17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE. THIS 
          [00:00:05]
INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS. OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY, REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS IN CLINT AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCARATE PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 20 2017, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO, AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFFI PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY 
          [00:05:01]
ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE WAS INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY, PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FOODS BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT. WITH THE GRANT, IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE TRAILERS. NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED. AND SEEING THE COMMUNITY IT'S NEEDED IN OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN TEXAS IN OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THE HIF-PHI GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE WAS, HAS EVEN BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO IS CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          [00:10:46]
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. 
          HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. 
          I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. 
          WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE. LIVE FROM EL PASO COUNTY, 
          [00:15:17]
TEXAS, THE VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA. FROM INSIDE THE ALICIA CHACON COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE ENRIQUE MORENO COUNTY COURTHOUSE. YOU ARE WATCHING THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. GOOD MORNING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. TODAY IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2026. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS MEETING IN REGULAR OPEN SESSION. THIS MORNING, WE'RE JOINED BY ASL INTERPRETERS KATYA GARCIA AND SELENA SALOM. COMMISSIONER, DO 
          [OPEN MEETING]
WE HAVE A PLEDGE PERSON TODAY? YES WE DO. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. SO TODAY WE ARE GOING TO BE LED IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY THE HORIZON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BROADCAST TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES LUKE ALVARADO, HARPER STERLING, RACHEL PAR, LUKE JONES AND MIA GOMEZ. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH US THIS MORNING. WE'RE VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE YOU LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE TODAY. PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. PLEASE PLACE YOUR 
          [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
HAND OVER YOUR HEART. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE TEXAS PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG. 
          TEXAS AND AMERICA, AND TO THE. GREEN, GREEN, GREEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSOR, MR. WILLIAM BARTY, AND OF COURSE, THE PRINCIPAL, JAVIER AGUILERA. THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING THE STUDENTS PARTICIPATE WITH US THIS MORNING. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 
          HAVE A HAVE A GREAT DAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US. NEXT WILL RECEIVE AN INVOCATION FROM LAURA GORBY, REPRESENTING JOIN US FOR JUSTICE, THE EL PASO CHAPTER OF AMERICANS UNITED FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE. WELCOME, LAURA. WELCOME. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER THE OPENING MESSAGE THIS MORNING. 
          [INVOCATION]
THROUGHOUT MY 50 YEAR NURSING CAREER, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO ENGAGE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN WORKSHOPS THAT ARE ROOTED IN CULTURAL RESPECT AND INCLUSIVITY. THE OVERARCHING INTENTION IS TO FOSTER HEART CENTERED APPROACHES, HEART CENTERED APPROACHES TO HEALING THAT INVITE HUMAN CONNECTION THAT IS OPEN, HONEST, AND WITHOUT JUDGMENT. SO WHEN IN A GROUP MEETING, IN ORDER TO GENERATE CONNECTION AND OPEN DISCUSSION, I OFTEN BEGIN WITH A POEM OR AN INSPIRATIONAL READING, FOLLOWED BY A REFLECTIVE QUESTION. SO HERE'S A SHORT EXAMPLE. WE JOIN WITH EACH OTHER TO BRING LIFE TO THE LAND, TO RECREATE THE HUMAN COMMUNITY, TO PROVIDE JUSTICE AND PEACE, TO REMEMBER WHO WE ARE. WE JOIN TOGETHER AS MANY AND DIVERSE EXPRESSIONS OF ONE LOVING MYSTERY FOR THE HEALING OF THE EARTH AND THE RENEWAL OF ALL LIFE. WHEN