A. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring the month of September 2026 as ”National Deaf Awareness Month" in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591

[B. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing El Paso Electric on its 125th Anniversary for its outstanding service and continued commitment to the people of El Paso County Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

FRIENDSHIP WITH KELLY AND HER TEAM. SO IT'LL BE AN HONOR FOR ME TO TO READ THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS EL PASO ELECTRIC'S ORIGINAL DATE BACK TO AUGUST 30TH, 1901, WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED AS THE EL PASO ELECTRIC RAILWAY COMPANY, INTRODUCED AN ELECTRIC POWERED TRANSPORTATION TO A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING REGION AND HELPING SHAPE THE EARLY GROWTH OF COMMUNITIES CONNECTED BY STREETCAR SERVICE. BEGINNING IN 1902. AND WHEREAS IN THE REGION EXPANDED, THE COMPANY TRANSITIONED ITS PRIMARY FOCUS TO ELECTRIC GENERATION AND DELIVERY, ADOPTING THE NAME EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY IN 1925 AND EXTENDING SERVICE INTO SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO, LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE REGIONAL UTILITY THAT SERVES WEST TEXAS AND SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO TODAY.

WHEREAS, EL PASO ELECTRIC'S 125 YEAR HISTORY REFLECTS A LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SERVICES AND EVERYDAY LIFE THROUGH THE PASO DEL NORTE REGION, PROVIDING THE ENERGY THAT POWERS HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE. WHEREAS, THIS MILESTONE COINCIDES WITH THE NATION'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2026, HIGHLIGHTING EL PASO ELECTRIC'S UNIQUE ROLE AS A COMPANY WHOSE HISTORY SPANS HALF OF THE UNITED STATES EXISTENCE AND WHO SERVE AS INTERTWINED WITH GENERATIONS OF REGIONAL GROWTH AND PROGRESS. WHEREAS, TO CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN GRID MODERNIZATION, RENEWABLE AND SOLAR RESOURCES, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, AND SYSTEM RELIABILITY, EL PASO ELECTRIC IS HELPING MEET THE ENERGY NEEDS OF A GROWING REGION WHILE PREPARING FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES WITH THE COMPANY'S MISSION IS CARRIED FORWARD BY MORE THAN 1200 EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING UNION EMPLOYEES WHOSE DEDICATION TO SAFETY, OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE HELPS ENSURE RELIABLE ELECTRIC SERVICE ACROSS THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. WHEREAS, EL PASO ELECTRIC ALSO STRENGTHENS THE REGION THROUGH CHARITABLE GIVING, VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, CONTRIBUTING APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION ANNUALLY TO THE ELECTRIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, APPROXIMATELY 400,000 IN SPONSORSHIPS AND MORE THAN 12,000 EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER HOURS TO THE VOLTS PROGRAM. NOW THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF EL PASO ELECTRIC AND CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY FOR ITS YEARS OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND ENDURING COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. VOTING

[00:25:05]

IS OPEN. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. COMMISSIONER STOUT, I THANK YOU, SIR. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE MANY LIVES AND PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THAT 125 YEAR LEGACY, AND TO THOSE 100 PLUS EMPLOYEES THAT WORK VERY HARD TODAY. I KNOW THAT WE'RE STANDING ON A SIGNIFICANT LEGACY AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND WITH YOU PERSONALLY, JUDGE, AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY, TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE AND THRIVING. I HOPE THAT YOU HEAR ME IN OUR COMMITMENT WHEN WE SAY WE KNOW HOW MUCH HONOR IT IS TO STAND ON THAT LEGACY, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THE SACRED RESPONSIBILITY TO BUILD WHAT'S NEXT. IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT CHALLENGING AT TIMES, BUT I KNOW WITH THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT AND THE PEOPLE THAT I AM SO PROUD TO LEAD, THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN'T AND WON'T DO AND WILL CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM THE ENERGY LANDSCAPE FOR THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY OF OUR REGION. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PROCLAMATION. WE'RE SO, SO HONORED. YEAH. KELLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. BUT IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE YOURSELVES, PLEASE. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS IVAN MEJORADO, AND I'M A GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST AT EL PASO ELECTRIC. THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. MY NAME IS JESSICA CHRISTENSEN. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT. THANK YOU JESSICA. GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS JUDGE DANIEL PEREZ, REGULATORY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. AND I DO HAVE TO MENTION, DANIELA COHEN, WHO BRING HIM UP, BRING HIM UP. MAKES KELLY'S OFFICE RUN. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DANIEL COHEN. I'M THE EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR EL PASO ELECTRIC, AND I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. WELL THANK YOU, THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JACOB REYES AND I'M A PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST AT EL PASO ELECTRIC. THANK YOU. AND JUDGE, ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING THE MOST RESPONSIVE, MOST ACCESSIBLE JUDGE I HAVE EVER MET IN MY 35 YEARS IN THIS BUSINESS. WE CAN TEXT YOU, WE CAN DO ANYTHING, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND ALWAYS THERE TO PARTNER WITH US. SO ON A PERSONAL NOTE, THANK YOU. AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS, ALL OF WHOM HAVE BEEN AT OUR EVENTS AND HAVE SUPPORTED US.

WHEN YOU NEED YOU, WE NEED YOU. SO THANK YOU. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, THANK YOU KELLY. EVEN BESIDES EVERYTHING THAT THEY DO, ALL HER TEAM IS CONSISTENTLY. I DON'T KNOW IF I'M SOME PLACE OR SOME ORGANIZATION, SOME MEETING IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY'RE INVOLVED. AND KELLY FROM FROM DAY ONE, I COULD SWEAR THAT SHE'S FROM EL PASO BECAUSE SHE JUST SOME SHE JUST HAS THIS TREMENDOUS LOVE FOR EL PASO. ONLY BEING HERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. I MEAN, SIX YEARS TODAY.

OH, WELL, BUT IF YOU MET HER, YOU WOULD THINK THAT SHE WAS. THEY PROBABLY ASKED HER, WHAT HIGH SCHOOL DID SHE GO TO? KELLY. SO, SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM, THE GREAT PARTNERSHIP. AND REALLY IT'S IT'S JUST BEEN AN HONOR, KELLY, TO TO SEE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO INSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. I HAVE TO MENTION THIS. KELLY GETS VERY INVOLVED WITH THE EMPLOYEES BY HAVING LUNCH WITH THEM, BY MEETING WITH THEM. AND THIS IS SUCH AN EXEMPLARY CEO TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. SO WE WISH EVERY CEO WOULD HAVE THAT RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE IT MAKES OUR JOB A LOT EASIER WHEN SHE TAKES CARE OF HER OWN. AND SHE DEFINITELY DOES EVERY EMPLOYEE THAT WORKS FOR ELECTRIC COMPANY. SO THANK YOU, KELLY. THANK YOU.

[00:30:31]

ITEM NUMBER FIVE D APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION HONORING FORT BLISS MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR FOR HIS. FOR HIS LEADERSHIP SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING THE PARTNERSHIP

[D. Approve and adopt a resolution honoring Fort Bliss Major General Taylor for his leadership, service, and commitment to strengthening the partnership between Fort Bliss and the El Paso County community. Jackie Butler, Commissioner, Precinct 1, 915-273-3594]

BETWEEN FORT BLISS AND THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. GENERAL TAYLOR, IF YOU CAN JOIN US AT THE PODIUM. PICK THE PERFECT DAY TO HAVE YOU HERE, GENERAL TAYLOR. THANK YOU. I THINK WE CAN RAISE THE PODIUM, IF THAT'S OKAY. THERE'S A BUTTON TO RAISE THE PODIUM, IF THAT'S HELPFUL.

OKAY. GENERAL TAYLOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING. I KNOW HOW BUSY YOU ARE AND REALLY HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE IN COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS MORNING. I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE'LL OPEN IT UP TO YOU AND MISS NORMA FOR SOME COMMENTS. WHEREAS, MAJOR GENERAL CURTIS D TAYLOR HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION AND SENIOR COMMANDER OF FORT BLISS, TEXAS, SINCE JULY OF 2024, PROVIDING LEADERSHIP TO ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST STORIED DIVISIONS INTO THE FORT BLISS COMMUNITY. AND WHEREAS MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR GRADUATED FROM THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT IN MAY 1994 AND WAS COMMISSIONED AS A LIEUTENANT IN THE ARMOR BRANCH, BEGINNING A DISTINGUISHED MILITARY CAREER THAT HAS INCLUDED COMMAND AND STAFF POSITIONS IN ARMORED CAVALRY, CAVALRY AND INFANTRY FORMATIONS THROUGH THE DIVISION LEVEL. AND WHEREAS, THROUGHOUT HIS MILITARY CAREER, MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR HAS DEMONSTRATED AN ENDURING COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND NATIONAL DEFENSE, INCLUDING TWO COMBAT TOURS IN AFGHANISTAN AND TWO COMBAT TOURS IN IRAQ. AND WHEREAS, MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR'S DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF LEADERSHIP INCLUDES COMMAND OF THE THIRD BATTALION, 66TH ARMORED REGIMENT, THE FIRST STRYKER BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM AT FORT CARSON, COLORADO, AND THE FIFTH SECURITY FORCE ASSISTANCE BRIGADE, WHO SPECIALLY SELECTED AND TRAINED COMBAT ADVISORS DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT THE INDO-PACIFIC REGION. AND WHEREAS, PRIOR TO ASSUMING COMMAND AT FORT BLISS, MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR SERVED AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER AND AT AND FORT IRWIN, CALIFORNIA, WHERE HE OVERSAW 28 TRAINING ROTATIONS AND GUIDED THE NATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS ADAPTATION TO MULTI-DOMAIN OPERATIONS AND THE EVOLVING CHALLENGES FACING THE UNITED STATES ARMY. AND WHEREAS, AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION AND SENIOR COMMANDER OF FORT BLISS, MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR HAS CONTINUED FORT BLISS PROUD TRADITION OF MILITARY EXCELLENCE WHILE STRENGTHENING THE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INSTALLATION, ITS SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES AND THE GREATER EL PASO COMMUNITY. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAJOR GENERAL TAYLOR FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO EL PASO, FORT BLISS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER STOUT. HI. THANK YOU, SIR. MOTION CARRIES. GENERAL, THE FLOOR IS YOURS. WELL, GENERAL TAYLOR, SIR. GO AHEAD, GO AHEAD. JUDGE. WELCOME. OH, I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THIS COMMUNITY WHAT WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EMBRACE THAT YOU HAVE FOR OUR SOLDIERS AT FORT BLISS. AND LIKE KELLY TOMLIN, I I'M NOT NATIVE HERE, BUT I GOT HERE AS SOON AS I COULD. AND, AND WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY LOVED OUR TIME HERE. AND I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER THE JOB, JUDGE, YOU BROUGHT ME UP TO THIS THIS OFFICE HERE AND YOU TALKED TO ME ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO CALL YOURSELF A VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES. AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN. IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS MEANING AND PURPOSE. I ALSO REMEMBER TALKING ABOUT THE PHRASE FORT BLISS IS EL PASO, EL PASO, FORT BLISS. AND THAT'S ALSO MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN. WE ACTUALLY MEAN IT. THIS JUST THIS VERY WEEKEND. ON SATURDAY, WE HAD 230 SOLDIERS FROM FORT BLISS WHO CAME DOWN TO SUPPORT THE EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER PROGRAM. THEY PACKED OVER 5400 0 POUNDS OF OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND MOVED LIKE 1200 PALLETS OF OF EQUIPMENT. AND THAT IS US

[00:35:01]

JOINING TOGETHER IN A COMMON CAUSE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR FELLOW MAN. IT'S SO GOOD FOR OUR SOLDIERS BECAUSE THEY, THEY, THEY GET THE JOY AND BENEFIT OF SERVING OTHERS. AND IT'S GREAT FOR THIS COMMUNITY. BUT JUST THE OTHER DAY, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAD A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FOR 45 DAYS WHERE OUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ON FORT BLISS DID NOT RECEIVE A SALARY. THIS COMMUNITY CAME BEHIND THOSE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, THOSE THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES, NURSES AND ENGINEERS AND, AND, AND OUR SECURITY GUARDS AND, AND OUR FIRE FIREFIGHTERS AND PROVIDED NO INTEREST LOANS AND PROVIDED CARE FOR OUR SOLDIERS, FOR OUR DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIANS. YOU RECENTLY PROVIDED THOUSANDS OF THANKSGIVING BASKETS TO HELP SOLDIERS IN NEED DURING THANKSGIVING. THAT IS PART OF THE REAL RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE BETWEEN THESE TWO COMMUNITIES. IT'S MORE THAN JUST A SLOGAN, AND I'VE BEEN SERVING IN THE MILITARY FOR 33 YEARS. I'VE BEEN IN AND AROUND MILITARY BASES FOR 54 YEARS. SO FOR A HALF CENTURY. SO I'VE SEEN THEM ALL. AND THERE IS NO PLACE WHERE THE WHERE THE COMMUNITY REACHES OUT MORE AND INVESTS IN FORT BLISS THAN RIGHT HERE. AND I TELL THAT TO EVERY SENIOR LEADER THAT COMES TO FORT BLISS. IS THAT WHAT MAKES FORT BLISS TRULY THE POWER PROJECTION PLATFORM IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA FROM WHICH WE CAN PROJECT THE POWER OF THE UNITED STATES GLOBALLY. IT'S BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE. IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE RANGES AND THE BIG DESERT WE GOT OUT THERE. IT'S THE INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY THAT STANDS WITH US AND BESIDE US. I ASKED NORMAN TO COME UP HERE BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN THE GLUE BETWEEN THE EL PASO COMMUNITY AND FORT BLISS INSTALLATION, AND I WANT HER TO SHARE THIS HONOR WITH ME. BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THE WAY YOU CARE FOR OUR FAMILIES. YOU CARE FOR OUR SOLDIERS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A LONG AND ENDURING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORT BLISS AND EL PASO, WHO. IF I COULD HAVE A POSTER CHILD AS TO SUPPORTING EL PASO AFTER THEY GET HERE, I'D HAVE TO STRUGGLE BETWEEN KELLY AND AND THE GENERAL. WE BOTH LOVE IT HERE. BUT YOU'VE BEEN SUCH AN INCREDIBLE. YOU KNOW, IN ORDER FOR US TO. WE WORKED HARD AT BEING THE VETERANS CAPITAL. BUT TO LEGITIMIZE IT, YOU NEED FORT BLISS AND SOMEONE LIKE GENERAL TAYLOR TO REALLY LEGITIMIZE WHY WE DO THAT. AND YOU KNOW, HE'LL MAKE COMMENTS OUTSIDE OF EL PASO THAT IF YOU WANT TO BE A PLACE WHERE VETERANS ARE LOVED AND CARED FOR, IT'S EL PASO. AND THAT MEANS A LOT TO US BECAUSE SOMEONE LEAVING AND BEING SOMEWHERE ELSE AND IDENTIFYING US. AND SO WE THE ONLY THING I HATE IS THAT PHONE CALL LIKE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE. AND IT SORT OF BREAKS OUR HEART BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH FORT BLISS. AND WHEN THEY LEAVE, BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T THEY NEVER LEAVE, YOU KNOW, PERMANENTLY. WE ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP. AND I KNOW THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO GET THE SUPPORT. AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE COULD HAVE IN ANY SITUATION IS AN AMBASSADOR OF THAT STATURE, OF THAT CALIBER, AN AMBASSADOR THAT LEAVES EL PASO AND CONTINUES TO BE OUR AMBASSADOR. SO I KNOW THAT WILL BE THE CASE.

JUST GREAT RELATIONSHIP. AND PLEASE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, STAY CLOSE TO US AND WE REALLY LOVE AND RESPECT EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID FOR US AND THE ENGAGEMENT. HE, YOU KNOW, CONSTANTLY ENGAGES THE SOLDIERS TO COME TO, TO OUR COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE THIS EVENT, ALMOST 500 SOLDIERS. AND INSTEAD OF BEING IN A CONFERENCE AND BEING FED, HE TELLS THEM, COME ON, EVERYBODY GO. ANY PLACE, ANY RESTAURANT, YOU'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, A STIPEND THAT YOU COULD USE TO EAT AT ANY RESTAURANT IN EL PASO. AND THAT'S WHERE THEY GET TO KNOW US. AND THAT'S WHY WE'VE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF OF FORT BLISS LEAVING OR SOLDIERS LEAVING FORT BLISS DECIDE TO STAY IN EL PASO IS BECAUSE OF THAT ENGAGEMENT THEY'VE HAD BEFORE THEY LEAVE.

SO ONCE AGAIN, GENERAL TAYLOR, IT'S QUITE AN HONOR TO HAVE MET YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. GENERAL, JUST ONE SECOND. WE'RE GOING TO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A GROUP PICTURE. BUT BEFORE WE DO THAT, I JUST WANTED TO SAY ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT ONE AND MYSELF, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW THAT THAT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, IT'S ABOUT IT'S ABOUT EVERYBODY WHO, WHO SERVES WITH YOU. BUT BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THIS RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EL PASO COUNTY AND FORT BLISS WOULDN'T WORK WITHOUT A LEADER LIKE YOU. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR FOR FORT BLISS AND EL PASO. WE WE REALLY APPRECIATE OUR PARTNERSHIP. AND I THINK THAT HAVING ALL THESE VETERANS IN THE ROOM IS A TESTAMENT TO HOW HOW WONDERFUL YOUR LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN AND, AND HOW PEOPLE

[00:40:06]

LIKE YOU MAKE US A BETTER COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. THANKS. I'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A.

SHOT HERE THIS MORNING.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE A APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2026 AS NATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS.

[A. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring the month of September 2026 as ”National Deaf Awareness Month" in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

[00:45:27]

WELCOME. THANK YOU. THIS RESOLUTION. YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT TO KNOW EVERY ONE OF YOU. AND IT'S JUST SUCH A I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT YOU DO AND THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU DO AND FEEL THAT I'VE BECOME A FRIEND. I KNOW WE WE'D LOVE TO HAVE EVERYBODY HERE, BUT WE NEED YOU BACK THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE. YES, BUT THANK YOU. SO I'LL READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2026 IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS MONTH, A TIME TO CELEBRATE THE RICH CULTURE, LANGUAGE, HISTORY, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DEAF, DEAF, BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS WHILE PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. WHEREAS, ACCESS COMMUNICATION IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT AND PROMOTING THE USE OF AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES HELPS CREATE A MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY FOR ALL.

WHEREAS, EL PASO SLI, IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION AND AWARENESS OF DEAF, DEAF, BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITIES. AND WHEREAS, IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS MONTH, WE WILL HOST DEAF AWARENESS WEEK FROM SEPTEMBER 18TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2026, PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT DEAF CULTURE, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION AND WAS DEAF, DEAF, BLIND AND HARD OF HEARING. INDIVIDUALS ENRICH EL PASO COUNTY THROUGH THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN EDUCATION, BUSINESS, HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC SERVICE, THE ARTS AND EVERY ASPECT OF CIVIC LIFE AND DESERVE EQUAL ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION AND FULL PARTICIPATION IN SOCIETY. WHEREAS, INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS HELPS BREAK DOWN COMMUNICATION BARRIERS, FOSTERS MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DEAF AND HEARING INDIVIDUALS, AND ENCOURAGES BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EMBRACE ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION. AND WAS A NATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS MONTH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A COMMUNITY WHERE DEAF AND DEAF, BLIND AND HARD OF HEARING INDIVIDUALS CAN COMMUNICATE, PARTICIPATE AND THRIVE.

STRENGTHENING EL PASO COUNTY THROUGH DIVERSITY, EQUALITY, MUTUAL RESPECT. NOW THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DECLARE THAT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2026 SHALL BE KNOWN AS NATIONAL DEAF AWARENESS MONTH. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER HOLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER STOUT, I THANK YOU, SIR. MOTION CARRIES. WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TAMARA MARQUEZ AND I'M THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF EL PASO SLI SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS. I FIRST WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR RECOGNIZING DEAF AWARENESS WEEK HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY. THIS WEEK IS ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL TO US BECAUSE IT'S MORE THAN JUST THE AWARENESS. IT'S ABOUT VISIBILITY, ACCESSIBILITY, INCLUSION, AND CELEBRATING OUR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY, THEIR LANGUAGE, AND THEIR CULTURE. THIS YEAR, EL PASO SLI IS REALLY PROUD BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR WE'VE EVER PARTNERED WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND JOSE PUERTO TO BRING TOGETHER A COLLABORATION OF A FULL WEEK OF EVENTS, COMMUNITY EVENTS HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 18TH THROUGH THE 26TH. YOU CAN SEE THE EVENTS ON THE SCREEN. WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES WHERE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER, CONNECT AND COMMUNICATE IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, AND JUST BE A PART OF THE SAME COMMUNITY. AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP WITH DEAF PARENTS, I'VE SPENT A CAREER WORKING ALONGSIDE THE COMMUNITY, SEEING AND RECOGNIZING THAT EL PASO COMMUNITY, EL PASO COUNTY HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY MEANINGFUL AND SUPPORTIVE TO US THROUGHOUT OUR ORGANIZATION'S SUCCESS. WE HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION HELPS REMIND OUR COMMUNITY THAT ACCESS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE AN AFTERTHOUGHT. DEAF INDIVIDUALS DESERVE EQUAL ACCESS TO COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND COMMUNITY LIFE. I WANT TO THANK

[00:50:03]

THE EL PASO COUNTY EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND EVERYONE THAT'S HELPED US MAKE THIS WEEK POSSIBLE, AND ESPECIALLY OUR DEAF COMMUNITY, FOR ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THEM. WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO COME OUT. THESE EVENTS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND YOU CAN COME COMMUNICATE. COME JOIN US AT THE EVENT. WE'LL HAVE INTERPRETERS FROM SLI. AND THEN WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE. SO THE STUDENTS THAT ARE INTERNING RIGHT NOW WILL BE VOLUNTEERING AT EACH EVENT. AND WE'VE PARTNERED WITH ONLY LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHICH PETER PIPER PIZZA HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. THEY'RE HELPING US WITH THE EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S FUNDRAISER AS WELL. THEY'LL BE GIVING DISCOUNTS AND COMPLIMENTARY PIZZAS. AND THEN AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE WE'RE IT WILL BE AT SOGGY PESO. WE'RE DOING A MOVIE NIGHT AT MEMORIAL PARK. IT'LL BE A FREE MOVIE NIGHT FOR KIDS AND ADULTS. AND WE'LL BE GIVING OUT POPCORN. AND WE HAVE A BIG INFLATABLE AND WE'LL BE SHOWING A MOVIE THAT WILL BE ASL INTERPRETED ON THE SCREEN. AND YOU CAN SEE THE OTHER EVENTS. BUT I JUST WANT TO I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS EVENT, AND I FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO BRING MORE VISIBILITY TO EL PASO BECAUSE OUR PROGRAM. WE HAVE EIGHT STUDENTS THIS YEAR AND WE WANT TO WE WANT TO ENHANCE THAT, AND WE WANT TO WORK. WE GET OUR INTERPRETERS LOCAL, AND WE WANT THEM TO STAY HERE. WE DON'T WANT THEM TO LEAVE. SO WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY. AND YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING PLACE FOR THAT. WE HAVE AN INTERN HERE TODAY AS WELL, SO THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO OBSERVE AND WATCH US WORK WITH THE COUNTY. BUT THAT'S IT FOR ME. AND I WANT TO INTRODUCE WHO'S HERE TODAY, IF I MAY CAN INTRODUCE YOURSELVES, PLEASE.

THANK YOU TOM. HI THERE. MY NAME IS BELEN RICO. I'M AN INSTRUCTOR AT EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE. I'M EXCITED TO COLLABORATE WITH SLY FOR THE DEAF AWARENESS WEEK AND FOR RECOGNITION OF AND RECOGNIZING DEAF PEOPLE IN OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR CULTURE, AND CONTRIBUTING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS, DEAF PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS AND COMMUNICATION. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THAT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

HI, I'M SELENA, I AM THE LEAD INTERPRETER AND I AM ALSO THE INTERN COORDINATOR. WE ARE JUST HAPPY TO COLLABORATE WITH YOU, PCC, AND THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE RECOGNITION. AGAIN, WE DO HAVE AN INTERN HERE TODAY. SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU. INTRODUCE SOFIA DIAZ. I AM THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR. SO I AM THE ONE IN CHARGE OF ALL THE PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION FOR ALL OF THESE EVENTS. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION. IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO US. THANK YOU. HI. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MELODY MARQUEZ. I'M TAMARA'S DAUGHTER, AND I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HER FOR OR FOR HER PART TIME WHILE I'M AT UTEP, FULL TIME FOR BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE. SO IT'S REALLY BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND GROW UP WITH SUCH AN UPBRINGING. SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT POSSIBLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YEAH. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ALVINA WHITEHURST. I AM A CURRENT EPC STUDENT IN THE INTERPRETING PROGRAM. I AM ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE CLUB AT EPC, AS WELL AS THE INTERN WITH SLI.

THIS SEMESTER WE HAVE A FUNDRAISER AT THE PETER PIPER PIZZA FOR DEAF AWARENESS WEEK, AND THOSE FUNDS THAT WILL BE RAISED WILL GO TOWARDS OUR CLASS AND OUR CLUB TRIP TO GALLAUDET, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FIRST DEAF UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. SO JUST KNOW THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOU ALL WILL BE PROVIDING WILL SUPPORT OUR CLUB AND OUR STUDENTS IN OUR ENDEAVORS AS WE CONTINUE TO BECOME INTERPRETERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU KNOW, THE OUR LANE IN THE COUNTY IS ACCESSIBILITY. YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AS ACCESSIBILITY, WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION. BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT THIS IS ALSO ACCESSIBILITY, THAT IF WE DON'T DO THIS, WE LEAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT, VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE, VERY INTELLIGENT PEOPLE THAT DON'T GET TO HAVE THIS ACCESSIBILITY. SO TAMARA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM, THE WAY YOU DO THINGS, THE, YOU KNOW, YOUR TIMING, THEY HAVE TO BE REALLY PATIENT WITH US BECAUSE WE GO IN AND OUT OF EXECUTIVE AND SOMETIMES WE'RE HERE LATE AND THEY'RE HERE WITH US ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO ONCE AGAIN, WE REALLY THANK YOU. WE'RE VERY HONORED THAT WE'RE, YOU KNOW, HERE RECOGNIZING SOME VERY INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS. AND I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I THINK I'VE BECOME A FRIEND OF

[00:55:05]

EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. SO THANK YOU BACK THERE. THANK YOU AS WELL. AND WE'LL THANK YOU. A PICTURE WITH YOU. OKAY.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE. SEE, APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MAESTRO ENRIQUE CARVAJAL. SEBASTIAN FOR HIS ARTISTIC CAREER, HIS INTERNATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE AND CONTEMPORARY ART, AND THE CULTURAL LEGACY HE HAS

[C. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing Maestro Enrique Carbajal “Sebastián” for his artistic career, his international contributions to monumental sculpture and contemporary art, and the cultural legacy he has created in El Paso and around the world. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

CREATED IN EL PASO AND AROUND THE WORLD. MUY BUENOS DIAS. QUÉ PASA? SI PASADO? ALL RIGHT.

THIS IS I THINK THIS IS GOING TO ASTONISH YOU BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HONOR A MAN, SEBASTIAN.

YOU ALL KNOW HIM BECAUSE OF THE EX, BUT I CAN TELL YOU, HE HAS DONE SO, SO MUCH MORE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD THAT IT'S VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE. NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY. I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF HAVING MET HIM. AND JUST WHAT AN INCREDIBLE, HUMBLE MAN WHO IS RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE.

AND I'M HOPING THAT NOT ONLY THAT, WE SORT OF KICK OFF GIVING HIM NOT THIS RECOGNITION, BUT THAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY, TRULY UNDERSTANDS THE CALIBER OF THIS, OF THIS GENTLEMAN.

[01:00:06]

UNBELIEVABLE CALIBER. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MR. RODRIGUEZ. HE'S ALSO AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLE ARTIST THAT I'M VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HIM HERE TODAY AS WELL.

SO LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION FIRST. WHEREAS ENRIQUE CARVAJAL, INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN AS SEBASTIAN, IS A DISTINGUISHED MEXICAN SCULPTOR WHOSE EXTRAORDINARY CAREER AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE AND CONTEMPORARY ART HAVE EARNED HIM INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION AND ESTABLISHED HIM AS ONE OF MEXICO'S MOST CELEBRATED ARTISTS, WAS BORN IN THE STATE OF CHIHUAHUA. MAESTRO SEBASTIAN HAS BUILT A REMARKABLE ARTISTIC LEGACY THAT TRANSCENDS BORDERS, WITH MONUMENTAL WORKS DISPLAYED IN PUBLIC SPACES THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS, EUROPE AND ASIA, BRINGING MEXICAN CREATIVITY, CULTURE AND ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE IN AUDIENCES AROUND THE WORLD. THROUGHOUT HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER, MAESTRO SEBASTIAN HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL HONORS, INCLUDING THE SUPERIOR PRIZE FROM HAKONE OPEN AIR MUSEUM IN JAPAN IN 1987, THE GRAND GOLD PRIZE AT THE ORC CITY COMPETITION IN OSAKA, JAPAN. IN 1992, THE MÉDAILLE DE LA VILLE DE PARIS IN FRANCE IN 1999, AND THE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AT THE INTERNATIONAL URBAN SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM OF BEIJING, CHINA, IN 2002. WHEREAS MAESTRO SEBASTIAN HAS DEVELOPED A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION WITH THE EL PASO COMMUNITY, WHERE HIS ARTISTIC VISION HAS BEEN SHARED THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AT THE EL PASO MUSEUM OF ARTS AND THROUGH MONUMENTAL WORKS THAT HAVE BECOME PART OF THE CULTURE AND VISUAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR REGION. AND WHEREAS, AMONG HIS WORKS IN EL PASO ARE A AGUJERO INAUGURATED IN OCTOBER 2011 NEAR THE PASO DEL NORTE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE AS FERA CUANTICA TOTALLY INAUGURATED SEPTEMBER THE 11TH, 2014 AT THE FOX FINE ARTS CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO, BOTH OF WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO THE ARTISTIC IDENTITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHERE HIS WORK REFLECTS A DEEP CULTURAL CONNECTIONS SHARED BY MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES AND DEMONSTRATES THE UNIQUE ROLE OF ART, BUILDING BRIDGES, STRENGTHENING, UNDERSTANDING, AND CELEBRATING THE HISTORY AND IDENTITY, THE UNITY OF COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THE BORDERLANDS. WHEREAS, THROUGH DECADES OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, INNOVATION, AND CREATIVITY, MAESTRO SEBASTIAN HAS INSPIRED GENERATIONS WHILE STRENGTHENING THE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE OF MEXICAN ART AND LEAVING A LASTING CULTURAL LEGACY IN EL PASO AND COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. AND WHEREAS, ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026, MAESTRO SEBASTIAN WILL BE IN EL PASO TO PRESENT ROSA DEL DESIERTO AWARD, PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY WITH A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE HIS DISTINGUISHED CAREER, HIS CONNECTION TO OUR REGION, AND HIS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ART AND CULTURE. WHEREAS, ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2026, MAESTRO WILL BE. I'M SORRY. JUST HIS CONNECTION TO THE REGION IS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RECOGNIZE AND HONOR MAESTRO ENRIQUE CARVAJAL SEBASTIAN FOR HIS EXTRAORDINARY ARTISTIC CAREER. HIS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED CONTRIBUTIONS TO MONUMENTAL SCULPTURE, CONTEMPORARY ART, AND ENDURING CULTURAL LEGACY. HE HAS CREATED EL PASO THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

COMMISSIONER STOUT, I THANK YOU, SIR. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. SO WE HAVE SOME VERY DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS TODAY. I'LL START OFF WITH MY GOOD, GOOD FRIEND AND TRULY A FRIEND. AND HE IS A LIAISON BETWEEN THE MAYOR. HE WAS WITH PEREZ CRUZ, BUT NOW HE IS. NOW IS HECTOR ORTIZ. SO REPRESENT US. BUT IT'S QUITE AN HONOR. WANT TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY WITH US TODAY. BUENOS DIAS A TODOS SAMANIEGO. MIS AMIGOS. LOS COMISIONADO, SELENA OLGUIN.

SERGIO. JACKIE BUTLER. GRACIAS POR ESTE ESPACIO. YO VENGO HOY COMO REPRESENTANTE DEL GOBIERNO DE CIUDAD JUAREZ. PERO COMO UN AMIGO JUNTO CON OTROS AMIGOS HOY PARA HACER HONOR A UN

[01:05:01]

HOMBRE TOMAR EL HONOR A SEBASTIAN IS A NACIDO IN CAMARGO COMO. ES UN ARTISTA MEXICANO DE OBRAS MONUMENTAL. SI A VER LA HISTORIA DEL MUNDO DE LAS MAS ANTIGUAS ESTA EL CURSO DE RODAS DESTRUIDO HACE DOS MIL ANOS, PERO TUVO UN GRAN SIGNIFICADO EN EL MUNDO, PUES ES LO MISMO HA SUCEDIDO EN GRANDES REGIONES DEL MUNDO. GRACIAS A GENTE COMO SEBASTIAN DE DEJAR UN LEGADO GIGANTESCO Y Q SIGUE CRECIENDO PORQUE EL ES UN SER MARAVILLOSO CON CON GRANDES IDEAS, PERO QUÉ LA EXPRESION DE LA VISION? TEEN BUSCA EL ESPACIO BUSCA ARMONIA DEL ESPACIO UTILIZA LOS ESPACIOS PUBLICOS CU VIERMI LA OBRA TANTO COMO DE OTROS ARTISTAS A ENRIQUE SIENDO LA VIDA PUBLICA DE LAS CIUDADES. ES POR ESO REUNIDO AQUI. CUATRO AMIGOS. LA REVISTA BORDER HERITAGE REPRESENTA CARMEN BECERRA. EL ARTISTA MONUMENTAL.

MI AMIGO PEDRO FRANCISCO TAMBIÉN OBRA INCREDIBLE NUESTRA CIUDAD DE JUAREZ, COMO ES EL HOMBRE DE LA ENTRADA DE CIUDAD JUAREZ. UNA MUJER TRABAJADO SIEMPRE POR NUESTRA REGION MARAVILLOSA MI AMIGA. CECILIA LEVIN LOS CUALES AGRADECIMIENTO PORQUE EL MISMO SABE ESTO ESTA SUCEDIENDO EL DIA DE HOY EN ESPANA. ESTA SUJETO UNA ES DE UNA INTERVENCION QUIRURGICA EN SUS OJOS. POR ESO QUEREMOS PERO NO SE PUEDEN ESTOS DIAS, PERO PRONTO CELEBRAMOS ESTA PROCLAMATION JUNTO CON USTED Y CON LOS INVITADOS PARTICIPAR EN UNA CEREMONIA ENTREGA RECONOCIMIENTO ES INCREIBLE. VAMOS A DAR UN RECONOCIMIENTO EL DIA RECONOCE AGENTES DE LA COMUNIDAD DE LA REGION, PASO DEL NORTE DEL PASO. Y ESTO ES CELEBRA ALREDEDOR DE UNA OBRA HIZO SE LLAMA LA ROSA DEL DESIERTO. ENTONCES YO LA DE LA PALABRA A SEGUIR CON ESTE TEMA MUY AGRADECIDO POR ESTE ESPACIO. BIENVENIDO CARMEN. GRACIAS GRACIAS. BUENOS DIAS COMISIONADO. BUENOS DIAS. BUENO PARA EXPRESAR MI RECONOCIMIENTO ENTREGAR AL MAESTRO. SEBASTIAN.

UNO DE LOS ESTADOS DE MÉXICO Y AHORA ARTISTICA DE LAS FRONTERAS DE NUESTRA REGION A TENIDO EL PRIVILEGIO DE CONOCER A SEBASTIAN POR MAS DE CASI ANOS E LA OPORTUNIDAD ENTREVISTADO DENTRO DEL NOTICIERO DE TELEVISION CONDUCIR EN AQUELLOS ANOS IS A PRIMER ENCUENTRO EVENTUALMENTE AN INVITATION DE SU PARTE PARA TRABAJAR CUANDO EL EVENTO LA CIUDAD JUAREZ A PARTIR DE NUESTRA RELACION PROFESIONAL SE CONVIRTIO EN LA VERDADERA A LO LARGO DE LOS ANOS, TENIDO EL PRIVILEGIO DE CONOCER A SEBASTIAN NO SOLAMENTE COMO UN ARTISTA EXTRAORDINARIO, SINO COMO UN AMIGO DE COMPARTIR MOMENTOS SIGNIFICATIVOS CON SU FAMILIA, SU ESPOSA SUS HIJOS, MATIAS Y GABRIELA Y MIEMBROS DE SU EQUIPO DE TRABAJO. GRACIAS A ESTA TANTOS TENIDO LA OPORTUNIDAD DE CONOCER, EL HOMBRE DETRAS DE SUS ESCULTURAS MONUMENTALES ENFRENTANDO SU TRABAJO Y LA DETERMINACION NECESARIOS PARA LLEGAR A DONDE OCUPA UN LUGAR MUY IMPORTANTE EN LA COMUNIDAD A NIVEL INTERNACIONAL. SEBASTIAN ES A PESAR DE SUS EXTRAORDINARIOS LOGROS DE RECONOCIMIENTO INTERNACIONAL A PERMANENT COMO NOMBRE PROFUNDAMENTE SENCILLO ACCESSIBLE SOBRE TODO TIENE UN GRAN CORAZON, UN CHARISMA NATURAL UNA GENUINA SENCILLAS PROFUNDA NO SOLAMENTE CONOCIMIENTOS ARTISTICOS, SINO TAMBIÉN DE TODA UNA VIDA DE EXPERIENCIAS PARA ME EL MAESTRO. SEBASTIAN REPRESENTA MUCHO MAS.

ESCULTOR ES UN GENEROSO. UN AMIGO LEAL, UN HOMBRE DEDICADO SU FAMILIA UNA PERSONA MANTENERSE CON LA TIERRA Y A PESAR DE LA MAGNITUD DE SUS LOGROS CON VERDADERO CARINO ADMIRATION AND PROFOUND RESPECT. HOY TENGO EL LADO DE RECIBIR. RECONOCIMIENTO AGRADECIDA POR LA MITAD DE LA CONFIANZA A MI A MI FAMILIA, LO LARGO DE ESTOS ANOS CON RESPECTO MUCHISIMAS.

GRACIAS, GRACIAS. GRACIAS, JOSÉ SAMANIEGO. GRACIAS COMISIONADO EL MAESTRO SEBASTIAN. GRACIAS POR PERMITIR TESTIGO DE UNA TRAYECTORIA DE LA CRUZAR FRONTERAS, UNA CULTURAS

[01:10:03]

PERMANECER EN LA MEMORIA DE LAS CIUDADES DE LAS PERSONAS EN EL CORAZON. MUCHAS GRACIAS.

