT THE OUTDOORS HAS TO OFFER HERE AT ASCOT PARK, YOU KNOW SCOTT AT THE GOLF COURSE MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO BE TO GET OUT. A SCOTTISH GOLF COURSE IS SPECIAL FOR MANY REASONS. I THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT MAKES AUSTERITY SPECIAL, LOTS OF FAMILIES TELL ME, OH YEAH, MY GRANDPA USED TO PLAY HERE. 
          THAT'S HOW I GOT INTRODUCED TO GOLF. IT'S JUST BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG AND GENERATIONAL, AND THEY'RE LOYAL TO THE GOLF COURSE. GENTLEMEN, HOW ARE WE PLAYING TODAY? GOOD. YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY. HOLD THAT WAY. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT IT'S GOT, A GATE THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IS THE DELTA NINE. THAT'S A SHORTER GOLF COURSE, EXECUTIVE TYPE GOLF COURSE, NINE HOLES TO PAR, FOURS, A LITTLE SHORTER, BUT IT HAS A PAR THREE AND A PAR FIVE. THAT'S A GREAT THING TO LEARN ON. AND THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THAT IS LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOOKED ON TEE TIMES. WE HATE TO TELL SOMEBODY WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR. WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GO HOME WITHOUT PLAYING. WE WANT TO FIND THEM A SPOT, YOU KNOW, AND WE'RE VERY ACCOMMODATING GOLF COURSE IN THAT RESPECT THAT'S IN THERE KNOWING THAT, YOU KNOW, I DO NOT WANT THAT GUY TO DRIVE DOWN HERE AND THEN BE TOLD, OH, WE DON'T HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU. SO WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT. THAT GIVES IT 27 HOLES. SO WHEN WE HAVE A TOURNAMENT GOING ON IN MAINE, WE CAN SEND THEM OVER TO THE DELTA NINE, START THEM OFF, AND THEN THEY CAN JUMP OVER HERE ON THE MAIN WHEN THE TOURNAMENT'S DONE. 
          AND WE'VE GOT DELIGHTED DRIVING. YOU KNOW, WE STAY OPEN TILL 9:00 IN THE SUMMER AND 10:00 ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. WE DID ADD SOME BLACK TEES 10 OR 12 YEARS AGO ON THIS GOLF COURSE. 
          THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE GOLF COURSE BEFORE WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER FOR CHAMPIONSHIP 
          [03:35:02]
TYPE PLAYERS, AND ONCE WE DID THAT, WE LENGTHENED IT UP. AND YOU KNOW, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY, THAT WAS GREAT. WHEN I GET TO TALK TO PEOPLE, THAT'S RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. I LOVE THAT, YOU KNOW, I GET TO TALK ABOUT GOLF, I GET TO SIT DOWN AND YOU LEARN SO MANY THINGS. YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. BEAUTIFUL. I HOPE TO COME OUT HERE ONE DAY AND GET AROUND. 
          IT WON'T BE A GOOD ROUND, BUT IT'LL DEFINITELY BE AN EXPERIENCE. NOW. ANOTHER SPORT SCOTT PARK IS HOME TO IS A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORTS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PICKLEBALL. SCOTT AT THE PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES TO PLAY HERE IN THE SUN CITY. IT'S GOT FOUR HARD OUTDOOR COURTS AND AGAIN, IT'S A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY GAINING MANY, MUCH ATTENTION. AND IT'S KIND OF THE PARK IS THE PLACE TO BE IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO PLAY THE QUEEN. STARTED OUT AS A CASUAL WAY TO GET EXERCISE, AND THEN YOU JUST KIND OF SPIRALED INTO AN ADDICTION. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, JOHN WOODEN HAS BECOME QUITE THE PICKLEBALL ATHLETE, ALL THANKS TO THESE COURTS HERE AT ASCOT PARK. THREE ZERO. MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR AND I MET SOMEBODY ELSE THAT PLAYED HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND THEN WE WENT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WAS TWO AND IT WAS FOUR, AND THEN IT TURNED INTO LIKE 5 OR 6 TIMES A WEEK. HERE'S JOHN CALLS HIS COURTS THE HUB FOR PICKLEBALL IN THE SUN CITY. YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM MY HOUSE, SO IT MAKES THE ADDICTION WORSE BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN GET HERE QUICK. AND SO THIS PART OF TOWN IS PRETTY CENTRAL. PICKLEBALL IS SUCCESS DOES COME WITH A DOWNSIDE. ACCORDING TO JOHN, THE RELATIVELY NEW COURTS AT ASCARATE ALREADY SHOW SOME WEAR AND TEAR. OVER TIME. IT'S CAUSED THE SURFACE TO CRACK, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FAIRLY NEW. AND SO NOW THEY'RE GOING TO REDO IT BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A POPULAR THING RIGHT NOW. AND JOHN SAYS THE BEST PART? PICKLEBALL. ANYONE CAN PLAY HERE. ZERO TO. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO PLAY. IT'S FREE ONCE YOU BUY ALL THE EQUIPMENT, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO DO IT FOR THREE ONE. IT'S USUALLY STARTS OUT RECREATIONALLY FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN IT TURNS INTO AN ADDICTION. 
          [03:45:10]
YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD ENJOYMENT, GOOD RELAXATION, GOOD THERAPY. COMING OUT HERE AND COPING WITH 
          [03:45:16]
SITUATIONS AND RELAXATION. IT'S PEACEFUL, IT'S QUIET, IT'S NICE. IN THE SUMMERTIME. IT'S NICE AND COOL DOWN HERE. ABOUT 8:00 STARTS GETTING WARM, BUT IT'S NICE AND COOL. COME DOWN HERE AND RELAX FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GO OUT HERE AND FACE THE WORLD. THE BAIT, IT VARIES. YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT HERE, THEY WERE HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. THEY STOPPED HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. WHAT'S VERY POPULAR IS WEENIE HOT DOG. AND THEN THEY STOP HITTING ON THE HOT DOG. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY START HITTING ON THE SHRIMP, AND THEN IT SLOWS DOWN ON THE SHRIMP. NOW I'M USING SOME STINK BAIT AND IT REALLY STINKS. SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN CATCH SOMETHING WITH SOME STINK BAIT, BUT IT'S GREAT WHEN THE FISH ARE BITING. IT'S GREAT. 
          YEAH, THE TROUT WILL PUT THE HOOK IN THEIR MOUTH AND WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THEY PULL ON IT, LIKE THEY PULLED BEFORE. THEN YOU YANK ON THE LINE AND GET THE HOOK SET IN THEIR MOUTH, BUT YOU GOT TO TROUT. IT IS KIND OF HARD FISHING FOR TROUT. LIKE THAT. 
          BUT. YOU. THERE HE GOES. WELL, THE LARGE ONE, THE LARGEST ONE I CAUGHT HERE WAS A 15 POUNDER. YEAH, YOU CAN EAT THEM. I DON'T, BECAUSE I LIKE TO CATCH AND RELEASE. I WOULD IF I WAS GOING TO EAT FISH, I'D EAT THE FISH. AND I'VE BEEN FISHING HERE FOR 60 YEARS. 
          AND YOU LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. 
          I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT CARS WERE JUST ZOOMING AROUND THIS PLACE. WE TOOK THEM OUT TO A PARK. WE POKED HIS BRAIN A LITTLE BIT AND THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. CHECK IT OUT. WE'RE STANDING ROUGHLY, PROBABLY RIGHT OFF OF TURNS ONE AND TWO FOR EVANS OVAL. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY MODERN RACETRACK BUILT HERE IN EL PASO. BACK IN 1939, WALTER GOULD DECIDED THAT HE'D HAD ENOUGH OF THE CITY. HE'S RACING OVER IT AT THE RODEO FIELD, WHICH IS NOW THE COUNTY COLISEUM. EVERYBODY WAS COMPLAINING. IT'S TOO LOUD, IT'S TOO DUSTY, HE SAYS. YOU KNOW WHAT? FORGET YOU GUYS. I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND BUILD A NEW SPEEDWAY. AND THIS IS WHERE HE BUILT IT. IF WE'RE STANDING WHERE I THINK WE'RE STANDING, WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT TURN NUMBER ONE. SO TURN ONE AND TURN TWO WOULD COME AROUND HERE. THE BACKSTRETCH IS PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT WHERE THAT PALM TREE IS. AND THEN WHAT WOULD BE THE PITS WOULD BE RIGHT ABOUT WHERE OUR GOLF CARTS ARE. AND THEN THE REST OF THE GRANDSTANDS AND EVERYTHING WILL BE RIGHT HERE. 
          AND BIG SCOREBOARD OVER HERE ON THE NORTH SIDE, WHERE PEOPLE WOULD POKE THEIR HEADS THROUGH 
          [03:50:02]
AND WATCH THE RACE. WE WERE THE CENTER OF RACING. WE HAD PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO COME HERE. 
          IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF. WE HAVE A RICH RACING HISTORY, WHETHER IT'S QUARTER MILE DRAGSTERS, DRAG BOATS, GRAND PRIX, THERE WERE SO MANY WEEKENDS, SO MANY PEOPLE OUT HERE, NOT JUST THE DRIVERS, BUT THE FAMILIES AND EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT. IT WAS A VERY VITAL PART OF THE CITY. EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU HAVE A SPEEDWAY THAT DEVELOPS ON THE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF A OF A CITY, EVENTUALLY THE CITY IS GOING TO CATCH UP WITH IT. AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. 
          THEY CAME OUT HERE ANOTHER GOOD 20 YEARS, AND THEN THE CITY CAUGHT UP WITH THEM AND THEY HAD TO MOVE AGAIN. I THINK IT WAS A VERY, VERY VITAL PART BECAUSE IT BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER AND THEY SAW THIS SPACE THAT COULD BE USED FOR MORE THAN JUST, YOU KNOW, PAVING IT OVER. THEY MADE A PARK, YOU KNOW, AS SAD AS I AM TO SEE THE SPEEDWAY GO, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE NOW, BUT IT IS PART OF THE HISTORY. AND YOU NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE REMINDED ABOUT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU SEE THAT GOLF COURSE OR YOU SEE THAT EMPTY LOT AND IT WAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT'S STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT IT AND YOU'LL SAY, OH, YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY COOL. 
          WELL, ONCE YOU'RE IN A PARK, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE'S A LITTLE COMMUNITY GARDEN RIGHT HERE. THIS IS WHAT IT IS. IT'S A TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION GARDEN. WE'RE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO MEET SOMEONE WHO IS KIND OF IN CHARGE OF THIS PLACE, AND IS GOING TO WALK US THROUGH ON HOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE. COME ON, LET'S GO MEET HIM. HI. HELLO. RASCON IS HERE WITH US TODAY. EDUARDO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US. OF COURSE. TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS GARDEN. WHAT IS THIS? SO THIS IS BASICALLY TO TEACH THE COMMUNITY HOW THEY CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN BACKYARD GARDEN AND HOW THEY CAN GROW THEIR OWN PRODUCE. SO, EDUARDO, THIS THESE ARE BRUSSELS SPROUTS. YOU JUST. WOW. THESE ARE SO TINY, SO BEAUTIFUL. NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS COMMUNITY GARDEN IS NONPROFIT, CORRECT? YES. AS A NONPROFIT, SINCE WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF THIS ASSOCIATION OR FUNDRAISING, MOST OF THE MONEY THAT WE DO THROUGH FUNDRAISING OR SALES IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE FUNDS AND BUDGET TO REPLACE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE GARDEN. SO THIS IS REALLY UNIQUE PART OF YOUR GARDEN. YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS SPINACH, I CAN ACTUALLY EAT THIS. YES. IT SHOULD BE VERY BUTTERY. IT IS ACTUALLY IT'S REALLY GOOD. PERFECT FOR LIKE OMELETS OR FOR LIKE SALADS, SMOOTHIES. YOU DON'T PUT ANY PESTICIDES ON THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. NO SPRAYING. WE USUALLY TRY TO TELL THE COMMUNITY THAT SHOULD BE USED AS A LAST RESORT, BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER PRACTICES THAT YOU CAN APPLY IN YOUR GARDEN TO PREVENT PESTS FROM COMING IN. I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO START GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANTS THAT THEY CAN GROW HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. EL PASO CAN OFFER YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS OF GROWING CONDITIONS. HELLO EVERYONE. SAM GUZMAN, HERE WE ARE LIVE AT EPCOT AT THE PARK FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF SMALL TOWN SPOTLIGHT. SCOTT AT THE PARK IS HOME TO MANY THINGS. ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS ITS GOLF COURSE. WHETHER YOU ARE A SEASONED PRO OR SOMEONE WHO JUST WANTS TO APPRECIATE WHAT THE OUTDOORS HAS TO OFFER. HERE AT ASCOT AT THE PARK, THE ASCOT AT THE GOLF COURSE MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO BE. CHECK IT OUT. I 
          [03:55:06]
SCOUTED THE GOLF COURSE IS SPECIAL FOR MANY REASONS. I THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT MAKES US PRETTY SPECIAL. LOTS OF FAMILIES TELL ME. OH YEAH, MY GRANDPA USED TO PLAY HERE. 
          THAT'S HOW I GOT INTRODUCED TO GOLF. IT'S JUST BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG AND GENERATIONAL. AND THEY'RE LOYAL TO THE GOLF COURSE. GENTLEMEN, HOW ARE WE PLAYING TODAY? GOOD. YOU'RE GOING THE WRONG WAY. HOLES THAT WAY. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAS GOT A DATE THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IS THE DELTA NINE. THAT'S A SHORTER GOLF COURSE. EXECUTIVE TYPE GOLF COURSE, NINE HOLES. 
          THE PAR FOUR IS A LITTLE SHORTER, BUT IT HAS A PAR THREE AND A PAR FIVE. THAT'S A GREAT THING TO LEARN ON. AND THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THAT IS LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOOKED ON TEE TIMES. WE HATE TO TELL SOMEBODY THAT WALKS IN THE DOOR. WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GO HOME WITHOUT PLAYING. WE WANT TO FIND THEM A SPOT, YOU KNOW, AND WE'RE VERY ACCOMMODATING GOLF COURSE IN THAT RESPECT. THAT'S A NO NO IN MY BOOK. YOU KNOW I DO NOT WANT THAT GUY DRIVE DOWN HERE AND THEN BE TOLD, OH, WE DON'T HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU SO WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT. THAT GIVES US 27 HOLES. SO WHEN WE HAVE A TOURNAMENT GOING ON THE MAIN, WE CAN SEND THEM OVER TO THE DELTA NINE, START THEM OFF, AND THEN THEY CAN JUMP OVER HERE ON THE MAIN WHEN THE TOURNAMENT'S DONE, WE GOT LIGHTED DRIVING RANGE YOU KNOW, AND WE STAY OPEN TILL 9:00 IN THE SUMMER AND 10:00 ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS. WE DID ADD SOME BLACK TEES TEN, 12 YEARS AGO ON THIS GOLF COURSE. 
          THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE GOLF COURSE BEFORE WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TYPE PLAYERS, AND ONCE WE DID THAT, WE LENGTHENED IT UP. AND YOU KNOW, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY, THAT WAS GREAT. WHEN I GET TO TALK TO PEOPLE, THAT'S RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. I LOVE THAT, YOU KNOW, I GET TO TALK ABOUT GOLF, I GET TO SIT DOWN AND YOU LEARN SO MANY THINGS. YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. BEAUTIFUL. I HOPE TO COME OUT HERE ONE DAY AND GET AROUND. 
          IT WON'T BE A GOOD ROUND, BUT IT'LL DEFINITELY BE AN EXPERIENCE. NOW, ANOTHER SPORT SCOTT STATE PARK IS HOME TO IS A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORTS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PICKLEBALL. SCOTT AT THE PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES TO PLAY HERE IN THE SUN CITY. IT'S GOT FOUR HARD OUTDOOR COURTS AND AGAIN, IT'S A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY GAINING MANY, MUCH ATTENTION. AND SCOTT PARK IS THE PLACE TO BE IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO PLAY PICKLEBALL. IT STARTED OUT AS A CASUAL WAY TO GET EXERCISE, AND THEN IT JUST KIND OF SPIRALED INTO AN ADDICTION. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, JOHN WOODEN HAS BECOME QUITE THE PICKLEBALL ATHLETE, ALL THANKS TO THESE COURTS HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. 
          THREE ZERO. MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR AND I MET SOMEBODY ELSE THAT PLAYED HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS. AND THEN WE WENT ONE DAY, AND THEN IT WAS TWO AND IT WAS FOUR, AND THEN IT TURNED INTO LIKE 5 OR 6 TIMES A WEEK BECAUSE THERE'S JUST JOHN CALLS THESE COURTS THE HUB FOR PICKLEBALL IN THE SUN CITY. YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM MY HOUSE, SO IT MAKES THE ADDICTION WORSE BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN GET HERE QUICK. AND SO THIS PART OF TOWN IS PRETTY CENTRAL. 
          PICKLEBALL SUCCESS DOES COME WITH A DOWNSIDE, ACCORDING TO JOHN, THE RELATIVELY NEW COURTS AT ASCARATE ALREADY SHOW SOME WEAR AND TEAR. OVER TIME. IT'S CAUSED THE SURFACE TO CRACK, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FAIRLY NEW. AND SO NOW THEY'RE GOING TO REDO IT BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A POPULAR THING RIGHT NOW. AND JOHN SAYS THE BEST PART OF PICKLEBALL ANYONE CAN PLAY. 002 THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO PLAY. IT'S FREE ONCE YOU BUY ALL THE EQUIPMENT, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO DO IT. 431 IT USUALLY STARTS OUT RECREATIONALLY FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN IT TURNS INTO AN ADDICTION. 
          [04:06:48]
YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD ENJOYMENT, GOOD RELAXATION, GOOD THERAPY COMING OUT HERE AND COPING WITH 
          [04:06:55]
SITUATIONS AND RELAXATION. IT'S PEACEFUL, IT'S QUIET, IT'S NICE. IN THE SUMMERTIME. IT'S NICE AND COOL DOWN HERE. ABOUT 8:00 IT STARTS GETTING WARM, BUT IT'S NICE AND COOL. COME DOWN HERE AND RELAX FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GO OUT HERE AND FACE THE WORLD. THE BAIT, IT VARIES. YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT HERE, THEY WERE HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. THEY STOPPED HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. WHAT'S VERY POPULAR IS WEENIE HOT DOG. AND THEN THEY STOP HITTING ON THE HOT DOG. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY START HITTING ON THE SHRIMP, AND THEN IT SLOWS DOWN ON THE SHRIMP. NOW I'M USING SOME STINK BAIT AND IT REALLY STINKS. SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN CATCH SOMETHING WITH SOME STINK BAIT, BUT IT'S GREAT WHEN THE FISH ARE BITING. IT'S GREAT. 
          YEAH, THE TROUT WILL PUT THE HOOK IN THEIR MOUTH AND WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THEY PULL ON IT, LIKE THEY PULLED BEFORE. THEN YOU YANK ON THE LINE AND GET THE HOOK SET IN THEIR MOUTH, BUT YOU GOT TO TROUT. IT IS KIND OF HARD FISHING FOR TROUT. LIKE THAT. 
          BUT. YOU. THERE HE GOES. WELL, THE LARGE ONE, THE LARGEST ONE I CAUGHT HERE WAS A 15 POUNDER. YEAH, YOU CAN EAT THEM. I DON'T, BECAUSE I LIKE TO CATCH AND RELEASE. I WOULD IF I WAS GOING TO EAT FISH, I'D EAT THE FISH. AND I'VE BEEN FISHING HERE FOR 60 YEARS. 
          AND YOU LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY. 
          [04:10:35]
I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT CARS WERE JUST ZOOMING AROUND THIS PLACE. WE TOOK THEM OUT TO A PARK. WE POKED HIS BRAIN A LITTLE BIT AND THIS IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY. CHECK IT OUT. WE ARE STANDING ROUGHLY, PROBABLY RIGHT OFF OF TURNS ONE AND TWO FOR EVANS OVAL. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY MODERN RACETRACK BUILT HERE IN EL PASO. BACK IN 1939, WALTER GOULD DECIDED THAT HE'D HAD ENOUGH OF THE CITY. HE'S RACING OVER IT AT THE RODEO FIELD, WHICH IS NOW THE COUNTY COLISEUM. EVERYBODY WAS COMPLAINING. IT'S TOO LOUD, IT'S TOO DUSTY, HE SAYS. YOU KNOW WHAT? FORGET YOU GUYS. I'M GOING TO GO OUT AND BUILD A NEW SPEEDWAY. AND THIS IS WHERE HE BUILT IT. IF WE'RE STANDING WHERE I THINK WE'RE STANDING, WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT TURN NUMBER ONE. SO TURN ONE AND TURN TWO WOULD COME AROUND HERE. THE BACKSTRETCH IS PROBABLY RIGHT ABOUT WHERE THAT PALM TREE IS. AND THEN WHAT WOULD BE THE PITS WOULD BE RIGHT ABOUT WHERE OUR GOLF CARTS ARE. AND THEN THE REST OF THE GRANDSTANDS AND EVERYTHING WILL BE RIGHT HERE. 
          AND BIG SCOREBOARD OVER HERE ON THE NORTH SIDE, WHERE PEOPLE WOULD POKE THEIR HEADS THROUGH AND WATCH THE RACE. WE WERE THE CENTER OF RACING. WE HAD PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER TO COME HERE. 
          IT'S SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF. WE HAVE A RICH RACING HISTORY, WHETHER IT'S QUARTER MILE DRAGSTERS, DRAG BOATS, GRAND PRIX, THERE WERE SO MANY WEEKENDS, SO MANY PEOPLE OUT HERE, NOT JUST THE DRIVERS, BUT THE FAMILIES AND EVERYBODY THAT CAME OUT. IT WAS A VERY VITAL PART OF THE CITY. EVERY SINGLE TIME YOU HAVE A SPEEDWAY THAT DEVELOPS ON THE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF A OF A CITY, EVENTUALLY THE CITY IS GOING TO CATCH UP WITH IT. AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED. 
          THEY CAME OUT HERE ANOTHER GOOD 20 YEARS, AND THEN THE CITY CAUGHT UP WITH THEM AND THEY HAD TO MOVE AGAIN. I THINK IT WAS A VERY, VERY VITAL PART BECAUSE IT BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER AND THEY SAW THIS SPACE THAT COULD BE USED FOR MORE THAN JUST, YOU KNOW, PAVING IT OVER. THEY MADE A PARK, YOU KNOW, AS SAD AS I AM TO SEE THE SPEEDWAY GO, IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE NOW, BUT IT IS PART OF THE HISTORY. AND YOU NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE REMINDED ABOUT THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU SEE THAT GOLF COURSE OR YOU SEE THAT EMPTY LOT AND IT WAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. IT'S STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, JUST TAKE A STEP BACK AND LOOK AT IT AND YOU'LL SAY, OH YEAH, THIS IS PRETTY COOL. 
          WELL, ONCE YOU'RE IN A SKATE PARK, YOU'LL NOTICE THAT THERE'S A LITTLE COMMUNITY GARDEN RIGHT HERE. THIS IS WHAT IT IS. IT'S A TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION GARDEN. WE'RE ACTUALLY ABOUT TO MEET SOMEONE WHO IS KIND OF IN CHARGE OF THIS PLACE, AND IS GOING TO WALK US THROUGH ON HOW YOU CAN ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE. COME ON, LET'S GO MEET HIM. HI. EDUARDO RASCON IS HERE WITH US 
          [04:15:03]
TODAY. EDUARDO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE WITH US. TALK TO US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS GARDEN. WHAT IS THIS? SO THIS IS BASICALLY TO TEACH THE COMMUNITY HOW THEY CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR OWN BACKYARD GARDEN AND HOW THEY CAN GROW THEIR OWN PRODUCE. SO EDUARDO, THIS THESE ARE BRUSSELS SPROUTS. YOU JUST. WOW. THESE ARE SO TINY, SO BEAUTIFUL. NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS COMMUNITY GARDEN IS NONPROFIT, CORRECT? YES. AS A NONPROFIT, SINCE WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY MONEY OUT OF THIS ASSOCIATION OR FUNDRAISING, MOST OF THE MONEY THAT WE DO THROUGH FUNDRAISING OR SALES IS TO ACTUALLY HAVE FUNDS AND BUDGET TO REPLACE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE GARDEN. EDUARDO. SO THIS IS REALLY UNIQUE PART OF YOUR GARDEN. 
          YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS IS SPINACH? I CAN ACTUALLY EAT THIS. YES. IT SHOULD BE VERY BUTTERY. IT IS ACTUALLY IT'S REALLY GOOD. PERFECT FOR LIKE, OMELETS OR FOR LIKE SALADS, SMOOTHIES. YOU DON'T PUT ANY PESTICIDES ON THIS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. NO SPRAYING. WE USUALLY TRY TO TELL THE COMMUNITY THAT SHOULD BE USED AS A LAST RESORT, BECAUSE THERE'S OTHER PRACTICES THAT YOU CAN APPLY IN YOUR GARDEN TO PREVENT PESTS FROM COMING IN. I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO START GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE PLANTS THAT THEY CAN GROW HERE IN THE COMMUNITY. EL PASO CAN OFFER YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS OF GROWING CONDITIONS. 
          HELLO EVERYONE. SAM GUZMAN, HERE WE ARE LIVE AT EPCOT AT THE PARK FOR ANOTHER EPISODE OF SMALL TOWN SPOTLIGHT. A SCOUT AT THE PARK IS HOME TO MANY THINGS. ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS ITS GOLF COURSE. WHETHER YOU ARE A SEASONED PRO OR SOMEONE WHO JUST WANTS TO APPRECIATE WHAT THE OUTDOORS HAS TO OFFER. HERE AT ASCOT AT THE PARK, THE ASCOT AT THE GOLF COURSE MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO BE. CHECK IT OUT. IT'S GOT TO. THE GOLF COURSE IS SPECIAL FOR MANY REASONS. I THINK THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT MAKES US SPECIAL. LOTS OF FAMILIES TELL ME. OH YEAH, MY GRANDPA USED TO PLAY HERE. THAT'S HOW I GOT INTRODUCED TO GOLF. IT'S JUST BEEN AROUND FOR SO LONG AND GENERATIONAL, AND THEY'RE LOYAL TO THE GOLF COURSE. GENTLEMAN. HOW ARE WE PLAYING TODAY? GOOD. YOU GOING THE WRONG WAY. HOLES THAT WAY. ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THAT HAS GOT A DATE THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IS THE DELTA NINE. THAT'S A SHORTER GOLF COURSE, EXECUTIVE TYPE GOLF COURSE, NINE HOLES. THE PAR FOUR IS A LITTLE SHORTER, BUT IT HAS A PAR THREE AND A PAR FIVE. THAT'S A GREAT THING TO LEARN ON. AND THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THAT IS LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BOOKED ON TEE TIMES. WE HATE TO TELL SOMEBODY WALKS IN THE DOOR. 
          WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GO HOME WITHOUT PLAYING. WE WANT TO FIND THEM A SPOT, YOU KNOW, AND WE'RE VERY ACCOMMODATING GOLF COURSE IN THAT RESPECT. THAT'S A NO NO IN MY BOOK. YOU KNOW, I DO NOT WANT THAT GUY DRIVE DOWN HERE AND THEN BE TOLD, OH, WE DON'T HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU. SO WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT. THAT GIVES US 27 HOLES. SO WHEN WE HAVE A TOURNAMENT GOING ON IN THE MAIN, WE CAN SEND THEM OVER TO THE DELTA NINE, START THEM OFF, AND THEN THEY CAN JUMP OVER HERE ON THE MAIN WHEN THE TOURNAMENT'S DONE, WE GOT LIGHTED DRIVING RANGE, YOU KNOW, AND WE STAY OPEN TILL 9:00 IN THE SUMMER AND 10:00 ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS. WE DID ADD SOME BLACK TEES TEN, 12 YEARS AGO ON THIS GOLF COURSE. THAT MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THE GOLF COURSE BEFORE WAS A LITTLE BIT SHORTER FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TYPE PLAYERS, AND ONCE WE DID THAT, WE LENGTHENED IT UP. AND YOU KNOW, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY, THAT WAS GREAT. WHEN I GET TO TALK TO PEOPLE, THAT'S RIGHT UP MY ALLEY. I LOVE THAT, YOU KNOW, I GET TO TALK ABOUT GOLF, I GET TO SIT DOWN AND YOU LEARN SO MANY THINGS. YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. BEAUTIFUL. I HOPE TO COME OUT HERE ONE DAY AND GET AROUND. IT WON'T BE A GOOD ROUND, BUT IT'LL DEFINITELY BE AN EXPERIENCE. NOW, ANOTHER SPORT AT THAT PARK IS HOME TO IS A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORTS IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PICKLEBALL. SCOTT AT THE PARK IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES TO PLAY HERE IN THE SUN CITY. IT'S GOT FOUR HARD OUTDOOR COURTS AND AGAIN, IT'S A SPORT THAT IS QUICKLY GAINING MANY, MUCH ATTENTION AND THE PARK IS THE PLACE TO BE IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO PLAY PICKLEBALL. STARTED OUT AS A CASUAL WAY TO GET EXERCISE, AND THEN IT JUST KIND OF SPIRALED INTO AN ADDICTION. OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, JOHN WOODEN HAS BECOME QUITE THE PICKLEBALL ATHLETE, ALL THANKS TO THESE COURTS HERE AT ASCARATE PARK. THREE ZERO. MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR AND I MET SOMEBODY ELSE THAT PLAYED HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS. AND THEN WE WENT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WAS TWO, AND THEN IT WAS FOUR, AND THEN IT TURNED INTO LIKE 5 OR 6 TIMES A WEEK BECAUSE THERE'S JUST JOHN CALLS THESE COURTS THE HUB FOR PICKLEBALL IN THE SUN CITY. 
          YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM MY HOUSE, SO IT MAKES THE ADDICTION WORSE BECAUSE I KNOW I CAN GET HERE QUICK. AND SO THIS PART OF TOWN IS PRETTY CENTRAL. PICKLEBALL SUCCESS DOES COME WITH A DOWNSIDE, ACCORDING TO JOHN. THE RELATIVELY NEW COURTS AT 
          [04:20:04]
ASCARATE ALREADY SHOW SOME WEAR AND TEAR. OVER TIME. IT'S CAUSED THE SURFACE TO CRACK, EVEN THOUGH IT'S FAIRLY NEW. AND SO NOW THEY'RE GOING TO REDO IT BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A POPULAR THING RIGHT NOW. AND JOHN SAYS THE BEST PART? PICKLEBALL. ANYONE CAN PLAY. 002. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PLACES TO PLAY. IT'S FREE ONCE YOU BUY ALL THE EQUIPMENT, AND THERE'S PLENTY OF PEOPLE WHO'LL TEACH YOU HOW TO DO IT FOR THREE ONE. IT USUALLY STARTS OUT RECREATIONALLY FOR MOST PEOPLE, AND THEN IT TURNS INTO AN ADDICTION. 
          [04:28:26]
YOU KNOW, IT'S GOOD ENJOYMENT, GOOD RELAXATION, GOOD THERAPY COMING OUT HERE AND COPING WITH SITUATIONS AND RELAXATION. IT'S PEACEFUL, IT'S QUIET, IT'S NICE. IN THE SUMMERTIME. IT'S NICE AND COOL DOWN HERE. ABOUT 8:00 STARTS GETTING WARM, BUT IT'S NICE AND COOL. COME DOWN HERE, RELAX FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE YOU HAVE TO GO OUT HERE AND FACE THE WORLD. THE BAIT, IT VARIES. YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT HERE, THEY WERE HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. THEY STOPPED HITTING ON CHICKEN BREAST. WHAT'S VERY POPULAR IS WEENIE HOT DOG. AND THEN THEY STOP HITTING ON THE HOT DOG. AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY START HITTING ON THE SHRIMP, AND THEN IT SLOWS DOWN ON THE SHRIMP. NOW I'M USING SOME STINK BAIT AND IT REALLY STINKS. SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN CATCH SOMETHING WITH SOME STINK BAIT, BUT IT'S GREAT. GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED TO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. WE'D LIKE TO GO TO ITEM 14 D BUDGET HEARING, RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND APPROVE BUDGET UPDATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 ON STAFFING, AUTO ALLOWANCES, 
          [D. BUDGET HEARING - Receive a presentation and approve budget updates for fiscal year 2026 on staffing, auto allowances, supplements, judicial and district attorney pay, and the proposed attorney longevity program.
Sam Trujillo, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Department, 915-273-3520]
SUPPLEMENTS, JUDICIAL AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY PAY, AND THE PROPOSED ATTORNEY LONGEVITY PROGRAM. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COMMISSIONER SAM TRUJILLO FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. AS YOU KNOW, THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT PLAYS A CRITICAL AND 
          [04:30:05]
STRATEGIC ROLE IN THE PREPARATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL BUDGET. OUR TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING AND ANALYZING DATA IN A WIDE RANGE OF HR RELATED EXPENSES, AND PROVIDING THAT INFORMATION TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND TO THE COURT AS DIFFICULT DECISIONS ARE MADE TO ALIGN EXPENSES WITH OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND TO THE COURT FOR LONG TERM GOALS. TODAY WE WILL BE PRESENTING SEVERAL KEY ITEMS FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 26 BUDGET PLANNING PROCESS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE STAFFING, AUTO ALLOWANCES AND SUPPLEMENTS, JUDICIAL SALARIES, DISTRICT ATTORNEY PAY, LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE SUPPLEMENT. AND WE DO ALSO HAVE PROPOSED ATTORNEY LONGEVITY PROGRAM, WHICH WE ARE LOOKING AT HOLDING OFF UNTIL NEXT WEEK, DEPENDING ON THE COURT IF THEY WANT TO CONSIDER THAT NOW OR LATER. WE DID RECEIVE SOME FEEDBACK AND GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT. TWO MEMBERS OF OUR COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION TEAM ARE HERE TODAY, VAL FERNANDEZ AND PRISCILLA DOMINGUEZ, AND THEY WILL START OFF THE PRESENTATION RIGHT NOW. 
          THANK YOU SAM. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, PRISCILLA DOMINGUEZ WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING SLIDES. WE WILL BE COVERING COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION ITEMS, INCLUDING AUTO ALLOWANCES, SUPPLEMENTS AND STAFFING REQUESTS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS INFORMATION ON SUPPLEMENTS AND AUTO ALLOWANCES WAS PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED TO THE COURTS IN THE JUNE SPECIAL MEETING. THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGES SINCE THE DATE. THE SAVINGS OF 20,329 HAS BEEN INCLUDED. INCLUDED IN THE FY 26 BUDGET PROJECTIONS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. IN DECEMBER 2024, THE COURT AUTHORIZED THE POSITION TRANSFERS FROM ARPA FUNDING TO GENERAL FUNDS FOR TWO POSITIONS FOR THE REMAINDER OF FY 25. THESE TWO POSITIONS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL AGENDA ITEM THAT WAS TRANSFERRED ARPA POSITIONS TO THE GENERAL FUNDS AFFECTED. JANUARY 2025 AT THE REQUEST OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, THESE TWO POSITIONS HAD BEEN RE JUSTIFIED TO REMAIN ON THE GENERAL FUND STAFFING TABLE FOR FY 26. THERE IS CONTINUED NEED FOR THESE POSITIONS AND THE COST OF THE POSITIONS IS 216,904, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN BUDGETED IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR FY 26. I WILL NOW BE TURNING THE PRESENTATION OVER TO MISS VALERIA. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. HI. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. VALERIA FERNANDEZ WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. IN THE UPCOMING SLIDES, WE WILL REVIEW JUDICIAL SALARIES AND DISPLAY OPTIONS. AS A RESULT OF STATUTORY CHANGES FROM THE RECENT TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. AS PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED TO THE COURT IN THE JUNE SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, THIS SLIDE PRESENTS INITIAL OPTIONS PROVIDED TO THE COURT IN RESPONSE TO THE PARTIALLY FUNDED STATE MANDATED INCREASES TO THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES BASE SALARIES. AS A RESULT OF THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 293. FOLLOWING DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION FROM THE COURT IN THAT MEETING, WE ARE BRINGING BACK FOR THE COURT'S REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION SOME ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR FY 26. OPTION ONE, WHICH IS NO CHANGE FROM THE CURRENT SUPPLEMENT, WILL HAVE AN IMPACT OF 1.15 MILLION. OPTION TWO, WHICH IS A MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT SUPPLEMENT, WILL HAVE AN IMPACT OF OVER 1.5 MILLION. SHOULD THE COURT CHOOSE OPTION ONE. THERE ARE A FEW WAYS THAT THE MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT MAY BE REACHED IN SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS, AS SHOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SLIDE FOR OPTIONS A ONE AND I'M SORRY, ONE A AND ONE B. OPTION ONE A IS AN INCREASE TO THE SUPPLEMENT BY THE SAME RATE EMPLOYEES PAY AS INCREASED. 
          FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE COURT WERE TO APPROVE A 1.5% COLA, THE SUPPLEMENT WOULD BE INCREASED BY THE SAME AMOUNT UNTIL THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT IS REACHED. OPTION ONE B IS AN INCREMENTAL INCREASE. THE DISTRICT JUDGES, DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, AND COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICES SUPPLEMENTS TO THE MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THREE FISCAL YEARS. THE FUNDING OF THE 
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INCREMENTAL INCREASES WOULD BE DEPENDENT UPON COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET FOR FUTURE YEARS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. WITH THE APPROVED INCREASE IN THE BASE RATE FOR JUDICIAL SALARIES THIS YEAR, THE CORRESPONDING STATE FUNDED SALARY TIERS FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WAS ALSO INCREASED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MINIMUM SUPPLEMENT ALLOWABLE BY COUNTIES IS THAT WHICH THE COUNTY PAYS TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES WITH THE STATUTORY INCREASES. THIS IS ALSO. THIS IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COURT TO REVIEW THE COUNTY SUPPLEMENT FOR THIS POSITION. IF THE COURT WERE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT SUPPLEMENT, THERE WOULD BE NO IMPACT TO THE BUDGET AND THE DA'S OVERALL SALARY FROM BOTH COUNTY AND STATE FUNDS WOULD INCREASE. ALSO SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE ARE OPTIONS INCLUDING THE MINIMUM SUPPLEMENT ASSUMING NO CHANGE TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGE'S SUPPLEMENT, MATCHING THE TIERS FOR TIER ONE AND TIER TWO, AND MAINTAINING THE TOTAL CURRENT SALARY AMOUNT EVEN WITH A DECREASE IN COUNTY PAID SUPPLEMENT, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAY SEE AN INCREASE IF THE COURT CHOOSES TO PAY MORE THAN THE HIGHEST SUPPLEMENT THAT MAY BE PAID TO A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, WHICH CURRENTLY IS 25,000. THE STATE WILL REDUCE ITS SERVICE SERVICE CREDIT CONTRIBUTION BY AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE EXCESS COUNTY SUPPLEMENTS, AND THIS WOULD ONLY APPLY ONCE THEY'RE AT TIERS TWO THROUGH FOUR. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THIS IS ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PRESENTED TO THE COURT. SB 293 INCLUDED AN INCREASE TO THE STATE FUNDED SUPPLEMENT FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SERVING AS A LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT JUDGE IN COUNTIES WITH MORE THAN TEN DISTRICT COURTS. THE BILL ALSO CREATED A STATE FUNDED SUPPLEMENT IN THE SAME AMOUNT FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, WHO SERVES AS A PRESIDING JUDGE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OR PRESIDING JUDGES A COUNTY COURT AT LAW JUDGE, NO STATE FUNDED SUPPLEMENT APPLIES, SINCE THE SALARIES ARE FULLY FUNDED BY THE COUNTY FOR WHICH THEY SERVE. 
          HISTORICALLY, THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN STEPS TO MAINTAIN PAY PARITY BETWEEN DISTRICT COURT JUDGES AND COUNTY COURT JUDGES. THE COUNCIL OF JUDGES ENDORSED A REQUEST TO INCLUDE THE SUPPLEMENT MID-YEAR AND FY 25, AND CONTINUE AT THE NEW HIGHER RATE FOR FY 26. THE COUNCIL OF JUDGES HAS INDICATED THAT THE FUNDING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE MIDYEAR REQUEST AND WOULD BE PAID OUT OF SALARY SAVINGS. THE IMPACT FOR APPROVING THE SUPPLEMENT FOR FY 26 AT THE NEW STATUTORY RATE IS $15,564. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. AS A SUMMARY, THIS SLIDE DISPLAYS ACTION ITEMS WE WOULD LIKE FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE TO BE INCLUDED IN FY 26 BUDGET AND AS PRESENTED DURING OUR PRESENTATION, BUT WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. 
          VAL, I DO BELIEVE THAT WE'LL NEED MOTIONS ON EACH ONE, SO IT MAY BE EASIER FOR THE COURT TO GO BACK TO THE SLIDES AND DO THEM INDIVIDUALLY. SO THE FIRST ACTION THAT WE NEED IS A MOTION TO INCLUDE THE SUPPLEMENTS AND AUTO ALLOWANCE AS PRESENTED. I'LL SECOND. THAT. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. GIVE US JUST ONE SECOND. OKAY. THE VOTING IS OPEN. THAT'S JUST ON AUTO ALLOWANCES AND SUPPLEMENTS, COMMISSIONER STOKES. MOTION CARRIES. OKAY. NEXT SLIDE. THE NEXT ITEM IS THE INCLUSION OF TWO ARPA FUNDED POSITIONS THAT HAD MOVED OVER TO GENERAL FUND, EFFECTIVE JANUARY. AND THIS IS JUST A CONTINUATION FOR FY 26. WE NEED A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THESE POSITIONS TO CONTINUE IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR A FULL YEAR. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. SECOND POSITIONS. WE HAVE A 
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MOTION BY COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. 
          THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM ARE THE JUDICIAL SALARIES AND SUPPLEMENTS. I BELIEVE JUDGE IS HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM A JUDGE AND I'M THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE FOR THE JUDGES IN EL PASO COUNTY. 
          AND I'M HERE TO ADDRESS THE COURT REGARDING THE, THE STIPEND, THE THEY CALL IT THE DISTRICT COURT STIPEND, BUT THAT THAT BOOTSTRAPS EVERY OTHER JUDICIAL POSITION IN THE COUNTY. 
          SO BUT WE'LL CALL IT THAT FOR CLARIFICATION PURPOSES WHEN IT FAVORS US. I ALWAYS CALL IT A RECOMMENDATION. AND WHEN IT'S KIND OF WISHY WASHY OR NO DIRECTION, IT'S AN OPTION. BUT I WILL WILL LOOK AT THE AT THE SLIDE THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY HR AFTER ALL THEIR WORK, AND THAT THE ATTEMPT IS TO GET TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF 25,000 FOR THE SUPPLEMENT. BOTH THE OPTION ONE, WHICH IS NO CHANGE. HOWEVER, THE OPTION ONE AND OPTION ONE B ARE LOOKING TO GET THE JUDGES TO THE MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT OF 25,000. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THOSE STEPS AND THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE HONORABLE JUDGE WILL CONSIDER GIVING THE MAXIMUM AT THIS TIME, JUST FOR A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY, THAT SINCE WE GOT THE LAST RAISE 13 YEARS AGO, THE JUDGES HAVE NOT COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ASK FOR ANYTHING, NOT RAISING THE SUPPLEMENT ANY TIME IN THOSE 13 YEARS. AND IN THE INTERIM, THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE RECEIVED A COST OF LIVING, WHICH JUDGES ARE EXEMPT FROM RECEIVING BY POLICY OF THE OF THIS COURT HAS BEEN 33%. SO IN 13 YEARS THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE RECEIVED A 33% COST OF LIVING. IF YOU ADD ALL THE YEARS, SOME YEARS IT WAS NOTHING, OTHER YEARS IT WAS AS LARGE AS 8%. AND YET THE JUDGES HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT EVERY SINGLE TIME. SO IT IS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO DO THAT. THE BIG PUSH THIS YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS TO GET THE JUDICIAL RAISES, AND WE DID, BUT I WILL I WILL TELL YOU THAT USUALLY GOVERNMENT, WE DON'T AGREE ON ANYTHING. BUT FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT PUSHED VERY HARD TO GET THE RAISE UP TO 30. AND THEN THE LEGISLATURE OBVIOUSLY AGREED NOT TO THE AMOUNT THE, THE, THE RAISE WENT UP, BUT NOT NOT TO THE DEGREE, NOT TO THE 30% THAT WAS BEING REQUESTED. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNOR AGREED AS WELL, BECAUSE HE SIGNED THE LEGISLATION TO INCREASE JUDICIAL PAY. SO THERE IS THIS PUSH IN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE DON'T WANT TO BE 48TH IN THE STATE AS FAR AS JUDICIAL PAY, BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS AND YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER THIS, BUT I DO, AND I'M OLDER THAN MOST OF YOU, IS THAT IN THE OLD DAYS, IF YOU WANTED TO SERVE, IF YOU WANTED TO BE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER, IF YOU WANTED TO BE THE COUNTY JUDGE, YOU HAD TO BE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY OR RETIRED AND HAD TO BE YOUR SECOND INCOME BECAUSE THE PAY WAS AROUND $30,000. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DO YOUR TO ANSWER THE CALL. AND I MAINTAIN THAT THAT SERVICE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IS A CALLING LIKE A VOCATION. BUT TO DO THAT AND TO ANSWER THE CALL, YOU HAD TO SACRIFICE OR BE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY OR HAVE A SECOND INCOME. 