ONE OF THE QUESTIONS COULD BE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO RECREATE THE HUMAN COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT HONORS THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF EVERY PERSON? OR HOW MIGHT WE EMBODY JUSTICE AND PEACE IN OUR DAILY LIVES, OUR COMMUNITIES, AND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE TOGETHER? SO, AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS PRACTICE OF LEADING WITH THE HEART INFLUENCES THE CHOICES WE MAKE, THE VOICES WE LIFT, AND THE WAY WE TREAT THOSE WE REPRESENT. SO THAT'S JUST PART ABOUT ME, I GUESS. SO. MAY YOUR LEADERSHIP STRENGTHEN YOUR COMMITMENTS TO A COMMUNITY WHERE FAIRNESS IS PRACTICED. ACCOUNTABILITY IS HONORED, AND THE RIGHTS AND THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE ARE RESPECTED. MAY YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO SPEAK HONESTLY AND TO LISTEN CAREFULLY, THE PATIENCE TO LISTEN CAREFULLY, AND THE WISDOM TO LOOK BEYOND 
          [00:20:07]
THE DIFFERENCES TOWARD THE COMMON GOOD IN THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE. MAY YOU STAND FOR FAIRNESS. SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO BE HEARD, AND WORK TOGETHER TOWARD A COMMUNITY WHERE JUSTICE IS NOT A PRIVILEGE FOR FEW, BUT A PROMISE FOR ALL. MAY EVERY DAY RENEW YOUR DETERMINATION AND INSPIRE YOU TO TURN YOUR CONCERNS INTO MEANINGFUL ACTIONS. THANK YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE SOME OPENING REMARKS FOR US TODAY? YES, PLEASE. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND COMMISSIONERS, WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE'RE ALL ALWAYS VERY PRIVILEGED AND THANKFUL FOR YOU PARTICIPATING IN ALL THE COMMUNITY. THE RESOLUTIONS ARE JUST EXCELLENT. WE GET TO RECOGNIZE SOME INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. 
          SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO MAKE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, AND WE'LL BE LETTING YOU KNOW. BUT SHE'S GOING TO HELP OUT ON SOME OF THE ADJUSTMENTS. SO WE'RE TRYING TO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF DEADLINES FOR SOME OF US LATER TODAY. SO WE'RE TRYING TO SEE IF WE COULD DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN BEFORE. WE MIGHT NOT REACH QUORUM IF WE GO FURTHER THAN 4:00. SO WE'LL BE MAKING SOME ADJUSTMENTS. AND BUT I'M SURE WE'RE NOT GOING TO RUSH THROUGH THEM, AND THEN WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE FAVORABLE AND SUITABLE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS. WHEN WE DO MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS, THERE'S SOMETHING SORT OF HEAVY IN MY HEART THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT OUR PARTNERS FROM AND THE, AND THE, OUR ORGANIZATIONS NAACP ARE OUT THERE, VERY GOOD FRIENDS OF OURS. AND THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE HURTING BECAUSE THERE WAS A VIDEO OVER THE WEEKEND THAT DOES NOT IN ANY WAY DEMONSTRATE WHO WE ARE. 
          IT'S SO UN EL PASO UN. AND WE ALL FEEL THE COMMISSIONERS AND MYSELF FEEL THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK UP, THAT WE'RE THAT'S THAT'S NOT WHO WE ARE. THAT'S NOT HOW WE CONDUCT OURSELVES. I KNOW THERE'S CERTAIN FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND THINGS THAT THAT WE DO HAVE TO PROTECT, BUT WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE OUR VOICES, YOU KNOW, HEARD THAT, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONERS COURT IS DEFINITELY DOES NOT SUPPORT ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE HAVE SUCH A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY THAT THINKS ABOUT OUR DIVERSITY, THAT APPRECIATES WHO WE ARE AS A COMMUNITY. AND THAT WAS REALLY NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF, OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO IT'S, IT'S JUST HARD TO DEAL WITH SOMETHING. I FELT I WAS MAYBE LOOKING AT SOME OTHER COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THAT, BUT EL PASO IS NOT CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT. SO OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T ENCOURAGE THAT AS PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO CONTINUE TO BE UNITED. SO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND OUR COMMISSIONERS. SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO IF THERE'S NOT ANY OTHER COMMENT, BUT THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR BEING HERE. HAVE A VERY BLESSED MONDAY AND A GREAT WEEK. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GREAT THINGS COMING THIS WEEK, AND I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE EL PASO EVEN FURTHER. SO THANK YOU, CESAR. 