GRACIAS, CARMEN. CECILIA, OTRO GRAN AMIGA MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS POR ESTAR AQUI. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS AN HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU, AND I AM GOING TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES, BUT VERY IMPORTANT MINUTES. I KNOW FROM YOUR AGENDA AND EVERYONE HERE TO EXPRESS MY RESPECT FOR SEBASTIAN. AND I THINK YOU HAVE HEARD FROM EVERYONE HOW INCREDIBLE OF AN ARTIST HE IS. BUT I'M HERE BECAUSE I AM VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN PEOPLE THAT COME AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY, THAT HE NOT ONLY CAME DURING THE TIME THAT JUAREZ WAS VERY STRESSED WITH THE VERY NEGATIVE IMAGE, AND HE CAME AND OFFERED A NOW A SCULPTURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS LIKE, AND. AND IT WAS NOT VERY EASY TO BRING THE KEYS WHEN WE HAD TO BRING IT FROM MEXICO CITY. BUT WE HAVE IT. AND IT HAS GIVEN US SOMETHING TO LOOK AT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. THE SAME THING AS THE SCULPTURES THAT HE HAS HERE.

BUT WHEN I MET SEBASTIAN WAS WHEN HE WAS TAKING THE TIME TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE WHO HE WANTED TO GIVE THE, THE HONOR OF RECEIVING LA ROSA DEL DESIERTO. AND HE TOOK THE TIME WITH EL PASOANS TO GET TO KNOW THEM, TO SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND HOW THEY WERE PROMOTING THE CITY. THE SAME THING. I MET HIM ANOTHER TIME WHEN HE WAS AT SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY, TEACHING STUDENTS THE. ABOUT MATHEMATICS, ABOUT SCIENCE, AND HOW THEY COMBINE INTO ART. AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE THAT TAKE THE TIME TO TEACH CHILDREN THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD AND HOW THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD. I ADMIRE ART, BUT IT'S ALSO HOW DO WE TRANSFER IT TO EL PASOANS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR A WONDERFUL MAN. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, CECILIA, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. SHE HAS A LOT OF RECOGNITIONS, BUT SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING POPE FRANCIS TO JUAREZ. AND SO IT WAS QUITE A WE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE THAT CLOSE TO SOME SOME PERSON OF THAT OF THAT CALIBER. SO MUCHAS GRACIAS, CECILIA, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, BUENOS DIAS, AMIGO. LES VOY A HABLAR DE LA OBRA.

MONUMENTAL. YA SE HA MENCIONADO TANTO LA CONOCEN. YO SOY UNA MIRADA DE ENRIQUE CARBAJAL. NO SOLO POR SU OBRA, SINO POR SU TRAYECTORIA SU. ORIGENES TAN HUMILDES Y SOBRE ISSO, QUIERO CONTARLES UNA PEQUENA HISTORIA EL EL NACIONAL EN CAMARGO, YA LO SABEMOS PERO SUS PADRES SOMOS CAMPESINOS MUY HUMILDES CUANDO LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, ÉL LLEGA A ABSOLUTAMENTE SIN NINGUNA APOYO LLEGA A ESTUDIAR EN LA ACADEMIA DE SAN CARLOS, PERO ES SU POBREZA Q L NO TENIA PARA PARA PARA EN UN LUGAR NI TENIA FAMILIARES. ESO ESO ES ADMIRABLE VERDAD UN MEXICANO VALIENTE COMO MUCHOS MEXICANOS. QUÉ OTROS VIENEN PARA QUÉ OTROS LLEGUEN A LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO, EL DORMIA ESCONDIDO EN EL EN ACADEMIA COMO UN CLOSET O COMO SUZANNE ANTES LOS LLAMAN ENTONCES HABIA ESOS MUEBLES EN LA NOCHE ANTES DE Q CERRARON EL DIA AHI PARA PODER TENER UN LUGAR DONDE DORMIR Y EN LA MANANA. ESTE CUANDO HABRIAN SALIA TAMBIÉN CON MUCHO CUIDADO HUBIERAN. LUEGO SE IBA A TRABAJAR A BUSCAR TRABAJO EN UNAS CAFETERIAS EN BEBES EN MEXICO MUY CONOCIDA NO Y AHI EL DESAYUNO UNAS APENAS. MUY BIEN Y CON EL BUENO A LA FECHA AMISTAD TODAVIA AGRADECIMIENTO DE ADMIRATION Y ESOS FUERON LOS HIJOS DEL ERA TAN POBRE Y DORMIA TAN MAL Q SE DORMIA IN LA CLASE. ENTONCES, AL VERLO DORMIDO UNA COMPANERA SE PARECIA SAN SEBASTIAN Y ES EL NOMBRE Q LE GUSTA EL PARA SU SU DESARROLLO ARTISTICO. MAS TARDE EN UNA CLASE, PUES EL DE LA MAESTRA QUIERE ESPOSA DE MARIA DE MATTIAS GERRITS. MATHIAS GOERITZ FUE EL ARQUITECTO CONSTRUYO LAS TORRES DE SATÉLITE Q AYUDO TAMBIÉN A

[01:15:02]

DESARROLLAR TODO ESE PROYECTO DE NAUCALPAN EN MÉXICO. ASI. MATIAS Q AYUDARA ESTE JOVEN Q NO TENIA NINGUNA APOYO. ENTONCES MATIAS LO HALLA A SU EQUIPO. PORQUE SABE SI TIENE EL TALENTO Y ESA ACTITUD HACIA EL ARTE Y SE LO LLEVA SE LO LLEVA A JAPON A UN CONTRATO MATIAS CELLA Y AHI SEBASTIAN APRENDE MUCHO SOBRE EL ORIGAMI JAPONÉS. QUÉ ES DONDE EL SACA LA INFLUENCIA GEOMÉTRICA Y LUEGO INSPIRADO TAMBIÉN POR MATIAS GUERRAS CON LAS TORRES DE SATÉLITE Q SON FORMAS VERTICALES GEOMETRICS MUY ALTAS HECHAS EN CONCRETO LAS CONOCEN YA REGRESA CON UNA VISION, PERO AHORA VOY A HACER ESCULTOR SI APENAS ESTABA COMIENDO VERDAD CON UN EMPLEO. SIN EMBARGO, EL LA MAESTRA Y EL MISMO ARQUITECTO LE CONSIGUEN UN EMPLEO DE PARA DAR CLASES EN LA UNIVERSIDAD EN LA UNAM, Y UN ESPACIO AHI EN LOS TALLERES, UN RINCONCITO PARA Q SE LLAMAN ESTE CIENCIAS VISUALES. ENTONCES, EL EXPERIMENTAR CON LA GEOMETRIA CON CON LA CON LA MATEMATICA Y EMPIEZA A HACER PEQUENAS MAQUINAS LE HACE LLEGAR UN REGALO DE UNA MARCHETTA A RECTOR DE LA UNIVERSIDAD DE LA UNAM, ENTHUSIASM Y LE DICE. QUÉ TAL? QUÉ TE PARECE SI LE HACEMOS GRANDE Y SE LE REGALO A LA UNIVERSIDAD DE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, Q TENGO UNA AMISTAD CON ELLOS. PUES ESTE PROYECTO ES UN REGALO. SEBASTIAN AHI SUELDOS SIN COBRA. Y ENTONCES AL RECTOR, LE GUSTA EL ESCULTURAS DE SEBASTIAN, PERO NO LE MAS Q SU NOMINA VERDAD. PERO EL ESTABA CREANDO UN HOMBRE UNA UNA MARCA Y UN DIA. EL OPORTUNIDAD CON EL CABALLITO FUE LA PRIMERA ESCULTURA PUBLICA EN LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO. EL CABALLITO FUE UNA SOLUCION A UN PROBLEMA Q HABLA DE DRENAJE EN EL CENTRO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO EN FRENTE NACIONAL, DONDE ESTA EL CABALLITO DE BRONCE VERDAD DE CARLOS QUINTO. NO SÉ QUÉ ENTONCES AHI OLORES DESAGRADABLES DEL DRENAJE LA CIUDAD Y LA CIUDAD DE PIDE AL EMPRESARIO DUENO DE ESAS COSAS DE ESA AREA Q TEEN Q BUSCAR LA MANERA DE DE LEVANTAR UNA ESPECIE DE CHIMINEA PARA Q ES EL DOLOR MAS ARRIBA Y NO SE ESPARZA POR POR LAS ZONAS BAJAS DE LA CIUDAD Y ENTONCES BUSCAN UN ESCULTOR Q HAGA ALGUNAS ESCULTURA Q SIRVEN COMO UNA TORNERA UNA CHIMINEA Y PUES RECOMIENDAN A SEBASTIAN PRIMER CONTRATO LO RESUELVE CON EL CABALLITO VERDAD O SI EL ESTABA AHI, PUES PARA LA ESCULTURA EL CABALLITO Y LA CULTURA. LA RUBIA EN OTRO LADO Y ENTONCES AHI EMPIEZA LA TRAYECTORIA DE SEBASTIAN Y A PARTIR DE AHI EMPIEZA RECIBIR DINERO. Q LE PERMITE VIAJAR ESTE ENRIQUECER ES MAS ARTISTICA DOCUMENTS TENER UNA CALIDAD DE VIDA MEJOR ESE ES LA PARTE AUMENTAR CON USTEDES ESO PARA ME TIENE AUN MAS VALOR Q TODOS LOS LOGROS. QUÉ HIZO EN EL MUNDO PORQUE MUESTRA UN MEJICANO MUY VALIENTE. UN MEXICANO COMO JUAN GABRIEL CASO VIENEN DE LO MAS Y LUCHA POR SUPERAR Y BUSCAN LA MANERA DE LOGRARLO Y PARA ME ESO TIENE UN GRAN HERMANO. UN GRAN VALOR TRASCENDENTAL ES UN EJEMPLO. YO COMO ESCULTOR PREGUNTADO Q SI YO YO LA TENGO ENVIDIA O ESAS COSAS SON MUY COMUN EN EL EN TODOS LOS EN TODOS LOS ESPACIOS. NO YO LE DIGO BUENO YO YO YO NO PUEDO DAR EL ÉXITO. SI MIRAR EL ÉXITO VERDAD YO TENGO QUÉ RECONOCER EL ÉXITO. YO TENGO Q APRENDER DE LOS EXITOSOS. ENTONCES PARA ME SEBASTIAN ES UN INSPIRACION COMO SER HUMANO Y ES UN MAESTRO COMO ESCULTOR. MUCHAS GRACIAS. HABLA MUCHO UNA PERSONA COMO EL COMO RODRIGUEZ. ESTE DE REFERENCIAS A SEBASTIAN CON TODO LO HA HECHO TODOS LOS TALENTOS. ESTE ES UNA ESCUCHAR ESO ES HISTORIA NOS PODEMOS TOMAR UNA FOTO GRACIAS.

[01:22:08]

JUDGE, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, CAN WE JUMP DOWN TO FIVE G, PLEASE? YES. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER FIVE G. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING AUGUST 31ST, 2026 AS COOKIE QUEENS DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SO WE ARE VERY

[G. Approve and adopt a resolution designating August 31, 2026, as “Cookie Queens Day” in El Paso County, Texas. Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]

BLESSED TODAY TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE A GROUP OF VERY DEDICATED, VERY, VERY HARD WORKING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS. SO I AM GOING TO ASK THE YOUNG WOMEN OF GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063 TO COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. I'M GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO WATCH THE TRAILER FOR THE MOVIE. NOW, I'VE BEEN LOOKING TO CHECK AND SEE IF IT'S PLAYING HERE IN EL PASO AND I CAN'T FIND IT. SO HOPEFULLY WHEN I TURN THE MIC OVER TO YOU ALL, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION, AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM SHANNON, ELIZABETH AND HER MOM, AMANDA. WHEREAS GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063. AND GIRLS, WHY DON'T YOU ALL COME, COME STAND UP HERE UP, UP FRONT WITH EVERYONE. OKAY. WHEREAS GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063 WAS FOUNDED IN 2019 BY MARIA CORTÉS GONZALEZ AND HAS GROWN INTO A MULTI-LEVEL TROOP SERVING GIRL SCOUTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE. AND WHEREAS, SHANNON ELIZABETH STEPHENS JOINED TROOP 5006 3 IN 2021 AND QUICKLY BECAME AN ACTIVE AND DEDICATED GIRL SCOUT, EMBRACING NEW EXPERIENCES AND BECOMING ONE OF THE TROOP'S TOP COOKIE SELLERS. FREQUENTLY SELLING MORE THAN 1000 BOXES DURING GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SEASON. AND WHEREAS SHANNON ELIZABETH'S ENTHUSIASM AND DETERMINATION LED HER TO BEING FEATURED IN THE DOCUMENTARY COOKIE QUEENS, WHICH FOLLOWED HER DURING THE 2024 COOKIE SEASON AT TROOP MEETINGS AND THROUGHOUT RECOGNIZABLE EL PASO LOCATIONS, INCLUDING CANYON AND THE BRONCO SWAP MEET. AS SHE WORKED TOWARD HER GOAL OF ATTENDING GIRL SCOUT CAMP. AND WHEREAS COOKIE QUEENS PREMIERED AT THE 2020 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL AND WAS RELEASED NATIONALLY IN THEATERS ON AUGUST 7TH, 2026, SHARING THE STORIES OF FOUR GIRL SCOUTS FROM DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND BRINGING NATIONAL ATTENTION TO THE EXPERIENCES, AMBITIONS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF YOUNG GIRLS, INCLUDING THOSE HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY. AND WHEREAS, THROUGH SHANNON ELIZABETH STEPHENS, HER FAMILY AND TROOP 5006 THREE'S PARTICIPATION IN COOKIE QUEENS, THE EL PASO COMMUNITY IS PROUDLY REPRESENTED IN A NATIONAL STORY CELEBRATING YOUTH LEADERSHIP, PERSEVERANCE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH GIRL SCOUTS. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DESIGNATES AUGUST 31ST, 2026 AS COOKIE QUEENS DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY IN RECOGNITION OF SHANNON,

[01:25:07]

ELIZABETH STEPHENS AND GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063 FOR PROUDLY REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY IN THE COOKIE QUEENS DOCUMENTARY AND FOR HIGHLIGHTING THE LEADERSHIP, DETERMINATION AND SPIRIT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S YOUTH. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN AND A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT. MOTION CARRIES. AND WE HAVE A TREE.

ALEXIS, IF YOU COULD PLAY THE TRAILER, PLEASE. DOES EVERYONE KNOW WHAT UPSELLING MEANS? OKAY.

GUESS WHAT? IT'S STILL GOING. GOOD SEASON. WHEN YOU'RE SELLING GIRL SCOUT COOKIES, YOU HAVE TO SET YOUR GOALS. MY SISTER WENT TO EUROPE AND THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING TO. VERY GOOD SALESPERSON. OLIVE. OH, I'D LIKE TO BE A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. OH. EVERY GIRL SCOUT MAKES A GOAL AND TRIES TO ACCOMPLISH IT OR GO PAST IT. OH THAT HURT. MY GOAL IS TO GET STRONG ENOUGH TO PULL THAT BIG WAGON. CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA. I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE HAS LIKE A PLACE IN THE TROOP WILL USUALLY START WITH A SNACK AND A FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE. I MET MY BEST FRIEND WHILE SELLING GIRL SCOUT COOKIES. I WANT TO BE THE TOP SELLER. YOU HAVE TO BEAT YOUR SISTERS ACCORDING TO THE NUMBERS, WE'RE NOT DOING SO WELL. WE CAN'T STOP NOW. TRY TO BUY SOME GIRL SCOUT COOKIES. YOU'RE SO CLOSE TO 10,000, THERE'S NO STOPPING POINT. WE WANT THE SAME. COME ON, LET'S GO. COME ON, LET'S GO. COME ON, LET'S GO. I'M YOUR LOCAL COOKIE NINJA. PLEASE BUY COOKIES OR ELSE. ALL RIGHT, WELL, NOW I FEEL THREATENED. I HAVE A NICE DAY. SO IF THAT DID NOT BRING TEARS TO YOUR EYES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD. BUT WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO THE STAR SHANNON, ELIZABETH AND HER MOM, AMANDA. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HONORED GUESTS, FELLOW EL PASOANS, GIRL SCOUTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. IT'S DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO WORDS WHAT IT MEANS TO STAND HERE TODAY AS A MOTHER AND A CO TROOP LEADER, AND AS SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WATCHING THESE GIRLS GROW, I AM OVERWHELMED WITH GRATITUDE. SO I WANT TO BEGIN WHERE I BELIEVE EVERYTHING SHOULD BEGIN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING RECOGNIZING GIRL SCOUTS TROOP 50063. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE COOKIE QUEENS, AND THANK YOU FOR CREATING EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY FOR OUR FAMILY. THIS IS AN HONOR WE WILL CARRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME. BUT I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING CLEAR TODAY IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT ONE YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY. IT'S ABOUT A COMMUNITY THAT COMES TOGETHER AROUND ITS CHILDREN. IT IS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY AND THEN GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT TO RISE TO THAT.

AND IT IS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD DISCOVERS THAT HER VOICE MATTERS. AS SHANNON, ELIZABETH'S MOTHER, I HAVE HAD THE EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGE OF WATCHING HER GROW. AND LIKE EVERY PARENT, LIKE EVERY PARENT, I HAVE WONDERED WHO MY CHILD WOULD BECOME. BUT WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT SOMETIMES OUR CHILDREN SHOW US WHO THEY ARE LONG BEFORE WE ARE READY TO SEE IT. ELIZABETH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GIRL WITH BIG HEARTS, WITH A BIG HEART AND BIG DREAMS, BUT THIS EXPERIENCE CHALLENGED HER TO STEP OUTSIDE OF WHAT WAS COMFORTABLE TO MEET PEOPLE SHE NEVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD MEET, AND ULTIMATELY TO STAND BEFORE LARGE AUDIENCES AND TELL HER OWN STORY. THAT GROWTH IS PRICELESS, AND IT'S ONE OF THE

[01:30:07]

REASONS I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR GIRL SCOUTS. GIRL SCOUTS IS SOMETIMES REDUCED TO COOKIES, BADGES, CAMPING, AND UNIFORMS, BUT ANYONE WHO HAS ACTUALLY WATCHED GIRLS GROW THROUGH THE PROGRAM KNOWS IT'S SO MUCH MORE. GIRL SCOUTS TEACHES GIRLS TO LEAD. IT TEACHES THEM TO COMMUNICATE. IT TEACHES THEM TO SET GOALS. IT TEACHES THEM RESILIENCE. IT TEACHES THEM RESPONSIBILITY. IT TEACHES THEM HOW TO WORK WITH OTHERS. AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT TEACHES THEM THAT THEIR VOICES, THEIR IDEAS HAVE VALUE. AS A TROOP LEADER OF 50063, I HAVE SEEN THE TRANSFORMATION THAT HAPPENS IN OUR GIRLS. I HAVE WATCHED GIRLS WHO WERE ONCE HESITANT TO SPEAK BECOME CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO LEAD. I HAVE WATCHED THEM SOLVE PROBLEMS. I HAVE WATCHED THEM SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. AND I HAVE WATCHED THEM LEARN THAT LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT STANDING ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE. LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT STANDING WITH PEOPLE, AND NONE OF THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT OUR EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR TIME, ENERGY, AND HEART TO OUR GIRLS. SO TODAY, I ESPECIALLY WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK OUR TROOP LEADER, MARIA GONZALEZ. MARIA, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR TROOP 50063. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU GIVE TO OUR GIRLS. AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING CREATE A TROOP WHERE OUR GIRLS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF. BEING A GIRL SCOUT LEADER I KNOW IS OFTEN A LABOR OF LOVE THAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES. IT IS THE PLANNING, THE ORGANIZING, THE PHONE CALLS, THE EMAILS, THE LOGISTICS, THE PROBLEM SOLVING, THE COUNTLESS HOURS THAT MOST PEOPLE NEVER SEE. BUT THE GIRLS SEE THE RESULTS. THEY SEE OPPORTUNITIES. THEY SEE ADVENTURES. THEY SEE FRIENDSHIPS. THEY SEE SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN THEM. SO, MARIA, ON BEHALF OF THE GIRLS, THE PARENTS AND OUR FAMILIES, THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN THEM. THAT LESSON HAS BECOME EVEN MORE MEANINGFUL THROUGH THE COOKIE QUEEN EXPERIENCE, SHANNON ELIZABETH HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME A PART OF AN EXTRAORDINARY FAMILY THROUGH THE FILM COOKIE QUEENS. THAT FILM WAS, AS SOME OF YOU ALL KNOW, PRODUCED BY THE EMMY AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR ALYSA NAHMIAS AND EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVELY PRODUCED BY SOME GUY NAMED PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX AND MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX. HER GRACE IS AMAZING. FOR SHANNON, ELIZABETH AND OUR FAMILY, THESE ARE SIMPLY NOT NAMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE FILMS. THEY BECAME PEOPLE WHO WERE INVESTED IN THESE GIRLS. THEY BELIEVED IN THEM, THEY HELPED TELL OUR STORY, AND THEY BECAME PART OF A COOKIE QUEEN FAMILY THAT SHANNON, ELIZABETH AND I ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PARTS OF THIS ENTIRE EXPERIENCE. SHANNON ELIZABETH ALSO FOUND SOMETHING INCREDIBLY VALUABLE IN HER COSTARS. OLIVE, NIKKI, AND ARA BECAME MORE THAN THE GIRLS SHE JUST SHARED A FILM WITH. THEY BECAME FRIENDS, AND AS A MOTHER, THAT IS SOMETHING I TREASURE BECAUSE THESE OPPORTUNITIES COME AND GO. FILMS, PREMIERE AND EVENTS END, BADGES ARE EARNED, BUT FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS CAN LAST A LIFETIME. WATCHING THESE GIRLS SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL PARTS OF THIS JOURNEY. THERE IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT LESSON IN UNDERSTANDING THAT SHANNON ELIZABETH'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS DID NOT HAPPEN IN ISOLATION. THERE THEY ARE THE RESULT OF A VILLAGE. HER STEPFATHER, JUAN SUSHI MENDOZA, MY PARTNER AND OUR DAD AT LARGE AT EVERY MEETING, HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO WALK BESIDE HER. BUT WE ARE ONLY PART OF THAT VILLAGE. HER GIRL SCOUT TROOP LEADERS, HER TROOP SISTERS, HER TEACHERS, HER FRIENDS, HER MENTORS, HER COACHES, AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENCOURAGED HER ALONG THE WAY. ONE OF THOSE MENTORS IS SENSEI LACO AT ALCHEMY KARATE. HE HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT PART OF SHANNON ELIZABETH'S DEVELOPMENT, NOT ONLY TEACHING HER THE PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE OF KARATE, BUT TEACHING HER PERSEVERANCE, DISCIPLINE AND COURAGE. THESE LESSONS FAR EXTEND BEYOND THE DOJO. THEY BECOME PART OF A PERSON'S CHARACTER, AND THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING TODAY. NOT SIMPLY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BUT CHARACTER. THE PEOPLE THESE GIRLS ARE BECOMING, THE CONFIDENCE THEY ARE BUILDING, THE RESILIENCE THEY ARE DEVELOPING, AND THE FRIENDSHIPS THEY ARE PERFORMING, AND THE BELIEF THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING MEANINGFUL TO THE WORLD AROUND THEM. AND THAT BRINGS ME TO EL PASO. I CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER PLACE FOR THIS RECOGNITION TO HAPPEN. I AM PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. EL PASO HAS A SPIRIT

[01:35:04]

THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE UNLESS YOU'VE EXPERIENCED IT. WE ARE A COMMUNITY THAT UNDERSTANDS FAMILY. WE UNDERSTAND PERSEVERANCE, WE UNDERSTAND SERVICE. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER. AND WE UNDERSTAND PRIDE. EL PASO PRIDE IS REAL. IT IS IN OUR SCHOOLS. IT IS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, IT IS IN OUR BUSINESSES, AND IT IS IN OUR FAMILIES. IT IS IN OUR TRADITION, AND IT IS IN THE WAY THAT WE INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN.

TODAY, THIS COUNTY COMMISSION BOARD IS TELLING OUR GIRLS, WE SEE YOU. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU.

YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT MATTERS, YOUR VOICES MATTER, AND YOU BELONG HERE. THAT LAST MESSAGE IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO ME. OUR GIRLS SHOULD NOT GROW UP BELIEVING THAT LEADERSHIP IS SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE. THEY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES IN LEADERSHIP. THEY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES IN GOVERNMENT. THEY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES IN BUSINESS, AND THEY SHOULD SEE THEMSELVES CREATING THINGS. INSTEAD OF SIMPLY CONSUMING WHAT OTHER PEOPLE CREATE, THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR IDEAS CAN BECOME A REALITY. THAT IS WHY TODAY'S RECOGNITION MEANS SO MUCH MORE THAN A PROCLAMATION. EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY BECOMES A REMINDER, A REMINDER OF WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN ACCOMPLISH WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTED, A REMINDER THAT ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAN BEGIN WITH A TEN YEAR OLD SELLING COOKIES.

A REMINDER THAT A GIRL SCOUT TROOP CAN CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXTEND FAR BEYOND ITS MEETINGS, AND A REMINDER THAT SOMETHING SOMETIMES A SIMPLE BOX OF COOKIES CAN OPEN DOORS TO AN EXPERIENCE THAT CHANGES A CHILD'S PERSPECTIVE. AS SHANNON, ELIZABETH'S MOTHER, I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HER, BUT I'M EQUALLY PROUD OF THE GIRL STANDING BESIDE HER RIGHT NOW.

I AM PROUD OF TROOP 5063. I AM PROUD OF MARIA GONZALEZ AND EVERY LEADER AND VOLUNTEER WHO GIVES THEIR TIME. I AM PROUD OF THE PARENTS WHO SEE OUR CHILDREN AND THEY INVEST IN THEM. THEY SUPPORT THESE GIRLS AND I AM PROUD OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS EMBRACED THEM. MOST OF ALL, I AM GRATEFUL GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES OUR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN GIVEN. GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENTERED INTO OUR LIVES. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BELIEVED IN SHANNON ELIZABETH. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN VIEWED AS A SIMPLE GIRL SCOUT ACCOMPLISHMENT. YOU RECOGNIZED A LARGER STORY, AND I HOPE THAT EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY WILL NOT ONLY CELEBRATE THESE GIRLS THAT HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED, BUT INSPIRE GIRLS WHO COME AFTER THEM. I HOPE GIRLS GROW UP KNOWING ONE THING EL PASO BELIEVED IN HER. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN OUR GIRLS. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN TROOP 50063. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN COOKIE QUEENS. THANK YOU AGAIN, MARIA, FOR LEADING THESE GIRLS AND THANKING YOU FOR GIVING US THIS TREMENDOUS HONOR OF CELEBRATING THIS MOMENT WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE GRATEFUL, WE ARE HUMBLED, AND WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO SAY WE ARE THE EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS. THANK YOU. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, HONORED GUEST, GIRL SCOUTS, FAMILIES AND EVERYONE HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS SHANNON ELIZABETH AND I AM TEN YEARS OLD. I AM AND I AM PROUD MEMBER OF TROOP 563. I AM HONORED TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063, FOR RECOGNIZING COOKIE QUEENS AND CREATING EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY. I DON'T THINK I FULLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO HAVE A DAY NAMED FOR SOMETHING THAT HAD BEEN SUCH A BIG PART OF MY LIFE.

BUT STANDING HERE TODAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT ME. IT'S ABOUT MY TROOP.

IT'S ABOUT MY COOKIE QUEEN FAMILY, AND IT'S ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF EL PASO THAT HAS SUPPORTED US. ONE OF THE GREATEST BLESSINGS THAT I HAVE RECEIVED FOR BEING A COOKIE QUEEN IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PEOPLE I NEVER WOULD HAVE MET. I GOT TO BE PART. I GOT TO BE. I GOT TO BECOME PART OF A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY THROUGH THROUGH THE FILM COOKIE QUEENS.

THE FILM WAS DIRECTED BY EMMY AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR ALYSA NAHMIAS AND EXCLUSIVE PRODUCER

[01:40:05]

USED BY PRINCE HARRY, DUKE OF SUSSEX AND MEGHAN, DUCHESS OF SUSSEX. THEY ARE INCREDIBLE.

THEY ARE INCREDIBLY TALENTED PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THEIR PROFESSION, BUT TO ME, THEY'RE NOT. THEY'RE NOT JUST NAMES CONNECTED TO A MOVIE. THEY BECAME PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN US. THEY ENCOURAGED US. THEY HELPED US TELL OUR STORY. AND SOMEWHERE ALONG THAT AIR, THEY BECAME PART OF OUR COOKIE QUEENS FAMILY. FOR THAT, I WILL ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL. I AM ALSO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF MY COSTARS OLIVE, NIKKI, AND ARA. THEY ARE NOT JUST GIRLS I MADE A MOVIE WITH. THEY ARE MY FRIENDS. REAL FRIENDS. WE SHARED EXPERIENCES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN TO SOMEONE WHO WASN'T THERE. WE LAUGHED TOGETHER, WE LEARNED TOGETHER AND WE EXPERIENCE SOMETHING. THINGS TOGETHER THAT I KNOW I WILL REMEMBER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. BUT BEING A GIRL SCOUT OUT COOKIE QUEEN IS ONLY PART OF WHO I AM. I AM ALSO A GIRL SCOUT. TROOP 50063 HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE. GIRL SCOUTS HAS TAUGHT ME LEADERSHIP ISN'T ABOUT BEING THE OLDEST PERSON IN THE ROOM OR KNOWING EVERYTHING. SOMETIMES LEADERSHIP MEANS BEING BRAVE ENOUGH TO TRY. IT MEANS HELPING SOMEONE ELSE. IT MEANS SAYING A GOAL AND WORKING TOWARDS IT. IT MEANS LEARNING FROM MISTAKES, AND SOMETIMES IT MEANS STANDING IN FRONT OF A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE AND SPEAKING EVEN WHEN YOU'RE NERVOUS. GIRL SCOUTS HAS TAUGHT ME THAT MY VOICE MATTERS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING I HOPE EVERY GIRL GETS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN. ANOTHER IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE IS KARATE. ANOTHER. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK SENSEI LACO. HE'S MY KARATE TEACHER AT ALCHEMY KARATE. SENSEI LACO HAS TAUGHT ME MUCH MORE THAN KARATE. KARATE HAS TAUGHT ME DISCIPLINE. IT HAS TAUGHT ME TO KEEP GOING EVEN WHEN SOMETHING IS DIFFICULT. IT HAS TAUGHT ME. IT HAS TAUGHT ME. GETTING KNOCKED DOWN DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU'VE FAILED. IT MEANS YOU GET BACK UP AND TRY AGAIN. THOSE LESSONS HAVE HELPED ME OUTSIDE OF KARATE AS WELL. THEY HAVE HELPED ME BECOME MORE CONFIDENT.

THEY HAVE HELPED ME FACE THINGS THAT SCARE ME, AND THEY HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT BEING STRONG DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU ARE NEVER AFRAID. SOMETIMES BEING STRONG MEANS BEING AFRAID AND DOING IT ANYWAY. I AM GRATEFUL FOR SENSEI LACO TO HELP ME LEARN THAT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY PARENTS, AMANDA STEVENS AND JUAN SUSHI MENDOZA. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME, NOT JUST WHEN THINGS ARE EXCITING BUT WHEN THINGS ARE DIFFICULT. THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME EVEN WHEN I WASN'T SURE I COULD DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TRY NEW THINGS.

THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING ME AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE. I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF GIRL SCOUTS. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED ME GET TO WHERE I AM TODAY. TEACHERS, LEADERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT COOKIES, PEOPLE WHO ENCOURAGED ME, PEOPLE WHO SAID I COULD DO SOMETHING EVEN WHEN I WASN'T SURE THAT I COULD. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH THOSE LITTLE WORDS MEAN UNTIL YOU NEED TO HEAR THEM. I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD THAT THIS JOURNEY IS CONNECTED TO EL PASO. I AM PROUD TO BE EL PASO GIRL. EL PASO IS MY HOME. EL PASO IS WHERE MY FAMILY IS. EL PASO IS WHERE MY GIRL SCOUT TROOP IS. EL PASO IS WHERE I LEARNED KARATE. EL PASO IS WHERE MY FRIENDS ARE AND IS WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SUPPORTED ME.

EL PASO IS A COMMUNITY THAT KNOWS HOW TO COME TOGETHER. WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT EL PASO, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE AMAZING KIDS HERE. WE HAVE GIRLS WHO HAVE BIG DREAMS. WE HAVE FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT THEM, AND WE HAVE COMMUNITIES THAT CAN COME TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE THEM. TODAY PROVES THAT. I HOPE ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL SOMEWHERE IN EL PASO HEARS ABOUT EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY AND THINKS, MAYBE I CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT ONE DAY. I HOPE SHE KNOWS

[01:45:01]

SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SHE'S GROWN UP TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SHE CAN DREAM NOW.

SHE CAN LEAD. NOW SHE CAN USE HER VOICE. NOW SHE CAN TRY SOMETHING DIFFICULT NOW. AND SHE CAN BE PROUD OF WHERE SHE COMES FROM NOW. I FEEL INCREDIBLY BLESSED FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. SOMETIMES I STOP AND THINK HOW MANY PEOPLE I HAVE MET BECAUSE OF THIS JOURNEY, HOW MANY EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD, AND HOW MANY PEOPLE I NOW CONSIDER PART OF MY FAMILY. IT'S A LOT TO TAKE IN. I KNOW I AM VERY LUCKY AND I NEVER WANT TO FORGET THAT. SO TODAY I DON'T WANT TO JUST ACCEPT THIS RECOGNITION. I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT. GRATEFUL FOR MY TROOP, MY PARENTS, MY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY SENSEI AND ALCHEMY KARATE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR MY COOKIE QUEENS FAMILY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF NIKKI AND ARE. I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALYSA NAHMIAS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR HER, PRINCE HARRY AND DUCHESS MEGHAN.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME AND I'M GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS PROUD OF ITS KIDS. TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING GIRL SCOUT TROOP 50063. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING GIRLS, GAL COOKIE QUEENS. AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING EL PASO COOKIE QUEENS DAY. I, I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WHEN I WAS TEN YEARS OLD, MY HOMETOWN TOOK THE TIME TO CELEBRATE SOMETHING THAT CHANGED MY LIFE. I HOPE I AM MUCH OLDER, I WILL STILL REMEMBER HOW I FEEL TODAY. PROUD, GRATEFUL, AND BLESSED. I AM PROUD TO SAY I AM AN EL PASO COOKIE QUEEN. THANK YOU. CAN WE HAVE THE REST OF THE TROOP INTRODUCE THEMSELVES, PLEASE? THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS DELILAH IRENE VARELA. WELCOME. HI. MY NAME. HI, MY NAME IS MONICA MONSERRAT FAVELA. HI. MY NAME IS PARKER LACROIX. HI. MY NAME IS BAILEY LACROIX. HI, MY NAME IS ROBIN FRENKEL. HI. MY NAME IS SOPHIE SILVAS. WELL, WE JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW INCREDIBLY PROUD WE ARE OF ALL OF YOU. AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK AMANDA AND ALL OF THE PARENTS WE KNOW. WE HAVE AMAZING, AMAZING YOUNG PEOPLE HERE IN EL PASO COUNTY, BUT THEY COULDN'T DO ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT THEY DO IF NOT FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF THEIR PARENTS EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO THANK YOU AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE PARENTS. AND MARIA, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS OR AT LEAST INTRODUCE YOURSELF, TELL YOU, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU. WELCOME, MARIA. THANK YOU. SO I'M MARIA AND I'M THE PROUD LEADER OF THIS GREAT TROOP. I STARTED GIRL SCOUTS ACTUALLY FOR MY TWO DAUGHTERS. THEY'RE ALREADY LIKE 30 AND 18. AND BUT I WENT TO A CONVENTION FOR GIRL SCOUTS, AND IT JUST MADE ME REALIZE THAT I WANTED TO DO THIS NOT JUST FOR MY DAUGHTERS, BUT FOR ANY GIRL THAT WANTED TO BE A GIRL SCOUT. SO IT'S VERY EMOTIONAL FOR ME TODAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE YOU ALL COME UP SO WE CAN TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU. IF YOU COULD COME UP HERE TO THE FRONT, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

[01:53:03]

SO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. TO YOU GUYS. THANK YOU. REALLY PRETTY. ITEM NUMBER FIVE E APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SAMUEL ORNELLAS THE CAIMAN FOR HIS ENTHUSIASM, COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND SUPPORT OF THE EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS. THANK YOU JUDGE,

[E. Approve and Adopt a Resolution Recognizing Samuel Ornelas, “The K Man,” for His Enthusiasm, Community Spirit, and Support of the El Paso Chihuahuas David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-273-3559]

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M VERY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD.

EL PASO COUNTY IS HONORED TO RECOGNIZE RESIDENTS WHOSE SELFLESS SERVICE, POSITIVE INFLUENCE, AND CIVIC PRIDE HELP BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY FOR ALL.

TODAY, WE GET TO RECOGNIZE A COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO HAS BROUGHT THAT SPIRIT TO OUR EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS. HIS NAME IS SAMUEL ORNELAS, BETTER KNOWN AS THE CAIMAN. AT HIS FIRST GAME,

[01:55:09]

SAMUEL NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO ZONE. AND FROM THAT SMALL IDEA, HE HELPED CREATE ONE OF THE LOUDEST SECTIONS IN THE BALLPARK. THE CAYMAN TRADITION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2014, AND TO THIS DAY YOU CAN FIND SAMUEL IN SECTION 104 THROWING TOWELS TO THE LOUDEST FANS. AFTER A STRIKEOUT, SAMUEL REMINDS US THAT IN EL PASO COUNTY, OUR GREATEST STRENGTH IS OUR PEOPLE.

AND TODAY, WE THANK YOU FOR HELPING TRANSFORM THE BALLPARK INTO A GATHERING PLACE WHERE RESIDENTS FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE BASEBALL, AS WELL AS SHOW OUR HOMETOWN PRIDE AND CONTINUE THAT K ZONE TRADITION. SO I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION, MISS ORNELAS, AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM YOU. OKAY, JUST ONE MOMENT.

LET ME LET ME PULL IT UP. SO THE RESOLUTION STATES, WHEREAS SAMUEL ORNELAS, KNOWN AS THE CAYMAN, HAS BECOME A BELOVED AMBASSADOR OF THE CHIHUAHUAS BASEBALL TEAM SINCE HE ATTENDED HIS FIRST GAME BACK IN 2014. AND WHEREAS THROUGH THIS, HIS UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF THE EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS AND HIS SIGNATURE STRIKEOUT CELEBRATION HAS BECOME A CHERISHED TRADITION FOR FANS THROUGHOUT THE BORDERLAND. AND WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN AS ONE FANS LOVE FOR THE GAME HAS GROWN INTO A SYMBOL OF COMMUNITY PRIDE, BRINGING TOGETHER FAMILIES, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND VISITORS FROM ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. AND WHEREAS, SAMUEL ORNELAS EMBODIES THE SPIRIT THAT MAKES EL PASO COUNTY A WELCOMING COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS GATHER TO SHARE LASTING MEMORIES AND CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE OF SPORTS. AND WHEREAS, SAMUEL ORNELAS HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL THROUGH GENUINE PASSION, KINDNESS, AND UNWAVERING COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAN ELEVATE THE FAN EXPERIENCE AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRADITIONS THAT MAKE EL PASO COUNTY A VIBRANT AND UNITED COMMUNITY. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE AND HONOR SAMUEL ORNELAS, THE CAYMAN FOR HIS ENTHUSIASM, POSITIVITY, AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT HE BRINGS TO EVERY EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS BASEBALL GAME. SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST OF 2026. THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN.