          AND THAT HAPPENED FOR YEARS. WISELY, THINGS HAVE CHANGED. AND NOW, INSTEAD OF IT BEING SORT OF A HOBBY, TO BE A COMMISSIONER, TO BE THE COUNTY JUDGE, TO BE THE MAYOR OF EL PASO, TO BE A CITY REPRESENTATIVE, IT IS A FULL TIME JOB. AND THE SALARIES NOW ARE ACCORDINGLY WILL ALLOW 
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US TO ANSWER THE CALL OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND TO BE ABLE TO MEET OUR RESPONSIBILITIES, OUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO OURSELVES AND TO OUR FAMILIES. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER THAT 25,000. ANOTHER THING IS TO ANTICIPATE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, AND THAT IS THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE SEVERAL JUDICIAL VACANCIES BECAUSE OF RETIREMENTS AND ETCETERA. AND WE WANT TO ATTRACT PEOPLE THAT ARE THAT ARE, THAT ARE GOOD, THAT ARE COMPETENT, THAT ARE ROCK STARS. AND TO DO THAT, MANY OF THEM HAVE TO TAKE A PAY CUT. JUDGE SALINAS SINES, WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE 65TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. HAD SHE STAYED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN MAKING $20,000 MORE. SHE TOOK A PAY CUT. WHY? BECAUSE SHE ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVE AND IS NOW THE JUDGE OF THE 65TH JUDGE, MELISSA BAEZA. SHE WAS A PARTNER AT ONE OF THE BIGGEST LAW FIRMS IN TOWN. SHE TOOK A PAY CUT. WHY? BECAUSE SHE WANTED SHE ANSWERED THE CALL AND SHE WANTED TO SERVE. SAME THING WITH JUDGE LINDA PEREZ, WHO YOU ALL LOOKED AT AND APPOINTED LAST. LAST YEAR. SHE WAS AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. HAD SHE STAYED THERE, SHE WOULD BE MAKING MORE MONEY THAN SHE'S MAKING NOW. AGAIN, WHY? BECAUSE SHE ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVE JUDGE IVEY, WHO WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED BY BY THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS. HE HAS A VERY LUCRATIVE OR HAD A VERY LUCRATIVE CRIMINAL DEFENSE POSITION IN BUSINESS. 
          AND WHAT DID HE DO? HE PUT HIS NAME IN TO BE CONSIDERED, AND KNOWING FULL WELL THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE A PAY CUT. WHY? BECAUSE HE ANSWERED THAT HUGE, HUGE CALL TO SERVE, TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT. SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BRING IN PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCED AND COMPETENT AND OF THAT CALIBER IS THAT WHEN YOU DO THE WHEN THEY COME IN, THAT LEARNING CURVE IS LESS. 
          JUDGE MELISSA, WHEN SHE CAME IN, SHE WAS DISPOSING AT 100% WITHIN, I BELIEVE, SIX MONTHS OF HER APPOINTMENT. SO IT MATTERS WHO WE ATTRACT AND WHO WE GET TO SERVE IN THESE POSITIONS. AND AS A SIDE BENEFIT FOR THE COUNTY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DO COLLECT FINES. WE ARE REVENUE PRODUCING. 
          AND SO, I MEAN, THE LESS TIME YOU HAVE LEARNING IT AND THE FASTER YOU GET TO ACTUALLY HIT THE, THE, THE PAVEMENT RUNNING, YOU KNOW, THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE COUNTY AS WELL, FINANCIALLY. 
          SO FOR THOSE REASONS, AT ONE, WE WANT TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHORTAGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST. AND THEN NUMBER TWO IS TO, TO KEEP AND TO ATTRACT GOOD AND QUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT ANSWER THE CALL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, AS YOU ALL HAVE. I KNOW SOME OF YOU WOULD BE MAKING A LOT MORE MONEY IF YOU WEREN'T SITTING HERE ON MONDAY AND MONDAY AFTERNOONS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE PROBABLY MONDAY EVENINGS AS WELL TODAY. AND TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE AND, AND DO THAT AND NOT GO BACK TO THE WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GET PEOPLE THAT AREN'T AS QUALIFIED THAT. 
          AREN'T AS THE CALIBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE SERVING NOW. AND, YOU KNOW, THE CALIBER OF JUDGES THAT WE HAVE. BOBBY ANCHONDO IS HERE ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF HE'S GETTING NATIONAL STATE RECOGNITION FOR WHAT HE DOES. WE JUST HAVE THAT CALIBER OF INDIVIDUALS. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THEM. HONESTLY. JUDGE GONZALEZ, ALEX GONZALEZ IS RETIRING AND THERE'S ALREADY A CALIFORNIA FIRM THAT THAT IS TALKING ABOUT TAKING HIM. I'VE HAD OFFERS TO, BUT I WANT TO STAY IN MY COMMUNITY AND SERVE. SO THIS IS WHY I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER AND JUST GIVING US THE 25,000 MAXIMUM ON THAT. AND IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO AN OPTION, THEN I WOULD ASK YOU TO GO TO OPTION WHERE THERE IS A SET SET AMOUNT SO THAT WE KNOW AND MAYBE OPTION ONE BE WITH THE FIRST FIRST INCREMENT. AND COMMISSIONER BUTLER, I THINK THIS WAS KIND OF YOUR IDEA SORT OF TO, YOU KNOW, 3000 FOR FISCAL 27, 2000 FOR 28 AND 2000 FOR 29 TO GET US TO THAT 25,000, WHICH H.R. RECOGNIZES AND IS TRYING TO PUSH US TO. I'M NOT GOING TO STEP BACK. I'M GOING TO HOPE THAT YOU DO CONSIDER GIVING THE FULL 25,000. THEN ON PAGE EIGHT, I DON'T KNOW WHO'S DOING THE POWERPOINT, BUT PAGE EIGHT IS THE STIPEND FOR THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE. AND THAT THAT'S MYSELF. I WAS TOLD THAT YOU DON'T BACK PAY BECAUSE I TOOK THIS POSITION. I WAS ELECTED BY MY, MY, MY PEERS ON MARCH, MARCH TO, TO BEGIN MY TERM ON APRIL 1ST. AND I HAVEN'T BEEN BEEN PAID, I THINK, IN THE ARMY. AND I HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS. IN THE ARMY, IT'S CALLED I'VE BEEN I'VE BEEN FOR I THINK IT'S FROCHT. IT'S SPELLED F R O C K. NOT TO 
          [04:50:06]
BE CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER WORD THAT KIND OF SOUNDS THE SAME. AND I'M WORKING FOR FREE AS THE LA AND I DON'T MIND IT, BUT. SO I WOULD JUST ASK THAT I WILL GIVE UP ON THAT. I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH ANY OF THE WAIVERS OR COMING OUT OF ANYTHING. IF YOUR POLICY IS NOT TO BACK PAY, THEN THEN I CAN LIVE WITH THAT BECAUSE MY EMPHASIS, MY FOCUS, MY PRIORITY IS TO GET MY COLLEAGUES TO 25,000. I DO HOPE THAT YOU DO APPROVE FROM FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST FORWARD, THE STIPEND FOR THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE SO THAT THERE IS THE PARITY. AND I GET THE SAME FOR THE WORK THAT I DO. AND I JUST HAPPEN TO BE A COUNTY COURT JUDGE. AND WITH THAT, I JUST AGAIN, WILL URGE YOU TO GO TO THE MAXIMUM RIGHT AWAY. AND I HAVE OPENED MYSELF UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS. I'M VERY GRATEFUL YOU GAVE ME THIS TIME. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU DIDN'T DO A REDUCTION. BUT I'M HERE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FOR ME. THANK YOU, JUDGE KURITA. 
          ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY. JUST JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. THANK YOU, JUDGE KURITA, FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND SHARING THAT INFORMATION. IT'S VERY COMPELLING. AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE DISAGREES WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU SAID. I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE TO HAVE SUCH DEDICATED AND SKILLED JUDGES HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY. I PERSONALLY, BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT NOT JUST THE COUNTY IS IN, BUT EVERY LOCAL TAXING ENTITY IS IN. I THINK THAT THE OPTION ONE BE IS PROBABLY MORE REALISTIC FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO, AND ALSO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE'RE NOT GIVING RAISES TO ANYBODY COUNTYWIDE AND, BUT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PLANNING FOR THAT INCREASE IN FUTURE BUDGETS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND MAKING SURE THAT AS WE START WORKING ON THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET THAT'S ALREADY BUILT INTO IT WOULD BE MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE. AND UNLESS ANYBODY HAS ANY ANY OTHER THOUGHTS, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE OPTION ONE. B ANY DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GET THE MOTION? BETSY, BASED ON THE NEW CERTIFIED VALUES THAT WE HAVE, WHAT IS OUR ANTICIPATED REVENUE IN? IN LIGHT OF ALL THE COMMITMENTS THAT WE HAVE, INCLUDING TRYING TO RAISE OUR CAPITAL BUDGET FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS. SO IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE TAX RATE THE COURT SETS. 
          BASICALLY, WE'RE WE'RE IN MULTIPLE PHASES OF BUDGET VERSIONS RIGHT NOW. WE PROVIDED YOU ALL A BOOK BASED ON WHAT WE CALL THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, WHICH IS WHAT DEPARTMENTS HAVE ASKED FOR. WE'VE WORKED BACK AND FORTH AND WE'RE RECOMMENDING THAT. AND THAT PARTICULAR BOOK. 
          I BELIEVE THE REVENUE COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, YOU JUST HAD, I THINK IT WAS 253 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX, 56, 256 MILLION. TO DO THAT, IT WOULD REQUIRE A TAX RATE. BARBER AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS. IT WOULD REQUIRE A NO TAX RATE. AND AGAIN, THAT'S OUR FIRST VERSION. 
          OF ABOUT $0.36. AND SO A LITTLE LESS THAN 36 LIKE 0.356 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. PLUS YOUR .065. INS. SO IT WOULD BE PRETTY CLOSE TO OUR CURRENT TAX RATE, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN NO NEW REVENUE. BUT THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO OVER LIKE THE WHAT? WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSED LAST WEEK, THE $3 MILLION FOR CAPITAL, SOME OF THE OTHER THE OTHER EXPENSES. YEAH. SO THAT DEPENDS ON WHAT RATE WE'RE REALLY GOING TO ADOPT. RIGHT. THIS IS THE THIS IS THE BASIC RULE FOR EVERYTHING WE DO. YOUR GROWTH IN PROPERTY TAX VALUES IS GOING TO GENERATE PROBABLY ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER OUR CONTRACTUAL INCREASES FOR THINGS LIKE UTILITIES. CONTRACTS, WHERE WE HAVE A BUILT IN ESCALATOR LIKE A CPI ESCALATOR LIKE YOUR YOUR LOBBYING CONTRACT, ETC. ANYTHING THAT WE ADD ABOVE AND BEYOND THOSE, WE HAVE TO HAVE A REVENUE SOURCE OR ELSE WE'RE EATING INTO OUR FUND BALANCE. YOU CAN'T ADD 
          [04:55:05]
EXPENSES WITHOUT NEW REVENUE, SO THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN WE SET OUR TAX RATE. IF WE CONTINUE TO ADOPT NO NEW REVENUE, YOU CAN'T ADD NEW EXPENSE, BUT WE CAN ADOPT NO NEW REVENUE IF WE DON'T ADOPT NEW EXPENSES. BETSY, JUST TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL, I KNOW I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT TRUTHFUL, BUT HAVE THEY NOT GOTTEN AN INCREASE IN IN HOW MANY YEARS? THEY THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN AN INCREASE SINCE 2013 OR 2014. SO THE WHAT THE STATE DOES AND I'M, I APPRECIATE THAT THEY BROUGHT THEIR WAGES UP THE BASE WAGE AGAIN. BUT THEY DO THIS AND THEN THEY DO NOT SET AN ESCALATOR. SO THEN THEY STAY STAGNANT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THE STATE REVIEWS WAGES. AGAIN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN SO FAIR ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE. AND SO THAT'S SORT OF CONTRADICTORY. I MEAN, EVERYTHING WE MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE EVEN OURSELVES, YOU KNOW, THREE YEARS AGO THAT WE WERE IN THAT 80% OF THE REST OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. AND SO IT JUST SEEMS, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY'VE TAKEN A YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME BEFORE ANYBODY ADDRESSED THIS. AND SO I FEEL LIKE IT'S MORE OUR FAULT THAT THEY'RE IN THAT SITUATION. AND I DON'T WANT IT TO SOUND LIKE THEY'RE THE ONES WANTING THE INCREASE. BUT WE SORT OF FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE ALLOWED THAT TO HAPPEN. SO. WELL, WE DIDN'T HAVE CONTROL JUDGE, BECAUSE THERE WAS A WE DIDN'T CONTROL IT. YOU COULD NOT HAVE INCREASED THEM. THE MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT WAS 18,000. SO WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT NOW THAT WE'RE ABLE TO THE STATE CHANGED THE LAW AND THEY JUST CHANGED THE MAXIMUM SUPPLEMENT YOU'RE ALLOWED TO GIVE. I DID HEAR FROM A COUPLE COUNTIES. I'M SORRY. IT JUST WENT INTO EFFECT. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL COUNTIES ARE DOING RIGHT NOW, BUT WE DID HEAR FROM SOME THAT THEY'RE NOT INCREASING THEIR SUPPLEMENT. SOME ARE. SO IT'S BUT YOU JUST NOW GOT THE ABILITY TO CONSIDER THAT. SO IS THERE ANY CHANCE YOU KNOW LIKE THERE'S A LITTLE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND IT DIDN'T GET DONE? IS THERE A CHANCE THAT THAT COULD BE REVERSED AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEM TO THIS LEVEL, OR THIS IS A PERMANENT NO. YOU GENERALLY LIKE. SO WHEN THEY INCREASED IT THE SUPPLEMENT TO 18,000 AND IT STAYED THERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, NOW IT'S 25,000 I PROJECT. IT'LL STAY THERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AS A MATTER OF FACT. 