          THANK YOU SIR. JUDGE. WE HAD SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE AGENDA. WE HAVE A DISPARITY WITH WHAT WE HAVE VISUALLY HERE, WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN PLUS ON AS OPPOSED TO WHAT WAS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW OUR ORDERING. AND OUR NUMBERING WAS WAS DIFFERENT. I'D LIKE TO CALL UP PUBLIC COMMENT. NOW EVEN WE HAVE THAT ON OUR INTERNAL SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT CARRY OVER TO THE ONLINE FOR WHAT THE PUBLIC VIEWED, BUT WE WILL GO AHEAD AND TRY AND ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY IF THEY WANT PUBLIC COMMENT A LITTLE BIT LATER. SO I'D LIKE TO CALL UP ITEM NUMBER FOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS WITH US THIS MORNING. I'D LIKE TO START OUT WITH MISTER CARL DWYER, AND I'D LIKE TO REMIND SPEAKERS THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS LIMITED TO FIVE MINUTES. EVERYBODY IS 
          [PUBLIC COMMENT]
BEING TIMED. THANK YOU. VERY GLAD THAT IS HE HERE? I BELIEVE HE STEPPED OUT THINKING IT WOULD BE AFTER CALL FOR CONSENT. POSSIBLY. ALL RIGHT. I DON'T THINK HE'S IN THE ROOM. OKAY, SO IT'LL BE JUST A MOMENT. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT ONE AND COME BACK TO CARL. ABSOLUTELY. 
          I'D LIKE TO GO TO MR. CHRIS YAGEL. WELCOME, CHRIS. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. 
          COMMISSIONERS. I JUST WANT TO SPEAK REAL QUICKLY ON. SO YOU'LL BE DISCUSSING TODAY IF THE IF WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN OUR ARPA GRANT THAT WE WERE GIVEN FROM THE COUNTY 
          [00:25:06]
OR FOR 1.4 MILLION. SO WE'VE WE'VE COMMITTED THOSE FUNDS TO PURCHASE AS PER SCOPE OF THE OF THE GRANT, WE WE'VE COMMITTED THOSE FUNDS TO PURCHASING PROCESSING EQUIPMENT FOR OUR PRODUCE PRODUCTION ROOM. AND THE TOTAL GRANT WORTH IS ABOUT 1.4 MILLION. WE. GIVEN THE YEAR THAT WE'VE HAD. I'VE DONE SOME RESTRUCTURING AND SOME, YOU KNOW, SOME CHANGES OF PERSONNEL AND FINANCES AND THINGS. SO WE WE NEED TO SPEND THIS GRANT BY THE END OF OCTOBER. AND SO WE'VE HAD WHICH IS COMING UP, OBVIOUSLY. SO WE'VE HAD A PLAN IN PLACE NOW FOR ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 6 OR 7 MONTHS TO WHERE WE WERE GOING TO SPEND ALL OF THIS, ALL THIS MONEY TOWARDS PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE ACTUALLY COMMITTED JUST SHY OF 400,000 RECENTLY TO DOWN PAYMENTS TO VENDORS FOR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT. SO IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO RETAIN THESE FUNDS, THEN WE'LL STILL BE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT EQUIPMENT AND WHICH WE DON'T HAVE BUDGETED FOR THIS YEAR BECAUSE WE ARE COUNTING SOLELY ON THE ON THE ARPA GRANT TO PAY FOR THAT EQUIPMENT. SO THE REASON WHY WE'RE AUTOMATING OUR PROCESSING ROOM, FIRST OFF, WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE PRODUCE, WHICH WE GET A LOT OF HERE IN EL PASO, ABOUT 60% OF OUR OUR DISTRICT DISTRIBUTED FOOD IS PRODUCE. NOT DURING THIS SEASON, BUT DURING THE SUMMER AND SPRING MONTHS. AND SO WE CAN GET PRODUCE IN. AND THEN WE CAN RUN IT THROUGH THE AUTOMATION PROCESS AND ACTUALLY PACKAGE IT AND PREPARE IT DIFFERENTLY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. SO, FOR INSTANCE, INSTEAD OF GIVING OUT WHOLE POTATOES, WE CAN GIVE THEM A VARIETY HOME FRIES, FRENCH FRIES, DIFFERENT CUTS OF POTATO. WE CAN PACKAGE THEM IN PORTION CONTROLLED QUANTITIES, MAKES IT EASIER FOR DISTRIBUTION. SO OUR FIRST GOAL WAS TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THE, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, OUR NEIGHBORS, A VARIETY OF FOOD INSTEAD OF JUST, YOU KNOW, JUST NORMAL WHOLE FOOD THAT THEN THEY HAVE TO PROCESS. THE SECOND GOAL WAS, YOU KNOW, FUNDING HAS