MY BROTHERS. I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER JUDGE, I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU SIR. MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELCOME. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT AND THE REST OF COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, COMMISSIONER HOGAN. CORONADO. JUDGE. THANK YOU. I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THANK YOU TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE IN THE BACKGROUND. ONE THING IS I DON'T WORK FOR THE CHIHUAHUAS, BUT YET THEY ALLOWED ME TO BE PART OF THEIR FAMILY. AND THE NUMBER ONE DOG, THE NUMBER ONE DOG IS HERE. I PROMISED HIM A BIG BONE AFTERWARDS, BUT A LOT OF STAFF, A LOT OF THE STAFF HERE, A LOT OF THEIR THE LEO'S, THE STAFF THAT WORK THERE, INCLUDING MY TICKET REP THAT'S WANTS TO THROW ME OUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE BECAUSE I GET THE CROWD GOING TOO MUCH AND THE UMPIRES AND THE PLAYERS GET DISTRACTED. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE FANS. YOU FANS ARE THE ONES THAT KEEP ME GOING AND THE LOVE OF THE GAME, THE SMILES. THAT'S WHAT'S FUELS ME AND I. I WAS HOPING THERE'D BE A VIDEO UP, BUT. WE HAVE THE VIDEO. WE HAVE THE VIDEO. IF YOU LIKE. WE CAN PLAY IT NOW, SIR. YES, THAT THAT WAY IT GIVES ALL OF YOU A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT HAPPENS. AND MY PURPOSE. OKAY. STAND BY PLEASE. TWO EXTRA DEPTH NOW ON ONE EL PASO, WHO HAS MADE IT HIS JOB TO ENSURE YOUR EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS BASEBALL EXPERIENCE IS ENHANCED. ABC SEVEN'S RACHEL PHILLIPS TAKES YOU INTO THE K ZONE AT SOUTHWEST UNIVERSITY PARK AND SHOWS YOU HOW THE LOUDEST SECTION CAME TO BE.

IT'S A STORY YOU'LL SEE ONLY ON ABC SEVEN. WHAT A. WHAT A HUSTLE OUT THERE. DREW. YOU MAY

[02:00:02]

HAVE HEARD SAM ORNELAS AT A BASEBALL GAME. YOU MAY EVEN RECOGNIZE HIS BROAD BRIMMED HAT TOPPED WITH A CHIHUAHUA'S CAP THAT BOPS AROUND IN SECTION 104. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING AND HOW IT ALL STARTED? SAM BOUGHT SEASON TICKETS AHEAD OF THE CHIHUAHUAS FIRST YEAR IN 2014, AND LEARNED A GUY NAMED KEVIN SHEA WOULD OCCUPY THE FRONT ROW SEATS NEXT TO HIS BY THE VISITOR'S DUGOUT. THE TWO GOT TO TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY COULD DO TO MAKE THE EXPERIENCE UNIQUE. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO K-ZONE, AND I JUST THOUGHT I CAN'T REMEMBER ONE BEING IN A MINOR LEAGUE PARK. I TOLD HIM, YOU MAKE THEM. I'LL HANG THEM UP. SAM HANGS A BANNER UP EVERY TIME THE STARTING PITCHER FOR CHIHUAHUAS GETS A STRIKEOUT. KEVIN MADE THE ORIGINAL VINYL DESIGN, WHICH WAS HANGING UP FOR GAME ONE OF 2014, IN HIS KITCHEN.

NUMBER THREE BABY. NOW THEY'RE ON THEIR THIRD DESIGN USING A PLASTIC MATERIAL, BUT THE BANNERS ARE JUST THE BEGINNING. IN THE CHIHUAHUA SECOND SEASON, SAM STARTED THROWING OUT TOWELS.

GROWING UP, SAM ATTENDED DIABLOS GAMES AND REMEMBERS THE USHERS HANDING OUT TISSUES FOR FANS. WHEN THE OPPOSING TEAM CHANGED PITCHERS, WE WOULD WAVE THE TISSUES. SOMEWHERE OR ANOTHER. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT CAME TO ME. I'M GOING TO DO THE TOSS. YOU CAN'T EARN A RALLY TOWEL OTHER THAN FOR CHEERING. I'VE HAD PEOPLE COME OVER OFFER ME MONEY OFF. I DON'T WORK THAT WAY. YOU HAVE TO EARN IT BACK IN A GAME IN 2022, I TOO HAD TO EARN IT. I SAT IN THE STANDS CHEERING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS UNTIL SAM FINALLY THREW ME THIS VERY TOWEL. NOW THIS YEAR, THOUGH, IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE ONE OF THE LOUDEST FANS IN THE STANDS, WELL, YOU'RE GOING HOME WITH THIS SPECIAL TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION RALLY TOWEL WITH THE FLAMES AND ALL CHIHUAHUAS ARE HOT. OH YEAH, THEY'RE HOT. SAM THROWS OUT AROUND 15 TOWELS EVERY GAME. HE ESTIMATES EACH TOWEL WITH. THE TEN YEAR DESIGN COSTS JUST OVER A DOLLAR, TIMES THAT BY 75 HOME GAMES, AND SAM IS SPENDING MORE THAN $1,125 ON THE RALLY TOWELS THIS YEAR. AND REMEMBER, THIS IS THE NINTH YEAR OF THE TOWELS. SO WHY PUT IN ALL THE TIME, EFFORT AND MONEY? CHECK THIS OUT. LOOK WHAT KEVIN'S GOING TO GET YOU. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A CHILD, THE FUN I USED TO HAVE FROM GETTING FOUL BALLS. IF I COULD DO SOMETHING AS SMALL AS THIS TO BRING A SMILE TO A CHILD OUT HERE, WHY NOT? YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, HE TAKES THAT GREAT EXPERIENCE OF COMING TO A CHIHUAHUAS GAME A LITTLE EXTRA FURTHER. LIKE I'M COMING BACK BECAUSE OF THAT. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. BUT THE FANS IN THE STANDS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES WHO REAP THE BENEFITS OF SAM'S PASSION, CREATIVITY, AND LOUDNESS. FIRST DAY YOU SHOW UP HERE, YOU CAN SEE HIM OVER THERE. HE'S GETTING EVERYBODY EXCITED. LAST YEAR HE WAS HANDING OUT THE TOWELS TO ALL THE GUYS. I HAD A BUNCH OF STRIKEOUTS. YOU HAD TO HAVE LIKE 6 OR 7 STRIKEOUTS IN A GAME TO GET THE TOWEL. WE ALL HANG IT UP ON OUR LOCKER. IT WAS COOL. I FEEL LIKE HE JUST BRINGS THE BASEBALL EXPERIENCE HERE TO A NEW LEVEL. AND THAT BASEBALL EXPERIENCE HAS SEEN FANS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY FOR HIM. ONE HAND STITCHED HIM AND HIS WIFE PILLOWS FOR THEIR SEATS, ANOTHER MADE STICKERS TO REPRESENT HIS SECTION, AND ONE EVEN REGISTERED HIM WITH TOPPS AND MADE HIM HIS OWN PLAYING CARD. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. IT'S AWESOME. I MEAN, THE FANS HAVE JUST IT'S I MEAN, IT'S AWESOME. SAM LOVES IT SO MUCH THAT OVER THE YEARS HE'S ONLY AVERAGE MISSING 6 TO 8 GAMES A SEASON. AND IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WILL BE THE CASE FOR A WHILE YET. EVEN TEN YEARS IN, DID YOU GUYS BRING YOUR TOWELS? DIDN'T BRING YOUR OH, RACHEL PHILLIPS, COULD YOU CHECK THEIR SEATS, PLEASE? THEIR TICKETS ABC SEVEN. I I'M GLAD THAT VIDEO CAME UP BECAUSE THEN I'LL JUST BE BABBLING OFF HERE, BUT I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO KEVIN.

KEVIN, AS YOU SAW IN THE VIDEO, IF AND ALL THE PEOPLE BACK HERE IN THE BACK, SOME OF THEM, THEY WANT TO BE ANONYMOUS, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE KNOWN. BUT FROM ME TO YOU ALL, YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. THANK YOU. IT WOULDN'T BE FOR YOU ALL AND ALL THE FANS AND ALL THE SMILES AND THE DOG HERE. THE NUMBER ONE DOG. THIS WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE. I'M JUST. I MEAN, YOU ALL ARE WHAT MAKE ME. SOMEBODY SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MY DAY NOW I WANT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU ALL BECAUSE YOU ALL ARE WHAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE. SO THANK YOU,

[02:05:04]

THANK YOU. I BROUGHT MY GLOVE AND A BALL JUST IN CASE CHICO WANTED TO PLAY BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING BORED BACK THERE, BUT HE FORGOT HIS GLOVE. BUT THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I HAVE SOME LITTLE TRINKETS FOR THE THE COURT COMMISSIONER STOUT. I HAVE ONE FOR YOU. I HOPE YOUR STAFF DOESN'T KEEP IT, BUT ACTUALLY GIVES IT TO YOU WHEN YOU COME BACK. AND THE FANS, THANK YOU. OTHER THAN THE QUEENS DOWN HERE IN THE FRONT, THEY GOT A LITTLE PIECE. THOSE ARE GLOW IN THE DARK FRIENDSHIP BANDS. OKAY. FOR THE REST OF YOU THAT WANT TO GO, YOU GO ON THERE. THERE'S 12 GAMES LEFT. PLEASE TRY TO MAKE IT OUT THERE. YOU ALL STOP BY SECTION 104, SAY HI, AND I JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME TRINKETS FOR YOU AS WELL. THANK YOU SAM. THANK YOU. BRING YOUR FRIENDS UP HERE WITH YOU. I KNOW SOME OF THEM DIDN'T WANT TO COME UP, BUT I'M SORRY FOR THEM ANYWAY. FOR THE ONES THAT DO, PLEASE COME FORWARD. YEAH. COME ON, COME ON. IF IF ANYTHING, PLEASE JUST STAND. I MEAN, THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. COME ON. JUST STAND. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE STAFF DOES IT FROM THE CHIHUAHUAS. BRAD AND DOUG. I'M A JUDGE. I MEAN, THEY I'M SURPRISED THEY HAVEN'T KICKED ME OUT, ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE SEASON TICKETS. BUT I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DEAL WITH ME, ESPECIALLY THE DOG. I MEAN, HE IS REALLY JEALOUS FROM FANS.

THEY SEE MY HE SEES MY CARD PLAYING CARD AND LOOK HE. HE THREATENS TO START BITING MY ANKLES BECAUSE HE KNOWS MY CARD IS BETTER THAN HIS. WELL, SAM, THANK YOU FOR MAKING SO MANY PEOPLE HAPPY, BUT ALSO THAT YOU ALWAYS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO US IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO WHAT YOU DO IS SORT OF GENERATE MORE ENERGY, MORE SPIRIT. WE'RE VERY THANKFUL. THE STAFF, MOST OF THEM HERE, PEOPLE I KNOW THAT FRIENDS OF MINE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE WITH ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ITEM NUMBER FIVE F APPROVED. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS NATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND HONORING EL PASO

[02:10:01]

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL COMMITMENT TO PEDIATRIC CANCER PATIENTS AND FAMILIES. THANK YOU. THANK

[F. Approve and Adopt a Resolution Recognizing September 2026 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Honoring El Paso Children’s Hospital’s Commitment to Pediatric Cancer Patients and Families David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-273-3559]

[02:15:02]

ENSURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THAT HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE. FOR 2026. SO FAR, WE HAVE NEARLY 40 NEW DIAGNOSED CHILDREN IN OUR REGION. OF THOSE 40 PATIENTS, 27 OF THEM ARE ENROLLED IN PROJECT EVERY CHILD, AND THIS IS A FLAGSHIP PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH INITIATIVE AND BIOBANK REGISTRY, WHICH WAS LAUNCHED BY COG. WE ALSO. TWO THROUGH OUR TEAM AND OUR LEADERSHIP WITH DOCTOR BENJAMIN CARCAMO, WHO YOU'RE GOING TO GET TO HEAR FROM IN JUST A MOMENT, RECEIVED A FLAWLESS 100% DATA CURRENCY SCORE FROM COG. THIS SCORE PERFECTLY HIGHLIGHTS OUR TEAM'S DEDICATION FOR ENTERING CLINICAL TRIAL DATA IN REAL TIME AND ENSURING MAXIMUM PATIENT SAFETY AND ACCELERATING RESEARCH FOR ALL CHILDREN WHO ARE FIGHTING CANCER. YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO BE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF YOU, ALL THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND SO MANY WONDERFUL INDIVIDUALS WHO WORK AT OUR HOSPITAL WITH OUR CHILDREN.

DOCTOR BENJAMIN CARCAMO, WHO OVERSEES OUR COG PROGRAM AND HAS BEEN STANDING HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTING THESE CHILDREN, JUST AS IF THEY ARE, QUITE FRANKLY, HIS OWN. AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIS WORK. WE ALSO HAVE FOUR NURSE PRACTITIONERS THROUGH EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THAT HELP TO SUPPORT DOCTOR CARCAMO AND THE WHOLE TEAM, AS WELL AS OUR CHILD LIFE TEAM. I DO HAVE A VERY SPECIAL PATIENT HERE WITH US TODAY. THIS IS TADEO. HE IS WITH HIS PARENTS, NUBIA AND ARMANDO. TADEO IS SCHEDULED TO RING THE BELL, I THINK, AT THE END OF THE WEEK. RIGHT? YES. AND TADEO WAS ONE OF OUR RECENT STARS IN OUR SOCCER VIDEOS, RIGHT? WHEN WE HAD THE BIG WORLD CUP THAT WAS GOING ON. SO I'M GOING TO ASK REAL QUICKLY FOR DOCTOR CARCAMO TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU CINDY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN TO EL PASO CHILDREN'S PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PROGRAM. WHEN I CAME TO THIS COMMUNITY 28 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOT REALLY A PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PROGRAM, AND ALL THE CHILDREN HAD TO BE TAKEN CARE WITH OUTDATED PROTOCOLS OR SENDING OUT OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN HOUSTON, SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS AND OTHER PLACES. AND THIS WILL PUT A LOT OF HARDSHIP TO TO THE CHILDREN AND TO THEIR TO THEIR FAMILIES. SO WHEN I CAME OVER HERE, I SAW THE BIG NEED AND I STARTED A PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PROGRAM EVEN IN THOSE DAYS. AND ONCE THE THE EL PASO CHILDREN OPENED DOORS, THIS BECAME A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION TO BRING THE, YOU KNOW, HIGH QUALITY OF CARE TO THE CHILDREN OF EL PASO. SO WE MOVED THE PROGRAM TO EL PASO CHILDREN'S. AND VERY SOON WE WERE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY TREAT THE PATIENTS WITH THE MOST OUTDATED PROTOCOLS, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO ENROLL PATIENTS IN THE CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY GROUP PROTOCOLS, WHICH WAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DO BEFORE IN EL PASO.

SINCE THEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TREATED MANY, MANY CHILDREN. WE ARE TREATING AS AN AVERAGE 65 TO 75 NEW ONCOLOGY PATIENTS AT EL PASO CHILDREN'S. AND THANK GOD, AND MOST OF THEM ARE BECOMING SURVIVORS. YOU KNOW, WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER, ONLY ABOUT 30% OF CHILDREN WILL SURVIVE THEIR DISEASE. SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NATIONAL LEVEL. BUT WITH THE HELP OF, YOU KNOW, THESE INSTITUTIONS, WITH THE HELP OF CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY GROUP, WE HAVE RAISED THAT TO ABOUT 85% IN THE NATION. AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT HERE HAPPENING. YOU KNOW, WE SELDOM LOSE CHILDREN ANYMORE IN THE LEUKEMIA ARENA. NOW WE ARE CURING 95% OF ALL STANDARD RISK ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA PATIENTS. AND THOSE ARE AMAZING THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS. AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CHILDREN ARE BENEFITING FROM ALL OF THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. WE ARE STILL WORKING, WE ARE STILL GROWING, AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WE STILL NEED TO DO, BUT WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF EVERYBODY. WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

WE NEED THE SUPPORT OF THE DOCTORS, THE, THE FAMILIES, THE PATIENTS. EVERYBODY CAN BE PART OF THIS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HELPING US, YOU KNOW. THANK YOU DOCTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU WANT TO REAL QUICK. DO YOU WANT TO SAY HELLO TO THEM. SAY HI TO EVERYONE. HI EVERYONE.

[02:20:02]

ARE YOU HAPPY YOU'RE RINGING THE BELL. YES YES YES. THAT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT CELEBRATION FOR YOU. YOU'RE VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AS WELL. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THANK YOU. I LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS. YOU KNOW. NO GRACIAS. A TODO EL EQUIPO DE EL PASO CHILDREN'S EL EQUIPO DE ONCOLOGIA GRACIAS POR SIEMPRE CON NOSOTROS. GRACIAS A DIOS TAMBIÉN NOS DEJO DE TENER SALIR DE LA CIUDAD PARA TRATAMIENTO PARA NUESTRA FAMILIA. TODO EL EQUIPO DE EL PASO CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY DOCTORS ENFERMEROS MUCHAS GRACIAS DE NUESTRO CORAZON. GRACIAS GRACIAS.

USTEDES PUEDEN. WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF? YEAH. PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELVES.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. I'M ALLIE VALDESPINO. I'M THE NURSING DIRECTOR HERE AT EL PASO CHILDREN'S FOR THE ONCOLOGY UNIT. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ADRIANA OLIVIA. I'M THE CLINICAL COORDINATOR FOR THE UNIT. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ROXANNE WIESENDANGER. I'M THE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER. THANK YOU. SEE YOU ALL AGAIN. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS NICOLE BOYK AND I LEAD OUR CHILD LIFE TEAM. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. DANIEL. DEAL WITH THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT. MY NAME IS JOHN GONZALEZ MARKETING DEPARTMENT. AND THEN WE HAVE ANABELLA MARKETING DEPARTMENT AS WELL. SHE'S BEHIND THE CAMERA. OUR NEWEST OUR NEWEST EMPLOYEE. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU. YOU'VE DONE ALL OF YOU'VE DONE SUCH AN AMAZING JOB. AND I MEAN, WE REALLY SUPPORT THE FACT THAT WHEN A FAMILY STAYS HERE, IT'S SUCH A BIG PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS. AND TO SEPARATE THEM IS SO DIFFICULT, IT BECOMES EVEN A BIGGER CHALLENGE. SO WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO THESE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. I'VE GOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH SEVERAL OF THE CHILDREN. AND SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. CINDY, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, DOCTOR. A VERY BELOVED DOCTOR HERE IN EL PASO. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. THIS. IS. JOHN.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. ALWAYS ADVOCATING. FROM YOU. YEAH THAT'S FINE. ALL RIGHT. EVERYONE READY? I'M OVER HERE.

ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

SO. EVERYONE THANK YOU. ALL AGAIN. I SNUCK IN, I HAD JUST BEATEN IT AND HE WAS GONNA.

[02:25:17]

ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF. SPEAKER I'M SORRY THAT'S BEEN BACK HERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE ON NINE. 99. OH YEAH. PLEASE. NINE EIGHT SO I CAN HAVE SCOTT COME UP HERE. OKAY. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER NINE A FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT. APPROVE AN AUTHORIZED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SIGN AND SEND A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO MODERNIZE STATEWIDE WIRELESS 911 SERVICE AND ESTABLISH A SUSTAINABLE, LONG TERM FUNDING MODEL FOR TEXAS 911 SERVICES AND CRITICAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU. SCOTT. I MET WITH SCOTT EARLIER, AND I

[A. Approve and authorize the Commissioners Court to sign and send a resolution supporting legislative action to modernize statewide wireless 9-1-1 service and establish a sustainable, long-term funding model for Texas 9-1-1 services and critical emergency communications infrastructure in El Paso County, Texas. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

THINK THE COMMUNITY QUITE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPACT THAT 911 HAS. THE NUMBER OF LIVES THAT ARE SAVED, JUST THINGS GO MUCH, MUCH BETTER AS SOON AS THEY RECEIVE THAT CALL. AND IN ESSENCE, THEY ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS BECAUSE THEY GET THAT FIRST CALL. SO JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGY THAT YOU'RE AFTER AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO MAKE OUR THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. SCOTT HAS BEEN VERY ADMIRABLE. SO I WOULD LOVE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION AND GET THE SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HELP THEM WITH, WITH THE STATE GETTING MORE INVOLVED, WHEREAS PROTECTING THE LIVES, PROPERTY AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE OF PASO COUNTY IS AMONG THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT WAS RELIABLE. 911 SERVICE IS ESSENTIAL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE, FIRE PROTECTION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE, DISASTER RESPONSE AND COORDINATION AMONG FIRST RESPONDERS IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES WITH RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, VISITORS.

EL PASO COUNTY DEPEND ON A 911 SYSTEM THAT IS SECURE, RESILIENT, INOPERABLE, AND CAPABLE OF RECEIVING AND ROUTING MODERN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION EFFICIENTLY AND WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. WHEREAS, EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION DISTRICTS AND OTHER ENTITIES OPERATE UNDER THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, CHAPTER 772 PROVIDE ESSENTIAL 911 SERVICE INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS FOR COUNTIES AND REGIONS ACROSS TEXAS, WITH THE STATEWIDE WIRELESS 911 SERVICE FEE HAS REMAINED AT 0.5 PER PER DEVICE PER MONTH SINCE 1997, DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN POPULATION CALL VOLUME DEMANDS, CYBER SECURITY THREATS, TECHNOLOGY COSTS AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS. WHEREAS, TEXAS HAS TRANSITIONED TO TRANSITION TO NEXT GENERATION 911 INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH REQUIRES SECURE IP BASED NETWORKS, REDUNDANCY, CYBER SECURITY PROTECTIONS, LIFE CYCLE EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT, GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM SUPPORT, AND THE CAPABILITY OF PROCESS TO PROCESS VOICE, TEXT, AND OTHER EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. WHEREAS, MAINTAINING NEXT GENERATION 911 IS NOT A ONE TIME CAPITAL OBLIGATION, BUT AN ONGOING OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY NECESSARY TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF SERVICE, RAPID CALL ROUTING SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND DEPENDABLE, DEPENDABLE EMERGENCY RESPONSE WITH A PROPERLY STRUCTURED WIRELESS 911 FEE IS USER BASED PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT HELPS ENSURE THOSE WHO BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO THE STATEWIDE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS CONTRIBUTE TO ITS MAINTENANCE AND MODERNIZATION, WITH ANY LONG TERM FUNDING FRAMEWORK SHOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT STABILITY TO AVOID RECURRING SHORTFALLS, REDUCE UNCERTAINTY FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL 911 PROVIDERS, AND SUPPORT EFFICIENT LONG RANGE PLANNING AND PROCUREMENT. WHEREAS, PRESERVING A DEPENDABLE STATEWIDE 911 SYSTEM ADVANCES PUBLIC SAFETY, SUPPORTS FIRST RESPONDERS, STRENGTHENS HOMELAND SECURITY AND DISASTER RESPONSE READINESS, AND PROTECTS TEXAS FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND COMMERCE. NOW THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO MODERNIZE STATEWIDE WIRELESS 911 SERVICE, SUPPORT A SUSTAINABLE, LONG TERM FUNDING MODEL FOR TEXAS 911 SERVICE THAT PROVIDES FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS, CYBER SECURITY, REDUNDANCY, MAPPING AND LOCATION TECHNOLOGY, LIFE CYCLE REPLACEMENT, AND OTHER CORE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION NEEDS, AND FURTHER DIRECTS THAT THIS RESOLUTION BE TRANSMITTED TO

[02:30:04]

THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER OF THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTING EL PASO COUNTY SIGNED THIS 31ST DAY OF AUGUST 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER. VOTING IS OPEN. I THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER STOUT.

OKAY. THANK YOU SIR. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SCOTT. THANK YOU. WELCOME. MY NAME IS SCOTT CALDERWOOD. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EL PASO COUNTY 911 DISTRICT. I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE FUNNEST RESOLUTION TO READ, BUT YOUR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THAT RESOLUTION MEANS A LOT TO US.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT. THANK YOU. JUDGE. IT MEANS THAT YOU GUYS RECOGNIZE OUR UNDERFUNDED STATUS. IT MEANS YOU RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN IN THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING A SUPPORTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. AND IT MEANS YOU RECOGNIZE THE GREAT THINGS THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY 911 DISTRICT DOES FOR ALL OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS. THIS SUPPORT AT THE STATE LEVEL WILL WILL HELP ADDRESS OUR UNDERFUNDED STATUS AND HELP US CONTINUE DOING THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR EL PASO LONG INTO THE FUTURE. THANK YOU, SCOTT, FOR YOUR PASSION TO, TO, TO BE THERE FOR EL PASO. AND EVERY NEED THAT COMES UP ON THOSE PHONE CALLS, YOUR TEAM, YOU HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM AS WELL. SO WE THANK YOU. WE'D LOVE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH JUDGE. YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO SCOTT AND ALL HIS TEAM OUT THERE BECAUSE THEY'VE BECOME ONE OF THE BEST, IF NOT THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, OUR 911 SERVICE.

AND WE ALL SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT. NOT ONLY THAT, THE STEWARDSHIP THAT THEY'VE DONE WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNDING, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE REALLY DONE A GREAT JOB TO DO THAT. BUT IT'S NOT A SUSTAINABLE FUNDING OPERATION BECAUSE OF ALL THE ADVANCEMENTS AND ALL THE REQUIREMENTS WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE. ANOTHER, ANOTHER FOR US TO KEEP IT GOING LIKE THAT, WE NEED TO CALL ON OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AND OUR LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SURE THEY PROVIDE THE ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR THIS. SO, AND I HOPE THIS HELPS. JUDGE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THREE THREE MORE BEFORE. OKAY. ITEM NUMBER SIX IS PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE TWO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I'D LIKE TO GET STARTED WITH MARTY LOYA. I'D JUST LIKE TO REMIND SPEAKERS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. EVERYBODY WILL BE TIMED. THANK YOU. MARTY, HOW ARE YOU? WELCOME. GOOD MORNING.

[PUBLIC COMMENT]

GOOD AFTERNOON, I THINK THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE. MARTY LOYA, CO-OWNER OF BODEGA LOYA, LIFELONG RESIDENT OF SOCORRO AND A PARISHIONER OF SOCORRO MISSION, BARBARA PENA. SHE'S WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AT THE SOCORRO MISSION. GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MIC. YEAH. THANK YOU. SO WE'RE HERE TODAY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT SOME

[02:35:02]

EXCITING NEWS WE HAVE OF A MAJOR REHABILITATION PROJECT WE HAVE WITH SOCORRO MISSION. IT INVOLVES ADDRESSING A FOUNDATIONAL ISSUE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT RAINWATER AWAY FROM THE ADOBE WALLS OF THE MISSION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. IT SO IT DOESN'T COLLECT, SETTLE, AND DESTROY THE ADOBE. AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT. WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT THE MISSION IS ACTUALLY SHRINKING. SO IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE FELT THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS NOT A RESTORATION, BUT MORE A REHABILITATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A NEW ROOF WITH ENHANCEMENTS TO PROTECT AND EXTEND LONGEVITY. PLANS FOR THIS WORK HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE.

HOWEVER, WE LACK THE FUNDS TO PROCEED. THE PROJECTED COSTS FOR THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $2 MILLION. SO LAST YEAR I APPROACHED THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND DECIDED WE NEEDED A MAJOR FUNDRAISER FOR THIS PROJECT. MY STRATEGY WAS TO CONTACT MAJOR COMPANIES IN EL PASO AND SOLICIT LARGE DONATION, WHICH WE HAVE. WE REACHED OUT TO OVER 100 COMPANIES IN EL PASO AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE WITH THE MISSION, AND IT WAS APPROVED BY THE DIOCESE. SO THE DIOCESE HAS SET UP ACCOUNTS FOR US THAT THE MONEY THAT WE COLLECT FROM DONORS, FROM SPONSORS, ANYONE TO HELP US, THE MONEY GOES DIRECTLY TO THE DONORS, TO THE TO THE DIOCESE. IN ADDITION, WE ARE HOSTING AN EVENT, BODEGA LOYA, ON OCTOBER THE 17TH. THIS IS GOING TO BE A LARGE OUTDOOR EVENT AND IT'S FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT'S ON OCTOBER 17TH.

IT WILL INCLUDE STARTING WITH A MISSION, A TOUR OF THE MISSION. WE WILL HAVE A TRANSPORTATION TO BRING ANY PARTICIPANTS TO THE ORIGINAL MISSION SITE, AND THEN THEY WILL BE DROPPED OFF AT WIND DOWN AND BODEGA. WE WILL HAVE OVER TEN LOCAL CHEFS THERE PROVIDING FOOD, AND WE WILL EVEN HAVE THE LADIES FROM THE MISSION PREPARING GORDITAS AS WELL TO WE WILL HAVE MARIACHIS, MATACHINES, FLAMENCO DANCERS, DJ'S, AND A PLAY THAT'S BEING PUT ON BY ONE OF OUR PARISHIONERS TO. THE COSTS FOR THE EVENT IS $200 PER PERSON, SO WE'RE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE ARE AWARE OF OUR FUNDRAISER, ARE AWARE OF THE EVENT AND SUPPORT IN ANY WAY YOU CAN FOR US. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO US. ANY QUESTIONS. NOW YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTIONS AS WELL TO THANK YOU, MARTY. WE. YOU KNOW, I SAT HERE LISTENING TO TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE IMPACT THAT YOU HAVE. THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND YOUR DYNAMICS IS VERY DIFFERENT. YOUR OUTREACH IS STRONG. AND JUST A REMINDER THAT IN THE LOWER VALLEY, WE HAVE THE SOCORRO MISSION, AND THE PARISHIONERS OF THAT COMMUNITY WANT TO PRESERVE OUR TRADITION AND OUR HISTORY. AND WE COUNT ON YOUR SUPPORT.

FATHER MARCELINO COULD NOT BE HERE, BUT PLEASE ATTEND THIS FESTIVAL, ENJOY YOURSELVES AND GO DOWN TO THE VALLEY. PLEASE DON'T LET US BE FORGOTTEN. THANK YOU. YEAH. I THINK YOU HAVE A COMMISSIONER HERE THAT I KNOW. WE. I'VE SEEN HER THERE BEFORE. WOULDN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. EVER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. MY BEST TO RALPH, PLEASE. THANK YOU.

OUR NEXT COMMENT IS FROM ELIZABETH CRAWFORD, WHO SUBMITTED WRITTEN COMMENTS. SHE BEGINS. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONERS THIS YEAR, AS WE MARK 25 YEARS SINCE THE TRAGEDY OF NINE OVER 11, IT IS CRITICAL TO CONSIDER THE AFTERMATH BECAUSE, AS THE SAYING GOES, HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2001, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TOM DASCHLE PUBLICLY PROCLAIMED THE WORDS OF ISAIAH 910, THE BRICKS OF HOLLAND. BUT WE WILL REBUILD WITH DRESSED STONE. THE SYCAMORES HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN, BUT WE WILL PUT CEDARS IN THEIR PLACE. SPOKEN BY THE SENATOR AS A BOLD PROCLAMATION OF AMERICA'S RESILIENCE. WHAT HE DIDN'T REALIZE IS THAT THESE WERE GOD'S WORDS CONDEMNING THE ARROGANCE OF HIS PEOPLE. THE VERSE JUST ABOVE IT STATES, AND ALL THE PEOPLE SHALL KNOW, EVEN

[02:40:04]

EFRAIM AND THE INHABITANT OF SAMARIA, THAT SAY IN THE PRIDE AND STOUTNESS OF HEART. AND THEN THE WORDS ABOUT REBUILDING. SO ON THE VERY NEXT DAY, AFTER NINE OVER 11, THE US SENATE TURNS TO SELF-RELIANCE AND PRIDE AS THE ANSWER. AND IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, TWO THINGS THAT DECLARE HUMAN PRIDE HAVE BEEN RAISED AT THE SITE OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TRAGEDY, SAINT PAUL'S CHAPEL, WHICH WAS AFFECTIONATELY CALLED THE LITTLE CHAPEL THAT STOOD ON NINE OVER 11, HAS RAISED PRIDE RAINBOW FLAGS, AND IN 2019, THE TOWER THAT MARKS THE WORLD TRADE CENTER LOCATION WAS LIT UP IN PINK TO CELEBRATE THE LEGALIZATION OF ABORTION UNTIL BIRTH IN NEW YORK STATE. WE'RE A NATION THAT HAS REFUSED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD.

THE CHAPTER OF ISAIAH NINE WOULD BE HOPELESS WERE IT NOT FOR VERSE SIX. WE OFTEN HEAR IT QUOTED DURING ADVENT SEASON THE BEAUTY, THE BEAUTIFUL PROPHECY OF THE COMING SAVIOR. ISAIAH NINE SIX FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN, AND THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER, AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE. THE HOPE OF AMERICA IS NOT IN PROCLAIMING ITS PROUD RESILIENCE, BUT IN HUMBLING ITS. IN HUMBLING HERSELF BEFORE THE ONE IN CHARGE OF OUR WORLD AND CALLING OUT FOR HELP FROM HIM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TIME TO SHARE, AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY. END OF COMMENT. AND THIS COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT, JUDGE. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN, A PRESENTATION PRESENT A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO REGGIE MAYNOR FOR HIS TIME AND SERVICE AS THE APPOINTEE OF COMMISSIONER DAVID STOUT, PRECINCT TWO TO THE EL PASO COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD FROM AUGUST 5TH, 2024 TO JULY 12TH, 2026. WELCOME. THANK YOU.

[A. Present a Certificate of Appreciation to Reggie Mainor for his time and service as the appointee of Commissioner David Stout, Precinct 2, to the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board from August 5, 2024, to July 12, 2026. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]

IT'S A VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE TO START OFF BY GIVING HONOR TO GOD, WHO'S THE HEAD OF MY LIFE AND THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE, TO HAVE SERVED ON EL PASO COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD. FIRST CORINTHIANS NINE AND 23 SAYS, I HAVE VOLUNTARILY BECOME A SERVANT TO ANY AND TO ALL WHO, IN ORDER TO REACH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE. I'M NOT HERE TO PREACH TO YOU, BUT I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ONE WHO FUELS MY DESIRE TO SERVE. COMMISSIONER STOUT, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT YOU IN EL PASO COUNTY. AS A PRECINCT TWO VETERAN ADVISOR. SERVING IN THIS POSITION HAS BEEN A TRUE HONOR, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND FOR YOU TRUSTING ME IN THIS. POLICE COMMISSIONER BUTLER, COMMISSIONER HOGAN, COMMISSIONER COLIN ISLER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR THE WARM WELCOME EXTENDED BY YOU AND YOUR TEAMS COMING UP HERE. AND YOU'RE MEETING ME IN THE HALLWAY, IN THE FOYER AND WALKING INTO YOUR OFFICE. IT WAS TRULY APPRECIATIVE. FLIP WILSON HAD A SAYING, AND IT WAS. AND SOME OF US WHO ARE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER, HERE COMES THE JUDGE. JUDGE, A TRUE RICO SUAVE. AND I SAY TO YOU, WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT, OUR RELATIONSHIP BEGAN LONG BEFORE I BECAME PRECINCT TWO ADVISOR.

THE CONVERSATIONS AND THE PRAYERS WE SHARED IN YOUR OFFICE MEANT MORE TO ME THAN YOU EVER WILL REALIZE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, MENTORSHIP, AND GENUINE CONCERN FOR THE VETERANS OF THIS COUNTY AND OF THIS CITY. TO MISS MICHELLE COCHRAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP AND TRANSFORMING MY TRANSFORMATION INTO THE POSITION I HELD. OUR CONVERSATIONS WERE ENCOURAGING, INSPIRING, AND EXTREMELY HELPFUL. I DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND YOUR BELIEF IN ME TO DO THE JOB. THANK YOU. LAST BUT NOT LEAST.

TO THIS OUTSTANDING VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD AND THE VETERANS ASSISTANCE OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SERVE ALONG YOUR SIDE. AND I NOW ASK YOU TO COME STAND AT MY SIDE AS I CONTINUE TO. NEXT TO HIM. HE'S ALWAYS MOST SHARPLY DRESSED. TO TONY, ALSO KNOWN AS MAMA BEAR.

[02:45:22]

THE FIRE THAT BURNS IN YOUR BELLY NEVER SEEMS TO GO OUT. AND THAT PASSION IS WHAT KEEPS YOU SERVING OUR VETERANS SO FAITHFULLY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH TO MY BIG BROTHER MIKE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FORWARD THINKING AND ■FOR ALWAYS LOOKING OUT FOR THE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THAT PASSION THAT YOU SERVE, THAT YOU SERVED AS A COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR STILL LIVES ON. TO LADY D. THAT'S WHAT I CALL HER. EL PASO COUNTY 2025 VETERAN OF THE YEAR. AND AFTER SHE STEPPED DOWN, IT WAS A TIME THAT CAME AND A POINT THAT CAME THAT SHE WAS ASKED TO COME BACK AGAIN. AND SHE SO GRACIOUSLY STEPPED UP. YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE DESIRE TO SERVE, AND YOU DO IT WITH SUCH GRACE, COMPASSION, AND LOVE THAT NEVER QUITS AND NEVER ENDS. THANK YOU RICHARD. YOU ARE A QUIET STORM, CONSISTENTLY WORKING TO ENSURE THAT THE VETERANS IN CLINTON AND FABENS RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION AND SUPPORT THAT THEY DESERVE. AND I THANK YOU DEARLY TO THE COMMISSION, TO COMMISSIONER STOUT AND EL PASO COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE ON THE EL PASO COUNTY VETERAN ADVISORY BOARD. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE AND A BLESSING, A RESPONSIBILITY THAT WAS CHERISHED FOREVER. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. THIS GREAT NATION AND EL PASO, THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. THANK YOU REGGIE, REGGIE, I THINK THE BEST THING I COULD SAY THAT HE IS A GENTLEMAN'S GENTLEMAN. I MEAN, WHEN YOU'RE IN A ROOM, I DON'T KNOW, JUST YOU GET THIS SENSE OF PRIDE, THE SENSE OF DIGNITY, THE SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH YOU CARE AND LOVE FOR VETERANS. AND YOU, I MEAN, IT JUST FLOWS OUT OF YOU. AND SO I THANK YOU BECAUSE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE VETERANS CAPITAL, IT WAS SORT OF LIKE, WHY, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE QUESTIONS, IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. AND, AND THERE WAS A LITTLE TIME THERE THAT I NEEDED INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOURSELF THAT THAT JUST ENHANCED IT, GRABBED ON TO IT.