          JUDGE, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE LAST TIME THEY INCREASED THE BASE WAGE, I DON'T THINK THEY INCREASED THE SUPPLEMENT LAST TIME. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID. COMMISSIONER. NO, ACTUALLY, I THINK THEY WENT 15 TO 18. THESE SUPPLEMENTS APPLY TO BOTH THE ELECTED AND THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. IT'S SO THAT'S NOT WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES. BUT WE RELATED YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN HOW IT'S APPLIED. YES. SO THE SUPPLEMENT PLUS THE BASE RATE OF THE BASE RATE FOR THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES WAS 140, $140,000 A YEAR. IT INCREASED TO 175,000. AND THEN THE COUNTY CAN ADD THE SUPPLEMENT ON TOP OF THAT. SO IF WE MAINTAIN IT AT THE 18,000, THEN THAT TOTAL AMOUNT, THE 175 PLUS THE 18 THAT THEN SETS THE RATE FOR ALL OF THE OTHER JUDGES ON THE PAY SCALE. SO COUNTY COURT JUDGES HAVE TO MAKE WITHIN $1,000 OF THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, SO THEIR PAY WOULD ALSO BE RAISED. THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES ARE PAID AT 9,090% OF THE RATE OF THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES. SO THEY'RE ALL KIND OF TIED TOGETHER. BUT DO THEY HAVE TO BE IS THE QUESTION. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE NO. THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THAT IS SET BY POLICY, THAT'S SET BY OUR POLICY FOR THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES. AND OF COURSE, BY LAW, THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES. THOUSAND BELOW. THAT'S THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES THAT IS SET BY STATUTE, RIGHT? THE 1000 BELOW THE DISTRICT COURT, THE DISTRICT COURT WITH THE EQUAL YEARS OF SERVICE. YOU'RE THE COST FOR THE COUNTY COURT LAW JUDGE IS 60% OF IT IS PAID BY THE STATE. SO REALLY, WHATEVER THE EXPENSES TO PAY THE COUNTY COURT AT LAW JUDGES, THE COUNTY'S ONLY OUT THE 40% BECAUSE THE STATE REIMBURSES THE 60 AND THEN THE DISTRICT JUDGES EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE SUPPLEMENT IS PAID BY THE STATE AND THE 100% OF THE ASSOCIATES MAGISTRATES PAY IS PAID BY THE COUNTY. OKAY. AND I HAVE MISS 
          [05:00:03]
PATSY LOPEZ. SHE PUT OUT A LEGAL OPINION LAST FRIDAY SAYING THAT IT IS SET BY YOUR POLICY, THE PERCENTAGE IS SET BY YOUR POLICY AND NOT BY STATUTE. AND IT'S ALL OF THEM, BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT THE FAMILY MAGISTRATES MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN THE MAGISTRATES, BUT IT IS. ALL OF THEM ARE IN THE SAME CATEGORY, AND THAT PERCENTAGE IS SET BY YOURSELVES. IS THAT CORRECT, MR. LOPEZ? PATSY, YOU WANT TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT? SO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION. SO THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE SALARIES THE $175,000 A YEAR THAT THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE NOW GOING TO MAKE COMES FROM THE STATE. THE STATE GIVES US MONEY FOR THAT. THEY PAY DIRECTLY. 
          THEY THEY DO REIMBURSE US. NO, THEY DON'T PAY YOU ALL DIRECTLY. THEY PAY YOU SAID DISTRICT I BELIEVE, COMMISSIONER, THE DISTRICT COURT, THE. I JUST HEARD HER SAY THE DISTRICT JUDGES, THEY PAY THE BASE SALARY DIRECTLY TO THE DISTRICT JUDGE. OKAY? WE ONLY PAY THE SUPPLEMENT OUT OF OUR PAYROLL. RIGHT? BUT THEN WHAT WE DO PAY THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES OUT OF OUR PAYROLL. 
          WE GET REIMBURSED 60%, 60% OF. RIGHT. SO WE PAY 40 PLUS THE SUPPLEMENT FOR COUNTY COURT OR COUNTY COURT, AND WE PAY SUPPLEMENT FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. WE PAY THE SUPPLEMENT FOR THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES, AND WE PAY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES THE FULL 90% THAT THAT WE AS WE PAY WHATEVER WE PAY, IT'S 100% PAID BY US. SO WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS IN THE BUDGET TO DO A IN LIGHT OF ALL THE OTHER IMPENDING BUDGET ITEMS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER. IS THERE TIME FOR US TO WAIT TILL WE SEE WHAT OUR RESOURCES ARE FROM? OUR REVENUE IS FROM THE TAX, DEPENDING WHAT TAX RATE WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT. THE ONLY THING IS THAT THE RAISE, THE INITIAL RAISE IS TO TAKE EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER THE 1ST. AND SO I THINK WE'RE KIND OF CUTTING IT CLOSE. IF YOU DON'T TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK OR I GUESS NEXT WEEK. RIGHT. BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE TO ENTER THIS INTO OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IN ADVANCE. RIGHT. AND WE CAN'T WAIT UNTIL PAY PERIOD. THE PAY PERIOD STARTS TILL SEPTEMBER 1ST. SO THE SOONER WE COULD GET SOME DIRECTION, THE BETTER. WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IS WE'LL HAVE TO ADJUST TO TELL YOU. LIKE WHAT? WHAT DOES IT COST TO COVER? SO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHETHER YOU TAKE OPTION ONE TO OPTION TWO, THAT THAT 300, APPROXIMATELY $300,000 300 AND 90,000. THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT THE IMPACT THAT IS TO OUR FUND BALANCE. BUT OPTION ONE B WOULD GET US BY FY 29 TO FY 29. IF YOU TOOK OPTION ONE B BY FY 29, YOU WOULD BE AT THE $25,000 SUPPLEMENT. I JUST LIKE WHAT COMMISSIONER CORONADO IS SAYING IS THAT WITHOUT KNOWING SOME OF THE CHANGES AND I MEAN, LIKE RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION, YOU KNOW, EVEN OPTION ONE A SEEMS MORE REASONABLE, RIGHT. 
          BECAUSE BUT THEN WE'RE SAYING, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO ONE B THINKING BECAUSE WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT THAT'S GOING TO HAVE. SO IS THERE ANY WAY THAT I MEAN, I HATE TO WAIT AT LEAST ONE WEEK, BUT I THINK WE'D BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO BE ABLE TO JUSTIFY WHATEVER WE DO DECIDE THAT WE DO JUSTIFY. JUST THAT. YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT. WE HAVE THE NUMBERS. BUT I MEAN, WE WOULD BE JUST SPEWING THEM FOR YOU. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT US TO, TO CAPTURE THE NUMBERS. IF YOU DECREASE THAT TIE IN AND WAIT, ARE WE I MEAN, WHATEVER YOU ALL WANT TO DO, IF THAT'S NOT EVEN IN THE REALM OF POSSIBILITIES. AND I GUESS THEN WE WOULD ASK YOU TO LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN BUDGET OUR OWN PERSONAL LIVES FOR THAT. 
          BUT IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SOMETHING ELSE, THEN WE CAN BE READY IN A WEEK. IF YOU WANT TO POSTPONE IT OR TABLE LIKE WITH ME, I'M VERY OPEN FOR THE MAX, BUT NOT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF NOT KNOWING. YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN. OR IF WE ARE ABLE TO OR SO RIGHT NOW WE PROVIDED THE COURT PROPOSED OR RECOMMENDED BUDGET BOOK THAT WOULD PUT US AT ABOUT A LESS THAN 5% FUND BALANCE. AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND WE ADOPT A BUDGET LIKE THAT. I WOULD 
          [05:05:07]
RECOMMEND WE EITHER MAKE OTHER. WE EITHER NEED TO IDENTIFY OTHER REVENUE WE ARE WORKING ON SOME OTHER ONE TIME TRANSFERS OF EXPENSES THAT WILL HELP, BUT THOSE WILL NOT. THOSE ARE ONE TIME. THEY WILL ONLY HELP. THIS YEAR WE ARE JUST PROLONGING AN EXPENSE TO OUR BUDGET. WE'RE JUST BORROWING OR TAKING SOME MONEY FROM SOME ONE TIME SOURCES. SO IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE. SO THIS THE OTHER THING WE HAVE IS THAT WE HAVE A PENDING BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT'S NOT GOING TO ALLOW US TO INCREASE OUR REVENUES NEXT YEAR. IF THEY PASS IT WITHOUT GOING TO THE VOTERS, I MEAN, WE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE ANY KIND OF LIKE THE VOTER APPROVAL RATE AND A BILL THAT WOULD THAT WOULD THAT WOULD THAT WOULD THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTER APPROVAL WOULD BE LIKE 60, 60%. RIGHT? YEAH. AND I WANT TO I ALSO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IF THE COURT THIS YEAR WERE TO ADOPT A TAX RATE THAT GENERATED AN INCREASE, I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO DO SOME OF THESE THESE THINGS THIS YEAR, LIKE THE LIKE SMALL THINGS, BUT DO NOT SEE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY, LIKE BREATHING ROOM BECAUSE EVERYTHING WE DID, EVERYTHING WE DID LAST YEAR, THE $21 MILLION WE CUT LAST YEAR, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING THIS YEAR ARE ONE TIME THINGS. AND THE STUFF THAT WE DID LAST YEAR. NOT ONLY IS IT ONLY A ONE TIME THING, IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE. YOU'RE HEARING ALREADY LIKE YOU, YOU MENTIONED THE VEST TODAY. THAT IS THAT WE HAVE TO GET THAT MONEY BACK. WE HAVE TO BUILD THAT MONEY BACK INTO OUR BUDGET. SO WE WE'VE FOREGONE SOME EXPENSES, OUR VEHICLE REPLACEMENT EXPENSE, OUR TASERS, RADIOS, ALL EVEN REPAIR MONEY FOR THE JAIL. SOME OF THE BIG REPAIR MONEY. THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS IN THERE THAT WE HAVE TO BRING BACK. WE CANNOT KEEP GOING WITHOUT. OR ELSE YOU'LL END UP HAVING TO PAY INTEREST ON THINGS THAT WE SHOULDN'T PAY INTEREST ON. THAT'S THE WHOLE REASON WHY WE BUILT THOSE OPERATING OUR FUND BALANCE. WE HAVE TO GET BACK. ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY. SO POLICY IS 10%. IF WE DO THIS, IT'S GOING TO BE AT 5% CORRECT OR BELOW 5%. AND SO WE CANNOT SUSTAIN THIS WAY OF OPERATING. SO IF YOU INCREASE THE TAX RATE TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE, IT IS NOT THAT YOU GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DO ADDITIONAL THINGS. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR TO REPLACE THE CUTS WE'VE ALREADY REPLACING, WHAT WE'RE ALREADY BORROWING FROM OURSELVES. AND I WILL ADD THIS, THAT, YOU KNOW, THE JUDGES, WE JUST WANT TO DO WHAT WE DO IN THE COURTROOM. BUT BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION WITH THE COUNTY, I KNOW THAT JUDGES HAVE STARTED TO LOOK FOR MONEY. I KNOW THAT JUDGE GAMBOA. I THINK TODAY GOT SOME MONEY ON FILING FEES FROM THE HOSPITALS ON HIS MENTAL HEALTH CASES. SO HE'S DOING THAT. AND WE'VE ALSO THE FAMILY LAW COURTS. THEY ARE CHALLENGING ALL THE ALL THE PRO BONO FILINGS. AND I THINK THEY'VE CAPTURED A GOOD BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU. THEY'VE CAPTURED A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY THE DISTRICT CLERK HAS CAPTURED BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTIVE FOR THEM. SO NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN WE'RE NOT JUST DOING OUR STUFF IN THE COURTROOM. YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE HELPING OUT, TOO. I MEAN, WE'RE GOOD CITIZENS IN THIS COURTHOUSE, AND WE WANT WE WANT TO HELP WHEREVER WE CAN. 
          WE'RE BEING A LOT CAREFUL ABOUT INDIVIDUALS THAT FILE PRO SE THINGS AND OR PRO BONO THINGS AND DON'T WANT TO PAY THE, THE COST. SO YES, JUDGES ARE GOING OUT OF SIDE OF THE COURTROOM AND TRYING TO HELP HOWEVER WE CAN WHEN YOU ALL ASK FOR A CUT, WHEN COURT ADMINISTRATION, I MEAN, WE DID IT FIRST THING. I THINK THE NEXT DAY YOU HAD YOUR 5% FROM ALL THE COURTS. SO WE ARE GOOD, GOOD PARTNERS AND GOOD CITIZENS, AND WE'RE JUST HERE TO ASK FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER THAT SITUATION. AND I'M SORRY. SORRY, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO ADD, I MEAN, WE SHOULDN'T AS, AS A COURT BE RELYING ON FEES TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET? NO, WE'RE JUST HELPING. YEAH. NO, NO, I APPRECIATE I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT WORK. BUT I MEAN, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND CONTINUE TO I THINK HOPEFULLY WE'LL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THOSE FEES ARE COMING FROM PEOPLE THAT THAT ARE INDIGENT AND MANY TIMES AFFORD THEM. SO. SO WHAT IS THE DO WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY BECAUSE OF THE SEPTEMBER 1ST, OR CAN WE WAIT A WEEK OR BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO SEE THE REVENUE RATE, DEPENDING ON WHAT TAX RATE WE'RE GOING TO ADOPT. 
          AND IF NOT, I'D BE OKAY TO DOING OPTION ONE B FOR THE MEANTIME. AND IF WE CAN, DOES THAT MEAN THAT NEXT YEAR WE HAVE TO GO THE TWO OR CAN WE DO THE MAXIMUM FOR NEXT YEAR? WE'RE YOU ABSOLUTELY ARE NOT LOCKED IN YOU. EVEN IF YOU ALL MADE A MOTION FOR ONE B THIS YEAR OR EITHER EITHER OPTION ONE A, ONE B, OR JUST ONE, YOU ARE NOT LOCKED IN. YOU CANNOT LOCK A FUTURE COURT INTO 
          [05:10:05]
A NEXT DECISION. WE CAN DO SO NEXT YEAR. THE COURT COULD SAY WE'RE NOT EVEN GOING TO DO THREE PHASES. WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT ALL IN. BUT BUT WE WON'T KNOW WHAT TAX RATE WE'RE GOING TO SET NEXT WEEK. WE'RE NOT SETTING OUR TAX RATE. WON'T SET YOUR TAX RATE UNTIL AUGUST 18TH. SO EVEN IF WE WAITED A WEEK, WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE NOT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE. 
          THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEADLINE. YOU WOULD BE PUSHING. 
          I'D HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PAY PERIODS. BUT WE WANT TO BRING YOU A PROPOSED TAX RATE TO MEET YOUR BUDGET. AND SO WE'RE ASKING, WHAT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR BUDGET. DO YOU WANT OPTION 1B11A OR OPTION TWO. YOU KNOW, BASED ON WHAT OUR THINGS NOW I THINK WE SHOULD GO WITH OPTION ONE B. 
          AND SINCE WE'RE NOT TIED TO IT LATER ON, WE CAN ALWAYS ADD THE FULL MAXIMUM BALANCE RIGHT AFTER THAT. THAT MEANS I'D HAVE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR. SO INSTEAD OF A 13 YEAR GAP, I'D HAVE TO COME BACK NEXT YEAR. AND I DON'T KNOW. I LOVE SEEING YOU IN THE ELEVATOR. I KNOW COMMISSIONER STOUT, BUT I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T THINK YOU ALL LIKE ME VERY MUCH HERE. SO WE DO JUDGE. WE DO. OH, YOU DID OKAY. SO WE JUST CAME TO ASK AND WE'RE JUST LETTING YOU KNOW. I MEAN, WE DON'T GET TO TELL YOU. LOOK AT US. WE REALLY, REALLY ARE GOOD PARTNERS AND MEMBERS OF THIS FAMILY, OF THIS COUNTY COURT OR THIS COURTHOUSE FAMILY. AND WE ARE DOING OUR LITTLE I KNOW THAT BRINGING IN 90,000 IS LIKE NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT THE WHAT THE, THE SHORTAGES ARE AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH OIL. BUT I MEAN, IT IS WHAT IT IS. I CAN DO AS IS. BUT BUT WE DO THANK YOU FOR THAT, I KNOW. JESSICA ADDRESSED BETSY AND MYSELF ABOUT THAT MONEY. I THINK HE GOES BACK ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF FIGHTING FOR THAT, AND FINALLY GOT THE CHECK TODAY. AND THEN THE OTHER PART, HE'S GOT SOME IDEAS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND NOT HAVING PEOPLE ONE IN PARTICULAR 50 DAYS, THAT THERE'S A LOT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE AND NOT HAVE THAT PERSON IN THE. SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THAT EFFORT. I MEAN, IT'S JUST UNBELIEVABLE. BUT THEN THEN I'LL GO TO THE OTHER ONE, WHICH IS THE I THINK WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THAT SEPARATELY FOR THE STIPEND FOR THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE AND SEE IF YOU WOULD APPROVE THAT. THAT IS, THAT WOULD BE THE STIPEND FOR, FOR THIS POSITION THAT IS NOT PAID BY THE STATE AND MAYBE LEAVE IT IN THE BUDGET SO THAT IF THERE IS ANOTHER COUNTY COURT AT LAW JUDGE THAT STEPS UP IN THE FUTURE, THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO COME. AND IF THERE IS A DISTRICT JUDGE AND GETS PAID BY THE STATE THAT IT'S THERE AND WE GIVE YOU BACK THE MONEY. BUT SO I'M ASKING THAT YOU DO APPROVE THAT ONE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1ST. SO JUDGE, JUDGE WOULD YOU ANY COMMENTS OR ANYTHING HE NEEDED. 
          HE WANTED ME TO ASK YOU IF HE COULD BE EXCUSED. SAY, I THINK. THE ONLY THING MICROPHONE A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE WITH RESPECT TO WHAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CAN YOU WAIT? I THINK YOU CAN WAIT TILL 1 OR 2 MORE MEETINGS IF YOU THINK THAT MIGHT GET YOU MORE INFORMATION. AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH WAITING FOR MORE INFORMATION IF IT MAY BE HELPFUL. IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT'S HELPFUL. 
          YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD EVERYTHING AND YOU CAN VOTE ON IT, SO I DON'T SEE WHERE IT HURTS YOU TO WAIT. BUT MISS KELLER DIDN'T SAY THAT. YOU CAN'T WAIT. SHE WAS SAYING IT WOULD BE CUTTING IT TIGHT. BUT FROM WHAT I'M CALCULATING AND FROM WHAT I'M SEEING AND TALKING TO AUBREY CARTER FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY COURT ADMINISTRATION, I THINK YOU CAN STILL WAIT AT LEAST ONE WEEK, PROBABLY TWO WEEKS, TO GET WHATEVER INFORMATION THAT YOU THINK MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO YOU. AGAIN, IF IT TURNS OUT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION YET BECAUSE IT'S NOT AVAILABLE YET, OR IF IT TURNS OUT WE GO BACK TO THE YOU CAN STILL CONTINUE WITH THIS, BUT THERE'S NOTHING LOST BY WAITING 1 OR 2 WEEKS IS MY UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE I KNOW THEY SAID, WELL, WE DON'T. WE PREFER TO DO IT SOONER THAN LATER, BUT PREFER TO DO IT SOONER THAN LATER. DOESN'T MEAN IT HAS TO BE DONE SOONER THAN LATER. AND I JUST FEEL LIKE THAT RUSH IS NOT QUITE THERE. AND YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT THAT, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THANK YOU. JUDGE. JUDGE, WE DID HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER FOR OPTION ONE B AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUT. AND TO THAT AND TO THE TO YOUR POINT, JUDGE MORALES. WE CAN WE CAN MAKE THIS DECISION TODAY AND DO THE SAME THING. AND IF WE IF WE GET MORE INFORMATION LATER ON AND WE WANT TO WE WANT TO CHANGE, THEN WE CAN ALSO BRING IT BACK. SO I WOULD YOU KNOW, I WOULD PREFER JUST WE HAVE A MOTION IN THE SECOND ON THE FLOOR TO, TO VOTE ON, ON THE ITEM FOR NOW AND SET, SET THIS FOR NOW. AND THEN IF WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION WE CAN COME BACK AND REVISIT FLEXIBILITY. AND I AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING JUDGE. WE LOVE SEEING YOU HERE IN THE COURT, IN THE COURTROOM. AND THANK YOU FOR, FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, FOR YOUR 
          [05:15:02]
RESPECTFUL PRESENTATION, EVEN KEELED AND FOR REALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO. 
          I THINK IT'S WE DO HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF JUDGES, AND THIS DECISION IS NOT BASED UPON WHETHER OR NOT IT'S MERITED, BUT JUST THE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS THAT WE'RE FINDING OURSELVES IN, THE POSITION WE FIND OURSELVES IN RIGHT NOW. I THINK YOU ALL DESERVE MORE, TO BE HONEST. DO YOU KNOW WHAT? SOMETIMES IT'S NOT FINANCIAL, BUT SOMETIMES A RECOGNITION FROM YOU ALL LETTING US KNOW THAT THAT WE'RE DOING A WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, THAT THAT HELPS. THAT GOES A LONG WAY, A LONG WAY AS WELL TOO. BECAUSE AS YOU, YOU NEVER GET THE PRAISE. AND, AND SO COMING FROM YOU ALL AND YOUR, YOUR POSITION AND RECOGNITION OF WHAT WE DO IS, IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. AND I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAD THIS ON OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THIS YEAR TO SUPPORT THIS, BUT I THINK WE DID. AND SO I THINK WE AT LEAST DROPPED CARDS. BUT IN FUTURE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS, I AM 100% THERE TO TESTIFY. IF YOU ALL NEED ME TO GO TESTIFY ON BEHALF OF ON YOUR ON YOUR BEHALF AND ASKING FOR THE STATE TO INCREASE THE SALARIES FOR YOU ALL AS WELL. BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO PAY OUR JUDGES ON ON PAR WITH, WITH, WITH WHAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING AS WELL. JUDGE. YES, COMMISSIONER. AND I DID ADVOCATE WITH SOME OF THE IN OUR OUR DELEGATION FOR SURE FOR THE INCREASE IN IN THE JUDGES PAY. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PAY THAT OTHER JUDGES RECEIVE. I'VE YOU KNOW, I'VE PRACTICED AND WORKED IN OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE JUDGES THAT GET PAID LESS. WE EVERYBODY ELSE IN SEEMS TO BE GET PAID LESS THAN WHAT WE DO AND PRODUCE MORE. I KNOW THAT I USED TO BE, YOU KNOW, AT THE. PROSECUTOR ASSISTANCE DIVISION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S AND THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVER THERE. WE HAD MORE RESOURCE OVER THERE AND PRODUCED OR RATHER, PUT OUT LESS CASES THAN WHEN I CAME TO EL PASO BACK IN 1986. WE HAD IN AUSTIN. WE HAD THREE PROSECUTORS PER COURT. WE HAD ONE HERE. WE HAD ONLY A FEW JUDGES HANDLING MISDEMEANOR DOCKET OVER THERE. WE HAD FIVE. I UNDERSTAND YOU KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL, YOU KNOW, THAT THE JUDGES AND EVERYBODY HERE GETS PAID. YOU KNOW, IT SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO WHAT THE REST OF THE STATE IS PAYING THEIR JUDGES. THEY'RE PAYING THEIR PROSECUTORS, THEIR ATTORNEYS. YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT NOW, WE YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN IMPACTED MORE BECAUSE OF A BORDER COMMUNITY FROM SOME OF THE STATE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE. AND WE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT. BUT I'M WITH YOU. I, I KNOW WHAT WHAT IT TAKES. BUT PERSONALLY, I KNOW ALL THAT Y'ALL DO, INCLUDING THE ATTORNEYS AND THE JUDGES THAT MOVE THESE CASES A LOT MORE THAN OTHER PLACES WITH LESS RESOURCES. SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BETWEEN YOUR COURT AND THE AND THE JUDGES, BECAUSE, I MEAN, WE ALL WORK TOGETHER. WE ALL WANT TO MAKE A BETTER COMMUNITY. AND SO, AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE JUDGES, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND THE BIGGEST CURSE THAT EL PASO HAS IS THE ISSUE OF BRAIN DRAIN. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THESE FABULOUS JUDGES, THAT WE KEEP A HIGH CALIBER OF JUDGES, AND YOU KNOW THAT WE DON'T LOSE THEM TO CORPORATIONS OR PRIVATE SECTOR OR TO RUN FOR CONGRESS OR WHATEVER, WHATEVER'S GOING, AND THAT WE KEEP THEM HERE BECAUSE WE DO HAVE GREAT STANDING GROUP, GREAT GROUP OF JUDGES HERE. WE DO. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. SO I WILL THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, JUDGE MORALES. 
          THANK YOU. CRYSTAL. SO THE FIRST MOTION IS THE OPTION ONE BE. AND WE HAD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. JUDGE. YOUR THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. THE NEXT ITEM THAT WE NEED A MOTION ON IS THE LAW. ADMINISTRATIVE, LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE. PAY SUPPLEMENT. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THAT, AND I'LL SECOND THAT. CARRIES EXTRA WORK AND IT SHOULD BE PAID JUDGE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER CORONADO. SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. THERE IS ONE MORE ITEM, WHICH IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SALARY. AND I WANTED TO ADD A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT VALERIA COVERED UNDER THIS ONE. SO RIGHT NOW WE THIS IS WHAT WE DID UNDER THE CURRENT 
          [05:20:06]
PAY TIERS. UNDER THE CURRENT PAY TIERS, THE DA WAS BEING PAID AN AMOUNT THAT EXCEEDED WHAT THE DA WOULD BE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO BE PAID WITHOUT THE STATE REDUCING ITS PORTION UNDER TIER TWO. AND SO WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, THE COURT FIXED IT TO MAKE THAT WHAT OUR SUPPLEMENT IS MEANS THAT THE DA WILL MAKE THE SAME AMOUNT IN YEAR ZERO THROUGH FOUR AND FIVE THROUGH EIGHT. THAT WAY, IF A DA GETS ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO GET A PAY DECREASE. SO THAT TO DO, IF YOU WANTED TO CONTINUE THAT EXACT SAME POLICY WITH THE NEW BASE PAY FROM THE STATE, YOU WOULD BE PICKING THE CATEGORY THAT SAYS MATCH TIER TWO SALARY AT THE TOP. SO YOUR SUPPLEMENT WOULD GO FROM 58 105 DOWN TO 35 FIVE, BUT THAT WOULD KEEP THE SALARY THE SAME AS IT WILL BE IF THE DA IS TO GET REELECTED AND SERVE A SECOND TERM. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE REDUCTION COMES IN. THAT'S WHEN THE STATE WOULD REDUCE IS IN THE SECOND TERM. SO IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THAT POLICY THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW WHERE THE DA DOES NOT GET A PAY DECREASE FOR THE SECOND TERM, YOU WOULD SELECT THE OPTION THAT SAYS MATCH TIER TWO SALARY, WHICH WOULD BE A SUPPLEMENT OF 35 FIVE FOR A TOTAL OF 210 500. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE CURRENT SUPPLEMENT, WHICH IS AN OPTION ON HERE, YOU WOULD BE THE VERY FOURTH COLUMN. BUT COME TIER TWO, THE DA'S WAGES WOULD BE REDUCED BY THE STATE TO 175,000. THEY WON'T REDUCE IT BELOW 175. 
          IS THAT STILL CORRECT VALERIA. SO THEY WOULD REDUCE HIS WAGE TO 175,000 IN TIER TWO. AND YOU WOULD BE PAYING THE DIFFERENCE THAT THE STATE IS STILL GOING TO PAY IF YOU REDUCE THE SUPPLEMENT TO 35 FIVE. COMMISSIONER, DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? BETSY, HAS THE DA ASKED FOR A PAY INCREASE? NO, HE HAS NOT HE? THIS WAS DISCUSSED WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CORRECT? OKAY, SO WE COULD THEORETICALLY MAINTAIN HIS CURRENT PAY, NOT CUT HIS SALARY, AND HAVE SOME SALARY SAVINGS. 