BEEN CHALLENGING. THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR AND I'M LOOKING TO DIVERSIFY OUR FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE. WE CAN'T RELY SOLELY ON THE CHARITABLE DONATIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING. WE'VE HAD OUR NUMBER ONE OF ALL TIME, EL PASO GIVING DAY. OUR PREVIOUS HIGH WATER MARK WAS WAS 80,000. WE BROUGHT IN 150 ON THAT DAY. AND RESIDUAL IS GOING TO BRING US PROBABLY ANOTHER 25. I MEAN, THAT'S JUST OUTSTANDING. THAT'S THE COMMUNITY RALLYING TOGETHER. THAT SAID, THOUGH, YEAR OVER YEAR, WE JUST CAN'T CONTINUE TO RELY ON FUNDRAISING. IT'S NOT A IT'S NOT A PREDICTABLE SOURCE OF FUNDS. SO I'VE PUT TOGETHER SOMETHING CALLED WHAT I CALL FIGHTING HUNGER ENTERPRISES, AND IT'S GOING TO BE A WAY FOR US TO DIVERSIFY OUR INCOME AND VARIOUS BUSINESS GOALS AND DIFFERENT PROJECTS. ONE OF THEM IS THIS PRODUCE ROOM. SO THE DONATED FOOD THAT WE GET FOR OUR NEIGHBORS, THAT'S THE STUFF THAT WE CAN PROCESS AND GIVE VARIETY, BUT WE CAN PURCHASE FOOD. AND IF WE PURCHASE FOOD, THEN WE CAN PRODUCE IT AND ACTUALLY EVEN LABEL IT AND CREATE SOME KIND OF PRODUCTS FROM THE FOOD BANK. WE'RE GETTING SOME FREEZE DRIED, FREEZE DRIED MACHINES, DEHYDRATION MACHINES, SO WE CAN TAKE PRODUCE AND ACTUALLY DEHYDRATE THEM, MAKE THEM SHELF STABLE. SO THAT'S GREAT FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SITUATIONS. 
          WE CAN ALSO SELL THAT AT VARIOUS EVENTS AND GENERATE A BIT OF PROFIT FOR THE FOOD BANK. 
          SO THESE FUNDS ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR US TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND COMPLETELY SPEND. AND I KNOW THEY'VE IT'S BEEN IN ACCOUNTING FOR A BIT AND IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN LOOKED AT, AUDITED. AND WE'RE GETTING TO A POINT WHERE IF WE DON'T, IF WE DON'T GET THE FUNDS AND WE'RE ABLE TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THESE PURCHASES, THEN WE WON'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR. AND WE HAVE TO HAVE AN INVENTORY ON OUR BOOKS ACCORDING TO THE SCOPE OF THE GRANT BY THE END OF DECEMBER. AND SO WE'RE WE'RE RIGHT IN THAT WINDOW. AND SO I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONSIDER THE EFFECTS TODAY WHEN YOU DISCUSS THIS ARPA GRANT. IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE A PLAN FOR, AND WE'VE BEGUN TO INITIATE AND TO TO WITHDRAW THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE TO PUT US IN A BIND. 30S TAP INTO OTHER FUNDING SOURCES. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO READ IN THE NEXT GROUP OF COMMENTS. FIRST UP, WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM CRISTOBAL GARCIA. HIS COMMENT BEGINS RECENTLY, SOMETHING CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. THE SCRUTINY SURROUNDING THE SHERIFF'S 
          [00:30:01]
DEPARTMENT FOR GOING APPROXIMATELY 4% OVER ITS YEARLY BUDGET. AS A CURRENT DETENTION OFFICER WITH MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT. I NORMALLY KEEP TO MYSELF, DO MY JOB AND DON'T GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS OR GIVE MY OPINIONS PUBLICLY. BUT AFTER SEEING THE CHANGES FIRSTHAND, I FEEL COMPELLED TO SPEAK. WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT, I NOTICED VERY LITTLE INVOLVEMENT FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I DIDN'T EVEN MEET THE PREVIOUS SHERIFF AT MY GRADUATION. AT THE TIME, I HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT SHERIFF UGARTE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE I EVEN VOTED FOR HIM. BUT AFTER HE TOOK OFFICE, I QUICKLY NOTICED A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT. HE WAS PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING THE JAIL, AND SEEMED TO BE EVERYWHERE. WHEN SHERIFF UGARTE CAME IN. 