AND I THINK WE ARE IN A VERY, A GREAT PLACE RIGHT NOW, BUT INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOURSELF THAT REALLY CARED ABOUT IT AND REALLY PUSHED IT FORWARD. SO YOU'LL ALWAYS BE A GREAT FRIEND AND YOU'LL ALWAYS BE A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS. AND SO I THINK I COULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LOVE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU REGGIE. JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS MYSELF. THANK YOU SO MUCH, REGGIE, FOR YOUR SERVICE TO EL PASO COUNTY, ESPECIALLY AFTER HAVING SERVED, I THINK, 30 YEARS IN THE MILITARY AND, YOU KNOW, ENDING UP HERE IN EL PASO AND DECIDING TO CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND FOR REPRESENTING PRECINCT TWO ON THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME, THE EXPERIENCE, AND THE PERSPECTIVE THAT YOU BROUGHT TO THE BOARD AND IN YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE THAT OUR VETERANS HAVE A VOICE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT. I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO THE FACT THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO SERVE IN OUR OFFICE, IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN THIS CAPACITY. AND I AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOUR WORK IN SERVICE, THAT YOU REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND SO ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT TWO AND THE COUNTY, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE. I KNOW YOU WON'T BE A STRANGER, BUT I WISH YOU THE BEST. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A CERTIFICATE FOR MR. MAYNOR. CLAUDIA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. WE'D LOVE WE'D LOVE TO JOIN YOU FOR A PICTURE.

SO. FOR YOUR.

[02:51:08]

COMMISSIONER STOUT, YOU'RE ON SCREEN FOR A PICTURE WITH REGGIE.

ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. BE RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD ON THEIR 2026 PRIORITIES.

[B. Receive a presentation from the Veterans Advisory Board on their 2026 Priorities. Antoinette Hunt, VA Program Manager, Veterans Assistance, 915-273-3454]

THANK YOU FOR HAVING JAMES HERE TODAY.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY LEADERS, FELLOW VETERANS. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD AFTERNOON. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS MIKE BARNES, CHAIR OF THE EL PASO COUNTY VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD, REPRESENTING PRECINCT ONE. BEFORE I GET STARTED, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD I SO PROUDLY SERVE ALONGSIDE REPRESENTING JUDGE SAMANIEGO, DAVID PAWS, WHO COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE HE'S ACROSS THE STATE CELEBRATION CELEBRATING GRADUATION MILESTONES IN THE LIVES OF HIS AMAZING GRANDCHILDREN. FROM PRECINCT TWO. SHE'S ON HER WAY IS OUR NEWEST MEMBER, DIANE VEGA FROM PRECINCT THREE, OUR LONGEST SERVING MEMBER, DAVID DELGADO. RICHARD DALE. I'M SORRY, RICHARD. AND FROM PRECINCT FOUR, THE ONE AND ONLY DEVIL WAKEFIELD. AGAIN, I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR FORMER BOARD MEMBER, A COMMUNITY LEADER, MY GOOD FRIEND REGGIE. REGGIE. REGGIE SERVED ON THE BOARD WITH DISTINCTION AND HONOR AS WE JUST CELEBRATED AND CONTINUES THAT LEVEL OF SELFLESS SERVICE WITH HIS VETERAN SUPPORT TO THE CITY OF EL PASO. REGGIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR MENTORSHIP, YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AND CONTINUING TO SERVE THE VETERANS OF THIS COMMUNITY. OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE TEAM TONY AND THE AMAZING PROFESSIONALS OF OUR VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE. A LOT OF WHAT THEY DO HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES. WE DON'T ALWAYS SEE THE HARD WORK THEY PUT IN, BUT OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES SEE THE RESULTS EACH AND EVERY DAY. TONY AND HER TEAM REMAIN A CRITICAL PART OF WHAT WE DO, AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR CONTINUED EFFORTS. AT THIS TIME. JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I'D LIKE TO PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE OF WHERE THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN, WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED, AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHERE WE'RE GOING. OUR ROLE IS PRETTY SIMPLE. WE LISTEN TO OUR VETERANS. WE IDENTIFY THE GAPS, WE BRING THE RIGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER AND GIVE THE COURT PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

[02:55:03]

LAST YEAR, WE FOCUSED ON THREE PRIORITIES. FIRST WAS THE VETERANS RESOURCE GUIDE. WE TOOK WHAT WAS BASICALLY A STATIC PDF AND STARTED TURNING IT INTO A SOMETHING MUCH MORE USEFUL AND USER FRIENDLY. OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE TWO CLICKS TO WHAT YOU NEED. A VETERAN LOOKING FOR HELP SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BECOME A RESEARCH ANALYST JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHO TO CALL.

NOW THAT. NOW THAT IT IS FINALIZED, THE GUIDE WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FIND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM. OUR SECOND PRIORITY WAS COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

YOUR BOARD MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY, ATTENDING VETERAN EVENTS, MEETINGS, OUTREACH PROGRAMS, AND COUNTY ACTIVITIES. WHEN WE FIND A VETERAN WHO NEEDS HELP, WE TRY TO CONNECT VETERAN WITH SOMEBODY WHO CAN ACTUALLY HELP THEM. WE BROUGHT THAT PRIORITY FORWARD BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE. OUR THIRD PRIORITY LAST YEAR WAS IDENTIFYING GAPS IN VETERAN SERVICES. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE IS THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL ORGANIZATION, WHICH CAME TO THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD AFTER THEIR COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN 2025. SINCE THEN, OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR FALLEN HEROES FAMILIES HAS ASSISTED IN REDUCING THEIR PROJECTED COST. PROJECTED COSTS FOR MORE THAN 600,000 TO APPROXIMATELY $310,000. AS OUR BOARD CONTINUED THEIR. I'M SORRY. AS OUR BOARD CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS, OUR OWN DEVIL WAKEFIELD IS NOW THEIR VICE PRESIDENT AND HAS STEPPED UP TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN FUNDRAISING AND HELPING THEM MOVE THE MEMORIAL FORWARD.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I BELIEVE THE ADVISORY BOARD SHOULD DO, NOT JUST IDENTIFY A NEED, BUT FIND A SOLUTION AND DO WHAT IT TAKES TO RECTIFY THAT ISSUE. ON ANOTHER ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDED ANOTHER VETERANS ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY BASED ON POSSIBLE OVERCROWDING. AT THE AMBROSIO GUILLEN, TEXAS VETERANS HOME.

AFTER BRINGING THE RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT THE ACTUAL NUMBERS, WE FOUND THAT THE WAITLIST HAS REMAINED BELOW FOR VETERANS OVER THE PAST YEAR. SO TODAY, THE NUMBERS SIMPLY DON'T SUPPORT ANOTHER FACILITY. BUT AS OUR VETERAN POPULATION IS AGING, THOSE NUMBERS CAN CHANGE. SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE FOCUS ON THIS NEED FOR VETERANS.

THESE ARE OUR GOALS THAT WE STARTED WITH. WE'VE MADE GOOD PROGRESS, BUT WE ALL KNOW THERE'S WORK TO DO. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ON OUR 2025 GOALS, I'D LIKE TO QUICKLY DISCUSS OUR GOALS FOR 2026. FOR 2026, OUR PRIORITIES ARE CLEAR. PREPARE FOR THE 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THROUGH OUR LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE, EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH INTO UNDERSERVED AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, AND CONTINUE SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. OUR GOAL IS NOT TO BECOME ANOTHER ADVISORY BOARD THAT MEETS ONCE A MONTH, TALKS FOR AN HOUR, APPROVES SOME MINUTES, AND GOES HOME. WE ARE A WORKING BOARD. WE STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR VETERANS. WE IDENTIFY REAL PROBLEMS AND WE WORK WITH THE COURT AND CONTINUE AND CONTINUE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO FIND REAL SOLUTIONS. SOLUTIONS. SUBJECT TO YOUR QUESTIONS ON OUR OUR GOALS. I'D LIKE TO BRING FORWARD THE MEMBERS OF OUR LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE, RICHARD DE HARO. ALSO, DIANE VEGA IS ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE WHO'S NOT HERE TODAY. WELCOME, RICHARD. OUR FIRST GOAL IS TO CREATE A LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE TO HELP IDENTIFY, REVIEW AND DISCUSS LEGISLATION THAT COULD IMPACT VETERANS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS OR VETERANS SERVICES. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS. THE RECOGNIZES THAT LEGISLATION CAN HAVE SECOND AND THIRD ORDER EFFECTS ON THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT BUDGETS AND TAXPAYERS. THE BOARD WANTS TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND INFORMED BEFORE MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS OR ASKING COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT LEGISLATION. THE RECENT DISCUSSION SURROUNDING HB 235 HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF LEGISLATIVE IMPACTS. STRUCTURED ANALYSIS, COLLABORATION WITH COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. PROPOSED CONCEPT ESTABLISH A SMALL WEB LEGISLATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE. WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH COUNTY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE, COMMISSIONERS COURT WHEN APPROPRIATE, AND FOCUS ON THE VETERANS RELATED LEGISLATION. IMPACT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STATE AND FEDERAL VETERAN POLICY. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FOR THE 90TH SESSION. IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. RICHARD. ALL RIGHT. WITH

[03:00:08]

THAT. THANKS. THANK YOU BROTHER. OUR SECOND PRIORITY IS COMMUNITY OUTREACH. JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, I JUST WANT TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES AND TALK ABOUT OUR FOCUS WITH THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM. WE'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB GETTING INTO OUR VETERAN COMMUNITY. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S VETERANS WHO WERE STILL NOT REACHING, PARTICULARLY IN THE OUTLYING RURAL AREAS OF OUR COUNTY. SOME DON'T KNOW WHAT BENEFITS THEY'VE EARNED. SOME HAVE TRANSPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. OTHERS SIMPLY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO OR WHO TO CALL WHEN THEY NEED HELP. OUR GOAL IS TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY'S VETERANS SERVICE SERVICE OFFICE, LOCAL VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO BRING THESE SERVICES DIRECTLY INTO PLACES LIKE THE LOWER VALLEY, NORTHEAST EL PASO AND OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES LIKE MONTANA VISTA. THIS MEANS ROTATING CLAIMS CLINICS, RESOURCE FAIRS, EVENTS LIKE THE ONE WE JUST HELD LAST FRIDAY AT THE MONTANA VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHERE THERE WAS AN AMAZING TURNOUT OF VETERANS THAT HAVE NOT ENGAGED IN VETERAN SUPPORT FOR YEARS. WE WANT TO BRING TOGETHER VA CLAIMS ASSISTANCE, THE HEROES FROM THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING RESOURCES, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, CAREGIVER SUPPORT, AND IN PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN VETERANS. BUT ONE OF OUR FOCAL POINTS HAVE BEEN WE DON'T WANT A VETERAN WALKING OUT OF ONE OF OUR EVENTS CARRYING JUST A STACK OF BROCHURES. WE WANT I WANT OUR VETERANS TO WALK OUT KNOWING THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHO IS GOING TO ASSIST THEM AND THE CONFIDENCE THEY HAVE IN THE SITUATION WILL BE RECTIFIED. AND THE BIGGER GOAL ISN'T TO HOLD JUST ONE EVENT, TAKE SOME PHOTOS, SHAKE SOME HANDS AND CALL IT OUTREACH. THAT'S EASY. RURAL OUTREACH MEANS SHOWING UP.

IT. IT MEANS BUILDING TRUST. IT MEANS BRINGING TOGETHER THE COUNTY, THE CITY, NGOS, VSOS AND OTHER VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS, AND GETTING EVERYBODY MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHETHER A VETERAN LIVES DOWNTOWN NEXT TO A DATA CENTER OR OUT IN A FARM, THAT VETERAN NEEDS TO KNOW THERE IS COUNTY LEADERS, DEDICATED STAFF, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND A HANDFUL OF VETERANS WHO GIVE A DAMN. AND THAT IS WHAT IS. AND THAT IS WHAT COMMUNITY OUTREACH IS. AT THIS TIME, IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO BE FOLLOWED UP BY DEBBIE WAKEFIELD AND WHO IS PART OF OUR OUR CAPITAL USA, OUR VETERANS CAPITAL USA COMMITTEE, ALONG WITH DAVID FORREST. GOOD AFTERNOON. THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA INITIATIVE AS MUCH MORE THAN JUST BRANDING. THE VISION IS TO CREATE A UNIQUE, COUNTY WIDE NETWORK OF ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO SERVING VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. EL PASO ALREADY HAS THE FOUNDATION TO LEGITIMATELY CLAIM THIS TITLE. WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST VETERANS POPULATIONS. WE HAVE OVER 60,000 VETERANS IN EL PASO. WE HAVE A DEEP MILITARY HISTORY TIED TO FORT BLISS, AND WE HAVE A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT'S SECOND TO NONE. WE ARE RATED THE NUMBER ONE EL PASO VA HOSPITAL FACILITY, NUMEROUS MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS CONNECTED TO THIS REGION, AND APPROXIMATELY 124 MEMORIALS IN EL PASO. STRONG MILITARY, COMMUNITY CULTURE, EXTENSIVE NONPROFIT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. THE VA BELIEVES THE INITIATIVE SHOULD REPRESENT COORDINATION, ACCESS, VISIBILITY, PRIDE, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND VETERANS QUALITY OF LIFE. CREATE A DEDICATED SUBCOMMITTEE CONSISTING OF VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS, COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS AND CITY VETERAN OFFICERS. THE PURPOSE IS TO COORDINATE STRATEGY, BUILD PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOP IMPLEMENTATION FOR IDEAS, AND TO MAINTAIN CONTINUITY AND MOMENTUM. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WILL TAKE THEM AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU DEBBIE. THANK YOU. JUDGE. IN CLOSING, THESE ARE OUR GOALS FOR 2026. WE WILL CONTINUE PREPARING FOR THE 90TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WE WILL EXPAND OUR OUTREACH INTO UNDERSERVED AREAS OF EL PASO AND WILL CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE VETERANS CAPITAL USA. AS WE AS WE APPRECIATE YOUR TRUST. THESE ARE OUR GOALS.

THIS IS OUR MISSION. THANK YOU MIKE. YOU KNOW, I WE WENT THROUGH SOME ROUGH TIMES AS OF AB AND BUT I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU. IT'S JUST AMAZING THE FOCUS, THE EXCITEMENT. YOU'RE THERE. BUT YOU KNOW, BEFORE THE MEETING, AFTER THE MEETING, AND THERE WAS TIMES IN THE PAST

[03:05:02]

THAT WE COULDN'T EVEN GET QUORUM. AND SO TO KNOW THAT, THAT YOU'RE FOCUSING ON THAT AND THEN YOU GET IT. I MEAN, YOU GET THE VISION OF EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN ORDER FOR US. BUT YOU SAID SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PROVIDING BENEFITS, BUT QUALITY. AND, AND THAT'S WHAT I FEEL IN EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I'M VERY PROUD ALSO OF DAVID COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY, BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE'RE RAISING THE BAR FOR EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY. AND I ALWAYS THINK THAT IF SOMEONE IS NOT DOING GOOD AS A COMMUNITY, I THINK BY WATCHING WHAT YOU DO AND SEEING THE RESULTS, I THINK THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES. SO I'VE NEVER I WAS TAUGHT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, VETERANS ARE ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND SO NOT FOCUSING JUST ON, ON OUR COMMUNITY, BUT MAKING SURE THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES LEARN FROM US, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE ANOTHER BIG STEP IS TO GET OTHER COMMUNITIES TO SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING A BENCHMARK, AND THERE'S COMMUNITIES OUT THERE THAT REALLY NEED YOUR HELP ON, ON, ON DOING WHAT EL PASO DOES. SO VERY PROUD OF, OF, OF ALL OF YOU. EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE GREAT REPRESENTATION. AS YOU SAW REGGIE, WHO WAS PART OF THE OF THE AB, JUST AN AMAZING INDIVIDUAL. SO, DEB, THANK YOU. I MEAN, BEING SEEING JAMES TODAY JUST BROKE MY HEART. I KNOW BECAUSE YOU TOOK CARE OF HIS, YOU KNOW, TOOK CARE. YOU DID IT IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WAY.

YOU KNOW, YOU REPRESENTED. BUT HE WAS ALWAYS THE VETERAN OF THE YEAR. BUT YOU'RE THE ONE THAT KEPT AND DID THINGS THAT I KNOW THAT HE WOULD HAVE LOVED FOR, FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO DO.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, DEBORAH, FOR THAT. TONY. THANK YOU FOR BEING THE GLUE IN, IN TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PIECES ALL FIT TOGETHER AND THAT THE PUZZLE KEEPS WORKING. AND MIKE, THANK YOU TODAY FOR, FOR LEADING THE GROUP AND, AND LETTING US UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BUTLER. THANK YOU JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR DILIGENCE AND YOUR HARD WORK AND YOUR SERVICE BEYOND YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTRY, YOUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

I, I WANT TO THANK MIKE BARNES FOR, FOR LEADING THIS EFFORT AS CHAIR OF, OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD AS, AS MY REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTATIVE ON THE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD.

NOT A WEEK GOES BY THAT I DON'T HEAR FROM. MIKE, JUST CHECKING IN TO MAKE SURE THAT I KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE VA OR I KNOW WHEN THE NEXT VETERANS AT BREAKFAST IS, OR THAT I KNOW WHAT'S COMING UP ON THE AGENDA RELATED TO VETERANS. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR ADVOCACY AND YOUR SERVICE, MIKE. AND, AND MORE THAN ANYTHING, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I APPRECIATE ON YOUR ON YOUR GOALS FOR THIS YEAR, YOUR EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S IMPACT BEHIND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU KNOW, IT'S EASIER SAID THAN DONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON THINGS THAT TAKE A LONG TIME TO ACCOMPLISH, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, ALL THREE OF THOSE, THOSE ITEMS THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE LONG TERM PROJECTS. AND SO IT'S, IT'S HARD TO SEE QUICK RESULTS WITH THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. BUT BUILDING TRUST WITHIN COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT RESOURCES ARE THERE FOR THEM. THAT'S REALLY GRASSROOTS KIND OF WORK, ESPECIALLY THE KIND OF WORK THAT'S NEEDED IN AREAS LIKE MONTANA VISTA, WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF DISCONNECTED VETERANS. IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BUILD TRUST AND TO MAKE THAT OUTREACH AND, AND THEN TO CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES AND TO THE VETERANS CAPITAL, THE USA EFFORT AND, AND TO LEGISLATION. IT'S ALL CONNECTED. BUT I THINK YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER. WELL, WE THANK YOU AND WISH YOU THE BEST GOING FORWARD. I KNOW YOU'RE READY TO GET THE NEW VETERANS OF THE YEAR. YOU'RE TRYING TO. OH YES. GEAR UP TO THAT. I KNOW IT'S NOT AN EASY TASK. WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING VETERANS. THAT JUST MAKES IT SO DIFFICULT.

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THAT. AND THE OUTCOME IS ALWAYS EXCEPTIONAL. SO THANK YOU. AND JUDGE, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY THANK YOU TO THE STAFF. BETSY, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LUCY AGUILAR DOWN AT WHAT YOU GOT ARE STUCK WAY DOWN THERE IN SOCORRO. BUT BUT SHE COMES OUT ALL THE TIME AND GIVES CLASSES, ESPECIALLY ON THE TRANSFER OF DEBT TO OUR ELDERLY VETERANS OUT THERE THAT DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND. BUT NOW THEY DO. YOU GUYS ARE TRULY AMAZING AND THE TRUE HEROES OF OUR COUNTY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I. YEAH, I JUST, I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT WE HAD A REALLY SUCCESSFUL EVENT ON FRIDAY. WE HAD 60 VETERANS THERE, BUT THESE WERE 60 VETERANS WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. SO 60 NEW VETERANS WHO ARE COMING OUT LOOKING FOR ACCESS TO CLAIMS, ACCESS TO END OF LIFE PLANNING. AND WE'RE BRINGING THE NEXT ONE TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA TO SEGUNDO BARRIO

[03:10:05]

AT ARMIJO REC CENTER IN OCTOBER. SO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. I'LL PUT A HIGHLIGHT IN THE HIGHLIGHTS SO THAT THE COMMISSIONERS CAN TRACK IT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT ALL OVER.

SO FROM DOWNTOWN AREA. THEN IN THE SPRING IN JANUARY, I'M LOOKING AT THE LOWER VALLEY TO BRINGING THE SAME END OF LIFE PLANNING AND CLAIMS EVENT TO THE LOWER VALLEY AREA. AND I THINK WE'RE LOOKING IN SOCORRO BECAUSE NOTHING'S BEEN DONE THERE YET. AND THEN IN THE IN SPRINGTIME, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FAR WEST SIDE, BECAUSE THAT'S A NEED THERE TOO. AND I'VE BEEN TALKING TO THOSE VETERANS. SO WE'RE CONNECTED TO THE VETERANS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND THE VIBE IS SUCH A THEY'RE AN EXTENSION OF MY OFFICE BECAUSE THEY'RE, THEY'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE ABLE TO CALL ME AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT'S NEEDED. SO I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE TO HAVE THEM SUPPORTING MY MISSION EVERY DAY. AND THEN VICE VERSA BECAUSE WE, WE TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. WE'RE A TEAM. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU TONY.

APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT A FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA, RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE EL PASO SPORTS COMMISSION REGARDING ITS QUARTERLY STATUS REPORT. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MELISSA CARRILLO COUNTY OPERATIONS. EVERY QUARTER,

[A. Receive a presentation from the El Paso Sports Commission regarding its quarterly status report. Melissa Carrillo, Deputy County Administrator, County Operations, 915-273-3582]

MEMBERS OF OUR SPORTS COMMISSION COME TOGETHER JUST TO PRESENT A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRIOR QUARTER. SO TODAY, I HAVE MISS JEANETTE VARGAS AND TONY RODRIGUEZ WHO ARE GOING TO DO THAT FOR THE PRIOR QUARTER. THANK YOU. WELCOME, WELCOME. GOOD AFTERNOON. TONY.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT WEEKEND. MY NAME IS JANET VARGAS. I'M CEO OF THE EL PASO SPORTS COMMISSION. AND YOU ALL KNOW MR. TONY RODRIGUEZ, OUR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND EVENTS. SO WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT OUR QUARTER THREE REPORT APRIL THROUGH JUNE OF 2026. THERE'S A CLICKER ON THE PODIUM FOR YOU IF YOU'D LIKE TO USE IT. SO WE'RE GOING TO GET STARTED BY PRESENTING SOME OF THE UPGRADES DONE THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY. AND OUR FIRST ONE IS OUR GUARD SHACK. IF YOU GUYS HAVE PASSED BY THE COLISEUM OR HAVE BEEN TO THE COLISEUM LATELY, YOU MAY YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT WE REPLACED OUR GUARD SHACK WITH A TOUGH SHED, AND WE LEFT IT BRIGHT RED SO THAT NOBODY MISSES IT. IT'S GREAT. THEN WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING INSIDE WELL THROUGH.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING ON SOME OF THE GATES THROUGHOUT THE COLISEUM. WE LIFTED THIS GATE THAT'S LOCATED ON THE SOUTH END. IN THE ALLEYWAY. WE ADDED TWO FEET OF GATE AND WE ADDED A MESH. THIS GIVES THE TOURS AND THE TOUR BUSSES AND SOME OF THE ARTISTS THAT ARE BEING DROPPED OFF A LITTLE MORE PRIVACY. AND AGAIN, WE ADDED MESH THROUGHOUT THE THE BLACK GATE. THAT WAY IT JUST GIVES A CLEANER APPEARANCE FROM WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING BY AND TOUR BUSSES DO PARK IN THIS AREA. SOMETIMES WE HAVE FANS OUTSIDE TRYING TO TAKE PICTURES, LOOKING. AGAIN, THIS GIVES A LITTLE MORE PRIVACY TO THE TOUR BUSSES. AND HERE'S THE REST OF THE MESH. NOW WHEN YOU PASS BY YOU CAN'T SEE THE THE ROLL OFF DUMPSTERS THAT WE HAVE. THEN GOING TO THE MAIN ENTRANCE. AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE HAVE SLOWLY BEEN ADDING COLOR THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, GETTING RID OF THE BEIGE. HERE WE HAVE OUR VIP ENTRANCE. WE'VE ADDED A MURAL OF OUR EL PASO MOUNTAIN AND STAR, ALONG WITH THE BEAUTIFUL COLISEUM BUILDING. THEN WE HAD TO. WE HAVE A SMALL KITCHEN IN OUR VIP ROOM AND WE'RE. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING IT. WE'VE PAINTED. WE'VE EPOXIED THE FLOOR. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF PAINTING THE WALLS AND UPGRADING SOME OF THE APPLIANCES. AND THEN UPSTAIRS WE'RE ADDING A SMALL AMENITY TO AN AREA THAT HARDLY GETS USED.

SO HERE OUR GUESTS, WHEN WE GET TNA OR WELL, YEAH, T N, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A LITTLE GYM THAT THEY CAN USE BEFORE GOING UPSTATE. THEN GOING BACK OUTSIDE TO THE COLISEUM. WE'VE ADDED OLEANDERS ALL ALONG BOONE STREET, AND I BELIEVE HALF OF DELTA. AND I GO BACK TO SAYING

[03:15:04]

THAT WE JUST NEED TO ADD CURB APPEAL TO THE COLISEUM. HERE WE HAVE OUR BARN DOORS LOCATED ON THE NORTH END. AGAIN, THE GOAL IS TO ADD COLOR AND CHARACTER TO OUR BUILDING. HERE. WE DEMOLISHED OUR OLDER RAMP. IT HAD SOME CRACKS IN THERE, AND THIS IS WHERE MOST OF THE TOURS WILL. EVERY EVENT LOADS IN. THROUGH THEY. THEY PASS TOURS, CASES WITH EQUIPMENT AND. IT WAS MORE OF A SAFETY THAT WAY. NOBODY TRIPS. THE TOUR CASES DON'T FALL. AND THEN HEADING TO THE JUDGING ARENA. LAST PRESENTATION I KNOW THAT WE SHOWED YOU GUYS WE HAD PAINTED THE BLEACHERS AND THE WALLS. WE WERE FIXING IT UP. AND SO WE'VE BEEN ADDING ART AROUND INSIDE THE THE JUDGING ARENA. HERE'S ANOTHER ARTWORK, THE GLOVES AND THEN THE LUCHA MASK. AND THEN WE ADDED A LITTLE SOMETHING UNDER THE MARQUEE AS WELL. THE THE RHINOS FOR THE EL PASO HOCKEY ALONG WITH SOME LANDSCAPE. AND IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AT NIGHT. AND THEN FINALLY THE MARQUEE IS COMPLETE. AND THEN HERE GOING INTO OUR QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT FROM APRIL TO JUNE, IN APRIL, WE REPORTED 72,000, 620. IN MAY, 103,084. AND THEN IN JUNE 80TH 4496, GIVING US A TOTAL OF 260,201. AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. I FORGOT TO ADD IT UP HERE. THEN DOWN AT THE BOTTOM IS OUR TOTAL FROM OCTOBER TO JUNE, TOTALING 864,548. AND WE DID GIVE YOU GUYS A CHART. WE PROVIDED YOU GUYS A CHART. AND IT DATES SEVERAL YEARS BACK SO THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO SEE HOW EACH YEAR HAS SOME OF THE MONTHS THAT THEY FLUCTUATE. SO SOME LOOK LIKE THEY DECREASED IN REVENUE. AND THEN THE FOLLOWING MONTH LOOKS LIKE IT INCREASED. AND THAT WAY YOU GUYS CAN SEE IT'S BEEN A PATTERN. GO BACK TO. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT WE HAD GOTTEN A QUESTION ON THAT. SO WHEN YOU COMPARE THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO THIS YEAR, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S BEEN A DECREASE DURING SOME OF THE MONTHS. HOWEVER, THAT'S NOT THE CASE. I JUST WANTED TO GO INTO, I GUESS, DEEPER INTO IT AND BE MORE TRANSPARENT. I KNOW THAT TONY HAD MENTIONED THAT WE HAD LOST SOME OF THE LATIN ACTS BECAUSE OF VISAS NOT GETTING APPROVED, BUT THAT WAS A SMALL IMPACT THAT IT HAD ON SOME OF THE COLISEUM REVENUE. HOWEVER, THE MAIN REASON WHY SOME OF THE MONTHS LOOK LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE OF TIMING. SO TIMING IS ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING IN THIS INDUSTRY. THE BEST EXAMPLE THAT I CAN GIVE YOU GUYS IS WHEN WE HAVE AN EVENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH, MANY OF THE TIMES I WON'T BE ABLE TO SETTLE WITH THE WITH THE EVENT, MAYBE IT'LL BE 3 TO 4 DAYS. SOME EVENTS ARE STILL TOURING AND THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO SETTLE WITH ME WEEKS AFTER, SO WE WON'T DECLARE THAT REVENUE UNTIL SETTLEMENT IS CLOSED, SO I WON'T ADD IT ON THERE. AND A PERFECT EXAMPLE IS IN THE MAY. IN THE MONTH OF MAY, WE HAD DISNEY ON ICE AND MVP. SOME OF THE REVENUE FROM THE SHOWS EARLIER IN THAT MONTH WILL STAY IN MAY. SO THAT'S WHY THERE'S REVENUE IN THERE. BUT THEN SOME OF THE LATER SHOWS WILL ROLL OVER TO THE FOLLOWING MONTH. SO THAT KIND OF I DON'T KNOW IF I'M MAKING SENSE. YEAH. AND THEN ANOTHER REASON I SAY TIMING IS KEY IS WE DON'T CONTROL WHO GOES ON TOUR OR IF THEY'LL BE PASSING THROUGH EL PASO. A PERFECT EXAMPLE IS DISNEY ON ICE. WE USUALLY JUST GET DISNEY ON ICE ONCE A YEAR. THIS YEAR WE'RE GETTING IT. WE GOT IT IN. WE'RE GETTING IT TWICE. WE GOT IT IN MAY, AND THEN WE'RE GETTING IT AGAIN IN THE END OF SEPTEMBER. SO THAT'S WHY I GO BACK TO SAYING TIMING IS EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO THIS REVENUE REPORT. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. NO. THANK YOU. WELCOME, TONY. TONY RODRIGUEZ WITH THE EL PASO SPORTS COMMISSION REAL QUICK BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GUYS WANT TO GO TO LUNCH TOO, BUT I, I GOT TO GIVE HER A RECOGNITION EVEN THOUGH SHE'LL PROBABLY GET A LITTLE MAD, BUT IT'S OKAY. BUT JANET TOOK OVER IN MAY. MAY 9TH, 2020. THIS THIS PAST MAY 9TH WAS GOING TO BE HER FULL FISCAL YEAR THAT SHE'S BEEN DOING THE COLISEUM AS AS PRESIDENT. AND I CAN TELL YOU, AS YOU SEE THE NUMBERS FROM THE COMPARISON STUFF, SHE'S PROBABLY GOING TO SURPASS, KNOCK ON WOOD, SHE'S GOING TO SURPASS THE PAST THREE YEARS WHERE WE WHERE WE GIVE MORE THAN A LITTLE BIT, 1.2 MILLION BACK. AND THAT'S JUST HER WORK THAT SHE'S DONE.

OBVIOUSLY, LIKE SHE SAID, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR OTHER EVENTS AND WE'VE DONE IT. YOU'VE SEEN LIKE WE DID A QUINCEANERA RECENTLY, WE JUST DID AN EVENT WITH EL PASO LECTURE WHERE THEY

[03:20:01]

HELD THEIR CELEBRATION. WE'RE BRINGING MONSTER TRUCKS BACK TO THE COLISEUM, AND WE HAVE THE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE WITH DISNEY ON ICE AND TNA WRESTLING, AS WELL AS RING WARS AND OTHER BOXING EVENTS THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN A FEW. BUT I CAN TELL YOU SHE'S. AND YOU'VE SEEN THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE COLISEUM. LIKE I SAID, IT NEEDED A WOMAN'S TOUCH AND SHE'S DONE AMAZING TO IT, SO I. I DO BELIEVE SHE DOES DESERVE A LOT OF RECOGNITION FOR EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING. AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. I MEAN, THERE'S SOME EVENT THAT WE CAN'T WAIT TO ANNOUNCE FOR NEXT YEAR. IT'LL BE THE FIRST TIME COMING, BUT WE JUST CAN'T ANNOUNCE IT JUST YET. BUT DEFINITELY JUST WANTED TO GIVE HER THE CREDIT FOR THAT FOR FULL YEAR AND JUST DOING A GREAT TRANSFORMATION. BUT WE'LL GET INTO EVENTS. THERE WE GO. GREAT. WE STARTED OFF WITH THEM. THEY HAD A SOLD OUT CONCERT THERE AT THE COLISEUM AND SOLD. ABOUT 3000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP FOR THAT CONCERT, AND SO LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEM BACK THEN, LIKE SHE TALKED ABOUT DISNEY ON ICE, THEY WANTED TO COME BACK FOR TWO TIMES IN A YEAR. SO THEY CAME MAY 6TH THROUGH THE 10TH. AND SO IN FACT, IN THREE WEEKS WE'LL BE GETTING READY FOR DISNEY ON ICE AGAIN STARTING ON SEPTEMBER 27TH THROUGH OCTOBER 1ST I THINK, OR THIRD. SO MAY WAS A BIG MONTH BECAUSE YOU START OFF WITH DISNEY ON ICE. THAT'S NINE SHOWS IN FIVE DAYS. AND THEN WE HAVE A SOLD OUT CONCERT WITH KAZOO LIVE NATION CONCERT. AND THEN AND WE'LL GET TO THE OTHER ONE BECAUSE I'LL SHOW YOU THAT BECAUSE I KNOW ALSO MAY 2ND, WE HAD MVP BOXING WITH THAT. BUT THAT'S KIND OF GOES INTO THE SPORTS TOURISM ASPECT. SINCE IT'S SPORTS. IN JUNE WE HAD PALOMAS NORTENO. AND SO THEN YOU KIND OF LOOK AT THE EVENTS THAT WE HAD RAKE. WE DO THE COUNTY AUCTIONS. EVERY FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH. WE HAD THE EL PASO COUNTY SERVICE AWARDS, THE SUNDAY MARKET, JP DE HAD THEIR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION. WE ALSO WORKED WITH EL PASO ELECTRIC. THEY USE OUR PARKING LOT TO GIVE OUT FREE TREES FOR ARBOR DAY. AND THEN WE HAD THE SATURDAY MARKET.

WE HELD A MEETING IN OUR VIP ROOM, A COMMUNITY HEALTH STUDY MEETING. THIS IS WITH UTEP TALKING ABOUT THE POLLUTION IN THE AREA, SEMI TRUCKS. AND THEN WE HAD CFC SIX IN APRIL, WHICH WE'LL GET TO THAT. THEN WE WORKED WITH THE JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT. THEY HAD A HIGH SCHOOL CAREER FAIR THERE DURING THE WEEK. AND THEN WE HELD YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO COME OUT AND, AND SEE THE VIP ROOM AND SOME OF THE CHANGES THERE WITH THE COUNTY STRATEGIC PLANNING. AND THEN WE HAD DISNEY ON ICE COUNTY AUCTIONS AGAIN, AND THE SATURDAY MARKET WE GO WITH KASU, WHICH WE JUST MENTIONED, UMC CAR SEAT CHECKS. WE DID WORKED WITH THE VALVERDE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION TO DO A FREE UNITED FEST CONCERT, AND THEY HAD INFLATABLES AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE ALSO HAD A SUNDAY MARKET GOING ON AT THE PAVILION AT THE SAME TIME. THEN WE GO WITH THE JPD. THEY DID THEIR RESOURCE FAIR THERE, AND THEN WE KIND OF LOOK AT MVP BOXING AND KIND OF THAT TOO. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TICKETS SOLD OUTSIDE OF EL PASO, WE GET THOSE NUMBERS THROUGH TICKETMASTER AND THERE'S ABOUT 1135 TICKETS SOLD OUTSIDE. BUT WE'LL GET TO THAT BECAUSE THERE'S A VIDEO I WANT TO SHOW YOU ALL. AND THEN THE COUNTY AUCTIONS TO FINISH UP. JUNE, WE HAD NORTENO UMC CAR SEAT CHECKS AND THEN RODEO EL PASO. THEY CONTINUE TO COME.

THEY COME FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. SO ALSO A BIG TURNOUT EVENT WITH THEM. AND THEN THE SATURDAY MARKET. SO NOW WE GET INTO THE SPORTS TOURISM SIDE. APRIL. THIS EVENT KEEPS COMING EVERY YEAR AND THEY DO TREMENDOUS. THE NORTH AMERICAN GRAPPLING ASSOCIATION, WE DID THE FIRST MMA. THEY USED TO DO THIS AT SPEAKING ROCK, BUT THEY CAME TO THE EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM. SO THEY'VE BEEN DOING THEIR EVENTS THERE, THE COMBAT FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP. SO DEFINITELY GREAT EVENT WORKING WITH THEM. RODEO, EL PASO. ANOTHER EVENT THAT WE STARTED DOING IS THE 905 CAR SHOW AND COLLECTIBLES. YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE COME OUT THERE FOR THESE EVENTS TO LOOK AT CARDS, POKEMON CARDS, SPORTS MEMORABILIA. SO IT'S DEFINITELY ONE OF THE KIND OF NEW EVENTS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THERE AT THE COUNTY COLISEUM.

IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE SPORTING EVENTS FOR THE RIO GRANDE DOG SHOW, WE BROUGHT IN CAMP BOXING. THEY DID A LITTLE TOURNAMENT THERE IN THE PAVILION, I MEAN IN THE ARENA.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. AND THEN ALSO SPONSORING THE DISTRICT TRACK, COPA DE CAMPEONES, THE DON HASKINS MEMORIAL, THAT WAS A KIDS TOURNAMENT. AND THEN WE ALSO HELPED WITH THE BLUE DIAMOND AUTISM AWARENESS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE SPORTS PARK BASEBALL TOURNAMENT. CFC SIX.

THAT WAS A COMBAT FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP THAT YOU SAW. SO THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE THAT. DEFINITELY. THEY HAVE FIGHTERS THAT COME FROM OUT OF TOWN. WE DID THE FIVE, HELPED WITH THE USS A FIVE, THE FIVE SURVIVOR SERIES BASEBALL TOURNAMENT THAT VICTOR PUTS ON.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS DO THE EL PASO OFFICIALS CAMPS. THAT WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THE NFL AND THE REGION 19 GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL, WHICH WE'LL GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT TOO. AND

[03:25:01]

THEN WE HAD GOD OF THE RING MVP, EL PASO SUMMER CLASSIC SOCCER AND THEN RODEO EL PASO. DIAMOND WORLD SERIES, TRIPLE CROWN SPORTS AND THE KART SHOW. SO WE HELP WITH THOSE EVENTS. ON THE SPORTS TOURISM SIDE. THIS ONE, I HOPE. SO. WE HAD THE REGION 19 FEMALE FLAG FOOTBALL STARTING THROUGH APRIL OF 2026 THROUGH MAY OF 2026. HOPING THEIR SOUND. STANDBY, PLEASE.