          HE'S GETTING AN INCREASE BECAUSE THE STATE'S GIVING HIM ONE. RIGHT. SO HE'S GOING FROM 140 TO 175. WE WOULD DECREASE OURS. HE WOULD STILL HAVE AN INCREASE OVER WHERE HE WAS. TODAY. HE'S AT 198 105. IF WE DID MATCH TIER TWO SALARY HE'D GO TO 210 500 VERSUS IF WE LEAVE IT AS IS, HE'LL BE AT 233 105. BUT IF HE GETS REELECTED TO A SECOND TERM, HIS WAGES WOULD BE REDUCED TO TWO, TWO, TEN, 500. WHAT I'M SAYING IS HE SINCE AS LONG AS WE DON'T, WE DON'T WE DON'T HAVE TO CUT HIS SALARY. RIGHT. BUT SAVE SOME OF OUR SUPPLEMENT THAT WE GIVE HIM AND MAINTAIN HIS CURRENT SALARY THE WAY IT IS. THE SECOND COLUMN. YEAH. WHICH IS MAINTAIN CURRENT PAY. IF YOU WANTED TO. NOW, IF YOU MAINTAINED HIS CURRENT PAY, YOU WOULD BE OFFSETTING THE INCREASE FROM THE STATE. THAT'S THE SECOND COLUMN. THE THIRD COLUMN IS REDUCING YOUR BOTH OF THEM. 
          REDUCE YOUR SUPPLEMENT. BUT I DO THINK HE WANTS SOME OF THE INCREASE THAT THE STATE IS GIVING HIM. I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM. I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S AVAILABLE, BUT I THINK HE WANTS RIGHT NOW HE'S AT 198, 105. I THINK HE WANTS TO SEE SOME OF THE INCREASE THAT THE STATE IS GIVING. OKAY. SO HIS PREFERENCE IS MATCH TIER TWO SALARY. I DON'T I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR HIM. I DID NOT SPEAK TO HIM DIRECTLY. THE DA JUST INDICATED THAT HE WOULD PREFER NOT TO SEE A DECREASE IN HIS SALARY, WHICH IS THE MINIMUM SUPPLEMENT, BUT I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS SUGGESTING THE MINIMUM. I MEAN, I DON'T THINK ANYONE WANTS TO SEE A DECREASE IN HIS SALARY, RIGHT? SO THAT'S THE FIRST COLUMN. THAT ONE'S NOT, I THINK, REALISTICALLY ON THE TABLE. CORRECT. BUT AGAIN, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOT INCREASING SALARIES. WE JUST TALKED TO THE JUDGES ABOUT NOT INCREASING SALARIES BECAUSE WE'RE GOING ACROSS THE BOARD. SO IS IT IS IT SO THE SECOND THE SECOND MAINTAIN CURRENT PAY TIER 104. THAT'S KEEPS HIS SALARY AT 198,105. THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE $175,000 FROM THE STATE. RIGHT. CORRECT. BUT OUR 
          [05:25:03]
SUPPLEMENT WOULD ONLY BE WOULD GO DOWN TO THE 23,000 INSTEAD OF THE 58,000. CORRECT. AND HE WOULD KEEP THE SAME SALARY AND WE AND WE WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT THAT SUPPLEMENT SAVINGS. 
          BUT BUT YOU WOULD GO AWAY FROM YOUR POLICY OF PAYING HIM THE SAME IN TIER ONE AS HE GETS PAID IN TIER TWO, WHICH YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR POLICY. YOUR POLICY WHEN YOU ADOPTED AT LAST WAS TO MAKE HIS WAGES THE SAME IN TIER ONE AS IT WAS IN TIER TWO, AND THAT IS THE THIRD COLUMN, WHICH IS MATCH TIER TWO SALARY. SO RIGHT NOW YOU'RE MATCHING TIER TWO SALARY RIGHT NOW. BUT TIER THAT'S YOUR POLICY RIGHT NOW. BUT THE THING IS IF WE I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT BECAUSE IF WE IF WE KEEP THAT POLICY IN IN ITS THE SUPPLEMENTS 18,000 IN TIER ONE AND 18,000 IN TIER TWO. 
          THAT MEANS HE WOULD HAVE THE DECREASE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. RIGHT. OKAY. SO RIGHT NOW YOUR SUPPLEMENT IS 5105. RIGHT. AND THAT GETS HIM TO 198 105. AND THE REASON WHY YOU DID THAT IS BECAUSE HE WAS PAID ABOVE HE, THE DA WAS BEING PAID ABOVE TIER TWO. YOU LOWERED IT, BUT YOU WERE JUST TRYING TO DECIDE HOW MUCH TO LOWER IT. SO YOU AGREED TO LOWER THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE AMOUNT THAT WOULD MAKE HIM PAY THE SAME IN TIER ONE AS HE IS IN TIER TWO. SO IF YOU IF YOU WANT TO KEEP HIS SALARY THE SAME 198 105, YOU'RE GOING TO DEVIATE FROM YOUR POLICY BECAUSE THAT IS LOWER THAN WHAT HIS SALARY WILL BE IN TIER TWO. AND HIS SALARY IN TIER TWO WILL BE 210, 500, 500. IT WILL ACTUALLY GO UP IF WE INCREASE THE JUDGES. CORRECT. BY LAW. YES. CORRECT. SO THE MINIMUM COUNTY SUPPLEMENT 25,000. YEAH. CORRECT. SO IT WOULD BE WHATEVER THE AMOUNT THE COUNTY PAYS TO THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. BUT IF YOU DO IT IN INCREMENTS HIS WOULD BE IN INCREMENTS AS WELL. CORRECT. WELL I DON'T WANT TO SEE HIM GET A DECREASE AT ALL. I THINK WE'VE I THINK WE SHOULD GO WITH THE MAINTAIN CURRENT PAY AT 198. I KNOW WE'RE DEVIATING FROM THAT POLICY, BUT THINGS CHANGE WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND WE NEED TO REVISIT THAT POLICY. DO WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE POLICY TO LET ME TELL YOU WHY I THINK IT'S DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU DID WITH THE DISTRICT JUDGES. AND I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE, LIKE, ALARM. I'M NOT PROPOSING THIS. I AM SAYING YOU DID NOT LOWER THE SUPPLEMENTS TO THE JUDGES. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE JUDGES ANYTHING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THEM 18,000. YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THEM ANYTHING. BUT YOU'RE CHOOSING TO STILL PAY THEM A SUPPLEMENT. AND THEY'RE THERE. THE DA IS THE SAME SCENARIO. SO THE DA IS AT A WAGE OF 198 105 BECAUSE YOU ALL WANTED THAT WAGE FOR THE DA. SO REDUCING THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE DA SEEMS COUNTERINTUITIVE TO WHAT YOU DID WITH THE JUDGES. YOU DIDN'T REDUCE THEIR SUPPLEMENTS. WELL, BECAUSE THE BECAUSE THE SUPPLEMENT IS DIFFERENT. HIS PAY WAS DIFFERENT, RIGHT? HIS BASE PAY WAS 140. RIGHT? NO. BUT FOR THE SAME AS THEIRS. NO, NO, NO, BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT I MEAN, WE'RE TRYING TO WE'RE TRYING TO I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NOT INCREASING FOR ME AT LEAST OUR EXPENSE, OUR WHAT WE'VE GIVEN DIRECTION TO STAFF AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS WHOLE BUDGET CYCLE. RIGHT. HOLD THE LINE. WE'RE NOT GIVING INCREASES TO ANYBODY. AND THAT'S AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY, YOU KNOW, WE MADE THE AT LEAST FOR ME, I MADE THE DECISION WHEN IT CAME TO THE JUDGES AS WELL. WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT NEXT YEAR BECAUSE BECAUSE THAT'S THE DIRECTION THAT WE GAVE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, THAT WE'VE GIVEN STAFF TO, TO NOT DO ANY INCREASES IN SALARIES. 
          RIGHT. SO. I THAT'S, THAT'S WHERE I'M AT. AND CAN WE I MEAN I'M ASSUMING THAT YES, WE CAN RELOOK AT INCREASING THE SUPPLEMENT, JUST LIKE WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE JUDGES IN 27. YES. RIGHT. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO DO ANY LESS THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR THE JUDGES SUPPLEMENT. WELL, IT'S NOT LESS. IT WOULD BE STILL $5,000 MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR THE JUDGES, BECAUSE THE JUDGES ARE GETTING 18,000 THIS YEAR. BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GIVING ANYBODY A REDUCTION IN THEIR SALARY, WE HAVE TO KEEP IT AT THE 23,105. THE JUDGES, I GUESS. 
          AND I WOULD RATHER THE DA CAN MAKE THIS ARGUMENT FOR HIMSELF. I JUST WANT US TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE. THE JUDGES ARE GETTING A BASE PAY INCREASE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO FILL OF 22%. 
          THE DA WILL NOT FILL THAT 22% INCREASE, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO EAT IT UP BY REDUCING OUR 
          [05:30:03]
SUPPLEMENT. I'M I'M OKAY MAKING THE MOTION FOR MAINTAINING THE CURRENT PAY. I THINK IF THE DA FELT STRONGLY ABOUT IT, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE TO MAINTAIN CURRENT PAY. CURRENT PAY. CAN WE ASK THE D IF HE WANTS TO PRESENT TO US WHAT HIS RECOMMENDATION, WHAT HIS PROPOSAL IS? I THINK I THINK WE VOTE AND THEN IF AND IF HE WANTS TO, IF HE IF HE WANTS TO ENGAGE US, THEN, THEN HE CAN AND THEN WE CAN REVISIT IT. JUST LIKE WITH THE JUDGES, ONCE WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          MOTION CARRIES. YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. JUDGE. SURE. GO AHEAD. GO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING SO ATTENTIVE TO YOUR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD TO SEE YOU. 
          THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NOTHING. OH WE DO. THE COURT DISCUSSED THIS EARLIER, BUT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT LONGEVITY? PAY FOR ATTORNEYS FOR ONE WEEK. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION SECOND. POSTPONE FOR A WEEK. RIGHT? YES, SIR. 
          WE'LL BRING THE ENTIRE ITEM BACK. SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING THE COURT WANTS TO ACT ON AGAIN, IT'S THERE. BUT WE'LL FOCUS ON THE LONGEVITY PAY. WE HAD A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER GENE. 
          I'M NOT SURE IF WE HAD A SECOND. CORONADO STOUT. SORRY. I HEARD THEM BOTH. 
          OKAY, THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO ITEM TEN. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. ITEM TEN A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE, FIRST CALLED SPECIAL SPECIAL SESSION AND THE 
          [A. Receive a presentation, discuss and take appropriate action regarding the 89th Texas Legislative 1st Called Special Session and the 119th U.S. Congress, if needed.
Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-273-3582]
119TH US CONGRESS IF NEEDED. GOOD AFTERNOON ALISA. GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS ELISA TAMAYO, GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS MANAGER. AND THIS IS JUST A QUICK UPDATE. I THINK, JUDGE, YOU MENTIONED THIS MORNING ABOUT YOUR TESTIMONY ON FRIDAY. SO I'M JUST GOING TO GIVE A COUPLE OF UPDATES ON THE HEARINGS THAT WE HAVE HAD. THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THANK YOU. SO WE HAD TWO HEARINGS. IT WAS A BUSY DAY ON FRIDAY. ONE WAS THE SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HEARING WHERE SB NINE WAS HEARD. THIS IS A BILL THAT WAS FILED LAST WEEK. AND THEN IT WAS GIVEN A HEARING RIGHT AFTER ON FRIDAY. I KNOW I SHARED A TEMPLATE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS THAT OUR COUNTY AUDITOR, BARBARA, HELPED US PUT TOGETHER. COMMISSIONER STOUT SUBMITTED A AN OFFICIAL LETTER. AND THERE'S OPPORTUNITY IF WE WANT TO SEND SOMETHING TO THE ENTIRE DELEGATION REGARDING SB NINE OR TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, WHENEVER THIS IS REFERRED TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, THIS BILL CHANGES THE CAP ON VOTER APPROVAL RATE FOR MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES WITH POPULATIONS GREATER THAN 30,000 FROM 3.5 TO 2.5, A REDUCTION TO A 2.5 VOTER APPROVAL RATE WOULD SEVERELY RESTRICT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO GENERATE ESSENTIAL REVENUE. THIS LIMITATION IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNING GIVEN THAT MORE THAN 
          [05:35:01]
50% OF ALL EL PASO COUNTY'S OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET IS DEDICATED TO UNFUNDED MANDATES, AND I KNOW WE YOU ALL SPOKE UP AND SPOKE ABOUT IT THIS MORNING A LITTLE BIT OR EARLIER TODAY, BY LIMITING REVENUE, THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN VITAL SERVICES AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE OF OUR POPULATION. FURTHERMORE, THIS CHANGE FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND THE RISING COST OF LIVING, MAKING IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR THE COUNTY TO MEET TO MEET ITS FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS. IN ADDITION TO REVENUE LIMITATIONS. SORRY. IN ADDITION TO REVENUE LIMITATIONS, THE REQUIREMENT FOR VOTER APPROVAL WOULD INCREASE ELECTION RELATED COSTS. INFLATION, COUPLED WITH ADDITIONAL COST AND CONSTRAINED BUDGET, MAY LEAD TO POTENTIAL BUDGET COST REDUCTIONS IN SERVICE LEVELS AND COMPROMISED PUBLIC SAFETY. AN IMPOSITION OF STATE CONTROL OVER LOCAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES UNDERMINES THE CORE PRINCIPLE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE. SO THESE ARE JUST SOME NOTES THAT WE HAVE FROM AN AUDITOR ON SB9. AS A REMINDER, SINCE I KNOW WE HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS THIS, IT WAS FILED ON WEDNESDAY OF LAST WEEK, BUT THE HEARING WENT WELL. I THINK A LOT OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL HERE TO AUSTIN AGREED ON SOME OF THESE COMMENTS THAT WE ALSO SUBMITTED. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK THIS BILL AS NEEDED. AND THEN ON THE SENATE AND HOUSE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEES, THE HEARING. WELL, THERE WERE WRITTEN COMMENTS SUBMITTED BY COMMISSIONERS OLGUIN AND BUTLER, AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT DID SO ON IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES. AND THEN THE WEST TEXAS HEARING ON JULY 29TH HAD OVER 60 WITNESSES FROM A LOT OF THEM FROM EL PASO, A LOT OF THEM FROM WEST TEXAS. 
          THEN THE MAPS WERE POSTED LAST WEEK ON THE 30TH, AND THEN JUDGE SAMANIEGO CAME HERE TO AUSTIN TO TESTIFY AT THE HEARING WITH THE MAPS. THAT WAS THE FIRST HEARING WITH THE ACTUAL MAPS, WHERE WE COULD SEE WHAT YOU MENTIONED THIS MORNING, JUDGE, REMOVING SOME IMPORTANT ASSETS FROM CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16 THAT ARE BEING NOW MOVED OVER TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 23. YOU DID A GREAT JOB JUDGING IN YOUR TESTIMONY AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM SPEAKER MOODY. 