          MORALE IN THE JAIL WAS LOW AND WE WERE DEALING WITH SERIOUS CHALLENGES, INCLUDING ASSAULTS IN CRITICAL HOUSING AREAS. WE WORK WITH INMATES WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, INCLUDING SCHIZOPHRENIA, BIPOLAR DISORDER, PSYCHOSIS AND DEPRESSION. 
          SHERIFF UGARTE RECOGNIZED MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS AND BECAME DIRECTLY INVOLVED. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AS SOMEONE WORKING INSIDE THE JAIL. HIS PRESENCE MADE A DIFFERENCE. I SAW ASSAULTS DECREASE, AND I BELIEVE INMATES BECAME MORE HESITANT KNOWING THERE WAS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY DURING INCIDENTS. I PERSONALLY WITNESSED AN INMATE ATTACK A FELLOW OFFICER, KNOCKING HIM TO THE FLOOR. FORTUNATELY, ANOTHER OFFICER WAS THERE TO IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE INMATE DOWN AND SECURE HIM. WITHOUT THAT BACKUP, THE SITUATION COULD HAVE ENDED MUCH WORSE. THAT IS WHY, AFTER SEEING THE WORK FIRSTHAND, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT SHERIFF UGARTE WOULD HAVE MY VOTE 100%. I ALSO BELIEVE CRITICISM SHOULD BE FAIR. IT IS ONE THING TO QUESTION BUDGET DECISIONS AND ANOTHER TO ATTACK SOMEONE'S PERSONAL LIFE OR CHARACTER SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE WITH THEM. NOT EVERYONE WITH A PHONE NEEDS TO BE TREATED AS A JOURNALIST. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THAT SOME PEOPLE MAKE REGARDS WITH NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER, AND PEOPLE ONLY KNOW WHAT THEY SEE ON THE VIDEOS, BUT THEY DON'T SEE THE WORK BEHIND THE CURTAIN LIKE WE DO. REGARDING THE VEHICLE PURCHASES, I DON'T SEE THEM AS A MAJOR ISSUE. SOME ARE MAKING THEM. I DON'T SEE THEM AS A MAJOR ISSUE. SOME ARE MAKING THEM OUT TO BE. WE WORK IN EL PASO WHERE WE HAVE PLENTY OF DESERT AND ROUGH TERRAIN, AND I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN CRIMINALS BEING APPREHENDED IN AREAS SUCH AS RED SANDS, WHERE AN SUV MAY NOT BE THE BEST OPTION. A TRUCK CAN PROVIDE ADVANTAGES IN THOSE SITUATIONS, AND IT'S NOT AS IF THE ENTIRE FLEET IS BEING REPLACED WITH SILVERADOS. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW. EXCUSE ME. AS FOR THE BUDGET AND OVERTIME, I BELIEVE THOSE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST YEAR OF THE ADMINISTRATION, AND I'M CONFIDENT THERE WILL BE A PLAN MOVING FORWARD. OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ALREADY USE OVERTIME LIMITS OR CAPS, AND SOMETHING SIMILAR COULD POTENTIALLY HELP CONTROL COSTS. 