WHEN WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT LAST YEAR, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE THAT BIG. BUT IT HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY. YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE TEAMS LAST YEAR DIDN'T HAVE HAD 10 OR 12 GIRLS THIS YEAR, GOT TEAMS WITH 25 GIRLS ON THERE, AND IT'S JUST EXPLODED IN THE THE SCHOOLS HAVE ONLY ACCEPTED. THE GIRLS ACCEPTED THAT THE PARENTS ARE OUT HERE DRESSED IN SHIRTS SAYING, YOU KNOW, THEIR SCHOOL, SCHOOL COLORS AND EVERYTHING. AND ONE SCHOOL SAID, HEY, GIRLS CAN PLAY FOOTBALL TOO. 20S I SEE THE STARS IN THE SKY. I SEE ME STANDING ON TOP OF IT. ME TOO. ACCOUNTANTS MADE A LOT MORE THAN A LOT OF BIG GROUPS. I'M WITH THE FANS. WE LIKE TO PRESENT THE EASTWOOD LADY TROOPERS WITH THE REGION 19 FEMALE FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP. IT'S BEEN EXCITING. THE GIRLS LOVE IT. YOU KNOW, I MEAN, WE'RE WE'RE STAYING IN THE DORMS. WE'RE EATING IN THE CAFETERIA. WE'RE HERE ON CAMPUS. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY. I MEAN, PLAYING ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, PLAYING HERE IN THE INDOOR FACILITY. IT'S AMAZING. AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT THESE GIRLS ARE GETTING FROM IT IS REALLY ONCE IN A LIFETIME FOR THEM, AND WE'RE SUPER EXCITED FOR THEM. THEY'RE THE BEST PART FOR THEM IS THEY'RE ALL HAPPY LIKE THIS.

WE, WE TAKE A LOT OF PRIDE IN REPRESENTING EL PASO OUT HERE. WE SAY IT ALL THE TIME WHEN WE'RE COMING OUT HERE, WE REALLY WANT TO REPRESENT EL PASO WITH PRIDE. AND WE WILL, YOU KNOW.

AT THAT TOURNAMENT THAT'S ACTUALLY KICKING OFF. YOU HAD EL DORADO AND AND EASTWOOD CHAMPIONS HERE FOR EL PASO AND REPRESENT EL PASO, AND THEY FELL JUST A GAME SHORT IN GETTING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. AND SO AND THAT'S ALL OF OF TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL. SO THEY DEFINITELY SHOULD BE COMMENDED ON THAT. AND JUST SOMETHING THAT THEY'LL KEEP DOING. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP DOING THAT AND THEY'LL BE BACK NEXT YEAR. SO IT'S ONE OF THOSE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU RARELY SEE, BUT YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE TO WORK WITH THE NFL. THE DALLAS COWBOYS FOR COWBOYS FANS AND OF COURSE THE HOUSTON TEXANS. SO IT'S DEFINITELY NICE OF THAT AS PART OF THAT OFFICIATING WHEN BECAUSE THAT GOES HAND IN HAND WITH OFFICIATING CAMP, WE ACTUALLY HAD A DELEGATION FROM MEXICO THAT CAME TO TAKE PART IN THIS CAMP. AND SO THEY BROUGHT IN 20 MEMBERS. DELEGATES REPRESENT 12 CITIES AND NINE MEXICAN STATES. AND SO TO HAVE THEM HERE AND JUST SEE SEE EL PASO, FIRST OF ALL, RIGHT. BUT ALSO TAKE PART OF THAT CAMP. IT'S JUST GROWING AND GROWING ON THAT OFFICIAL CAMP. SO NOW WE GET INTO THE FUN PART. MVP, RIGHT, MVP AND ESPN. MAY 26TH. THEY HAD TWO WORKOUTS STARTED HERE ON THE 26.

THEY DID THE WORKOUTS AT STEPHANIE HAN'S GYM, THE FAMILY GYM. AND THEN THE COOL THING WAS, IS ON MAY 28TH, THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE AND THEY HELD THAT THERE AT THE EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM. SO THAT WAS ON THEIR YOUTUBE CHANNEL LIVE. GREAT EVENT TURNOUT FOR THAT, AS YOU CAN SEE. AND THEN THE WEIGH INS WERE ALSO THERE AT THE EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM. SO THEY DID THURSDAY, FRIDAY THERE JUST LIVE EVENTS THERE. GREAT EVENT. AND THEN YOU GET TO FIGHT NIGHT. OVER 7000 PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY COLISEUM TELEVISED ON ESPN PLUS AND ESPN.

[03:30:01]

SO IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT. AND A FULL HOUSE. SORRY GUYS. THERE'S ANOTHER VIDEO. STANDBY PLEASE. SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOVE WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT I HOPE YOU RESPECT WHAT WE'RE DOING. MVP IS FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OLD. WE WANT A LEAN, MEAN MACHINE, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY TO PUT ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN IN COMBAT SPORTS, INCLUDING THE MOST EXTREME SPORTING EVENT IN U.S. HISTORY, INCLUDING THE MOST VIEWED BOXING EVENT SINCE THE DAYS OF MUHAMMAD ALI, INCLUDING THE MOST VIEWED ALL WOMEN'S CARD IN HISTORY, INCLUDING THE MOST VIEWED MMA CARD IN HISTORY. AND TONIGHT IN EL PASO, TEXAS, LIVE ON ESPN AT 9 P.M. EASTERN. SOLD OUT RECORD BREAKING EVENT, THE BIGGEST COMBAT SPORTS GATE IN THE COLISEUM'S HISTORY, WHERE SUGAR SHANE FOUGHT, WHERE FLOYD MAYWEATHER FOUGHT, WHERE A W S BEEN HERE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TNA HAS BEEN HERE. CONGRATULATIONS TO HOLLY, TO STEPHANIE, TO AMANDA, TO THE ENTIRE CARD. WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. MVPW LET'S GO. WE'RE A FIVE BOUT. PRELIM CARD AWAITS AS MVPW ROLLS OUT ANOTHER FAN AND FIGHTER FRIENDLY EVENT THAT SHINES THE SPOTLIGHT ON HIGH END, HIGH CONTACT, HIGH LEVEL WOMEN'S BOXING. WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR PRELIMINARY BOUT COVERAGE. AND HELLO EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE IN EL PASO, TEXAS TONIGHT ON ESPN PLUS OR WHEREVER YOU'RE WATCHING US AROUND THE WORLD.

I'M CHRISTINA PONCHER, JOINED BY FORMER WORLD CHAMPION AND U.S. OLYMPIAN RAUL MARQUEZ AND BOXING ANALYST COREY ERDMAN. AND COREY, I MENTIONED AMANDA SERRANO AS WE WELCOME YOU BACK TO EL PASO, TEXAS, A SOLD OUT EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM TONIGHT FOR A STACKED FIGHT CARD FROM MVPW. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE TALE OF THE TAPE FOR OUR FIRST BOUT OF THE EVENING. THIS ONE SCHEDULED FOR FOUR ROUNDS. WELCOME BACK TO EL PASO, TEXAS. I'M HERE WITH MVP, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO NAKISA BIDARIAN NAKISA. LET'S TALK. GREAT UNDERCARD. WE'VE GOT ONE MORE FIGHT ON THE PRELIMS BEFORE WE HEAD INTO THE MAIN CARD ON ESPN. BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS EL PASO CROWD? WHAT ABOUT THEM SHOWING UP FOR THEIR OWN AND OF COURSE, FOR STEPHANIE HAHN LATER. DID YOU EXPECT SUCH A GREAT TURNOUT WHEN YOU GUYS BOOKED THIS CARD HERE? EL PASO, THANK YOU FOR SETTING A ARENA RECORD HIGHEST GATE IN HISTORY COMING OUT FOR YOUR VERY OWN STEPHANIE HAHN.

LET'S HEAR IT FOR HER. WHEN WE GOT THE TECHNICAL DECISION BACK IN JANUARY, WE WENT BACKSTAGE, WE TALKED TO STEPHANIE, WE TALKED TO HOLLY, AND THEY SAID, YES, WE WANT TO RUN IT BACK.

HOLLY SAID, I WANT TO DO IT IN ALBUQUERQUE, BUT I'LL DO IT IN EL PASO. STEPHANIE SAID, I WANT TO DO IT IN EL PASO, BUT I'LL DO IT IN ALBUQUERQUE. OF COURSE, THE CHAMP GOT HER WAY, AND WE'RE HERE TONIGHT. SET IN HISTORY ALTOGETHER. LISTEN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO. SO ONE OF THE THINGS HE MENTIONED. YES. IT'S THE HIGHEST COMBAT SPORTS GATE IN EL PASO COUNTY COLISEUM HISTORY SOLD OUT NIGHT. YOU HAD TWO CHAMPIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS, BUT TWO HEADLINERS THERE WITH HOLLY HOLM AND STEPHANIE HAHN AND AMANDA SERRANO AND AND HANSEN. SO YOU TALK ABOUT THE MAY DELIVER, THE REVENUE WE HAD ABOUT YOU CONSIDER MAY, RIGHT. THREE MARQUEE EVENTS DISNEY ON ICE AND YOU HAVE MVP. SO THAT'S ABOUT 33,000 TICKETED ATTENDEES WHICH THE TICKET SALES REVENUE FOR THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OVER ONE 1.5 MILLION. SO COMMUNITY ATTENDANCE IS ADDITIONAL NOT INCLUDED IN THOSE TOTALS. SO THAT'S AGAIN DISNEY ON ICE AND MVP. AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE NEW COMBAT SPORTS ABOUT FOR THAT FIGHT WAS ABOUT 72 7200 FANS 610,000 IN TICKET SALES AND THEN OVER 70 PLUS MEDIA MARKETS. SO DEFINITELY YOU SAW THOSE PICTURES. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO SHOW YOU THE VIDEO TOO, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT GETS PRESENTED ON TV, RIGHT? THEY TALK ABOUT EL PASO. THAT'S FREE PROMOTION PROMOTION. YOU DON'T BUY COMMERCIAL SPOTS FOR THAT. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO. THEY PROMOTED EL PASO ALL ALONE. AND THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO BRING MORE PEOPLE INTO EL PASO TO DO SPORTS. JUST LIKE WE GOT RID OF BOXING AFTER SEEING WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH RING WARS AND THIS. THEY CAME INTO EL PASO IN AUGUST AND BROUGHT THE ZONE AND TELEVISED THEIR BOXING MATCH AND THE ZONE, AND THEY'LL BE BACK HERE IN OCTOBER. SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT ALL THOSE TICKETS, I MEAN, IT GOES TO HOTELS, DINING, TRANSPORTATION, RETAIL, OVERNIGHT STAYS, LOCAL RESTAURANTS, SPENDING, AIR AND GROUND TRAVEL AND VISITOR PURCHASES. SOME OF THOSE FIGHTS. ONE OF THE FIGHTERS WAS

[03:35:01]

ACTUALLY FROM AUSTRALIA AND HER FAMILY CAME. AND SO YOU DEFINITELY HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER COMING WHEN YOU HAVE BIG EVENTS LIKE THIS. AND YEAH, I MEAN, JUST WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THOSE EVENTS AND JUST WE'RE CONTINUING TO DO THAT. I MEAN, LIKE I SAID, WE JUST HAD BOXING WITH RING WARS AND READ ALL BOXING. WE'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH NEW EVENTS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER FOR SOME OF THE CONCERTS THAT WE'RE MISSING RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT MISSING ALL OF THEM, BUT THERE'S SOME THAT YOU JUST THEY CAN'T COME BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET A VISA. AND THAT'S UNFORTUNATE. BUT WE'RE DOING THESE NEW EVENTS LIKE THE CARD SHOWS, MORE BOXING EVENTS, MMA MONSTER TRUCKS, BRINGING THAT BACK. RIGHT. YOU THINK OF MONSTER ENSEMBLE. OH, WE'RE GONNA DO THE COLISEUM IN DECEMBER. SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT TURNS OUT. SO ANY QUESTIONS ANY TONY AND JOHN. GREAT JOB. I MEAN, IT'S REALLY GOTTEN SOME GREAT FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE HAPPENING. THE JUDGING ARENA WAS VERY SURPRISED HOW WELL YOU DID THERE ON THAT LUCHA LIBRE. I MEAN, IT WAS VERY, VERY SURPRISED. A DIFFERENT CROWD. YOU SENSED A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THAT ENERGY BECAUSE IT WAS RIGHT THERE. AND THANK YOU FOR YEAH, THAT WAS REALLY NICE. BUT ALL IN ALL, TONY, JANET, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. AND I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME DISTRACTIONS, BUT YOU GUYS HAVE KEPT FOCUSED ON WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. SO THANK YOU. AND JUST TO MENTION SOME EVENTS THAT WILL GO REAL QUICK. WE GOT THE FLU SHOT GOING ON TOMORROW. THE CITY OF EL PASO WENT TO THE COLISEUM. THEY USUALLY USE A ZOO, BUT THEY'RE DOING IT AT THE COLISEUM. SO WE GOT THAT COMING UP. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE VA AND THE COUNTY. I KNOW TONY WAS JUST HERE, BUT WE'RE DOING THE EL PASO VETERANS HOMELESS VETERANS STAND DOWN. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE NEXT WEEK ON THE NINTH. SO DOING THAT DOESN'T AFFECT ANY OF OUR EVENTS THAT ARE GOING ON BECAUSE IT'S ESPECIALLY IT'S DURING THE WEEK WE'RE WORKING WITH THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TOO, ON SEPTEMBER 16TH AND 17TH FOR THE BORDER PLEX VETERAN PROVIDER SUMMIT. SO THAT'S GOING TO BE THERE. AND RIGHT AFTER THAT, THEN WE GET READY FOR A CONCERT. SO WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO BE THE COMMUNITY BUILDING TOO, WE DO THE COMMUNITY EVENTS, BUT IT DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH OUR CONCERTS BECAUSE WE DEFINITELY WANT TO HAVE CONCERTS ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY. AND THEN THE LAST ONE WE GOT FOR SEPTEMBER IS I JUST HAD IT SEPTEMBER 30TH. WE'RE DOING THE EL PASO COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION CLOSE THE GAP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUMMIT. SO WE GOT THAT GOING ON TOO. SO DEFINITELY INVITE YOU ALL OUT TO THOSE COMMUNITY EVENTS AS WELL. TONY. JANET, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. JUDGE, ARE YOU READY TO BREAK NOW? OKAY. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR. IT IS 1:07 P.M.

[03:41:42]

FROM JULY TO AUGUST. EL PASO COUNTY ENGAGED WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE. SEE WHAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS GOING ON THIS SUMMER. EL PASO COUNTY'S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HELD WEEKLY INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK SESSIONS AT ASCOT AT THE PARK. THESE MEETINGS CONCERN THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK AND CHANGES TO THE LAKES AT ASCARATE. THE SESSIONS ALLOWED RESIDENTS TO SEE CONCEPTS OF WHAT IS PLANNED AND TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT ON WHAT THEY WANT, INCLUDING THEIR PREFERENCES FOR THE LARGE AND SMALL LAKES. AT ASCARATE. EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE COMPLETION OF THIS CRITICAL PROJECT. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS RECENTLY HOSTED A LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION AND RESOURCE FAIR AS PART OF THE GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED TO EL PASO COUNTY. THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 60 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE EVENT FEATURED AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOG AND COLLABORATION, RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE SETUP. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FACILITATED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, SHARED IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND NETWORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. FEEDBACK GATHERED DURING THE LISTENING SESSION WILL HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S WELCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN, A COMMUNITY DRIVEN ROADMAP THAT WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR REGION MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY CHANGED BECAUSE OF A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF AUGUST 3RD, 2019 WALMART SHOOTING, COMMUNITY LEADERS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE PARK HEALING GARDEN ON AUGUST 2ND TO HOLD A VIGIL IN THEIR HONOR. THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRAYER SERVICE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT

[03:45:04]

FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

EVERY DAY. EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND OUR BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE TO DATE. WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS. OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[03:54:22]

[03:55:01]

INCLUDE THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE COMPLETION OF THIS CRITICAL PROJECT. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS RECENTLY HOSTED A LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION AND RESOURCE FAIR AS PART OF THE GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED TO EL PASO COUNTY. THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 60 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE EVENT FEATURED AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOG AND COLLABORATION, RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE SETUP. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FACILITATED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, SHARED IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND NETWORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. FEEDBACK GATHERED DURING THE LISTENING SESSION WILL HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S WELCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN, A COMMUNITY DRIVEN ROADMAP THAT WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR REGION MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY CHANGED BECAUSE OF A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF AUGUST 3RD, 2019 WALMART SHOOTING. COMMUNITY LEADERS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE PARK HEALING GARDEN ON AUGUST 2ND TO HOLD A VIGIL IN THEIR HONOR. THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRAYER SERVICE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

[04:00:22]

EVERY DAY, EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND OUR BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE. TO DATE, WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS, OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[04:05:32]

FROM JULY TO AUGUST, EL PASO COUNTY ENGAGED WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE. SEE WHAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS GOING ON THIS SUMMER. EL PASO COUNTY'S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HELD WEEKLY INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK SESSIONS AT ASCOT PARK. THESE MEETINGS CONCERN THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK AND CHANGES TO THE LAKES AT ASCARATE. THE SESSIONS ALLOWED RESIDENTS TO SEE CONCEPTS OF WHAT IS PLANNED AND TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT ON WHAT THEY WANT, INCLUDING THEIR PREFERENCES FOR THE LARGE AND SMALL LAKES. AT ASCARATE. EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE COMPLETION OF THIS CRITICAL PROJECT. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS RECENTLY HOSTED A LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION AND RESOURCE FAIR AS PART OF THE GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED TO EL PASO COUNTY. THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 60 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE EVENT FEATURED AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOG AND COLLABORATION, RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE SETUP. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FACILITATED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, SHARED IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND NETWORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. FEEDBACK GATHERED DURING THE LISTENING SESSION WILL HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S WELCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN, A COMMUNITY DRIVEN ROADMAP THAT WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR REGION MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY CHANGED BECAUSE OF A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF AUGUST 3RD, 2019 WALMART SHOOTING. COMMUNITY LEADERS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE PARK HEALING GARDEN ON AUGUST 2ND TO HOLD A VIGIL IN THEIR HONOR. THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRAYER SERVICE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

[04:11:32]

EVERY DAY, EL PASO COUNTY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. SOMETIMES THAT WORK HAPPENS HERE AT HOME. SOMETIMES IT TAKES US ACROSS TEXAS, ACROSS THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. COUNTY LEADERS ADVOCATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY, VETERANS SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND MENTAL HEALTH PRIORITIES IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS. THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS, FUNDING REQUESTS, AND VARIOUS POLICY DISCUSSIONS, YOUR COUNTY IS WORKING TO ENSURE EL PASO'S VOICE IS HEARD. STRONG PARTNERSHIPS HELP BRING RESOURCES, EXPERTISE AND OPPORTUNITIES BACK TO EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR POSITION ON CRITICAL MATTERS CAN BE SHARED AND HEARD BY THOSE MAKING DECISIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS. PARTICIPATION IN ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS, ALSO ALLOWS COUNTY LEADERS TO LEARN FROM SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BRING INNOVATIVE IDEAS BACK HOME. EL PASO COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO ECONOMIC GROWTH EXTENDS FAR BEYOND OUR BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE.

TO DATE, WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS, OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[04:16:42]

FROM JULY TO AUGUST, EL PASO COUNTY ENGAGED WITH OUR RESIDENTS TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE. SEE WHAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS GOING ON THIS SUMMER. EL PASO COUNTY'S PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT HELD WEEKLY INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK SESSIONS AT ASCOT AT THE PARK. THESE MEETINGS CONCERN THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK AND CHANGES TO THE LAKES AT ASCARATE. THE SESSIONS ALLOWED RESIDENTS TO SEE CONCEPTS OF WHAT IS PLANNED AND TO PROVIDE THEIR INPUT ON WHAT THEY WANT, INCLUDING THEIR PREFERENCES FOR THE LARGE AND SMALL LAKES. AT ASCARATE. EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE COMPLETION OF THIS CRITICAL PROJECT. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS RECENTLY HOSTED A LARGE SCALE COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION AND RESOURCE FAIR AS PART OF THE GATEWAYS FOR GROWTH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT AWARDED TO EL PASO COUNTY. THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 60 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE EVENT FEATURED AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOG AND COLLABORATION, RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE SETUP. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FACILITATED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, SHARED IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND NETWORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. FEEDBACK GATHERED DURING THE LISTENING SESSION WILL HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S WELCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN, A COMMUNITY DRIVEN ROADMAP THAT WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR REGION MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY CHANGED BECAUSE OF A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF AUGUST 3RD, 2019 WALMART SHOOTING. COMMUNITY LEADERS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE PARK HEALING GARDEN ON AUGUST 2ND TO HOLD A VIGIL IN THEIR HONOR. THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRAYER SERVICE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT

[04:20:04]

FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

[04:27:52]

[04:30:07]

READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

[04:35:03]

BORDERS. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND STAFF TRAVEL ACROSS TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY TO PROMOTE EL PASO AS A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND EXPANSION. THESE EFFORTS ALLOW US TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS, SHOWCASE OUR REGION'S UNIQUE ADVANTAGES, AND COMPETE FOR NEW JOBS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. THE TRUE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHERE WE TRAVEL TO, BUT WHAT WE BROUGHT HOME. AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026, OUR GRANT PORTFOLIO REMAINS STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE. TO DATE, WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF 50 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, WITH 21 AWARDS SECURED, RESULTING IN MORE THAN $15.6 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING AWARDED. EVERY TRIP REPRESENTS ONE PURPOSE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY. WHETHER ADVOCATING IN AUSTIN, COLLABORATING IN WASHINGTON, OR BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS BORDERS, OUR MISSION REMAINS THE SAME CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, DELIVERING SERVICES, AND BUILDING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

[04:40:01]

AWARDED TO EL PASO COUNTY. THE EVENT BROUGHT TOGETHER 60 ATTENDEES REPRESENTING 40 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, INTERFAITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. THE EVENT FEATURED AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE MEANINGFUL DIALOG AND COLLABORATION, RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL CONFERENCE SETUP. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN FACILITATED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, SHARED IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND NETWORKED WITH ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY. FEEDBACK GATHERED DURING THE LISTENING SESSION WILL HELP INFORM THE DEVELOPMENT OF EL PASO COUNTY'S WELCOMING STRATEGIC PLAN, A COMMUNITY DRIVEN MAP THAT WILL IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES TO MAKE OUR REGION MORE WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, OUR COMMUNITY CHANGED BECAUSE OF A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY. TO HONOR THE VICTIMS OF AUGUST 3RD, 2019 WALMART SHOOTING. COMMUNITY LEADERS, VICTIMS, FAMILIES AND RESIDENTS GATHERED AT THE ASCARATE PARK HEALING GARDEN ON AUGUST 2ND TO HOLD A VIGIL IN THEIR HONOR. THE EVENT INCLUDED A PRAYER SERVICE, MOMENT OF SILENCE, READING OF NAMES AND RELEASE OF WHITE DOVES. EL PASO COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE A SPACE IN THE HEALING GARDEN FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MEDITATE, REFLECT AND HONOR OUR LOST COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND EL PASO COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT HELD A JOINT SPECIAL SESSION MEETING TO DISCUSS THE 2027 TAX RATE FOR THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT OVERSEES UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, EL PASO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND EL PASO HEALTH HOSPITAL. ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED A NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.236904 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. IF THIS RATE IS APPROVED LATER THIS MONTH, THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE PORTION OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES DEDICATED TO OUR COUNTY HOSPITAL WOULD NOT INCREASE. HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE PROPOSED RATE, AND THE COURT IS SCHEDULED TO ADOPT IT TOWARDS THE END OF AUGUST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. STAY TUNED AND MAKE SURE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY.

[04:45:02]

GO AHEAD. GOOD AFTERNOON. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 2:19 P.M. WE'RE ON ITEM NINE B FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVING.

AUTHORIZE THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE TO INHERIT THE BI NATIONAL AFFAIRS DIVISION AND ASSUME OVERSIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS FUNCTIONS, INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. WITHIN. ITS ON ME. RIGHT? OKAY. I'M SORRY. NO, I WANTED TO YOU

[B. Approve and authorize the Office of the County Judge to inherit the Binational Affairs Division and assume oversight and responsibility for its functions, initiatives, programs, and related activities. Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]

[04:50:17]

KNOW, I BROUGHT MARIANA TO WORK FOR ME, AND OBVIOUSLY, SHE BRINGS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF, OF, YOU KNOW, BACKGROUND AND CONTACTS. AND SHE CONTINUES, SHE'S BEEN HELPING ROBERTO. AND SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. SO THE FACT THAT I WOULD IT WILL BE MY POSITION. AND WE DON'T HAVE TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER POSITION. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HER TO COME IN. AS YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH BI NATIONAL AFFAIRS AS WELL, HAVE A HUGE BACKGROUND. I THINK I WORKED FOR THREE NATIONAL COMPANIES AND IN JUAREZ, AND STILL VERY CONNECTED TO THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SO I KNOW THAT INDEPENDENT THAT WE WOULD BE VERY INVOLVED IN THE BINATIONAL COMPONENT THROUGH THROUGH MY OFFICE. SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. IF WE BRING HER IN, THEN YOU WOULD BE SAVING A, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER WAGE THAT YOU WOULDN'T, YOU KNOW, YOU OR ROBERTO WOULDN'T HAVE TO COVER THAT PARTICULAR WAGE. AND LIKE I SAID, I JUST WHAT I DID WANT TO DO IS DUPLICATE ANY ROLE. LIKE IF YOU HAVE A BI NATIONAL, I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO BE VERY INVOLVED. HOPEFULLY IF IF AND WHEN I WIN THE ELECTION AND GO INTO MY NEXT FOUR YEARS, THE BI NATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT. IT WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE. IT WOULDN'T BE SOMETHING I WOULD CONTROL. WE WOULD SUPPORT A LOT OF WHAT THE COMMISSIONER IS DOING IN TORNEO, AND THEN I WOULD SUPPORT LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW. SHE'S BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT TRIPS WITH ROBERTO, AND SO SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY FROM MY OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS. AND BOTH HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY SUCCESSFUL. SO I JUST WANTED TO OFFER TO THE TO THE COURT AND SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, JUDGE. I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE. I KNOW HOW INTERESTED YOU ARE IN BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. AND TO ME IT IT DOES MAKE SENSE THAT THAT WOULD BE LOCATED IN THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. SO I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT I'M SUPPORTIVE. JUDGE, YOU'VE BEEN VERY PROACTIVE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BINATIONAL COMMUNITY HERE LOCALLY WITH US AND NOT JUST HERE, BUT THROUGHOUT EVEN DEEPER INTO MEXICO. AND SO I I'M ALL FOR IT. OKAY. THANK YOU JUDGE. I'M, I'M GOING TO BE THE, THE, THE, THE DEBBIE DOWNER DOWNER HERE. I GUESS, YOU KNOW, THIS POSITION, YOU KNOW, I, I, I WAS THE MAIN PROPONENT OF CREATING THIS POSITION AND, AND PUTTING IT UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. I STARTED, YOU KNOW, ASKING FOR THIS POSITION A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO, BACK IN 2016, EVEN BEFORE I THINK YOU WERE ELECTED, AFTER, YOU KNOW, GOING TO SAN DIEGO AND, AND LEARNING ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, BINATIONAL COORDINATION THAT EXISTS IN, IN, IN THAT COMMUNITY ALONG WITH TIJUANA AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF VEHICLES THAT, THAT ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT BINATIONAL COORDINATION. AND, AND THAT'S WHY I, YOU KNOW, I ADVOCATED HEAVILY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS TO, TO CREATE THIS POSITION. ONCE WE GOT OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT CREATED. AND, YOU KNOW, THE REASON, YOU KNOW, THE REASON WHY I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO STAY UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT IS MUCH MORE INVOLVED OF A POSITION AND A MUCH MORE INVOLVED OF A DUTY THAN THAN BEING ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, SPEND, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, IT IN MY OPINION, IT INVOLVES 100% DEDICATION TO JUST BI NATIONAL AFFAIRS, YOU KNOW, AND I FEEL LIKE IF IT'S UNDER ANY ANY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE OR THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, IT'S NOT IT MAY NOT SAY RECEIVE THAT SAME, THAT SAME TYPE OF DEDICATION THAT IS NECESSARY. AND I MEAN, AND THAT'S NOT ON MARIANA BARRAZA OR ANYBODY ELSE, BUT I JUST THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO JUGGLE THE DUTIES OF BEING A POLICY. SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR IN, IN, IN ONE OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS OFFICE AND HAVING TO ADVISE ON SO MANY OTHER DIFFERENT ISSUES AND BE INVOLVED IN SO MANY OTHER DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT WE ARE ALL INVOLVED IN. AND THEN, YOU KNOW, HAVING TO, YOU KNOW, WHICH I THINK, YOU KNOW, SPEND THE TIME THAT IS NECESSARY TO SPEND IN, IN, IN WHAT, BECAUSE WE ARE, YOU KNOW, AS A COUNTY HAVE GOTTEN SO MUCH MORE

[04:55:04]

INVOLVED IN BINATIONAL AFFAIRS, RIGHT? AND IT'S NOT JUST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STUFF. I MEAN, OF COURSE, THE TORNEO PORT OF ENTRY ISSUES. BUT THERE'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. AND, AND REALLY, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST AND WHAT WE HAVE, WHAT WE HAVE BROUGHT UP IN THE EVEN, EVEN DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING IS CREATING A VEHICLE FOR THAT CONTINUED COLLABORATION. AND IF THAT IF THAT VEHICLE IS ONLY WITHIN YOUR OFFICE AND AT SOME POINT YOU LEAVE OFFICE JUDGE AND THE NEXT AND THE NEXT JUDGE THAT COMES IN, YOU KNOW, OUR NEXT ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT COMES IN, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE THAT THAT CONTINUITY WITHIN THE OFFICE. RIGHT. THAT'S ANOTHER REASON WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE IT IN ADMINISTRATION. SO IT'S INSTITUTIONALIZED. AND SO THAT IT ALSO, I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH BINATIONAL AFFAIRS AT ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. I MEAN, THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.

AND AND IT MAKES IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT, I THINK, FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DIRECT AND, AND, AND PROVIDE INPUT AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF IT'S IF IT'S UNDER ONE INDIVIDUAL'S OFFICE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I, I WOULD, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THAT, THAT IT STAY INSTITUTIONALIZED IN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THAT, THAT WE CONTINUE TO, TO PUSH FORWARD WITH THE PLANS THAT WE'VE HAD TO, TO, YOU KNOW, BOLSTER THE, THE BINATIONAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND, AND, AND OUR GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. RIGHT. BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THIS THIS ALSO HAS TO DO WITH GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND NEEDS TO WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR, OUR, OUR, YOU KNOW, ELISA AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, BECAUSE WE'RE, WE'RE DEALING WITH, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL ISSUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER, STATE ISSUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER AND LOCAL ISSUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER. AND I JUST THINK IT'S, IT'S MUCH IT'S IT'S MUCH MORE WELL SUITED WITHIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION INSTEAD OF INSTEAD OF IN ONE OF OUR OFFICES. SO, YOU KNOW, I, I WOULD HOPE THAT, THAT WE, WE COULD KEEP THE, THE ORIGINAL INTENT OF THIS OFFICE AND, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO, TO, TO REALLY DO WHAT, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND, AND NOT TAKE A STEP, TAKE A STEP BACK. BECAUSE AGAIN, I JUST THINK THE TIME WOULD BE DIVIDED AMONGST A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TOPICS WITHIN YOUR OFFICE IF IT WAS MOVED INTO YOUR OFFICE. NO. UNDERSTAND. I, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S LIKE THE PERSON IS REALLY THE ONE THAT. AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH MARIANA IS THAT IT SORT OF, I GUESS YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH THAT AS WELL. WITH RUBEN VOTES WHEN LEGISLATION WAS PART OF THE THE OFFICE. AND AS LONG AS HE WAS THERE, IT MADE A LOT OF SENSE BECAUSE OF HIS CONNECTIONS, HE UNDERSTOOD THE SITUATION. AND THEN HE LEFT. AND OBVIOUSLY THEN, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A CHANGE IN THAT. BUT I THINK IT WORKED PRETTY EFFECTIVE THAT HE WAS THERE, THE OFFICE. HE'S GOT A LOT HE HAD A LOT OF RESOURCES AND AND THE AND ALSO THE PROTOCOL. I'VE SEEN MEXICO REALLY HAS A TREMENDOUS SORT OF A SUPPORT FOR PROTOCOL. AND THEY'VE ALWAYS CONTACTED ME FOR CERTAIN THINGS. AND A LOT OF THINGS GO, GO THROUGH MY OFFICE AND I DEAL WITH A LOT OF SITUATIONS. A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH MAURICIO IBARRA. YOU KNOW, THEY'LL ASK ME TO PARTICIPATE. I'M GOING TO MEET THE NEW TAKING OVER FOR THE THE US CONSUL IN MEXICO.

AND THE FIRST PERSON THEY CALL IS ME. AND IF I'M GOING TO MEET WITH THEM. SO I JUST, LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T WANT TO DUPLICATE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THAT WE WOULD SORT OF COME SORT OF BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT MARIANA HAS, IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO COME IN. SHE'D HAVE TO BE GIVING EVERYTHING UP TO GET SOMEONE ELSE TO GET ON TRACK.

AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU WOULD TAKE 6 OR 7 MONTHS FOR, FOR HER TO PASS ON THOSE DUTIES TO, LIKE I SAID, IN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO MONTHS SINCE SHE'S BEEN WITH ME, ALMOST ALL THE TRIPS HAVE BEEN COORDINATED BY HER. THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TORNILLO HAVE BEEN COORDINATED THROUGH MARIANA, AND SO SHE'S VERY INTERACTIVE. AND I PERSONALLY, I DO HAVE THE THE RIGHT AS A COUNTY JUDGE TO DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS INDEPENDENT. I MEAN, JUST LIKE YOU DID, YOU KNOW, LIKE, ABSOLUTELY. FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE HEALTHY FOOD AND YOU SUPPORT IT, YOU'RE VERY INVOLVED. YOU WERE PART OF IT. YOU WERE PEOPLE COME TO YOU, THEY. AND SO I THINK THAT'S

[05:00:01]

WHAT I DIDN'T WANT IS TO CREATE ANY, ANY DIFFERENCES OR DUPLICATION OF THE FUNCTION.

AND AT THE SAME TIME SAVE A WHOLE SALARY THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE. WE'RE LOOKING AT BUDGET DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERMANENT, BUT RIGHT NOW BUDGET HELPS. AND THAT WOULD BE PROBABLY AROUND MAYBE $160,000 THAT WE'D BE SAVING. IF YOU INCLUDE SALARIES AND BENEFITS AND ALL THAT, AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE OF THE THE MOST INTERACTIVE INDIVIDUALS TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE. SO THAT WAS MY, MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. IT WASN'T TRYING TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM ADMINISTRATION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I JUST SAW THAT IT WAS ORGANICALLY THAT HAD HAPPENED.

SHE'S NOW IN MY OFFICE, AND THEN WE COULD CONTINUE AT ANY POINT. IF THE COURT FEELS THAT THAT'S NOT FUNCTIONING, THEN, YOU KNOW, I'M SURE IT COULD COME BACK TO THE COURT AND THEN WE MAKE A DIFFERENT DECISION. BUT RIGHT NOW, IF YOU THINK ABOUT TORNILLO, ABOUT BORDER AND EVERYTHING, SHE'S GOING TO SHE'S GOING TO BE THE PERSON THAT'S REALLY INTEGRATED RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK IN THE NEXT SIX, SEVEN MONTHS, A LOT OF THINGS NEED TO BE DECIDED. AND TORNILLO, FOR EXAMPLE, AND SOME OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'RE HAVING THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN OFF, THAT SHE HAS ACTUALLY COORDINATED SOME OF THE FUTURE TRIPS. IT'S HER COORDINATION.

SHE'S THE ONE THAT'S GOT THE CONTACTS. SHE'S THE ONE THAT'S INVOLVED. I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH ROBERTO AND I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION. I PERSONALLY THOUGHT THAT HE WAS INTERESTED IN GETTING THAT KIND OF SUPPORT, AND THEN BEING ABLE TO HIRE SOMEONE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD FOCUS ON SOME OF THE THINGS. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IT IS ONE LESS THING THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO DISTRACT HIMSELF FROM. THAT WAS MY LINE OF THINKING. YEAH. AND I CAN GIVE YOU, I MEAN, CONTEXT ON WHAT I MEAN, WHAT HAPPENED WITH WITH RUBEN VOTE. I MEAN, WHEN I FIRST STARTED, WE DIDN'T HAVE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, RIGHT? WE JUST WE JUST BARELY STARTED IT WHEN I GOT INTO OFFICE. AND SO THAT I THINK WAS A NATURAL PROGRESSION OF I MEAN, IT WAS IN JUDGE ESCOBAR'S OFFICE, THE. BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. AND THEN I THINK ONCE WE CREATED COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS A CENTRALIZED POSITION BECAUSE AGAIN, WITH THESE WITH THESE TYPES OF TOPICS AND WITH THESE TYPES OF ISSUES THAT ARE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND THAT ARE LEGISLATIVE AND THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT A LITTLE BIT LARGER THAN THAN, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS LIKE WRITING A POLICY AND THEN CREATING IT AND HANDING IT OVER TO STAFF. THESE ARE ONGOING, ONGOING CONVERSATIONS ONGOING. EFFORTS. RIGHT. AND, AND, YOU KNOW, TO ME, IT JUST SEEMS LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE STEPPING BACK AND, AND NOW DIVIDING THAT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, I MEAN, I JUDGE, ARE YOU PLANNING ON HAVING HER ACT FULL TIME WORKING ON, ON, ON, ON BINATIONAL AFFAIRS? OR IS THIS, AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT IF SHE'S BEING HIRED AS A POLICY, IF SHE IF YOU HIRED HER AS A AS A POLICY. AS A SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR, THAT SOUND THAT SEEMS TO ME THAT SHE WOULD BE DOING OTHER DUTIES IN YOUR OFFICE AS WELL. AND THAT'S MY, MY POINT IS LIKE, THIS IS A POSITION THAT THIS IS A POSITION THAT MERITS A FULL TIME SOMEBODY WHO'S WORKING 100% OF THEIR TIME, WHICH IS WHY I ADVOCATED SO HEAVILY TO CREATE THIS POSITION. AND, AND WE HAVE GONE THROUGH NUMEROUS STRATEGIC PLANS TALKING ABOUT THAT. AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT KIND OF WORRIES ME IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE, WE'VE GONE THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANS TALKING ABOUT THIS AND, AND, AND CREATING THESE POSITIONS. AND THEN JUST ON A WHIM, WE'RE, WE'RE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH IT. AND IN MY OPINION, IF THAT POSITION IS NOT GOING TO BE SPENT 100% ON BINATIONAL AFFAIRS, THEN WE'RE GUTTING THE PROGRAM. AND THAT REALLY BOTHERS ME. YEAH, AND I AGREE A LOT OF PAUSE. I AGREE WITH MARIANA. THAT SHOULD BE VERY LIMITED IN OTHER AREAS. AND AS YOU'VE SEEN, SHE WAS VERY, VERY INVOLVED SINCE SHE GOT TO MY OFFICE. AND YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN HER FOCUSING, YOU KNOW, HER FULL EFFORT AND ENERGIES INTO THESE PROGRAMS. LIKE I SAID, IF THIS NEXT SEVEN MONTHS, I THINK ARE CRITICAL AND I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOMEONE EVEN CLOSE TO HER CAPACITY, HER CONTACTS, THESE ARE CONTACTS THAT GO EIGHT, TEN YEARS. EVEN WHEN SHE WAS WORKING BEFORE MAURICIO. AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK MAKES UP THE DIFFERENCE OF ANYTHING ELSE, THAT IF IT WASN'T HER AND IT WASN'T HER RELATIONSHIPS AND HER CAPACITY, I WOULDN'T DARE. AND YOU WOULD BE RIGHT. BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU, IF SOMEBODY COMES IN RIGHT NOW, I CAN I CAN SEE MAYBE EIGHT, NINE MONTHS FROM NOW BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE AT THE

[05:05:03]

LEVEL THAT MARIANA ENGAGES RIGHT NOW. AND IT'S PRETTY I YEAH, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT BUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, AND I AGREE, MARIANA IS, IS VERY MUCH, YOU KNOW, WAS, WAS A, IS A GREAT FIT FOR BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. BUT YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WHAT IF SHE ENDS UP DECIDING TO LEAVE, ARE YOU GOING TO ARE YOU GOING TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT CAN DO BINATIONAL AFFAIRS AT, YOU KNOW, IN YOUR OFFICE? OR ARE WE GOING TO LOOK GO LIKE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AGAIN? AND THEN TO SEND IT BACK TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? YOU KNOW, I MEAN, AGAIN, FOR ME, IT'S IT SHOULD BE INSTITUTIONALIZED UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, NOT WITHIN A POLITICIANS OFFICE. BECAUSE BECAUSE WE COME AND GO. RIGHT. AND, AND THE NEXT, THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT, MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME PASSION THAT YOU DO FOR BINATIONAL AFFAIRS OR MAY NOT WANT TO WANT TO USE THAT, THAT POSITION THAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR OFFICE BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE LIMITED, LIMITED STAFF TO, TO WORK ON BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. AND THEN THE REST OF THE COUNTY IS AT A LOSS, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SOMEBODY IN BINATIONAL AFFAIRS ALREADY.