          AND IF THE COURT WANTS TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION TO SEND OFFICIAL LETTERS SIGNED BY THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE COURT, WE CAN DO SO AT THIS TIME. OR OR WE CAN WAIT UNTIL THE SECOND HEARINGS ON EITHER SB NINE AND HB FOUR, WHICH IS THE MAPS FOR REDISTRICTING. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT? I JUST WANTED TO COMMENT THAT THAT MY OFFICE ALWAYS, ALWAYS ALSO SUBMITTED COMMENTS. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW AND. OH, OKAY. AND ON REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONER. YES, ON REDISTRICTING. OKAY. GOT IT. OKAY. OKAY. AND THEN I THINK I ONLY HAVE ANOTHER SLIDE WITH THE BILLS OF INTEREST. AGAIN, SINCE MY LAST UPDATE LAST WEEK, SB NINE WAS FILED, WHICH IS WHAT I EXPLAINED EARLIER. WITH BARBARA'S HELP AND HER NOTES, WE WERE ABLE TO SUBMIT A LETTER AND THEN HB FOUR, WHICH WAS THE MAPS THAT WERE POSTED LESS THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE HEARING ON FRIDAY. AND THEN A QUICK UPDATE ON SENATE BILL 12. I KNOW THIS ONE WE HAVE DISCUSSED. I THINK WE DISCUSSED IT LAST MONDAY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE. 
          THIS IS THE RESTRICTION OF TAXPAYER FUNDED LOBBYING OR SILENCING OF LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. THIS ONE WAS PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE LAST WEEK AS WELL, AND IT HASN'T MOVED IN THE HOUSE. I DO WANT TO MENTION, AS YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWS, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS, TEXAS HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE FLED. A LOT OF THEM HAVE FLED THE STATE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BREAK QUORUM. SO THERE'S NOT A LOT OF ACTION. THE HOUSE CONVENED AN HOUR ABOUT AN HOUR AGO, I BELIEVE, BUT THEY COULDN'T TAKE ANY ACTION FOR LACK OF QUORUM. AND THERE'S BEEN PUT A CALL ON THE HOUSE, WHICH MEANS THAT DPS CAN TAKE ACTION TO TRY TO BRING BACK THE MEMBERS WHO ARE NOT ON THE FLOOR AND TRY TO BRING THEM TO THE TEXAS CAPITOL IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAVE QUORUM ESTABLISHED. I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED AS WE HEAR MORE ON THAT END. BUT BUT THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE MAPS THAT WERE POSTED ON LAST WEEK AND THEN THAT WERE VOTED OUT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FRIDAY. DO WE WANT TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO SEND LETTERS ON SB NINE OR HB FOUR, OR BOTH FROM THE FULL COURT? I 
          [05:40:06]
GET THAT MOTION, COMMISSIONER. I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION SECOND. WOULD IT BE LETTERS? DO YOU WANT A LETTER FOR SB NINE AND A LETTER FOR HB FOUR? SB NINE IS THE TAX CAP, AND THEN HB FOUR IS REDISTRICTING THE MAPS? CORRECT. SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT WE WANT TO SEND A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON. IF IT'S PASSED, I WOULD EXPECT IT WOULD BE. SIGNED. IF IT HAPPENS, WE WILL. SO MAYBE WE CAN USE THE WE CAN USE THE RESOLUTION AND SEND THAT AS, AS AS AS OUR. ON HB FOUR ISSUE. AND I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO ON ON THE LOBBYING ANTI LOBBYING AS WELL. 
          YEAH. THE, THE DROWN OUR VOICES BILL. I AGREE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT SECOND BY JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. WE'LL GET THOSE LETTERS GOING OUT THIS WEEK. THANK YOU ALISA. THANK YOU. 
          OKAY. SO CAN WE DO THE RESOLUTION NOW AND VOTE ON THE ON THE. YES, SIR. ITEM SIX FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT SIX A APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION URGING THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE THAT FORT BLISS AND THE EL PASO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REMAIN IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 
          [A. Approve and adopt a resolution urging the Texas Legislature to ensure that Fort Bliss and the El Paso International Airport remain in Congressional District 16.
David Stout, Commissioner Pct. 2 & Jackie Butler, Commissioner Pct. 1, Commissioners Court, 915-273-3559]
16. OKAY, SO I THINK IT'S PRETTY EVIDENT WHY WHY THIS MATTERS IS OF LOCAL CONCERN AND ON THE AGENDA. OF COURSE, THE JUDGE ALLUDED TO IT EARLIER THIS MORNING AND WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT NOW, BUT WE PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA TOGETHER. MYSELF AND COMMISSIONER BUTLER, BECAUSE WE JUST BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED MAP IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. 
          AND IN FACT, THE WHOLE PROCESS OF REDISTRICTING IN THE MIDDLE OF. THE TEN YEAR PERIOD, YOU KNOW, AFTER AFTER WE DO THE CENSUS, WHICH IS TYPICALLY WHEN WE DO REDISTRICTING, IS NOT IN OUR INTEREST. IT'S PRETTY CRAZY TO ME THAT THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT ONE POLITICAL PARTY CAN GERRYMANDER DISTRICTS IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE. WE DON'T CONDUCT THE CENSUS PER FOR PARTIZAN ADVANTAGE. WE DON'T PROVIDE THE WEATHER OR JOB REPORTS OR OTHER CRITICAL DATA SETS FOR PARTIZAN ADVANTAGE TO CONDONE PICKING VOTERS INSTEAD OF VOTERS PICKING REPRESENTATIVES IS A TRAVESTY, WHICH IS WHY WE EVEN SET UP OUR OWN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE, WHICH IS WHY THE PRESIDENT CAN OPENLY SAY THAT HE WANTS TEXAS TO REDISTRICT MID-DECADE TO PICK UP FIVE SEATS AND CHEAT IN WINNING THE ELECTIONS IN 2026. AND OF COURSE, TEXAS COMPLIES. SO NOW NATIONALLY, IT POTENTIALLY CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER STATES TO DO THE SAME. THE CONTINUED ESCALATION IS JUST NOT NOT GOOD FOR US. SO THIS RESOLUTION ADDRESSES OUR COMMUNITY'S ASSETS AND OUR COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION. AND IT ALSO ADDRESSES SOME OF THE LARGER PICTURE. SO BEFORE I READ THE RESOLUTION, I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER BUTLER WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE SOME COMMENTS SINCE SHE IS THE CO-SPONSOR WITH ME. AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT. AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE IN THE PUBLIC HAS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, BUT WE'LL HEAR FROM THEM AS WELL. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT, AND THANK YOU TO OUR STAFFS FOR WORKING ON THIS RESOLUTION SO QUICKLY LAST WEEK. AND I THINK EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE FELT THIS, THIS CRISIS EMERGING LAST WEEK AND TRYING AS, AS LOCAL LEADERS TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN VOICE OUR POSITIONS ON THIS AND, AND MAKE SURE THAT TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WE'RE BEING HEARD. AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS AT A COMMUNITY MEETING THIS WEEKEND AND I WAS EXPLAINING TO MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY, MY CONSTITUENTS, THAT THIS ISN'T ABOUT WHOEVER REPRESENTS US CURRENTLY. THIS ISN'T ABOUT OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR OUR CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES IN 23 OR 16. FOR ME, THIS IS MORE ABOUT WHAT REPRESENTATION MEANS. 
          AND WE KNOW THAT HAVING SOMEBODY ASKING SOMEBODY TO FULLY AND PROPERLY REPRESENT US, FROM SAN ANTONIO TO EL PASO IS JUST GOING TO MINIMIZE AND DILUTE THE IMPACT AND RESOURCES WE'RE ABLE TO BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH WITH FORT BLISS AND THE AIRPORT AND ALL OF THE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16 NOW BEING MOVED OVER AND SHIFTED INTO 23. THAT'S EXACTLY 
          [05:45:03]
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, IN MY OPINION. SO THOSE ARE THE CENTERS OF OUR THOSE ARE OUR ECONOMIC DRIVERS. THOSE ARE THE JOBS, THE JOB CREATORS. THOSE ARE THE RESOURCES THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DRAW DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND MY WORRY IS THAT BY BY INCLUDING THAT IN A DISTRICT THAT RANGES FROM 20 FROM SAN ANTONIO TO EL PASO, WE'RE GOING TO GET LESS AND, YOU KNOW, AS, AS COMMUNITY LEADERS IN A, IN A DIRE FINANCIAL SITUATION ALL ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY, WE NEED MORE, NOT LESS. AND SO THERE'S AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC IMPACT COMPONENT TO THIS THAT THAT I THINK IS REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE SHINE A LIGHT ON. ASIDE FROM THE FACT THAT THIS IS JUST NOT REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AND IT'S NOT A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. 
          AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WOULDN'T LIKE IT IF IT WAS HAPPENING TO US AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. SO WE SHOULDN'T BE OKAY WITH IT HAPPENING AT THE STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL EITHER. THANK YOU. 
          ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT WOULD LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT. AND I WANT TO I WANT TO REITERATE THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR PRECINCT TWO TO BE DIVIDED BETWEEN TWO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. RIGHT? BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE PART OF FORT BLISS AND, YOU KNOW, I MET WITH WITH CONGRESSMAN TONY GONZALEZ BACK IN MARCH, AND HE GAVE ME A CELL PHONE. HE SAID, HEY, IF YOU EVER NEED ANYTHING, TEXT ME. WELL, I TEXTED HIM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 2ND. REGARDING THE I DON'T LIKE TO SAY I DON'T LIKE TO CALL THE BILL. WE'LL CALL IT THE B-B-B BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING BEAUTIFUL ABOUT IT. BUT TEXTED HIM SAYING THAT I'D RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT HE VOTE NO ON THE LEGISLATION BECAUSE IT WOULD BE SEVERELY DETRIMENTAL TO SO MANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS. AND HE LEFT ME ON READ FOR ALL YOU GEN ZERS, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS. HE DID NOT RESPOND. HE READ MY, MY, MY, MY TEXT AND DID NOT RESPOND. AND I WOULD NOT LIKE TO HAVE THAT TYPE OF REPRESENTATION IN MY DISTRICT. YOU KNOW, CONGRESSWOMAN ESCOBAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A, YOU KNOW, AGAINST HIM. BUT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD I WOULD NOT I WOULD RATHER MY DISTRICT NOT BE SPLIT BETWEEN TWO CONGRESSIONAL, TWO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND, YOU KNOW, HAVE TO ADVOCATE WITH, WITH WITH BOTH. SO. THE RESOLUTION STATES, WHEREAS THE PROPOSED CONGRESSIONAL MAP SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD BY TEXAS HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST WOULD REMOVE FORT BLISS, WHICH INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT ASSETS SUCH AS UNDER CONSTRUCTION VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CENTER, THE EL PASO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE FTC NUMBER 68 FROM EL PASO BASE REPRESENTATION. AND WHEREAS THESE ASSETS ARE ECONOMIC ANCHORS FOR EL PASO'S PROCUREMENT ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY IN DEFENSE CONTRACTS, AND TO TRANSFER THESE FROM CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16 TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 23, WHICH SPANS 27 OTHER COUNTRIES. I'M SORRY, COUNTIES AND IS ANCHORED IN SAN ANTONIO WOULD DISADVANTAGE OUR CONSTITUENTS WHO DESERVE A LOCALLY BASED REPRESENTATIVE WITH AN UNDIVIDED FOCUS ON ADVOCATING FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THESE COMPLEX OPERATIONS. AND WHEREAS THE EL PASO AIRPORT PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN EL PASO AND EL PASO COMMUNITIES, QUALITY OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEEDS APOLOGIZE. 
          THIS INCLUDES THE EPA, FTC 68, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 2000 JOBS IN EL PASO AND MOVES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF GOODS ANNUALLY. AND WHEREAS FORT BLISS, WHICH FROM ITS INCEPTION HAS BEEN PART OF EL PASO AND VICE VERSA, DIRECTLY EMPLOYS MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE AND INDIRECTLY IMPACTS 126,000 JOBS, CONTRIBUTING $640 MILLION IN PROCUREMENT ECONOMY TO BUSINESSES IN EL PASO AND PRODUCING $9 BILLION IN DISPOSABLE PERSONAL INCOME, ACCORDING TO THE TEXAS COMPTROLLER. FORT BLISS ALSO CONTAINS THE UNDER CONSTRUCTION VETERANS AFFAIRS HEALTH CARE CENTER, FOR WHICH TEXAS DISTRICT 16 CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR SECURED $700 MILLION AND WHICH BROKE GROUND LAST YEAR. AND JUAREZ, EL PASO, KNOWN AS THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA, IS A PROUD MILITARY COMMUNITY. FORT BLISS AND EL PASO ARE LINKED BY GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MILITARY VETERANS, INCLUDING EL PASOANS AND THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BECOME EL PASOANS WHEN THEY LEAVE THE MILITARY. AND WHEREAS THIS REDISTRICTING DOES NOT FOLLOW ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO EL PASO COUNTY, NOR ANY NEW INFORMATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. RATHER, THE PRESIDENT PUBLICLY STATED THAT HE WANTED TEXAS TO TAKE THIS ACTION, WHICH AIMS TO AVOID FAIR ELECTIONS. THE STATE OF TEXAS IS COMPLYING WITH THIS DIRECTIVE BY CLEARLY RUSHING INTO THE PROCESS FOR WHICH IT WAS NOT PREPARED, ADDRESSING ONLY CONGRESSIONAL SEATS AND FAILING TO HOLD HEARINGS WITH SUFFICIENT NOTICE 
          [05:50:01]
AROUND THE STATE, NOR IN IMPACTED REGIONS ALONG THE US MEXICO BORDER. AND WHEREAS, THE EL PASO STATE LEGISLATORS, INCLUDING HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS AND FORMER MEMBERS, HAVE EXPRESSED ALARM AND CONCERN AT THE PURPOSE, EXECUTION AND IMPACT OF THESE REDISTRICTING EFFORTS. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT URGES THE TEXAS HOUSE AND SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING AND THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO PROTECT EL PASO'S RIGHT TO FAIR, LOCALLY BASED REPRESENTATION AND OUR VOTERS RIGHTS TO CHOOSE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES BY REJECTING ANY PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER FORT BLISS AND EL PASO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND ALL THEIR ASSETS FROM THE EL PASO BASED CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 16. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT URGES THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TO REJECT ANY ATTEMPT AT MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING WHICH WILL UNDERMINE DEMOCRATIC RULE OF LAW AND WEAKEN THE VOICE OF EL PASO, AND SIGNED THIS FOURTH DAY OF AUGUST, 2025. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. JESSICA, WILL YOU TAKE MINE OFF AND PUT IT ON? BUTLER I THINK WHEN THERE'S A RESOLUTION, IT SHOULD BE THE THANK YOU, SIR MOVE. AND THE SECOND WOULD BE TO THEM, CAN WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THE VOTING IS OPEN. MOTION CARRIES JUST A QUICK COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT I THINK SOMETIMES WE'VE BEEN WE'RE CAREFUL WITH. REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT I THINK THERE'S FOR EXAMPLE, ONE PERFECT. AND
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.