          I'M NOT SAYING EVERYTHING IS PERFECT, AND I'M NOT SAYING EVERY DECISION SHOULD GO UNQUESTIONED. I'M SIMPLY SPEAKING FROM WHAT I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN INSIDE THE DEPARTMENT. FROM WHERE I STAND, SHERIFF UGARTE HAS BEEN PRESENT, INVOLVED AND WILLING TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS THAT NEED ATTENTION. END OF COMMENT. OUR NEXT IN PERSON, CARL DWYER. WELCOME, CARL. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. MY NAME IS CARL DWYER. I'M THE. SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE EL PASO NAACP, CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ALL ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH. I'VE STOOD BEFORE THE COURT SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY. TO SPEAK TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. WHICH YOU'VE PROVIDED, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE JUST FINISHED HOSTING THE 89TH STATE CONVENTION HERE IN EL PASO. BECAUSE WE, AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AS RESIDENTS, AS NAACP MEMBERS, WE WANTED TO SPOTLIGHT AND SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR CITY, A GOOD SPOTLIGHT BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW GREAT OF A COMMUNITY EL PASO IS. EL PASO GETS A BAD REPUTATION ACROSS 
          [00:35:01]
THE COUNTRY, AND AS I THINK THE JUDGE ALWAYS SAY, TO KNOW EL PASO IS TO LOVE EL PASO, AND WE LOVE EL PASO. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS OURS STILL EXISTS. AFTER OVER 114 YEARS OF FIGHTING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS, WE'RE STILL NEEDED. AND HERE IN THE DAY OF OUR LORD 2026. WERE NEEDED MUCH MORE THAN EVER. RECENT EVENTS HERE IN EL PASO CAME TO OUR ATTENTION, AS I'M SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE. COME AWARE OF THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA. 
          OF AN INCIDENT OF A GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS DONNING. KKK ATTIRE, KKK HOODS. ROBES. MARCHED DOWN THE CITY STREETS OF THIS GREAT CITY, THIS GREAT COUNTY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, CHANTING RACIAL SLURS. MANY HAVE ASKED US OR HAVE COMMENTED THAT INSTANCES SUCH AS THIS IS JUST A JOKE. IT'S NOT SERIOUS. WE HAVE MUCH BETTER, MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE SHOULD BE DEALING WITH. I AGREE, I WOULD MUCH RATHER BE TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT THE CITIZENS TURNED OUT IN THE NORTHWEST TO HELP THEIR RESIDENTS EVACUATE AFTER THE STORM. I WOULD LOVE TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE AMIGA AND AIR SHOW AND HOW FORT BLISS SHOWED AND HIGHLIGHTED THIS GREAT CITY, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT. WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS BLACK EYE THAT HAS BEEN DAWNED UPON OUR CITY. WE HELD A PRESS RELEASE AND A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, AND WE'RE CALLING ON EVERYONE TO JOIN US AND SPEAKING OUT AND SPEAKING UP. 
          EL PASO, THAT IS NOT EL PASO, THAT IS NOT EL PASO, BUT IT DOES EXIST, AND WE MUST ADDRESS IT. THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS THAT IT SOMEONE SAID THIS MORNING, IT STARTS AT HOME AND IT STARTS IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE MUST ADDRESS THIS. SO WE'RE CALLING ON ALL ELECTED LEADERS, OFFICIALS. I'VE ALREADY VOTED, SO I CAN'T SAY IF YOU HELP ME OR YOU GET MY VOTE. I'VE ALREADY DONE MY VOTE. WE ARE NONPARTIZAN. IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT THAT. IT'S ABOUT SPEAKING UP AND WHAT'S RIGHT. SO WE ASK YOU TO JOIN US IN CONDEMNING THIS ACT AND CONDEMNING THIS EVENT SO IT NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS, SOMETHING SUCH AS THIS EXTREMISM, RACISM AND HATRED, WE ARE MUCH BETTER THAN THIS. SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU. WE KNOW YOU STAND WITH US. YOU'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED US AND WE'RE CALLING ON YOUR SUPPORT ONCE AGAIN. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND WE TRULY RESPECT. I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING HOW ALIGNED I MADE THE OPENING COMMENTS. AND WE'RE VERY POIGNANT ABOUT OUR SUPPORT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION AND FOR YOU AS A LEADER. AND THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS VERY SUPPORTIVE. AND IT'S SO IN EL PASO. AND SO EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID, I FEEL WE SUPPORTED IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND COMING BACK. 