THEY'RE INSTITUTIONALIZED. IT'S MUCH IT'S MUCH EASIER TO IT'S MUCH EASIER TO TO TAKE IT AWAY THAN IT IS TO GET IT BACK. AS I SAID, COMMISSIONER, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT NOW, AND I'M NOT LOOKING AT IF SHE LEAVES, IF SHE DOESN'T LEAVE, WE HAVE A SITUATION RIGHT NOW THAT SHE'S THE BEST FIT, IN MY OPINION. I WOULD CHALLENGE THAT WE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE SAVING, YOU KNOW, $160,000 BY DOING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. AND IF THE COURT DOES NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE, WHICH I THINK YOU'LL FIND THAT THAT WILL MANAGE IT PROPERLY, THEN AT THAT POINT, THE COURT CAN ALWAYS DECIDE IT'S NOT WORKING, BUT WE AT LEAST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE THAT'S VERY WELL CONNECTED AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

GOING INTO 2027 WITH THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO, YOU KNOW, UNDERSTAND EVEN EVEN THE BORDER, THE, THE, THE PUSHBACK FROM FROM JUAREZ AND THE CHAMBER AND SO FORTH. I MEAN, SHE'S, SHE COULD BE VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS. SO I DON'T SEE IT AS, YES. AND SHE CAN DO THAT AND SHE CAN DO THAT UNDER THE UNDER THE ECONOMIC OR UNDER THE BINATIONAL AFFAIRS POSITION. JUDGE. THAT'S MY THAT'S MY POINT IS, THAT'S WHAT THAT POSITION IS FOR. AND, AND, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I WOULD, I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO TO HAVE TO HAVE HEARD ABOUT THIS IDEA BEFORE I, I THINK THAT I THINK THAT YOU'RE AWARE THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS KIND OF BEEN MY BABY AND, YOU KNOW, AS, AS HAS, I MEAN, I GOT NO INDICATION THAT I'M SORRY, THIS TYPE OF THING WAS, WAS, WAS COMING DOWN THE PIKE. COMMISSIONER, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS YOUR BABY. KIND OF. I'VE BEEN SO INVOLVED. YEAH, YEAH. OVER NATIONAL AFFAIRS. YES. THE BINATIONAL AFFAIRS POSITION HAS, IS, IS SOMETHING THAT I ADVOCATED FOR. AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME PUSHING FOR NOT NOT JUST WITH THIS COURT, BUT IN PRIOR COURTS BEFORE YOU, BEFORE YOU WERE ELECTED. AND, AND I, AND I, AND I ABSOLUTELY RESPECT THE FACT THAT THAT YOU'VE COME IN AND BEEN SO, SO SUCCESSFUL AT, AT, AT SUPPORTING BINATIONAL AFFAIRS AND HELPING THIS. BUT, YOU KNOW, I, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS TO ME AGAIN THAT, YOU KNOW, I, I JUST WISH THERE WERE THERE WERE A LITTLE BIT MORE TRANSPARENCY. AND THAT'S WHAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WORRIES ME GOING FORWARD THAT.

WELL, THE TRANSPARENCY IS RIGHT NOW, I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING WHEN YOU MAKE THOSE KIND OF COMMENTS BECAUSE THE TRANSPARENCY IS RIGHT NOW, I'M BRINGING IT TO THE COURT. I COULD HAVE I COULD HAVE EASILY KEPT HELPING ROBERTO AND EASILY JUST DOING WHAT I NEED TO DO. AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE WISE TO BRING IT TO THE COURT. AND SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRANSPARENCY, BECAUSE WE'RE RIGHT HERE. IT'S RIGHT NOW THAT I'M BRINGING IT UP TO THE COURT.

I DON'T KNOW IF I HAD TO HAVE ANY DISCUSSIONS PRIOR. THAT'S FINE, JUDGE. I MEAN, THAT IF IF IF IF IF THERE'S NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, THAT'S THAT'S FINE. BUT, BUT I, I REALLY, I REALLY HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE, IF, IF THIS POSITION IS BROUGHT UNDER YOUR OFFICE, THAT YOU ACTUALLY TAKE THE TIME TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND, AND ENGAGE US ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. I, FOR ONE, HAVEN'T HAD A ONE ON ONE MEETING WITH YOU AND SINCE YOUR FIRST TERM IN OFFICE. AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT THERE THAT, THAT IF SOMETHING THIS IMPORTANT IS GOING TO BE BROUGHT UNDER YOUR OFFICE'S AUSPICES, THAT THAT, THAT, THAT THERE, THERE IS THERE IS MORE COMMUNICATION.

THANK YOU. WELL, AS YOU KNOW, IF I TALK TO YOU CAN TALK TO SOMEBODY ELSE. SO I'M BRINGING IT UP TO THE COURT. I THINK IT'S VERY WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON WHY IT NEEDS TO BE UNDER UNDER ADMINISTRATION. BUT THAT'S THAT'S MY POINT. YOU'RE MAKING MY POINT EXACTLY, JUDGE.

BUT THANK YOU. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, BUT I'M I'M BRINGING IT TO THE COURT. I

[05:10:04]

THINK IT'S THE RIGHT MOMENT TO BRING IT TO THE COURT. THE TIMING IS NOT BECAUSE I HAD TO SEE WHAT SHE WAS DOING. SHE JUST CAME BACK FROM A TRIP, WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL, MADE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS, TALKED TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE. I NEEDED TO EXPERIMENT WITH THAT. IT'S I BELIEVE IT'S HER SECOND OR THIRD TRIP WHILE IN MY OFFICE, AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE COULD HANDLE THOSE. SHE DIDN'T SKIP A BEAT. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT YOU COULD SAY THAT THAT SHE DISTRACTED HERSELF OR SHE DIDN'T DO IT 100%. SHE WAS LEFT COMPLETELY ALONE TO DO WHATEVER SHE NEEDED TO BE, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THOSE TRIPS. AND THOSE ARE THE TRIPS THAT ALL OF YOU AGREED ON THAT WOULD BE TAKING PLACE. SO I DID NEED. SO I FEEL THE TIMING IS RIGHT NOW FOR ME TO BRING IT UP. AND THEN YOU GUYS CAN DECIDE AS A COURT. I'M NOT I'M NOT ASKING THAT. I'M GOING TO PUSH THIS. LIKE I SAID, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED AND, YOU KNOW, NOT NOT BRING IT TO THE COURT. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW.

AND JUST ONE MORE POINT, JUDGE. I THINK WE NEED TO BE SPENDING MORE RESOURCES AND APPLYING MORE RESOURCES TO GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND, AND NOT LESS SO THAT I'LL MAKE THAT ARGUMENT TOO. I MEAN, I KNOW YOU YOU TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO SAVE $160,000 OR WHAT HAVE YOU, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WE ARE BETTER OFF, YOU KNOW, THAT THAT'S MONEY THAT IS WELL, WELL SPENT AND THAT WE NEED WE NEED MORE SPENT IN THOSE AREAS. NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD. WE ALWAYS AGREE TO DISAGREE. SO, COMMISSIONER BUTLER, YOU WANTED TO COMMENT. JUDGE, YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE WILL BE SALARY SAVINGS BY NOT BACKFILLING MARIANA'S POSITION BY NATIONAL AFFAIRS. DID SHE HAVE A BUDGET UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? AND BY NATIONAL AFFAIRS, I MEAN THE TRIPS, THE THE DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES THAT SHE HAD AND MANAGED. WILL THOSE ALSO ROLL OVER INTO YOUR OFFICE? WELL, YOU CAN ASK. SO THERE ARE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS THAT WOULD BE PAID OR BUDGETED. AND THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS WE'LL NEED TO EVALUATE AND ADDRESS. THERE ARE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT I IMAGINE, IF THE OFFICE IS MOVED, WOULD NEED TO EITHER BE REMOVED FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN OR BECAUSE I CAN'T HOLD ROBERTO RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT UNDER HIS DIRECT CONTROL. SO THE ANY FUNDING TIED TO THOSE WOULD BE IF THERE IS ANY FUNDING SPECIFICALLY TO THESE, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE EVALUATED FOR TRANSFER. OKAY. I HAVE NOT DONE THAT ANALYSIS YET. YEAH. BUT THERE ARE TWO SECTIONS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN SPECIFIC TO BINATIONAL AFFAIRS. AND AND IF WE DO TRANSFER, I WOULD RECOMMEND THE COURT EITHER CONSIDER REMOVING IT OR. DECIDING HOW YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THE BINATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN. THAT'S IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN. WE COULD BRING THAT. WE COULD BRING BACK AN ANALYSIS OF WHAT THAT ENTAILS AND WHETHER YOU WANT TO REMOVE IT OR HOW YOU WANT TO HANDLE IT.

CAN CAN I LIKE MY MOTION WOULD BE TO TO GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT AS A PERMANENT, BUT TO GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY. I'VE TALKED TO MARIANA. I MEAN, A LOT OF HER DECISION WAS BASED ON ON THIS DISCUSSION. AND BUT SHE'S WILLING TO GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF WE COULD WORK IT OUT. SO I WOULD BE MY MOTION WOULD BE TO ACTUALLY DO THIS AND THEN HAVE IT ASSESSED.

IF, YOU KNOW, IF ANYBODY FEELS AT ANY POINT IN TIME, COMMISSIONER STOUTE OR ANYBODY FEELS THAT WE'RE NOT GIVING IT THE ATTENTION THAT'S REQUIRED OR IT'S CREATING ANY KIND OF ISSUES, I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HELPFUL TO KEEP HER IN THIS TRANSITION AND GET US GOING FORWARD. AND THEN AT THAT POINT, SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT IF AT ANY POINT WE THINK DIFFERENT OR THE COURT THINKS DIFFERENT, THEN WE WOULD GO, YOU KNOW, DO WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO, WHATEVER THE COURT DECIDES AT THAT POINT. SO MY MOTION WOULD BE TO TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, BUT ON A ON ON THE BASIS OF UNDERSTANDING, YOU KNOW, HOW IT WORKS AND SO FORTH. BUT BUT I CAN I CAN SEE THAT IT'D BE THERE'D BE A LOT OF DUPLICATION. WHOEVER'S THERE

[05:15:01]

IS GOING TO FEEL A LITTLE BECAUSE I'M, I, MY INTENT AND I HAVE THAT RIGHT IS FROM MY OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO GET INVOLVED IN BINATIONAL. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS AND MEETINGS AND THINGS THAT I'M THAT THAT I'VE BEEN INVITED TO, AND I THINK I WOULD BE DISTRACTING FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, MY INVOLVEMENT WITHOUT MAKING IT OFFICIAL FROM MY OFFICE OR IF YOU HAD SOMEONE ELSE, I THINK IT'D BE. AND JUDGE, I TOTALLY AGREE. EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT CAN HAVE AN AREA OF FOCUS, MULTIPLE AREAS OF FOCUS AND INTEREST. WHERE IT IMPACTS OVER ON OPERATIONS IS WHEN THERE'S THINGS IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE'RE HELD TO EX YOU KNOW, THE COURT IS EXPECTING US TO ACHIEVE. AND I, I DO THINK THAT'S WHY IF WE BRING BACK THESE. IF THE COURT WANTS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A MOVING THE FUNCTION, WE COULD BRING THESE BACK. WE COULD BRING ANY TIED BUDGET ITEMS YOU COULD APPROVE MOVE, MAKE YOUR MOTION TODAY.

BUT WE WOULD BRING BACK ITEMS THAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND EITHER TRANSFER UNDER THE JUDGE'S OFFICE OR. AND THERE'S REALLY I WOULDN'T TRANSFER THESE AS A COURT EXPECTATION BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR TO THE JUDGE OR TO MARIANA TO PUT A COUNTY WIDE EXPECTATION. WE DON'T DO THAT TO ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE COURT SPECIFICALLY. IT WOULD BE BASICALLY TO REMOVE THESE ITEMS FROM THE COURT'S STRATEGIC PLAN. I THINK I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FINALIZE THAT DECISION IS GOING TO BE IN STRATEGIC PLANNING NEXT YEAR. WHEN WE GO INTO THE THE DIFFERENT AREAS AND WE LOOK AT THE BINATIONAL AS PART OF STRATEGIC PLANNING, I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SORT OF DETERMINE WHETHER IT'S FUNCTIONING IN THE RIGHT WAY. AND IF IT'S BEING ABLE TO. I MEAN, THERE WERE WHAT COMMISSIONER STOUTE WANTS US TO FULL CONCENTRATION THAT WE'RE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO. BUT I THINK IT WILL BE, IN MY OPINION, IT WILL BE TESTED OUT DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING NEXT YEAR. SO THAT WOULD GIVE US TILL MARCH OF NEXT YEAR TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHETHER IT'S FUNCTIONING IN THE RIGHT WAY.

SO YOUR MOTION WOULD BE TO APPROVE THE TRANSFER OF BINATIONAL AFFAIRS THROUGH MARCH WHEN IT WOULD BE REVISITED. YEAH. AND THEN THE COURT COULD COMMIT TO IT AT THAT POINT. WHAT WHAT ABOUT ALL OF THE WORK, JUDGE, THAT WE SET ASIDE THAT WE HAVE SET FORTH IN OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THIS YEAR THAT BINATIONAL AFFAIRS WAS SUPPOSED TO DO? SO WE'RE JUST, AGAIN, GUTTING THE PROGRAM AND AND GOING TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO RESTART ALL THAT.

BECAUSE BECAUSE WE CAN'T WE CAN'T HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. AS BETSY SAID, THAT'S NOT WORK THAT THAT WE CAN HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE OR HOLD OR HOLD WHOEVER IS IN THAT POSITION ACCOUNTABLE. I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S ANOTHER THAT'S ANOTHER, AGAIN, ISSUE IS THAT SO SO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE PUSHING THIS OUT UNTIL STRATEGIC PLANNING OF THIS YEAR. I MEAN, THIS IS JUST SO MESSY. IF I FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP IN STRATEGIC STRATEGIC PLANNING EARLIER WHEN WE WERE ACTUALLY DOING THE STRATEGIC PLAN THIS YEAR, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED TO DO WELL, I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, AND THAT IS TO MOVE THE BINATIONAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, AND THAT WOULD BE THROUGH MARCH OF 2027.

VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE I. THINK NO FOR ME. AND I'M SORRY, JUDGE YOUR VOTE. I'M SORRY, I THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES.

ITEM NUMBER TEN, COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TEN A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF REGARDING THE EL PASO COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS CHRISTINA MARTINEZ WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

TODAY, I'M HERE TO PROVIDE THE COURT WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY'S CURRENTLY ADOPTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN POLICY. FOLLOWING SOME OF THE DISCUSSION THAT HAPPENED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO NOW IN COMMISSIONERS COURT DURING ONE OF OUR BUDGET HEARINGS AND SOME QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THE CIP. SO TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS INTENDED TO KIND OF PROVIDE AN

[A. Receive a presentation from staff regarding the El Paso County Capital Improvement Policy. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]

OVERVIEW AS FAR AS WHAT THE POLICY ESTABLISHES, HOW THE PROCESS IS INTENDED TO WORK, HOW PROJECTS ARE PRIORITIZED AND FUNDED, AND THE ROLE OF COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THAT PROCESS. THIS IS INTENDED TO BE AN INFORMATIVE OVERVIEW OF THE ADOPTED POLICY. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME ANY FEEDBACK THAT THE COURT HAS SO THAT, IF NEEDED, WE CAN BRING BACK AN AMENDED POLICY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THE THE COUNTY'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN IS THE

[05:20:03]

COUNTY'S LONG TERM CAPITAL INVESTMENT FRAMEWORK, INITIALLY ADOPTED IN OCTOBER OF 2014, LAST AMENDED IN APRIL OF 2015. THE POLICY DEFINES THE CIP AS THE FIVE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT MATCHES THE COUNTY'S HIGHEST PRIORITY CAPITAL NEEDS. WITH A FINANCING SCHEDULE. IT IS INTENDED TO IDENTIFY MAJOR CAPITAL NEEDS OVER A FIVE YEAR PLANNING HORIZON, CONNECT CAPITAL PRIORITIES TO AVAILABLE AND ANTICIPATED FUNDING, ESTABLISH A FRAMEWORK FOR ANNUAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT. COORDINATE CAPITAL NEEDS WITH THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, AND PROVIDE A BASIS FOR PLANNING FUTURE CASH FUNDING AS WELL AS DEBT FINANCING. SPECIFICALLY, THE POLICY DESCRIBES THE CIP AS A FIVE YEAR PLAN THAT ROLLS FORWARD ANNUALLY. THE FIRST YEAR IS FUNDED THROUGH THE CURRENT YEAR'S APPROPRIATIONS, WHILE THE REMAINING YEARS REPRESENT ANTICIPATED FUTURE APPROPRIATIONS OR DEBT ISSUANCES. THE POLICY CREATES A STRUCTURED DECISION MAKING PROCESS, STARTING WITH THE INTAKE PROCESS, WHERE YOU CAN SEE THERE ON THE SLIDE, THE INITIAL CALL FOR PROJECT IS MADE WHERE WE IDENTIFY THOSE COUNTY CAPITAL NEEDS. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY THE REVIEW PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES ASSESSING OPERATIONAL FACILITY TECHNOLOGY AND ASSET NEEDS, AS WELL AS PRIORITIZING THOSE PROJECTS BASED ON ESTABLISHED CRITERIA. FOLLOWING THIS PROJECT, PROJECT COSTS ARE ESTIMATED AS WELL AS TIMING IS CONSIDERED. PROJECTS ARE MATCHED WITH APPROPRIATE FUNDING SOURCES, AND THEN A RECOMMENDED COORDINATED CAPITAL PROGRAM IS PUT TOGETHER BEFORE BEING BROUGHT FORTH TO THE COURT TO APPROVE THAT CIP THROUGH THROUGH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THROUGH FORMAL ACTION. I WANT TO SPEND SOME TIME ON THIS SLIDE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CIP AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET. AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, IT'S A FIVE YEAR ROLLING PLAN THAT'S ADOPTED ANNUALLY. YEAR ONE IS FUNDED THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS IN THE CURRENT YEAR'S BUDGET. THEREFORE, YEARS TWO THROUGH FIVE REPRESENT PROJECTS ANTICIPATED TO BE FUNDED THROUGH FUTURE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS OR DEBT ISSUANCES. IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE THAT NO PROJECT WILL BEGIN UNTIL FORMALLY ADOPTED AND FUNDED THROUGH THE COURT'S ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS. AND SO EVEN IF A GIVEN YEAR CIP IS APPROVED AND IT'S A FIVE YEAR PLANNING HORIZON UNTIL IT'S APPROVED THROUGH THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS, IS WHEN WE WOULD ACTUALLY BEGIN SPENDING DOWN POTENTIAL FUNDING FOR THAT PROJECT. THE POLICY ESTABLISHES A RECURRING ANNUAL CYCLE. YOU'LL SEE HERE THE THE TIMING CONSIDERATIONS AS LISTED BY THE POLICY. YOU'LL NOTE THAT THE. OR I SHOULD NOTE THE DATES WILL LOOK DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. THIS. THIS IS JUST. GIVEN THE FACT THAT. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE DISCUSSION FROM THE BUDGET HEARINGS FROM THE COURT RECENTLY, AND GIVEN THAT THE COURT IS LOOKING TO. IS LOOKING TO APPROVE AN ALLOCATION OF FUNDING FOR CIP, WHICH WAS DONE AT A MINIMAL AMOUNT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL FISCAL YEARS, THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ALTERNATIVE TIMING SCHEDULE USED TO KIND OF BRING THIS BACK TO THE COURT SHOULD THE COURT APPROVE THE BUDGET CURRENTLY BEING PROPOSED OR WILL BE PROPOSED BY THE BY BY THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT THAT ALLOCATES A CERTAIN AMOUNT TO CIP STAFF WOULD WOULD ALREADY BE READY TO MOBILIZE ON A CALL FOR PROJECTS AND BRING BACK A FUNDING RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION TOWARDS THE END OF NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. ONE THING I DID WANT TO NOTE, YOU'LL SEE THERE ON THE TOP RIGHT PORTION OF THE TABLE, AN ASTERISK NEXT TO THE BUDGET AND FISCAL POLICY DEPARTMENT. AS FAR AS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY, THIS IS WHAT'S CURRENTLY LISTED IN THE IN THE ADOPTED POLICY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT STAFF HAS IDENTIFIED FOR POTENTIAL POLICY REVISION. GIVEN THE STANDING UP OF THE CAPITAL PLANNING TEAM WITHIN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT, THESE RESPONSIBILITIES SHOULD AND WOULD FALL WITHIN THE WITHIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AT THIS POINT. THE POLICY ASSIGNS DIFFERENT ROLES THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. YOU CAN SEE HERE ON THE SLIDE, I APOLOGIZE, IT'S A BIT SMALL, BUT I'LL LIST THEM OUT. THE DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING CAPITAL NEEDS, SUBMITTING CAPITAL PROJECT REQUESTS, AND PROVIDING THE NECESSARY RELEVANT INFORMATION, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATING IN THE CLARIFICATION AND APPEAL PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CYCLE. SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, WHICH INCLUDES DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENTS OR PERSONNEL FROM ITD FLEET FACILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS, HELP SUPPORT THE EVALUATION PROCESS AND SPECIFICALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF A PROJECT, THEY PROVIDE SOME INPUT AND FEEDBACK FOR THE FOR THE REVIEW TEAM AS FAR AS ASSESSING THE ASSET CONDITION AND REPLACING NEEDS, REPLACEMENT NEEDS, AND THEN REVIEW SPECIALIZED PROJECT REQUIREMENTS AS NEEDED. THE EXECUTIVE TEAM, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THROUGH THAT, THIS, THE CAPITAL PLANNING TEAM IS THE STAFF RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING AND PRIORITIZING REQUESTS, DEVELOPING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, COORDINATING COMPETING CAPITAL NEEDS, AND THEN PRESENTING THOSE TO THE COURT. YOU SEE HERE ON THE SLIDE THAT IT'S LISTED AS THE POLICY CURRENTLY STATES BUDGET AND AUDITOR, EVALUATE FUNDING AVAILABILITY, IDENTIFY POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES, ANALYZE FINANCIAL IMPACTS, AND

[05:25:03]

MONITOR APPROVED PROJECTS. THIS IS ANOTHER SPOT THAT MAY REQUIRE SOME MINOR REVISIONS.

AS THE CAPITAL PLANNING TEAM WITHIN COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WOULD HELP SUPPORT AND LEAD A LOT OF THESE EFFORTS AS WELL. THEN LASTLY, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT CONSIDERS THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION BROUGHT TO BROUGHT BEFORE THEM WOULD MAKE FINAL PROJECT FUNDING DETERMINATIONS AND THEN ULTIMATELY APPROVE A CIP THROUGH THAT ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS. POLICY CALLS FOR MORE THAN JUST SUBMITTING THE ESTIMATED COST ON ANY GIVEN PROJECT. DEPARTMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SEVERAL PIECES OR SEVERAL COMPONENTS OF INFORMATION INCLUDED A DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION, THE ESTIMATED FUNDING AS FAR AS AS WELL AS HOW THAT FITS WITHIN THE FUNDING REQUIREMENT. CURRENT. THE CURRENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE, OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT, REVENUE OR EFFICIENCY FACTORS, ALTERNATIVES TO THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. JUST STOPPING RIGHT THERE ON THE ESTIMATED FUNDING REQUIREMENT TO NOTE THAT THOSE PROJECT FUNDING REQUESTS THAT COME IN OVER $500,000 ARE ROUTED INSTEAD THROUGH THE MAJOR CAPITAL NEEDS PROCESS INSTEAD.

AS YOU MAY RECALL, THIS WAS THIS EXERCISE AS FAR AS RECEIVING THE COURT'S INPUT AND PRIORITY WAS BROUGHT TO THE COURT PREVIOUSLY. EARLIER THIS SUMMER DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING. IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WAS THE LAST PIECE. THE POLICY ORGANIZES REQUESTS INTO FIVE MAJOR CATEGORIES MAJOR FACILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE, TWO BEING IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT. THREE ADA RELATED IMPROVEMENTS FOR FLEET AND VEHICLE REPLACEMENT. FIVE SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. THE POLICY DESCRIBES REPLACEMENT PLANNING AS A STRATEGY FOR MANAGING COUNTY PHYSICAL ASSETS. IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT TIMING MATTERS. REPLACING ASSETS TOO EARLY CAN CREATE WASTE, WHILE REPLACING THEM TOO LATE CAN CREATE SECONDARY PROBLEMS AND HIGHER MAINTENANCE COSTS. THE GENERAL REPLACEMENT CYCLE ACTS AS A GUIDE FOR THE EVALUATION TEAM WHEN MAKING DECISIONS. AS FAR AS PRESENTING A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE COURT. ALL OF THESE FACTORS THAT I'VE DESCRIBED EARLIER, AS FAR AS WHAT'S SUBMITTED, ALL PLAY A FACTOR IN THE THE OVERALL COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION WHEN IT COMES TO PRIORITIZING CAPITAL INVESTMENTS. THOSE FACTORS ARE ALSO LISTED ON THE SLIDE, BUT ARE GENERALLY GROUPED INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES TO HELP MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. AND THAT RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT AS TO WHETHER A PROJECT IS CONSIDERED A HIGH PRIORITY PROJECT FOR FUNDING A MEDIUM PRIORITY PROJECT OR A LOW PRIORITY PROJECT, THOSE LABELED AS HIGH, YOU CAN SEE IN THE SLIDE ARE TYPICALLY THOSE PROJECTS THAT ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED, HAVE SOME TIE OR CONNECTION TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

WOULD ARE INVOLVED WITH THE ESSENTIAL PRESERVATION OF EXISTING COUNTY INVESTMENTS, OR WOULD RESULT IN SOME MAJOR EFFICIENCY OR FINANCIAL BENEFIT. THE POLICY ESTABLISHES A COMMITMENT OF NO LESS THAN ONE PENNY OF THE PROPERTY TAX RATE ANNUALLY FOR CAPITAL NEEDS, SUCH AS I T ADA IMPROVEMENTS. FLEET. SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND OTHER REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT NEEDS. THE POLICY INSTEAD USES LONG TERM FINANCING DEBT FOR LONG LIVED ASSETS, MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, PROJECTS WHOSE COSTS EXCEED ANNUAL REVENUE FUNDING, AND THEN BEFORE USING ANY GENERAL FUND RESOURCES, THE REVIEW TEAM AND THE POLICY DIRECTS CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF FUNDING TO INCLUDE GRANTS, SPECIAL REVENUE OR OTHER DESIGNATED REVENUES, INTEREST, EARNINGS, AS WELL AS AUCTION AND SURPLUS PROCEEDS. PURPOSE OF THAT ENTIRE TECHNICAL REVIEW PROCESS IS INTENDED TO GIVE THE COURT A STRUCTURED SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS INFORMED BY TECHNICAL ASSESSMENTS, PRIORITIES AND FUNDING CAPACITY. ALL OF THIS WOULD RESULT IS ULTIMATELY IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTS HAVING THE FINAL DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY ON THE FINAL PROJECT FUNDING DETERMINATION FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR, THE FINAL PROJECT FUNDING LEVEL, THE TIMING OF THOSE INVESTMENTS, THE OVERALL FUNDING STRATEGY, AS WELL AS ANY INTERIM EMERGENCY FUNDING DETERMINATIONS MADE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO WALK THE COURT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS, STEP BY STEP AND KIND OF TIE ALL OF THOSE STEPS TOGETHER INTO ONE ONE PROCESS STAFF. AS I MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, ISSUES THE ANNUAL CALL FOR PROJECTS TO TO DEPARTMENTS TO, TO IDENTIFY AND PROPOSE THOSE CAPITAL NEEDS THAT ARE SUBMITTED BY THOSE DEPARTMENTS. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY AN INITIAL SCREENING PROCESS WHERE STAFF COLLECTS THE SUBMITTED REQUESTS AND CHECKS FOR ELIGIBILITY, AS WELL AS CATEGORY, AND ASSIGNS EACH REQUEST TO ONE OF THOSE CAPITAL CATEGORIES PROVIDED OR PRESENTED PREVIOUSLY. MIGUEL. ALEXIS, I'D LIKE TO ASK IF YOU COULD BRIEFLY BRING UP ON THE SCREEN THE FY 24 CIP EXAMPLE THAT'S ALSO LISTED IN THE BACKUP. JUST TO ILLUSTRATE TO THE COURT WHAT THAT COLLECTION PROCESS LOOKS LIKE. VERY

[05:30:04]

BRIEFLY, STAND BY PLEASE. THIS IS THE EXAMPLE THAT'S COMING UP ON THE SCREEN IS THE LAST CIP COLLECTION PROJECT COLLECTION THAT WAS COLLECTED IN FY 24. IT'S INTENDED JUST TO SHOW THE COURT KIND OF WHAT IS COLLECTED, HOW, HOW ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE BEING CONSIDERED AS FAR AS THE EVALUATION ARE REQUESTED BY DEPARTMENTS OVER TIME. IT IS A PRETTY LONG DOCUMENT, BUT I'D ASK MIGUEL, ALEXIS, IF FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, JUST KIND OF ZOOMING IN ON THAT TOP LEFT CORNER AND SCROLLING FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT SIDE TO TO ILLUSTRATE TO THE COURT.

THANK YOU. YOU CAN SEE HERE, THESE ARE ALL THE PROJECT DETAILS THAT MAY BE COLLECTED FOR ANY GIVEN PROJECT. THESE THIS COLLECTION IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S COORDINATED IN REVIEW WITH THOSE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED TO EVALUATE THOSE REQUESTS BASED ON THE CURRENT AND FUTURE CAPITAL NEEDS, THE ASSET CONDITION AND REPLACEMENT CONSIDERATIONS, THE TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY OF A PROJECT, ANY RELATED MASTER PLANS AND NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT, THE SM AND FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. AS FAR AS THE APPROPRIATE TIMING FOR FUNDING. ALL OF THIS IS COLLECTED AND PARTICIPATES OR AND LEADS US INTO THAT PRIORITIZATION PRIORITIZATION EXERCISE, WHICH I PREVIOUSLY DETAILED. THANK YOU. MIGUEL. ALEXIS, I THINK WE CAN GO BACK TO THE SLIDES. WILL THAT CHANGE IS HAPPENING? ANOTHER POLICY CHANGE THAT WE NEED THAT YOU MENTIONED THE $0.01, BUT IT SHOULD BE THE TWO AND A HALF CENTS. RIGHT. AND THE POLICY DOES LISTED SPECIFICALLY AS A MINIMUM. AND SO IT IS FLEXIBLE FOR THAT. THE PRIORITIZATION PROCESS IS THE IS THE PROCESS WE LEFT OFF ON FOLLOWED BY IDENTIFYING FUNDING A FUNDING STRATEGY, AND THEN ULTIMATELY A RECOMMENDATION WHICH IS BROUGHT TO THE COURT DEPARTMENTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN APPEAL. DEPARTMENTS RECEIVING A DENIAL WILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN APPEAL AND JUSTIFICATION BEFORE A RECOMMENDATION IS BROUGHT TO THE COURT. AND THEN FINALLY, THE COURT RECEIVES THE DEPARTMENT'S RECOMMEND FINAL RECOMMENDATION AND MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION ON WHICH PROJECTS TO FUND. THESE FUNDING STRATEGIES ARE THEN FINALIZED AND INCORPORATED INTO THAT ANNUAL BUDGET SLASH CIP. THUS, THE ADOPTED POLICY CREATES A PROGRESSION FROM NEED TO EVALUATION, PRIORITIZATION, FUNDING ANALYSIS, RECOMMENDATION, AND THEN A FINAL COURT DECISION. I'D LIKE TO PAUSE HERE AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING WHAT'S BEEN PRESENTED BEFORE MOVING INTO A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE POLICIES. POST ADOPTION ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS. YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU FOR THE FOR THE INFORMATION, WHO ARE THE SMES? SO THOSE THOSE INCLUDE DEPENDING ON THE PROJECT. BUT IN TOTAL, IT'S IT'D. FLEET PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES. AND THEN IN SOME CASES IT MAY BE PURCHASING AS WELL. AND SO THERE'S I'M SORRY, PLEASE GO AHEAD. AND THERE'S ALSO SOME THAT DON'T FALL IN THOSE CATEGORIES. SO LIKE USUALLY IT WOULD BE CHRISTIAN AND MYSELF REVIEWING THE KIND OF OFF CATEGORY ONES, LIKE REQUEST FOR SOME KIND OF EQUIPMENT THAT'S MORE LIKE AN OFFICE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT OR WHAT WE CALL LIKE THE SMALL, THE SMALL CAPITAL REQUEST. SOMETIMES IT'S A SMALL MODIFICATION TO NOT A BUILDING, BUT I'M TRYING TO THINK OF SOME EXAMPLES THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST, BUT COURT RECORDER MACHINES OR THINGS LIKE THAT. AND SO THERE'S SOME THAT NOT A NOT A LOT, BUT THERE'S USUALLY A LIST THAT ENDS UP COMING TO US THAT WE, WE REVIEW BECAUSE THERE'S NO SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT PER SE. I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER, THAT THOSE OTHERS I'VE LISTED ARE A BIT MORE TYPICAL, I THINK, AS FAR AS WHICH PROJECTS WE WOULD SEND TO THOSE SMES. BUT BUT LIKE FACILITIES REVIEW REVIEWS, REQUEST FOR SPACE PLANNING SPACE OR BUILDINGS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO EVEN LOOK AT, SEE IF THE BECAUSE DEPARTMENTS ARE SUBMITTING THESE. AND THERE'S USUALLY A, YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY HAVE EIGHT WEEKS TO SUBMIT THEM.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TIME TO GO THROUGH PURCHASING TO GET AN ACTUAL FINAL QUOTE. AND FACILITIES MAY KNOW SOMETHING LIKE, OH, THAT KIND OF AN HVAC. THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE $30,000.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A $300,000 REQUEST. SO THEY, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT USUALLY REVIEW THE ONES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THEIR AREAS. I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, BUT I WANT TO LET YOU FINISH THE PRESENTATION. WE'RE ALMOST AT THE END AS WELL. CAPITAL PLANNING DOESN'T END JUST WITH

[05:35:05]

THE ADOPTION. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL POST ADOPTION ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE EACH YEAR PER THE POLICY. THIS INCLUDES THE MONITORING PROCESS. THIS IS A MULTI-DEPARTMENT COORDINATION EFFORT THAT WOULD BE LED BY THIS OFFICE, BUT WOULD TOUCH AND INTERACT WITH STAFF FROM THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE AS WELL AS THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT. THERE'S THE REVIEW PROCESS OR THE REVIEW ACTIVITIES WHERE REGULAR QUARTERLY REVIEW MEETINGS ARE HELD WITH THOSE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OR THOSE PERSONNEL FROM DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED AN ALLOCATION OF FUNDING TO CONTINUE RECEIVING UPDATES ON PROJECT PROGRESS, UTILIZATION OF THE FUNDS, ANY CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES WITH REGARDS TO COSTS OR EMERGENCIES OR ISSUES THAT COME UP ALONG THE PROJECT. AND THEN THERE'S ALSO MODIFICATION AND POST ADOPTION ACTIVITIES, WHICH I'LL GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE NEXT SLIDE. POLICY DOES ALLOW FOR CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS AFTER ADOPTION. THOSE THOSE MODIFICATIONS ARE LISTED LISTED RIGHT BELOW. THAT INCLUDES FUNDING CHANGES WITHIN THE SAME DEPARTMENT'S APPROVED ASSET CATEGORIES, A LIMITED CONTINGENCY FOR ANY HIGHER THAN EXPECTED QUOTES. YOU COULD SEE THERE THAT IT'S EITHER 10% ABOVE THE ADDITIONAL THE INITIAL PROJECT ALLOCATION OR $5,000, WHICHEVER IS LESS INTERIM ALLOCATIONS FOR ANY UNANTICIPATED OPERATIONAL NEEDS THAT MAY COME UP THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS WELL AS ANY EMERGENCY TYPE REPLACEMENT NEEDS WHERE FAILURE COULD AFFECT SAFETY OR OPERATIONS. AS OF THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR, THAT'S REALLY KIND OF BEEN PRIMARILY THE TYPES OF FUNDING REQUESTS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE COURT, DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF THE REQUEST AND THE THE LEVEL OF CHANGE FROM THE INITIAL REQUEST, AND MAY REQUIRE EITHER A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVAL. JUST TO KIND OF CIRCLE BACK ON THE, I THINK, FIVE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE POLICY ITSELF. AS I MENTIONED ALREADY PREVIOUSLY, IT'S A FIVE YEAR ROLLING PLAN THAT'S UPDATED ANNUALLY WITH THE BUDGET. IT INCLUDED IN THE CIP IS NOT NECESSARILY AN AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED. THEY MUST ULTIMATELY BE FUNDED THROUGH THAT PROCESS BUDGET PROCESS AS. PROJECTS ARE INTENDED TO BE EVALUATED BASED ON NEED, PRIORITY, COST AND TIMING. POLICY USES A COMBINATION OF CASH AND LONG TERM DEBT FOR FINANCING AND. COMMISSIONERS COURT RETAINS FINAL AUTHORITY. STAFF WILL DEVELOP TECHNICAL REVIEW, TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT COURT. THE COURT WILL MAKE AN ULTIMATE DETERMINATION AS FAR AS WHAT IS ULTIMATELY FUNDED. THAT DOES CONCLUDE MY PRESENTATION. COMMISSIONERS HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK THAT THE COURT MAY HAVE FOR THE POLICY CURRENTLY AS PRESENTED. I DID I DID WANT TO JUST STATE SOMETHING I AN OVERSIGHT ON MY PART. I SHOULD HAVE ALSO JUST INCLUDED THE POLICY IN THE BACKUP FOR THE AGENDA ITEM, SOMETHING I APOLOGIZE. I THOUGHT OF THAT TODAY, AND SO I'LL SEND THAT. I'LL MAKE SURE TO SEND THAT TO THE COURT AS WELL. COMMISSIONER BUTLER YES, THANK YOU, JUDGE, I, I APPRECIATE THAT. I APPRECIATE THE THE OVERVIEW OF THE POLICY. I THINK THAT IT'S A GOOD THING TO HAVE AN OBJECTIVE WAY TO REVIEW AND ANALYZE REQUESTS THAT COME IN FROM EVERY CORNER OF, OF COUNTY FUNCTIONS. YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK WHAT I, WHAT I MENTIONED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO DURING BUDGET AS A CONCERN.

AND ALSO I THINK AS, AS I'M REVIEWING THE PROCESS THAT YOU LAID OUT IS THAT. OFTENTIMES WHEN WE SEE THE LIST OF CIP PROJECTS, OR WE'RE ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THEM, THAT RUBRIC HAS ALREADY KIND OF IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALREADY BEEN. LISTED AND PRIORITIZED, AND WE'RE JUST ASKED TO KIND OF MAKE A DECISION ON SOMETHING. AND, AND WE'RE NOT REALLY GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ANY CONTEXT RELATED TO THE PROJECTS. I CAN THINK OF A COUPLE TIMES THAT WE'VE HAD TO GO BACK. I'M THINKING ABOUT LIKE PURCHASING LAST YEAR, RIGHT? WHERE WE HAD TO GO AND SAY, OH, WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE TO ALLOCATE SOME CIP TO THIS BECAUSE IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT OR. YOU KNOW, THE WATER SYSTEM BROKE DOWN THE IN THE JAIL. RIGHT. AND, AND MAYBE THAT WAS LISTED AT A CERTAIN POINT, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE US TO THINK ABOUT IF THERE'S A WAY THAT WE CAN BE JUST MORE INCLUDED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, OR IF THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO HAVE. MORE TRANSPARENCY THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. SO WE'RE NOT JUST

[05:40:04]

SEEING IT AT THE TAIL END OR DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING. YOU KNOW, I, I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE OF, OF PRIORITIZING AND INDEXING THESE PROJECTS, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT IF WE'RE ULTIMATELY THE ONES WHO HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO FUND, THEN WE SHOULD HAVE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE WHEN WE'RE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS. YES, MA'AM, CAN I, I WANT TO JUST A COUPLE THINGS. THERE'S SO WE'VE ALSO SO IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, YOU ALL WILL NOT HAVE SEEN CIP BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDING. WHAT WE DID DO THIS LAST YEAR IS WE BROUGHT FORWARD FUNDING FOR THE WHAT WE CALL THE RECURRING. SO IN OUR CIP AND THE REASON WHY THERE'S $0.01 AND 1.5 CENTS IS WE. ONCE WE STARTED THIS PROGRAM, WE REALIZED THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT REALLY SHOULD BE IN OPERATIONAL BUDGETS. IT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE LIKE A COMPETITIVE REPLACEMENT EVERY YEAR, RIGHT? IT STILL GOES THROUGH THIS PROCESS BECAUSE WE NEVER WANT THOSE FUNDS TO BE LOST OR REALLOCATED TO ANYTHING ELSE. BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO REPLACE EVERY YEAR. BALLISTIC VEST. SO MANY EXPIRE A YEAR. WE HAVE TO REPLACE SO MANY PER YEAR. BUT THOSE COME THROUGH THIS PROCESS. SO WE THAT'S WHAT WE ALLOCATED FUNDING TO VEHICLES. WE KNOW OUR VEHICLE FLEET IS AGING. IT'S NOT. BUT BUT I WILL TELL YOU, IT'S NOT THE OLDEST VEHICLE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT'S THE ONES THAT ARE REQUIRING THE MOST MAINTENANCE OR THE MOST WEAR. SO WE HAVE NOT WE HAVE WITH THIS PROCESS. AND WHEN THIS PROCESS IS FULLY FUNDED AT THE TWO AND A HALF CENTS, THAT'S WHERE WE NORMALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR HAVE LESS THAN FIVE REQUESTS COME UP MID-YEAR. IT'S THE ONES WHERE IT'S WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING OR WHEN. IT'S A MAJOR CAPITAL NEED THAT WILL. AND THAT'S HOW WE OFTEN IDENTIFY AND COMPILE OUR LIST OF MAJOR CAPITAL NEEDS IS THROUGH THIS PROCESS AS WELL. WE START LIKE OVER TIME SEEING THESE CAPITAL REQUESTS, WE CAN DEFINITELY DO MORE TO EXPLAIN IN ADVANCE, LIKE, HERE'S WHAT WE'VE RECEIVED, HERE'S HOW IT'S BEEN NARROWED DOWN. THIS WILL BE COMING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION.

LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. WE CAN DEFINITELY DO MORE OF THAT THROUGH THE PROCESS TO MAKE YOU MORE INFORMED. SHARE, YOU KNOW, FULL TRANSPARENCY. I WILL TELL YOU, WHEN WE DID HAVE OUR OUR FUNDING FOR CAPITAL, I, I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS RARE FOR US TO EVEN HAVE AN APPEAL, IF EVER, BECAUSE WE REALLY THE DEPARTMENT'S FIRST DO THE PRIORITIZATION. SO EACH DEPARTMENT TELLS US THEIR NUMBER ONE THROUGH NUMBER. YOU KNOW, SOME DEPARTMENTS DON'T HAVE ANY CAPITAL REQUEST. SOME DEPARTMENTS HAVE HUNDREDS. AND THEY. BUT THEY PRIORITIZE THEM ONE THROUGH 100. AND SO WE REALLY RELY HEAVILY ON THAT INPUT AS WELL. AND THEN WHEN WE BRING IT INTO THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, THEY'RE LOOKING ACROSS DEPARTMENTS. I THINK THE TEAM HAS TRIED TO BE REALLY DILIGENT AND OUTREACH AND LOOK AND SEE HOW CRITICAL ARE THOSE. BUT I DO THINK WE CAN BRING THAT FORWARD, SHOW THE COURT THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE USING. SO YOU ALL FEEL COMPLETELY UP TO SPEED ON HOW WE'RE SELECTING THEM. ABSOLUTELY. TO RECOMMEND ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK FROM THE COURT? THANK YOU. JUDGE, SOME OF THE LIKE THE REALLY LONG TERM CAPITAL ASSETS, BECAUSE THOSE ARE REALLY GOING TO BE CHALLENGING FOR US. AND WHAT'S REALLY OUT THERE RIGHT NOW IS OUR BIGGEST ONE IS, IS A JAIL. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT JUST A FIVE YEAR DEAL.

THAT'S ON YOUR MAJOR CAPITAL LIST. THIS IS YOUR RIGHT. THIS IS YOUR SMALL OPERATING. BUT YES, THAT IS GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST ONE. BUT WE ARE WE ARE SEEING THAT IMPACT REGARDLESS THROUGH A LOT OF THE EMERGENCY REQUESTS THAT'S GOING TO IMPACT THAT BECAUSE BECAUSE THOSE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO START IMPACTING THIS PARTICULAR BUDGET IS WHAT I'M SAYING. IT'S LIKE, YES, SIR. ARE WE GOING TO EVALUATE THAT? WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF, FOR EXAMPLE, THE JAIL QUICKER BECAUSE IT IS WE ARE SEEING ALL THESE EXPENSES ON IMMEDIATE CAPITAL NEEDS, LIKE THE SEWER, LIKE THE ALL OF THAT, THE ELEVATOR, EVERYTHING. AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH. WHAT I SEE IS A REALLY TOUGH THAT EACH FACILITY IS STARTING TO WEAR DOWN, THAT IT'S CAUSING THIS MORE ANNUALLY ON THE CIP BUDGET EFFECT THAN IF WE TAKE CARE OF IT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANALYSIS, I THINK. YEAH, DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS A IS A DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS A BIG PROBLEM. YEAH. IT'S HUGE. AND, AND FRANKLY, SOME OF THESE FACILITIES ARE OUTDATED, LIKE THE JAIL. I MEAN, AND IT COSTS US MORE EVERY YEAR FOR EVERY

[05:45:04]

INDIVIDUAL WE HAVE IN THERE. IT COSTS MORE TO HOUSE THEM THAT I MEAN WHERE'S OUR EXPERTS FROM THE JAIL. THEY'RE RIGHT IN HERE. THEY JUST TOLD US LAST WEEK, COST US A LOT MORE TO HOUSE THEM DOWNTOWN THAN IT DOES AT THE YOU KNOW, WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO START LOOKING AT THOSE ISSUES IS WHAT ARE THESE FACILITIES THAT ARE COSTING US A LOT OF CAPITAL EXPENSES THAT MAYBE WE NEED TO START LOOKING SOONER? I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT LINE IS, BUT THE JAIL IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM. I MEAN, I DO THINK, COMMISSIONER, WE CAN ABSOLUTELY, AS PART OF SOME OF THE PRIORITIZATION FACTORS THAT ARE LISTED IN THE SLIDE. AND I'LL GO BACK VERY BRIEFLY.

HERE. WE I THINK WE CAN CAPTURE SOME OF THAT HIGH PRIORITY NEED FOR SOME OF THESE FACILITIES THROUGH SOME OF THE FACTORS ALREADY LISTED HERE, SUCH AS WHETHER THERE ARE CONCERNS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, RIGHT, OR WHERE THERE'S CERTAIN FEDERAL OR STATE MANDATES THAT WE NEED TO MEET. BUT ABSOLUTELY. I COMPLETELY HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONER, AS FAR AS WANTING TO CONTINUE TO CAPTURE THAT SPECIFICALLY. YOU KNOW, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER STOUT HAD BROUGHT THIS UP A LONG TIME AGO, BUT, YOU KNOW, EVEN I WAS IN THE POPULATION REVIEW BOARD WAY, WAY BACK IN THE DAYS IN THE EARLY IN THE LATE 80S, WHEN WE HAD A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD TO, YOU KNOW, EXPAND THE DOWNTOWN JAIL. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. AND NOW HOW HOW FAR ALONG THAT IS THAT WE REALLY NEED TO GET REPLACE THE DOWNTOWN JAIL WITH WHAT THE COST IS GOING TO BE. BUT I THINK WE NEED TO START LOOKING AT THAT BECAUSE AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW WITH HAVING THE. AT LEAST WE HAVE AN OPTION WITH LAND JUST TO THE SOUTH OF US FROM THE PARKING GARAGE THAT WE BOUGHT. I THINK THAT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO FAR AWAY. OR DO WE BUILD IN THE PARKING LOT NEXT DOOR AND DO SOMETHING WITH THE OTHER BUILDING, BECAUSE THAT BUILDING IS VERY, VERY INEFFICIENT FOR WHAT IS BEING USED FOR RIGHT NOW. AND WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT REPEATEDLY. SO AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE BIG COST THAT I THINK IN THE FUTURE IS GOING TO AFFECT THE POLICY ON THIS BUDGET THAT WE'RE DOING. I MEAN, IT ALREADY HAS. YEAH. SO I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE. I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE, BUT. WELL, JUST I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT POLICY, THE FULL POLICY, AND THEN MAYBE WE CAN GET MORE INFORMATION ON HOW, HOW THE COURT CAN BE MORE. INFORMED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. AND MAYBE LET ME GO ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO DO THAT. LET ME COORDINATE WITH MISS KELLER. AND THEN FOLLOWING THAT COORDINATION, WE'LL SEND OUT A A PLAN TO THE COURT AS FAR AS HOW TO HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE THAT.

OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU CHRISTIAN.

GOOD JOB. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ITEM TEN B UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND UPDATES ON THE COUNTY'S 2026 TO 2021 STRATEGIC PLAN. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS LORENA RODRIGUEZ FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. TODAY, WE'LL BE PROVIDING THE COURT WITH A THIRD QUARTER UPDATE TO YOUR FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2026 2031, A FULL REPORT WITH AN UPDATE ON EVERY MILESTONE ACTIVITIES ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA ITEM. IF

[B. Receive a presentation and updates on the County’s 2026-2031 Strategic Plan. Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT ANY TIME AS I'M PRESENTING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STOP ME AT ANY TIME AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. AS OF QUARTER THREE, 77% OF THE PLAN IS ON TRACK. THIS MEANS THAT THE TASKS THAT HAVE BEEN LISTED FOR THE ACTIVITY ARE BEING COMPLETED ON TIME. WHILE THE PIE CHART INDICATES THAT 7% ITEMS SHOW SOME DISRUPTION, THIS IS NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THESE TASKS ARE SIMPLY AWAITING A SPECIFIC STEP BEFORE THEY CAN BE MARKED AS COMPLETE. WHILE 3% OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS UNDER MAJOR DISRUPTION, WE HAVE MADE AN OVERALL 43% PROGRESS ON THE PLAN FOR THE QUARTER. FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, I WILL DISCUSS THIS FURTHER INTO THE NEXT SLIDES. AS 1.3 JAIL PROCESSING CENTER REMODEL ON THE SECOND FLOOR REACHES A SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE. PUBLIC WORKS IS PLEASED TO SHARE THE FURNITURE INSTALLATION HAS BEGUN IN SEVERAL STAFF AREAS. WITH THIS PROGRESS, PLANNING

[05:50:01]

EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO PREPARE FOR BOTH THE OCCUPANCY OF THE REMODELED SECOND FLOOR AND THE TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF AFFECTED FIRST FLOOR STAFF. THE BUILDING'S OPERATIONAL WORKFLOW GOALS FOR THE SECOND FLOOR HAVE SHIFTED, WHICH CAN SUBSTANTIALLY ALTER THE INTENDED USE AND PLANNED OCCUPANCY OF THE RENOVATED AREA TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT AND TO PREVENT UNINTENDED IMPACTS ON COUNTY SERVICES WITHIN THE FACILITY. PUBLIC WORKS IS SCHEDULING DISCUSSIONS TO CLARIFY THESE CHANGES AND COLLABORATIVELY DETERMINE NEXT STEPS. 1.5 DIVERSION PROGRAMING. THE DEPARTMENT HAS IDENTIFIED ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY INTERVENTION INTERVENTION AND IS ADDRESSING GAPS IN THE DIVERSION LANDSCAPE. PROGRESS IS DOCUMENTED IN THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICY REPORT. GOAL TWO DRIVE REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH SPECTRUM COMPLETED ITS COMMUNITY BROADBAND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. AT&T RECENTLY NOTIFIED THE COUNTY THAT THE PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED. COUNTY STAFF IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE DOCUMENTATION TO CONFIRM PROJECT COMPLETION. AS PART OF THE COUNTY'S INITIATIVE TO EXPAND PUBLIC WI-FI ACCESS AND COUNTY PARKS, I.T. AND PARKS RECREATION DEPARTMENTS CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE ON DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING STRATEGY. ADDITIONAL TIME HAS BEEN NEEDED TO COLLECT AND VERIFY DATA. KEY DATA NECESSARY TO SUPPORT PROJECT PLANNING, COST ESTIMATES AND FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS. A PRESENTATION TO THE COURT IS FORTHCOMING.

GOAL THREE BE A HUB FOR TOURISM Y. PRELIMINARY PLANNING FOR THE COUNTY WIDE HISTORIC BUILDING SURVEYS. IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED. STAFF CONTINUES TO IDENTIFY THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO CONDUCT THE COMPLETE STUDY. TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY, COUNTY STAFF HAS CONSULTED WITH THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION AND RECEIVED GUIDANCE TO ADVANCE THE. PHASE TWO ARCHEOLOGY STUDY AND CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO ADDRESS DRAINAGE CONCERNS. THE PROJECT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES TO OPTIMIZE SITE IMPROVEMENTS. STAFF HAS PROVIDED DIRECTION TO THE DESIGN CONSULTANT WHO'S PREPARING THE OFFICIAL REDESIGN PROPOSAL. THE PROPOSAL WAS SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY ON JULY 15TH FOR COUNTY REVIEW. ALSO, PUBLIC WORKS STAFF HAS REQUESTED A DRAFT OF THE DESIGN CONTRACT FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. GOAL FOUR STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE. EL PASO COUNTY HAS SUBMITTED THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A $4 MILLION GRANT AWARD FOR THE KITCHEN FOR NUTRITION. ONCE THE GRANT AGREEMENT IS FULLY EXECUTED, THE TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET WILL BE $10 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION OF COMMERCIAL APPLIANCES AND FURNISHINGS OF THE BUILDING. THE CORBYN ZAMBRANO REDESIGN HAS BEEN COMPLETED FOR THIS PHASE, AND THE CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT HAS BEEN FINALIZED. PROCUREMENT SOLICITATION SOLICITATION HAS BEEN POSTPONED. AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE PRESENTATION, IT DOES SAY MID-SUMMER OF 2026. HOWEVER, ADVERTISING IS SCHEDULED FOR MID SEPTEMBER, THE PROJECT WROTE. THE ASCENSION ROAD PROJECT IS IN THE DESIGN PHASE. THE CONSTRUCTION SEAL BID CLOSED ON AUGUST 27TH, 2026, AND PROJECT COMPLETION IS ANTICIPATED BY SUMMER OF 2028.

GOAL FIVE CULTIVATE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS. THE CITY OF EL PASO PRESENTED ITS STRATEGIC PLAN TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT ON AUGUST 20TH FOR 5.2 STRATEGIC PLANNING ROUND TABLE. AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO PRESENT ARE THE TIGUAS, EPC, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SAN ELIZARIO. 5.9 REGIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS COLLABORATING WITH. WITH CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT HAVE CONDUCTED COMMUNITY WIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES. EXAMPLES INCLUDE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO'S ABC COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA'S MPO LED PLANNING PROCESS, AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW ALLEGHENY FORWARD PLAN PLANNING FOR THE COMMUNITY WIDE STRATEGIC PLANNING EVENT IS PROGRESSING, WITH THE EVENT ANTICIPATED TO TAKE PLACE DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 2027.

LORENA, BEFORE YOU LEAVE THAT ONE. YES, MA'AM. REALLY QUICK. WE DO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT LAST ONE. THE CONGRESSWOMAN WAS WORKING ON TRYING TO CALL EVERYBODY TOGETHER FOR THAT, BUT SHE SAID IT'S GOING TO BE EXTREMELY CHALLENGING TO PULL EVERYONE TOGETHER WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT GOVERNING BODIES. SO SHE'S RECOMMENDING THIS ISN'T FINAL YET. WE STILL NEED TO MEET WITH HER OFFICE, BUT THEY'RE RECOMMENDING THAT EACH GOVERNING BODY APPOINT A COUPLE REPRESENTATIVES TO GO TO THIS MEETING AND THEN TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN BODIES AND DISCUSS IT.

[05:55:02]

AND SO I DO THINK THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE THE MOST LOGICAL OR LOGISTICALLY POSSIBLE WAY TO, TO MOVE FORWARD. SO THAT THAT'S ONE THAT THE THAT EVENT MAY HAPPEN IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BUT IT WOULD JUST BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH BODY COMING TOGETHER TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND THEN GOING BACK TO THEIR OWN BODIES. THANK YOU LORENA. THANK YOU.

BETSY. YES, MA'AM. PROBABLY SAFE TO SAY 5.1 IS ON HOLD. SO 5.1 WHEN WE BRING IT BACK, WHAT I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND IS THAT WE. SO EVERY ONE OF THESE IS IN AN EVALUATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. AND SO I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND THAT WE CHANGE THAT ONE FROM BEING ASSIGNED TO ROBERTO TO PUT IT UNDER JUDGE SAN DIEGO'S OFFICE, TO KEEP IT AS A PLACEHOLDER.

AND THEN YOU ALL CAN DISCUSS IT DURING STRATEGIC PLANNING NEXT YEAR. BUT THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE I'M NOT GOING TO PUT IT IN ROBERTO'S EVALUATION. IF IT'S NOT UNDER HIS AUTHORITY. I HAD ONE REQUEST ON 5.2. YES, MA'AM. SINCE SINCE WE'VE BEEN GETTING REALLY GREAT PRESENTATIONS FROM FROM DIFFERENT. PARTNERS. I FIND THEM EXTREMELY HELPFUL. I WAS GOING TO REQUEST I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE TO FORMALLY REQUEST THIS, BUT TO ADD ONE STAKEHOLDER THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE DISCUSSED BEFORE, WHICH IS HUDSPETH COUNTY. OKAY, I WORK WITH JUDGE MCKENZIE VERY OFTEN BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF OVERLAPPING ISSUES, AND I THINK IT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT TO HAVE INVITE HER HERE AND HEAR FROM HER PERSONALLY ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING HUDSPETH, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO IMPACT US, TOO. WE SHARE A LOT OF RESOURCES. WE'LL BE HAPPY TO REACH OUT TO THEM. COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU. AND THIS IS THE COURT CHANGED IT FROM A ROUNDTABLE TO HAVING THESE PRESENTATIONS. AND IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT'S BEEN REALLY HELPFUL TO TO HEAR FROM EACH OF THESE.

SO FAR, IT'S BEEN THE MUNICIPALITIES AND UMC. NO, WE HAVE NOT. WE DID THE MUNICIPALITIES AND WE DID ONE OTHER OUTSIDE AGENCY, THE ISDS. WE HAVE THE ISDS. YES, YES. AND SO WE CAN DEFINITELY ADD IT. AND WE'LL JUST KEEP GOING THROUGH. OKAY. GOAL SIX ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES. COORDINATION BETWEEN STAFF CONTINUES ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE FINAL OUTDOOR BUSINESS ORDER. IN ADDITION, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT IS FINALIZING THE OUTDOOR BUSINESS LICENSE ACCEPTANCE MODULE IN ACELLA.

STAFF IS WORKING TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL COMMITTEE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ON THE UNITED NATIONAL CHILDREN FRIENDLY DESIGNATION. IRENE GUTIERREZ, COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR, HAS A YOUTH COUNCIL ALREADY SET UP THAT WILL BE MODIFIED TO INCORPORATE APPLICABLE UNICEF REQUIREMENTS. BUT FROM PARA NINOS, SHE'S ACTUALLY PROPOSING SHE'S PUTTING TOGETHER A COUNTY YOUTH COUNCIL. YES, MA'AM. PROPOSAL. SHE PRESENTED IT, OR ACTUALLY HER INTERNS PRESENTED IT TO ME. AND THEN THAT ONE WILL BE COMING FORWARD FOR THE COURT'S CONSIDERATION TO CREATE A COUNTY YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL. GOAL SEVEN VALUE THE EL PASO COUNTY FAMILY, AS DIRECTED BY COMMISSIONERS. COURT STAFF, HAS EXPLORED THE EXPANSION OF THE HOLIDAY LEAVE THAT WAS PRESENTED LAST MONDAY, AUGUST 24TH, TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

RATHER THAN PROCEEDING WITH AN ALTERNATIVE WORKWEEK, SCHEDULE RESEARCH ON BOTH CAREER PROGRESSION AND SUCCESSION PLANS GOALS HAS BEEN COMPLETED. STAFF IS MOVING TO THE NEXT STEP, DEPENDENT ON SECURING THE NECESSARY FUNDING. GOAL. EIGHT STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL, HEALTH, BUDGET AND FINANCE PRESENTED THE ANNUAL 2025 GRANT UPDATE, WHICH INCLUDED AN UPDATE ON THE NEW GRANT PROCEDURES, AS WELL AS NEW SCORING MATRIX THAT HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS. THE MATRIX WAS. THE MATRIX WAS INTERNALLY DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE RISKS OF PURSUING AND ACCEPTING A GRANT. BEFORE THE GRANT IS APPLIED FOR.

STAFF IS WORKING WITH LANDMARK FOR THE DIGITAL DIGITAL MESSAGE BOARD SIGN AND BILLBOARDS TO DISCUSS THE PARTICULARS OF THE EFFORT AND INITIAL STEPS, INCLUDING SITE DETAILS AND DESIGN, PERMITTING, PROCESS AND CONTRACTING REGARDING AN ACCEPTABLE SPEECH POLICY. THE COURT HAS OPTED NOT TO ESTABLISH SUCH A POLICY. AND LASTLY, GOAL NINE OPTIMIZE INTERNAL PROCESSES STAFF HAS WORKED WITH THE PURCHASING TEAM AND MADE SUGGESTIONS TO POLICY EDITS FOR PROCUREMENT, TRAINING AND PROCEDURES. STAFF ALSO PRESENTED AN UPDATE TO THE DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ON MAY 5TH, AND WILL BE SHARING MONTHLY UPDATES FOR THE

[06:00:02]

REMAINDER OF THE YEAR UNTIL THIS PORTION OF THE PLAN IS FINALIZED. NOW THAT THE NEW EL PASO COUNTY WEBSITE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED, STAFF IS CONTINUING WITH NECESSARY AND SUGGESTED EDITS. STAFF IS NOW WORKING WITH ITD AND HR TO ADDRESS COMPLIANCE WITHIN DOCUMENTS THAT ARE SHARED ON THE WEBSITE. THIS CONCLUDES OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 2026 2030 ONE QUARTER THREE UPDATE TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE. BETSY, HOW ARE YOU FEELING? I MEAN, YOU'VE GOT A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THE DYNAMICS AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. HOW ARE YOU FEELING AT THIS POINT? I FEEL LIKE THE I'M THANKFUL THAT THE COURT PUT THE CAPITAL PROJECTS INTO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT HELPS US REALIZE HOW MUCH THERE IS ON ON THE DEPARTMENTS WITH. WE REALLY DID NOT ADD A LOT OF RESOURCES. I THINK THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING WELL, TRYING TO KEEP UP. THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE WE'VE RUN INTO SOME INTERRUPTIONS OR DELAYS AND WE REPORT THOSE. AND IT'S ALSO REPORTED PUBLICLY ON OUR DASHBOARD. SO BUT THESE ARE THINGS LIKE THAT THE COURT IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH, LIKE WHEN WE'RE HAVING A REAL ESTATE ISSUE ON A PROJECT OR WHEN THE PROJECT CAME IN OVER BID OR AT A HIGHER RATE THAN WHAT WE ORIGINALLY EXPECTED, THAT IT WOULD COME IN NOT ON THE CAPITAL SIDE, BUT MORE ON JUST OTHER PROJECTS. SO I THINK THE DEPARTMENTS ARE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME AREAS WHERE WE'VE HAD SOME DELAYS FOR VARIOUS REASONS, BUT WE'RE ADDRESSING THEM AND MOVING FORWARD. I DO THINK THIS YEAR OF THE COURT JUST REFRESHING THE STRATEGIC PLAN HELPED TREMENDOUSLY. THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP A LIST OF THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP THAT ARE NOT ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THEY'RE NOT SMALL THINGS. THE DECK PARK, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT COMMITTED TO THE DECK PARK, THAT'S A PROJECT THAT TAKES TIME, ATTENTION AND WORK FROM OUR TEAM. WE'RE GOING TO MEETINGS, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, COMPILING INFORMATION. THE. THE DATA CENTER AND ALL THAT'S SURROUNDING THE DATA CENTER, NOT ON OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED THAT WE'RE HAVING TO RESPOND TO BE PRESENT FOR RESEARCH, DO WORK ON. SO THERE'S SO MANY, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF LARGE THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP THAT ARE IN JUST DAILY OPERATIONAL THINGS THAT WE DID NOT FORESEE OR DID NOT. YOU DON'T WRITE INTO YOUR PLAN. AND I THINK WE ARE NAVIGATING THAT WELL AND CONTINUING TO MOVE THE PLAN FORWARD. AND AS LORENA ACTUALLY MENTIONED THIS ABOUT CAPITAL, BUT THAT SAME QUARTERLY REVIEW THAT WE DO ABOUT CAPITAL, IT'S REALLY TIED CLOSELY TO STRATEGY. AND SO WE DO THOSE REVIEWS TOGETHER. WE MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENTS ON WHERE THEY ARE QUARTERLY, ON THEIR CAPITAL PROJECTS, THEIR STRATEGIC PROJECTS. WE LOOK TO SEE IF WE'RE GETTING OFF COURSE BECAUSE SOMETIMES THERE'S SCOPE CREEP LOOKING TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH OUR RESOURCES. AND SO I THINK OVERALL, I THINK IT'S DOING WELL AND IT'S A FIVE YEAR PLAN. AND IF WE GO BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PRESENTATION RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT AS OF THE TIME OF THIS REPORT, WE WERE AT 43% PROGRESS.

THE THING IS, IS THIS PLAN MOVES. IT'S A IT'S A REVOLVING FIVE YEAR, BUT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO BE AT 20% IN ANY ONE YEAR. AND, AND WE'RE FOR OUR ACTIVITIES. WE'RE AT 43% COMPLETE. SO I THINK, AGAIN, IT'S IT'S CONTINUING TO MOVE. THERE'S SOME THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. AND I THINK AS WE CONTINUE MOVING ON THE CAPITAL PROJECTS, IT'LL START MOVING EVEN MORE RAPIDLY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. ITEM 11 A PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION ONE ONE, 4.023 AND 114.024114.026. RECEIVE THE ATTACHED PRESENTATION AND THE INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED JULY 2026. GOOD MORNING

[A. Pursuant to Texas Local Government Code §114.023 114.024, 114.026, receive the attached presentation and the interim financial report for the month ended July 2026. Barbara Parker, County Auditor, County Auditor's Office, 915-273-3262]

COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL THOMAS, FIRST ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR. JUST WAITING FOR THE

[06:05:02]

PRESENTATION TO SHOW UP. THANK YOU. AS I WAS SAYING GOOD MORNING. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MICHAEL, FIRST ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR. TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS ON THE JULY 2026 INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT. ON THIS FIRST SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, WHICH SHOWS INFORMATION ABOUT REVENUES AND EXPENSES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THROUGHOUT THE PRESENTATION, WE HAVE ROUNDED AMOUNTS TO THOUSANDS OR MILLIONS WHEREVER NECESSARY. ON THIS SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN A LOCAL SUNDAY NEWSPAPER. OUR FIRST SECTION IS THE REVENUE SECTION. ON THIS SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED BY THE COUNTY BY FUND TYPE. THROUGHOUT THIS PRESENTATION, WE WILL FOCUS ON THE GENERAL FUND, WHICH IS THE MAIN OPERATING FUND OF THE COUNTY. DURING THE CURRENT MONTH, THE GENERAL FUND COLLECTED APPROXIMATELY $20 MILLION. YEAR TO DATE, WE'RE AT $399.3 MILLION. ON THIS NEXT SLIDE. YOU CAN SEE TOTAL YEAR TO DATE PROPERTY TAXES COLLECTED AS OF THIS MONTH, WHICH SHOW AN INCREASE OF $41.1 MILLION COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. AS FAR AS GENERAL FUND OR PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS INCREASED BY $29.2 MILLION IN TOTAL. ON THIS NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE YEAR TO DATE GENERAL FUND REVENUES COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD LAST FISCAL YEAR.

TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAVE INCREASED COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR. OUR TOP AREAS OF INCREASING COLLECTIONS ARE PROPERTY TAXES DUE TO. AS I EXPLAINED BEFORE, WE ALSO HAVE INCREASES IN CHARGES FOR SERVICES OF $7 MILLION, AND THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN COLLECTIONS FROM FEDERAL PRISONER REVENUE AT $6 MILLION. WE ALSO HAVE INCREASES IN COUNTY TAX COLLECTION FEES FOR $202.5 THOUSAND, JP ADMIN FEES FOR ANOTHER $172.8 THOUSAND, AND COLISEUM FOOD CONCESSIONS FOR $144,000. WE ALSO SHOW AN INCREASE IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUE CATEGORY, SHOWING AN INCREASE OF $2 MILLION, AND THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO STATE REVENUE, GRANTS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE. WE ALSO HAVE DECREASING AREAS, WITH OUR TOP AREA BEING INTEREST, WHICH SHOWS A DECREASE OF $2 MILLION DUE TO LOWER INVESTABLE BALANCES AND LOWER RATES. WE ALSO SHOW A DECREASE IN THE SALES AND USE TAX CATEGORY. BUT AGAIN, AS I'VE EXPLAINED IN PREVIOUS MONTHS, THIS IS DUE TO AN ACCOUNTING CHANGE. AND IF WE LOOK AT THE MONTH TO DATE CHANGE FOR JULY, WE SHOW AN INCREASE OF $329.9 THOUSAND OVER PRIOR YEAR. AND IF WE LOOK AT THE PERIOD BETWEEN DECEMBER AND JULY, WE ACTUALLY SHOW AN INCREASE OF 10.51% FROM LAST YEAR. ON THIS NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE AN OVERVIEW OF ACTUAL REVENUE COMPARED TO BUDGET. AS OF JULY 2026, WE'RE AT 83% THROUGH OUR FISCAL YEAR. AND SO FAR, THE GENERAL FUND HAS COLLECTED 96.1% OF TOTAL BUDGETED REVENUES. OUR LARGEST REVENUE COLLECTIONS FOR THE AS PART OF THE BUDGET INCLUDE PROPERTY TAXES, WHERE WE'VE COLLECTED 99.8% OF THE BUDGET SALES AND USE TAX, WHERE WE'VE COLLECTED 73.8% OF THE BUDGET. AND LASTLY, CHARGES FOR SERVICES WHERE WE'VE ACTUALLY EXCEEDED THE BUDGET. AND WE'VE COLLECTED 126.6% OF THE BUDGET. ON THIS PIE CHART, YOU CAN SEE THE GENERAL FUND REVENUES BY SOURCE AS OF THIS MONTH. AND YOU CAN SEE THAT TAXES COMPRISED 88% OF OUR REVENUES RECEIVED, WITH 71.1% OF THOSE TAXES BEING PROPERTY TAXES. ON THIS NEXT SLIDE, YOU CAN SEE THE TRENDS IN TOTAL REVENUES WITH THE. FOR THE COUNTY'S TWO LARGEST REVENUE SOURCES, PROPERTY TAXES AND SALES TAXES, THE BAR GROUPINGS DISPLAY ACTUAL VERSUS AMOUNTS REMAINING TO BE COLLECTED FOR BOTH TAXES AND AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET. THE CURRENT YEAR'S GENERAL FUND TOTAL REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAVE INCREASED 11.4% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. AND. AND FOR YOU FOR COMPARISON, WE CAN SEE THAT IN 2025, WE'VE COLLECTED 94.7% COMPARED TO 96.1% THIS YEAR. SO SO FAR, WE'RE RIGHT ON TRACK WHERE WE SHOULD BE. THIS NEXT SLIDE SHOWS TOTAL SALES AND USE TAX RECEIPTS BY MONTH, AS WELL AS

[06:10:05]

THE MONTH TO MONTH PERCENTAGE CHANGE. AS I'VE EXPLAINED IN PREVIOUS UPDATES. PLEASE NOTE THAT SALES TAX RECEIPTS FOR THE CURRENT MONTH ARE APPLICABLE TO SALES FROM TWO MONTHS AGO. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PAYMENT WE RECEIVED IN JULY 10TH, 2026 RELATES TO SALES FROM MAY 2026.

AS I SHOW. AS I EXPLAINED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, WE SHOW AN INCREASE OF 10.51% YEAR TO DATE.

THIS NEXT SLIDE SHOWS THE TOP FOUR INDUSTRY CATEGORIES, CONTRIBUTING TO THE COUNTY SALES AND TAX REVENUES. WITH RETAIL TRADE BEING OUR STRONGEST DOLLAR GROWTH YEAR TO DATE, YEAR TO YEAR, YEAR OVER YEAR. THIS SHOWS AN INCREASE OF $159,000. UP NEXT, WE HAVE ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES, WHICH SHOWS A STEADY INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR AT $32.4 THOUSAND. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE WHOLESALE TRADE, WHICH SHOWS ANOTHER SOLID INCREASE OF $25.6 THOUSAND. AND LASTLY, WE HAVE MANUFACTURING, WHICH SHOWS AN INCREASE OF $55.8 THOUSAND.

MICHAEL, DO YOU KNOW WHAT AREA CONSTRUCTION WILL BE IN? CONSTRUCTION REPORT THAT SEPARATELY. I THINK WE DO REPORT IT SEPARATELY. AND I CAN GIVE YOU THAT DETAIL LATER. I THINK IT'D BE INTERESTING TO SEE GOING FORWARD, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT WE'RE EXPECTING TO SEE. AND IN ADDITION TO THE JUST LOOKING AT IT IN THE CONSTRUCTION CATEGORY, THAT INCREASED ACTIVITY WITH CONSTRUCTION. ALSO, THERE'S FURTHER INCREASES IN SALES TAX, NOT JUST IN THE CATEGORY FOR CONSTRUCTION. YOU WOULD SEE LIKE FOOD SERVICES AS MORE PEOPLE COME IN OR MORE PURCHASES FOR MATERIALS. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE REVENUES PORTION? IF NOT, I'LL MOVE OVER TO EXPENDITURES.

THIS NEXT SLIDE SHOWS ALL EXPENDITURES FOR THE COUNTY BY FUND TYPE. FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, THE GENERAL FUND RECORDED TOTAL EXPENDITURES OF $38.9 MILLION AND YEAR TO DATE $328.8 MILLION. THE FOLLOWING SLIDES GIVE YOU A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.

THIS CHART PROVIDES YOU AN OVERVIEW OF THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND BUDGET. BREAKING DOWN EXPENDITURES BY FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT. AS YOU CAN SEE, 72.3% OF THE BUDGET HAS BEEN EXPENDED, AND OF THAT, PUBLIC SAFETY ACCOUNTED FOR 43.5%. GENERAL GOVERNMENT 27.8%. ADMIN OF JUSTICE, 22.6% AND ALL OTHER REMAINING FUNCTIONS MAKE UP THAT 6.1% THAT YOU HAVE AT THE VERY BOTTOM. TOTAL GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES BY FUNCTION ARE SHOWN ON THIS SLIDE. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, PERCENTAGE OF YEAR EXPIRED IS 83.3% AND THE PERCENTAGE OF BUDGET EXPENDED IS 72.3%. LAST YEAR WAS 70.7%. SO WHILE WE'RE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR, WE'RE STILL WITHIN THE SAME RANGE. GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES AS A PERCENTAGE OF BUDGET OF 61.6%, ADMIN OF JUSTICE IS AT 77%, AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT 82.1%. ON THIS NEXT TABLE, YOU CAN SEE GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES AS OF JULY, WHICH HAVE INCREASED IN COMPARISON TO PRIOR YEAR BY 3%. PERSONNEL OPERATING TRANSFERS OUT HAVE INCREASED, WHILE CAPITAL OUTLAYS HAVE DECREASED FOR PERSONNEL. WE SHOW AN INCREASE OF $4.1 MILLION, AND THIS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO PUBLIC SAFETY, WHICH SHOWS AN INCREASE OF $3.9 MILLION, PRIMARILY DUE TO SALARIES AND OVERTIME AT BOTH JAILS. ON THE OPERATING SIDE, WE SHOW AN INCREASE OF $4.9 MILLION, AND THIS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO GENERAL GOVERNMENT, WITH COUNTY ELECTIONS MAKING UP $2.7 MILLION, AND THIS IS DUE TO AN ELECTIONS EXPENSE, INCREASES IN ELECTIONS EXPENSE AND POSTAGE.

ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE INCREASES IN OUR LEGAL SETTLEMENTS ACCOUNT, CAT CONTRACTS AND INCREASES IN TRAVEL. FOR TRANSFERS OUT. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE EARLIER, WE ALSO HAVE AN INCREASE OF $740,000, AND CAPITAL OUTLAY SHOWS THAT DECREASE OF $95.2 THOUSAND.

THIS NEXT SLIDE SHOWS US GENERAL FUND CHANGES BY GOVERNMENT FUNCTION IN COMPARISON WITH THE SAME PERIOD PREVIOUS YEAR. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, TOP AREAS OF CHANGE ARE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH SHOWS AN INCREASE OF 7.3%. ADMIN OF JUSTICE ACTUALLY SHOWS

[06:15:03]

A DECREASE OF 2.3%, AND PUBLIC SAFETY SHOWS ANOTHER INCREASE AT 3%. ANY QUESTIONS ON THE EXPENDITURE PORTION? IF NOT, I'LL MOVE OVER TO FUND BALANCE OR LAST SECTION. FOR 2026. THE PROJECTED FUND BALANCE IS BASED ON PROJECTED REVENUES OF $441.3 MILLION AND PROJECTED EXPENDITURES OF $427.8 MILLION. COMBINED WITH OUR STARTING FY 25 FUND BALANCE, THIS RESULTS IN A PROJECTED FY 26 FUND BALANCE OF $119.3 MILLION. FEDERAL PRISONER REVENUE PROJECTIONS ARE CURRENTLY $16 MILLION, BASED ON ACTUALS AND AN AVERAGE OF 325 INMATES FOR THE REMAINING MONTHS. REVENUE CHANGES FROM LAST MONTH INCLUDE AN INCREASE OF $903,000 FOR EXCESS GRANT MATCH REVENUES, $630,000 FOR INTEREST REVENUE FROM ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS, AND 900 AND $396,000 FOR OPERATION LONE STAR REVENUE EXPENDITURES ARE PROJECTED AT 427.8, AND THIS REFLECTS A DECREASE OF $426,000 FROM LAST MONTH DUE TO A CLOSING OF PURCHASE ORDERS THAT AREN'T REQUIRED ANYMORE. FOR FY 27, REVENUES ARE PROJECTED AT $441.9 MILLION, AND THIS, AGAIN, WAS ASSUMING THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE AND EXPENDITURES REFLECT $469.2 MILLION, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED BUDGET, SHOWING A FURTHER DECREASE IN FUND BALANCE YEARS AFTER FY 27 ARE BASED ON A 2% INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUE AND AN EXPENDITURE INCREASE OF 5% EVERY YEAR, GIVING. GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE VARIABLES, IT IS NOT PRUDENT TO PLACE SIGNIFICANT RELIANCE ON THE FINANCIAL TREND BEYOND 2027.

REVENUE STREAMS MAY SHIFT AND FUTURE LEGISLATIVE ACTION CAN MATERIALLY IMPACT COUNTY OPERATIONS AND THE PROJECTION. ANY QUESTIONS ON THE FUND BALANCE? IF NOT, WE CAN MOVE OVER TO THE TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE FULL INTERIM REPORT, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ONLINE ON OUR WEBSITE. HEARING NO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU MICHAEL. THANK YOU MICHAEL. ITEM NUMBER 12. A APPROVE AND RECORD INTO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING MINUTES. THE DISTRICT CLERK CERTIFICATION OF THE DISTRICT JUDGE'S ORDER TO APPROVE THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027, PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 84.02184.9011, 11.0441, 52.0311, 52.0321, 52.034 AND 152.905. AT THE REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT, WE WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION TO DELETE THIS PLEASE. I HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER BUTLER, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER STOUT. OKAY. THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM 13 A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS UT HEALTH REGARDING THE 2026 GRANT AWARDEE RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER THE COUNTY'S HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. MICHELLE, I THINK THEY'RE JUST WALKED IN AND THEY'RE NOT THERE. CAN WE GO TO THE NEXT ITEM WHEN WE GET THEM? YES OF COURSE. ITEM 14 A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND UPDATE REGARDING THE EL PASO COUNTY FY 26 BUDGET. GOOD AFTERNOON, CARMEN CANDELARIA, BUDGET AND FINANCE DIRECTOR. GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OF THE COURT, I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026. VERY APPROPRIATE. FOLLOWED RIGHT

[A. Receive a presentation and update regarding the El Paso County FY26 budget. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]

FROM THE AUDITORS WHO ARE BASICALLY SAYING AND AFFIRMING THE SAME INFORMATION. SO HERE YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF BUDGET THAT YOU ADOPTED FOR THE FOR THE COUNTY, 635,000,665 081.

TODAY'S FOCUS IS ON IS ON THE GENERAL FUND, STARTING WITH THE REVENUES. SO HERE YOU HAVE YOUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES AS OF JULY 31ST, 2026. AND FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, YOU HAD REVENUES

[06:20:06]

OF 20,006,766, WITH YEAR TO DATE REVENUES OF $399,396,000, AGAINST THE REVISED BUDGET OF 495,486,000. AND YOU HAVE A REMAINING BUDGET OF 96,090,000 STILL TO COLLECT, YOU SEE SOME OF THOSE CATEGORIES OVER 100%. THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED THE BUDGET AND HAVE BEEN COLLECTED. WE'VE COLLECTED 96.11% OF OUR REVENUES AGAINST BUDGET OVERALL, AGAINST A TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS, 80.61%. NOW, LOOKING AT OUR GENERAL FUND PROJECTIONS, THEY FOLLOW RIGHT ALONG WITH THE AUDITORS. SO FIRST, WE HAVE OUR YEAR TO DATE REVENUES OF 399,000,396 AGAINST OUR OUR PROJECTION OF 438,000,501 OR 22, ALMOST $23 MILLION OVER. AND YOU CAN SEE THE OVERAGES WE HAVE ARE IN PROPERTY TAXES, OUR SALES AND USE TAX, OUR INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES, AND THEN OUR CHARGE FOR SERVICES, OFFSET BY OUR DECLINE IN INTEREST. LOOKING AT IT COMPARISON YEAR TO YEAR FROM 25 TO 26, WE HAVE WE HAD COLLECTED THAT $399 MILLION AT THIS POINT IN TIME. IN 2025, WE HAD COLLECTED 363,530,000. SO THE ACTUAL DOLLAR VARIANCE YEAR OVER YEAR WAS A POSITIVE OR MORE. REVENUE IN 26 AND 25 OF 35,865,881, OR 9.8% BETTER THAN IN THE PRIOR YEAR. AND THAT CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF THE PROPERTY TAXES, AGAIN, DUE TO THE THE AMOUNT THAT WAS ASSESSED. SO YOU HAD A $29.1 MILLION REVENUE COLLECTION THERE. YOUR PERCENT COLLECTION IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, 9899.8, COMPARED TO 100.60 INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES. THAT'S $2 MILLION. THAT'S MORE STATE AND GRANT REVENUE. SO YOU COLLECTED MORE THERE, THEN CHARGE FOR SERVICES. WE KNOW THAT WE'VE COLLECTED MORE REVENUE FOR RELATED TO THE FEDERAL INMATE $6.9 MILLION.

AND THEN AGAIN, YOUR INTEREST IS LESS THAN COLLECTED IN THE PRIVATE LESSON EARNED IN THE PRIOR YEAR. SO OVERALL, WE'RE ABOUT SHOULD BE ABOUT 83.33% AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR OR TEN MONTHS. AND THIS IS OUR 10TH MONTH OF THE FISCAL YEAR. NOW LOOKING OVER AT OUR REVENUES.

SO OVERALL, OUR REVENUES FOR THE MONTH OF JULY, WE HAD SPENT $38,889,000. AND OUR YEAR TO DATE, ACTUAL THROUGH 731 IS $328,827. AND THEN OUR ENCUMBRANCES TODAY IS 14,000,006 317, 98. WE'RE TRYING TO, AS YOU KNOW, GET THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR AND WRAPPING UP OUR ENCUMBRANCES. SO THAT MIGHT GO UP A LITTLE BIT IN AUGUST AS WE ROUND OUT THE YEAR OR HOPEFULLY GOES DOWN BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN PAYING THEM OUT. BUT SO WE HAVE A REMAINING BUDGET THERE OF 158,154,000. WE'VE SPENT OR COMMITTED TO DATE OF 68.47%. OF COURSE, IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT INCLUDES OUR UNAPPROPRIATED UNALLOCATED FUND BALANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF 46 MILLION 521 THAT WE DO NOT INTEND TO SPEND. AND THEN I CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO PUBLIC SAFETY. SO PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'RE SHOWING HERE AT 85.08%. AGAIN, THAT'S ABOVE OUR ONE OF OUR MARKERS OF 83.33%. BUT WHAT WE'VE ACTUALLY SPENT TO DATE, 81.91% WITHOUT THE ENCUMBRANCES.

OF COURSE, I'LL HAVE A MORE DETAILED REPORT ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND LATER AGENDA ITEM. BUT NOW LOOKING COMPARISON YEAR TO YEAR ON EXPENDITURES. SO HERE WE HAVE OUR EXPENDITURES THROUGH AND 26 THROUGH JULY 328,000,827. AND THEN OUR ACTUALS FOR JULY 2025 WERE 319 MILLION 261. SO WE ACTUALLY HAD SPENT $9,565,000, OR 3% MORE THAN IN THE PRIOR YEAR. SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, WE SPENT 1,709,592 MORE LAST YEAR THAN WE DID THIS YEAR. AND THAT WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO LOWER INDIGENT COST EXPENSED AT THIS POINT IN TIME, ABOUT 1.6 MILLION OF THAT 1.7 IS DUE TO THE EXPENSE OF THOSE COSTS YEAR OVER YEAR. UNDER GENERAL GOVERNMENT. ON THAT ONE, WE'RE SHOWING A 5,000,820 000 MORE EXPENSE SPENDING 84,000 266,000 THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO 78,446,000 LAST YEAR. AND THAT

[06:25:08]

WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO INCREASE IN SALARY EXPENSE, I.E. MORE POSITIONS BEING FILLED. OUR CIP ALLOCATION THAT WENT UP $2 MILLION COMPARED OVER YEAR OVER YEAR, OUR LEGAL SETTLEMENTS AND THEN OUR C, C, D COST OFFSET BY A SMALL DECREASE IN GRANT MATCH. SO THAT WAS A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN THE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT, IN PUBLIC SAFETY, WE SPENT 5,481,000 MORE THIS YEAR THAN WE DID IN THE PRIOR YEAR. WE SPENT 141,320,000 THIS YEAR TO DATE, AND WE SPENT 135 MILLION 838 THIS TIME IN 2025. AND THAT WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO THE SHERIFF OFFICE EXPENSES BEING HIGHER YEAR OVER YEAR. LASTLY, I HIGHLIGHT THE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. WE SPENT 2,000,765 OR WE HAVE SPENT 2,765,000 IN 26 VERSUS A $1,000,413 MILLION SPENT IN 2025. AND THAT IS PRIMARILY DUE TO THE PAYMENTS UNDER ALL OF THE APPROVED 381 AGREEMENTS AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND INITIATIVES COMPARED TO 2025. MOSTLY, THEY WERE DUE TO THE 381 AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT IN THIS YEAR VERSUS LAST YEAR. SO THAT'S AN OVERVIEW OF THE EXPENSES. AND NOW I'M GOING TO SHIFT OVER TO THE BOND UPDATE. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE'RE AT ON THE GEO BOND AND OUR BOND PROGRAM AS OF THE END OF JULY. SO THIS SLIDE HAS BEEN UPDATED TO, AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE DIFFERENT COLORS. SO THE TOP PORTION ARE REALLY JUST LAYS OUT ALL OF THE ISSUANCE SIZES THAT WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH. ISSUANCE B WAS JUST RECENTLY ISSUED AND WE GOT OUR PROCEEDS. SO WE DID RECEIVE THAT $26,050,000 TO FUND THE THOSE PROGRAMS, THOSE PROPOSITIONS. AND THEN IN THE MIDDLE PORTION OR THE ORANGE BAR, THAT TELLS YOU YOUR ISSUANCE, A, A, HOW MUCH WE'VE SPENT TO DATE OF THAT $12 MILLION THAT WE ISSUED IN 25, WE SPENT 3 MILLION. 854. 252 AND WE'VE ENCUMBERED A REQUISITION. 4,980,762, LEAVING A REMAINING BUDGET THERE OF 3 MILLION 164 NOW WHAT'S NEW? THIS SLIDE IS THE GREEN. SO WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TO ENCUMBER AS WE MOVE. AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE WORK IN THE 2024 BOND PROGRAM, YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE THE ENCUMBRANCES NOW HITTING THE ISSUANCE B AND EVEN ISSUANCE C. SO WE DO PLAN TO ISSUE. WE HAVE ISSUED THE $26 MILLION IN ISSUANCE B. AND THAT'S $4,381,000 WORTH OF ENCUMBRANCES FOR PARKS. AND THEN IN ISSUANCE C, WHICH WE PLAN TO ISSUE THAT SOMETIME NEXT SUMMER, $78 MILLION THERE. WE'VE ALREADY ENCUMBERED 1,124,383. SO THAT'S AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOND PROGRAM TO DATE. I WILL LET YOU JUST GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE 2027 BUDGET. WE SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED YOUR BOOK TODAY. AND SO IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT YET, IT IS WAITING FOR YOU ALL, ALMOST 500 PAGES WAITING FOR YOU BACK IN YOUR OFFICES FOR YOU ALL TO REVIEW. AND SO WE HOPE TO COME BACK TO, TO ALL OF YOU ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. IT HAS BEEN PROPERLY FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK AND THE COUNTY CLERK AND COUNTY AUDITORS TODAY. AND SO WE HOPE TO BRING THAT FORWARD ON SEPTEMBER 14TH FOR YOUR APPROVAL. OKAY. SO WITH THAT, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THIS REPORT? THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE'LL CONTINUE TO THE REST OF THE BUDGET ITEMS ITEM 14 B, RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET. AGAIN, FOR THE RECORD, CARMEN, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND FINANCE JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS THE WEEKLY UPDATE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND WHERE WE'RE AT. THIS IS AS OF 824, 2026. THIS HAS BEEN A WEEKLY UPDATE THAT I'VE BEEN PROVIDING

[B. Receive a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026 Sheriff's Office Budget Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]

TO YOU AGAIN HERE. LOOKING AT THE CONSOLIDATED SLIDE THAT SHOWS THE BUDGET FIRST, THE ADOPTED BUDGET, THE REVISED BUDGET EXPENDITURES, ENCUMBRANCES, AND THEN WHAT'S LEFT FOR THE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. SO THE FIRST SLIDE I'M GOING TO GO OVER IS THE BUDGET TRANSFERS. THIS HAS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE 824 PRESENTATION. SO IT SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE TRANSFERRED IN FOR THE BUDGET, TRANSFERS FOR SALARIES AND BENEFITS, AND THEN THE NET BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR OPERATING EXPENSES. THE EXPENDITURES TO DATE. SO THIS DID CHANGE. SO WE HAD AN EXPENDITURE CHANGE FROM THE FROM THE 824 PRESENTATION.

[06:30:06]

SO AGAIN WE I PRESENTED THIS SLIDE. THIS IS THE SALARIES AND FRINGES FOR YEAR TO DATE. AS OF 824 WE'RE AT 106 MILLION 285 IN SALARIES AND AN OPERATING WITH 22,238,000. SO TOTAL ACTUALS YEAR TO DATE IS 128,005 23976. AGAIN WE HAD AN EXPENDITURE CHANGE MONEY OUT THE DOOR 4,636,000 183. LOOKING AT OUR TOTAL BUDGET, 90.25% HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT. 74.92 REPRESENTS SALARIES 15.33 REPRESENTING OPERATING EXPENSES. SO 94.46 OF THE SALARIES AND BUDGETS BENEFITS BUDGET HAS BEEN SPENT. 88.46% IS THE TARGET. SPEND THAT MARKER AT THIS TIME POINT IN TIME, WHERE WE LOOK AT PAYROLL PERIODS FOR THE. FOR THAT POINT IN TIME, MOST OF THE OVERTIME HAVE BEEN EXCEEDED EXCEPT FOR ONE VERY SMALL BUDGET. AND THEN ON THE OPERATING EXPENSES, WE STILL HAVE THE MEAL CONTRACTS. WE HAVE AN ITEM THAT'S COMING FORWARD TO YOU. AND IT DID COME TODAY BEFORE YOU. IT WILL COME BEFORE YOU. AFTER THIS ITEM, THE $1.5 MILLION OF THE OPS CONTINGENCY BUDGET. I JUST REFLECTING ON THE $4.6 MILLION, JUST REALLY QUICKLY, 4,000,534 OF THAT EXPENSE WAS DUE TO SALARIES AND FRINGES, 2.8 FOR SALARIES, 1.3 FOR FRINGE, AND THEN 410,816 FOR OVERTIME, 101,000 825 WAS FROM OPERATING, OF WHICH 33,533 WAS FOR THE JAIL ANNEX MEDICAL AND 36,834 FOR THE INMATE TRANSPORTATION, WHICH IS NOT ENCUMBERED. NOW LOOKING HERE AT ENCUMBRANCES TO DATE. SO THE DIFFERENCE HERE FROM THE LAST PRESENTATION, IT DID GO UP. SO ENCUMBRANCES WENT UP BY ABOUT 20,208. SO BRINGING THE TOTAL ENCUMBRANCES YEAR TO DATE AT 4 MILLION 968 400. AND THERE WAS AN ENCUMBRANCE FOR BODY ARMOR UNDER PATROL. AND THEN HAND TOOLS ACCESSORIES UNDER THE JAIL ANNEX MAINTENANCE DIVISION. AND AGAIN, JUST NOTING OUR MALE JAIL DETENTION CONTRACTS DO MAKE UP THE BULK OF THAT ENCUMBRANCE NUMBER. NOW WE'RE LOOKING HERE AT WHERE WE'RE AT FROM A PROJECTED REMAINING BUDGET AND PROJECTED DEFICIT WHERE WE'RE AT. SO WE THAT DEFICIT DID GROW BY 551,000 127. SO OUR TOTAL OPERATING FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE ARE THE $9,007, 9000 9,007,739. IF WE LOOK AT WHERE WE HAVE YET TO SPEND ON SALARIES 10,000,353 TO FINISH OUT THE YEAR. THE 1.2 MILLION ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES FOR OVERTIME THAT WE STILL HAVE, THOSE ARE JUST ESTIMATED. AND THEN WE HAVE THE CONTINGENCY. SO WE THINK WE'LL BE AT $4.1 MILLION BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND AGAIN, THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE SOME ADJUSTMENTS FOR GRANTS. SO WE STILL HAVE THOSE PENDING. BUT THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND WHEN DO YOU THINK WE'LL HAVE THOSE FIGURES CARMEN, FOR THE ADJUSTMENTS. I WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. WE'RE STILL SHOOTING FOR THE END OF THIS MONTH. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF FINAL ADJUSTMENTS THAT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER. OKAY. KEEP IN MIND WE DON'T HAVE FINAL, FINAL NUMBERS.

PROBABLY EVEN GOOD NUMBERS PROBABLY TILL THE END OF DECEMBER FOR THE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. ALL RIGHT. YES. THE INCREASE THE $551,000 INCREASE IS THAT PRIMARILY DUE TO WAGES, SOME DUE TO WAGES. BUT IT'S ALSO DUE TO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THOSE ITEMS THAT I INDICATED EARLIER, THEY'RE NOT ENCUMBERED. SO THEY JUST CONTINUE TO HIT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ENCUMBERED. THE JAIL MEDICAL, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT I JUST GAVE YOU, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT WE DON'T ENCUMBER TYPICALLY. AND SO WE JUST PAY AS, AS WE GO. YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN FUTURE TO ENCUMBER THAT. SO WE KNOW WHAT THAT COMMITMENT IS. BUT BUT THEN WE HAVE THE FUEL COSTS. THOSE THINGS HIT WITHOUT ENCUMBRANCES. I MEAN, IT'S GOING UP SUBSTANTIALLY WEEK AFTER WEEK. SO WHAT ARE WE WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ARE WE JUST

[06:35:06]

GOING TO SEE IT GROW BY $2 MILLION BY THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR? SO WE HAVE MET WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND HE HAD HE HAS INDICATED TO US THAT HE IS LOOKING AT EVERY EXPENDITURE THAT DOES COME THROUGH TO MAKE SURE IT'S ACTUALLY NECESSARY, AS WELL AS THE SALARIES. BUT CERTAINLY I UNDERSTAND KAYLEE IS HERE AND HE CAN CERTAINLY ADDRESS THAT QUESTION AS WELL. BUT THAT'S THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING. WE MEET WITH HIM REGULARLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ALL THE EXPENSES THAT ARE COMING THROUGH ARE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO TRY TO HOLD THE LINE. BUT THE LINE KEEPS GOING UP. OKAY. AND THIS IS SOMETHING I THINK YOU ALL HAVE ALSO RECEIVED SOME LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S AND EXECUTIVE PREVIOUSLY. I DON'T THINK WE'RE READY TODAY TO GIVE THAT PRESENTATION, BUT I, I MEAN, IT'S EXCEEDING THE AUTHORITY THE COURT HAS ISSUED. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WELL, I'M I MEAN, I'M I KNOW WE'RE ALL CONCERNED, BUT EVERY TIME YOU COME UP HERE, CARMEN, THERE'S AN INCREASE BETWEEN LIKE 500,000 AND $1 MILLION TO TO THE WEEKLY PROJECTIONS. AND SO.

WE. IS IT IS IT JUST A TRAIN WE CAN'T STOP? IS IT JUST COMING AT US? AND WE'RE GOING TO DIP INTO OUR RESERVES TO PAY FOR IT, I'M ASSUMING. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. PATRICK HALEY, CHIEF DEPUTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. OUR EXPENDITURES CONTINUE TO CLIMB, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE WE'VE TRIED TO STRAP THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I'LL GIVE YOU A GOOD EXAMPLE ON THE OVERTIME ISSUE INVOLVING PERSONNEL. MY INMATE COUNT AND BOTH FACILITIES HAVE INCREASED, PARTICULARLY IN THE DOWNTOWN FACILITY WHERE OUR FLOORS HAVE EXCEEDED THE 96 COUNT, WHERE WE HAVE TO ADD ADDITIONAL OFFICERS, WHICH WE HAVE TO BRING IN ON OVERTIME IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THAT. WHAT I'VE DONE IS I'VE DIRECTED THE DOWNTOWN JAIL TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FEDERAL INMATES. WE HAVE TO GET IT DOWN TO 1 TO 48, AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO BRING IN 12 OFFICERS. WE BROUGHT IN 12 OFFICERS ON OVERTIME THIS THIS PAST MONTH, BASICALLY SIX PER SHIFT JUST TO MEET STATE REQUIREMENTS. SO BY REDUCING THE FEDERAL INMATE COUNT, I'M ABLE TO SPREAD THE STATE INMATES THROUGHOUT THE FACILITY. AND WE'RE BACK AT THE 1 TO 48 COUNT AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE. AS FAR AS THE OTHER EXPENDITURES, EVERYTHING'S GOING UP IN PRICE. OUR FOOD COUNT RIGHT NOW, AS YOU'LL SEE IN THE NEXT ITEM, WHERE WE HAVE TO INCREASE OUR TRANSFER OF MONEY TO COVER OUR FOOD COUNT. THAT'S TO ADDRESS THE PRICES ON THE THE PRICE INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF MEALS WE'RE HAVING TO SERVE. SO WE'VE DONE WHAT WE CAN. WE'RE WE STILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO RESTRICT OVERTIME, REDUCE OUR BUDGET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS WE HAVE DOESN'T MEET WHAT OUR NEEDS REQUIRE. AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO REDUCE THE OVERTIME. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OUR PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS THAT OF THE INMATES. WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. THANK YOU CHIEF. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY EXPENDITURES THAT ARE SCHEDULED THAT MAYBE COULD WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO HELP TRY TO ADDRESS THIS SHORTFALL, OR IS THAT NOT SOMETHING THAT. WELL, A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT THAT I'VE REQUESTED, AT LEAST FOR THE JAILS, WE'VE ACTUALLY PUSHED BACK TO THE NEXT BUDGET. WE'RE HAVING TO DEAL WITH TRANSPORTATION OF INMATES. OUR BUSSES DO NOT HAVE THE SAFETY PARTITIONS. I'VE DIRECTED THAT THE SAFETY PARTITIONS BE PUT IN THE BUS. TWO OF THE BUSSES THAT WE PRIMARILY USE FOR TRANSPORTATION OF INMATES BETWEEN THE ANNEX AND THE DOWNTOWN FACILITY FOR COURT PURPOSES. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO COVER IT NOW. RATHER THAN TRY TO FIND IT AND ADD ANOTHER EXPENDITURE OF THE BUDGET, I'VE ASKED THE BUDGET MANAGER WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SEE IF WE CAN HOLD OFF UNTIL THE NEXT BUDGET, SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME MONEY AT THAT TIME. LOOK AT REDOING THE BUSSES WITH CAGES IN THEM. OKAY, SO WE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO TO MANAGE THE BUDGET, BUT THERE ARE SOME EXPENDITURES THAT THAT WE DO NEED FOR. AGAIN, OFFICER SAFETY AND INMATE SAFETY AND JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, CHIEF. IF SO, WE'RE WE'RE PULLING OUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TRANSFERS SO THAT YOU ALL CAN SEE LIKE WHERE THEY'RE PULLING MONEY FROM AND WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING IT ON. SO WE'RE PULLING THOSE OUT SEPARATELY NOW EVERY WEEK. AND IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, CHIEF,

[06:40:04]

SINCE YOU'RE HERE EACH WEEK, LIKE JUST TO HEAR BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE MAY BE MAYBE THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE MAKING THE DECISION OF LIKE, HOW CRITICAL ARE THOSE TRANSFERS? AND THAT MIGHT HELP US WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE'RE FACING THAT ARE CAUSING SOME OF THIS OVERAGE. AND THEN WE WILL BRING BACK THE ITEM ON THE 14TH FOR THE COURT TO DISCUSS AN EXECUTIVE, WHAT THE COURT HAS PREVIOUSLY DONE AND WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR. THANK YOU? THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ITEM 14 C WE DO HAVE A CORRECTION TO READ IN APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 41 A TO THE EL PASO COUNTY'S 2025 2026 OPERATING BUDGET. THE BUDGETARY AMENDMENT IS TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,560,050 FROM GENERAL FUND G ADMIN OPS CONTINGENCIES TO GENERAL FUND SO DETENTION CONTRACT SERVICES, GENERAL AND GENERAL FUND S O JAIL ANNEX CONTRACT SERVICES GENERAL $784,254 TO COVER THE COST OF MEALS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT IS TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF 27,000 WITHIN THE COURTHOUSE SECURITY FUND TO COVER THE COST OF BALLISTIC SHIELDS. THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE THE COUNTY COUNTY OF EL PASO'S 2025 2026 OVERALL OPERATING BUDGET OF $670,442,017.03. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RECORD. CARMEN CANDELARIA, DIRECTOR, BUDGET AND FINANCE SO THIS IS A BUDGET TRANSFER THAT'S BEEN REQUESTED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I'D LIKE TO JUST BREAK IT UP INTO TWO AREAS AND PRESENT THESE SEPARATELY. SO THE FIRST ONE IS THE THE ONE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WITH REGARDS TO THE MEAL CONTRACT. SO THERE'S $1,560,050 THAT'S BEING REQUESTED FROM OPS CONTINGENCY.

IF APPROVED, THAT MONEY WILL MOVE FROM THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUNCTION OVER TO PUBLIC SAFETY FUNCTION, THEREFORE INCREASING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGET. SO THE FIRST PART OF THE TRANSFER IS FOR THE COST OF MEALS, 775,706 FOR THE DETENTION OFFICER.

WE'VE ESTIMATED AT $45,000 PER WEEK, AND THAT'S FROM JUNE 6TH THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR, IS

[C. Approve budget amendment No.41(a) to the El Paso County’s 2025-2026 operating budget. The budgetary amendment is to transfer appropriations in the amount of $1,560,050.00 within the Sheriff’s Office general fund to cover the cost of meals. Additionally, this budgetary amendment is to transfer appropriations in the amount of $27,000.00 within the Courthouse Security Fund to cover the cost of Ballistic Shields. This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2025-2026 overall operating budget of $678,442,017.03. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]

WHAT WE HAD PROJECTED. SO THAT'S 45000 PER WEEK THERE FOR THE DETENTION FACILITY. THE SECOND PART OF THAT BUDGET TRANSFER, 784,254, IS FOR THE JAIL ANNEX, AND THAT'S ESTIMATED AT 78000 PER WEEK. AGAIN JUNE 6TH THROUGH THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND THAT'S WHAT'S NECESSARY TO BE ABLE TO COVER, WE THINK, THE REST OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE MEAL. AND I KNOW, CARMEN, THAT WE WEREN'T REALLY SURE WHAT LED TO SUCH DRAMATIC INCREASE. DID WE FIGURE THAT OUT? WAS IT JUST THE PRICE OF THE CONTRACT INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY? MAYBE CHIEF GAILEY COULD ALSO ADDRESS THAT MORE SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARDS. BUT WE DID CONFIRM THE NUMBERS THAT THAT HAS BEEN THE TREND. SO WE THINK IT'S ABOUT 78,000 FOR THE JAIL AND THEN 45 FOR THE DETENTION. BUT AS FAR AS THE SPECIFICS, I'LL TURN IT OVER. CHIEF DEPUTY PATRICK, ONCE AGAIN, THE MAJORITY OF THE QUESTIONS THAT KEEP ARISING AS TO THE INCREASE, WE'VE DONE SOME INTERNAL REVIEWS, THANKS TO MISS CANDELARIA FOR PROVIDING US THE INFORMATION AND QUESTIONING THE SUDDEN CHANGE. WE FOUND SOME. I GUESS, BOOKKEEPING ERRORS ON BOTH THE PART OF THE THE VENDOR AS WELL AS SOME INTERNAL MISCOUNTING AND CALCULATIONS THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING RIGHT NOW. AND WE THINK ONCE WE'RE FINISHED WITH THE AUDIT AND THE CHANGES WE'VE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY, I THINK YOU'LL SUDDENLY SEE A REDUCTION IN THAT COST AS WELL.

OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. DO WE NEED TO MAKE THE TRANSFER NOW OR DO WE? WE'LL SEE THE REDUCTION. PROBABLY MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO THE THE TRANSFER NOW TO COVER ALL THE EXPENDITURES THAT ARE UP TO THIS POINT. BUT YOU'LL SEE THE REDUCTIONS AND POSSIBLY COST SAVINGS BASED ON THE CHANGES WE'VE IMPLEMENTED WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AS FAR AS FEEDING OF THE INMATES AND THE OFFICERS IN THE FACILITIES.

CHIEF, I ALSO REMEMBER CHIEF TSCHIDA SAYING THAT THERE WAS LIKE SOME ADJUSTMENT TO THE MILL PRICE TO COVER EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE THAT THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE PURCHASING OF

[06:45:06]

EQUIPMENT THAT WE WERE BUYING FROM THE VENDOR. BY ADDING SO MUCH MORE PER MEAL TO OFFSET THE COST OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED THAT HAVE COME TO END OF LIFE, OR THAT ARE COMPLETELY FALTERING. SO YEAH, THERE'S AN INCREASE IN INVOLVING THAT AS WELL. AND THAT'S AN EXAMPLE WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE WORKED IN ADVANCE TOGETHER AND NOT IMPACTED THE OPERATING BUDGET AND PAID FOR THAT EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY OUT OF CAPITAL. BUT IT GETS BACK TO HIS EARLIER WHEN I WAS SITTING IN THE BACK LISTENING TO COMMISSIONER CORONADO'S COMMENTS ABOUT STRUCTURE AND THE INTERNAL WORKINGS OF THE JAIL HAVE HAVE BEEN PUT ON DEFERRED MAINTENANCE FOR SO LONG THAT UNFORTUNATELY, NOW WE'RE PAYING THE PRICE, SO TO SPEAK. THANK YOU. AS WELL AS LIABILITY ISSUES THAT COME WITH IT. THAT IS CORRECT, SIR. OKAY. SO IF THERE'S NO QUESTIONS ON THAT PORTION, THE OTHER ONE IS A REQUEST. THIS IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND AND THIS IS COMING OUT OF COURTHOUSE SECURITIES. AND SO AND I SEE COMMISSIONER JEROME WASHINGTON IS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY, BUT THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST IS A TRANSFER IN IN ORDER TO COVER THE COST OF BALLISTIC SHIELDS. AND THIS IS A REQUEST THAT DID COME THROUGH THE OFFICE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS FULL DISCLOSURE WITH REQUESTED THIS SPECIFIC ACQUISITION. SO THIS IS FOR FIVE RFI RELATED RATED BALLISTIC SHIELDS TO ENHANCE OFFICER RESPONSE CAPABILITIES DURING ACTIVE THREAT INCIDENTS IN A HIGH RISK COURTHOUSE OPERATIONS. THE COST IS THE $27,000, AND THE REQUEST IS TO TRANSFER IT IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO USE THESE FUNDS. WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO COMMISSIONER WASHINGTON IN CASE THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS SPECIFIC PURCHASE AND THE NOT TO THE SPECIFIC USE OF THE SHIELDS IN THE COURTHOUSE OPERATIONS. SO THESE ARE FUNDS FROM A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. IS COMMANDER WASHINGTON AT THE PASCO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I AM THE COMMANDER OF THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION, WHICH THE COURTHOUSE SECURITY FALLS UNDER. AND I CAN TELL YOU, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SHERIFF MCCARTHY'S ADMINISTRATION, WE BEGAN LOOKING AT SECURITY FOR THE COURTHOUSE. I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO TOO MANY DETAILS, BUT WE'VE DEFINITELY BEEN TRYING TO ADVANCE THE SECURITY, THE STATUS OF THE OF THE COURTHOUSE. AND ONE OF THE WAYS IS THROUGH THIS, I GUESS YOU'D CALL THIS SPECIAL ACCOUNT FOR THE COURTHOUSE SECURITY FUND FOR SOME EQUIPMENT THAT THAT IS MUCH NEEDED THROUGH OUR OWN ASSESSMENT, WHICH WE HAVE CONDUCTED ON THE ENTIRE COURTHOUSE. I HAVE THE LIEUTENANT HERE WITH ME. HE'S IN CHARGE OF COURTHOUSE SECURITY, AND HE'S GOING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU THE ACTUAL PURPOSE OF WHAT THIS IS, BECAUSE WE WANT TO DISPEL SOME OF THE CONCERNS. WHEN YOU HEAR WHAT THE ITEM IS, IT'S JUST IT'S A MUCH NEEDED EQUIPMENT WHICH WOULD REMAIN HERE WITH THE PERSONNEL FOR THIS FACILITY. HE'S HERE TO, TO, TO KIND OF EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE.

JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. SO FIRST OFF, I UNDERSTAND AND IT'S BEEN DIRECTION FROM THE COMMANDER AND THE SHERIFF IS THAT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO MAKE ANY OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE TO HELP US WITH SECURITY TO GIVE US THE MILITARIZED LOOK IMPRESSION. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE GOT SOME T E, WHICH IS SOME TESTING AND SOME SOME TEST EQUIPMENT THAT WE GOT FROM THIS RIFLE, THIS RIFLE COMPANY. WE'VE HAD THEM FOR EIGHT MONTHS AND HAD THEM AT CHECKPOINTS, CHECKPOINT B AND CHECKPOINT A, AND THEY WERE THERE FOR EIGHT MONTHS. AND MY DIRECTION TO MY STAFF WAS MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT VISIBLE TO ANYBODY TO INCLUDE THE PUBLIC, BECAUSE IF ANYBODY SEES THEM, THAT MEANS THEY'RE GOING TO BE VISIBLE TO CAUSE PANIC. SO THEY WERE THEY'RE READILY AVAILABLE IN CASE WE NEEDED TO USE THEM FOR EIGHT MONTHS. AND LUCKILY WE DIDN'T HAVE TO USE THEM, BUT THEY WERE IN PLAIN SIGHT. SECONDLY, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS THE HISTORY OF ANY MASS CASUALTY. RIFLES ARE ALWAYS USED. WE HAVE NO BALLISTIC PROTECTION HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE. SO THAT'S JUST LIKE LIKE THE COMMANDER SAID, WE DON'T WANT TO GET TOO MUCH INTO SECURITY ASPECT OF IT, BUT IT'S MUCH IT'S EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED IT JUST TO KEEP MY STAFF SAFE. AND FOR A FAST RESPONSE.

IF IF I COULD ADD AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NOT TO WE WANT TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION IS JUST THAT FOR SECURITY CONCERNS. OUR ASSESSMENT HAS SHOWN IF THERE IS A MAJOR INCIDENT, WE WANT TO BE PREPARED THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE. TO REITERATE WHAT THE LIEUTENANT SAYS, THIS EQUIPMENT STAYS WITH THE PERSONNEL THAT ARE ASSIGNED HERE. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT MAKING SOME PURCHASES TO GET BETTER RADIO COMMUNICATIONS HERE. IT STAYS WITH THE PERSONAL HERE. SO THOSE PERSONNEL RETIRE, TRANSFER THE EQUIPMENT STAYS HERE. SO IT WOULD NEVER BE SEEN, YOU KNOW, IN ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT, ANOTHER SECTION OR SOME OTHER INCIDENT OUTSIDE OF THE

[06:50:03]

COURTHOUSE. WE TREAT IT JUST LIKE WE TREAT ANY GRANT FUNDED EQUIPMENT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS WITH REGARDS TO THIS TRANSFER? OKAY. WE CAN HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. WAS IT NOT COMING UP ON YOUR SCREENS? I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. IT IS.

OH THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. SECOND, THANK YOU. HAVE A MOTION FOR A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTE IS VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU, JUDGE SAMANIEGO.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. COMMISSIONER STOUT. AYE. MOTION CARRIES. AT THIS TIME, WE'LL GO BACK TO 13 A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION AND DISCUSS UT HEALTH REGARDING THE 2026 GRANT AWARDEE RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER THE COUNTY'S HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY APOLOGIES FOR OUR TARDINESS.

ZONIA SIGALA, SENIOR ANALYST OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR EL PASO COUNTY. TODAY, WE ARE

[A. Receive a presentation and discuss UT Health regarding the 2026 grant awardee recommendations under the County’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative. Roberto Ransom, Director, Economic Development Department, 915-273-3583]