          SO REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. YEAH. THANK YOU JUDGE. I'M SORRY. I KNOW RESOLUTIONS USUALLY GO FIRST. YOU PULL UP. I HATE TO SET THIS THIS SOMBER MOOD WHEN WE SHOULD BE CELEBRATING THESE GREAT RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP. BUT THANK YOU FOR GIVING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND TO TO HEAR US OUT. THIS IS SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT. AS YOU SAID, THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU DRAW THE LINE IN THE SAND VERY QUICKLY BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED SO HARD NOT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF A COMMUNITY. AND SO YOU'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND YOU'VE GOT THE SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. OUR NEXT 
          [00:40:03]
SPEAKER IS TAMARA MARQUEZ. WELCOME. HI. GOOD MORNING. OUR VERY OWN. THANK YOU. YES. AND COUNCIL COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE JUST DOING A PUBLIC COMMENT THIS MORNING TO BRING AWARENESS TO AN EVENT THAT WE'RE HAVING. WE'RE HOSTING A DEAF CENTER FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CHILDREN ON DECEMBER THE 4TH, BECAUSE THE CHILDREN NEED ACCESSIBILITY THAT CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH. AND THEIR PRIMARY LANGUAGE IS SIGN LANGUAGE. IT'S ACCESSIBLE FOR THE HEARING KIDS AS WELL. AND WE DID IT. LAST YEAR WAS OUR FIRST YEAR AND WE HAD A GREAT SUCCESS. SO THIS YEAR WE'RE BRINGING IN LOCAL VENDORS AND SPONSORSHIPS, AND WE'RE HOPING FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL AND BIGGER EVENT. PETER PIPER ON PAISANO. THEY'RE THE ONES THAT ARE HOSTING US. 
          AND IT'LL BE DECEMBER THE 4TH FROM 6 TO 9. SO HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CAN COME OR SPREAD THE WORD. WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING DONATIONS, AND I'M GOING TO LET SOPHIA TALK ABOUT THAT. AND THIS IS EL PASO SLY SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS. I DIDN'T INTRODUCE MYSELF. I'M SO SORRY. 
          THANK YOU. BUT YES, I'M GOING TO LET SOPHIA TALK ABOUT THAT. AND THEN THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR. THANK YOU SOPHIA. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SOPHIA. I'M THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR FOR EL PASO SOLEIL. AND TO PREPARE FOR THIS EVENT, WE ARE HOSTING A TOY DRIVE. THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME HOSTING A TOY DRIVE. AND IT'S JUST TO FOR THE KIDS TO GET TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME MAGIC THAT ALL THE OTHER CHILDREN HAVE IN EL PASO, BUT JUST IN A MORE ACCESSIBLE WAY. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THEM TO HAVE DROP OFF BOXES. WE HAVE CONFIRMED, WHICH IS BREAK ROOM COFFEE, WHICH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, AND WE ALSO HAVE THE EL PASO PUBLIC LIBRARIES THAT ARE GOING TO DO THIS, BUT WE ARE ALSO ACCEPTING MONETARY DONATIONS FOR US TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TOYS FOR THE KIDS. AND WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU GUYS TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD AND HELP US. LIKE IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE, WHETHER IT'S WITH TOYS, WHETHER IT'S SPREADING THE WORD OR WITH MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND WE JUST WANT THESE KIDS TO HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE AS EVERYBODY ELSE BECAUSE LIKE SHE SAID, THEY DON'T USUALLY GET THIS. AND THIS IS JUST AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO FEEL SPECIAL BECAUSE THEY ARE. AND FOR THEM TO JUST HAVE THAT SPECIAL GIFT TO OPEN ON CHRISTMAS. SO THANK YOU. YOU CAN HELP US. THANK YOU BOTH. AND DID YOU WANT TO SAY NO TO THAT? NO, I THINK THAT'S IT. I THINK IT'S JUST BRINGING AWARENESS TO ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE CHILDREN. MAINLY. I JUST I GREW UP WITH DEAF PARENTS AND I SAW THE LANGUAGE DEPRIVATION, LIKE JUST GROWING UP MY WHOLE LIFE. AND I FEEL LIKE WE COULD JUST DO SO MUCH MORE FOR THESE KIDS. AND I THINK EVERY KID DESERVES TO HAVE THAT MAGICAL EXPERIENCE. LIKE SOPHIA SAID, BEING ABLE TO ASK IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE WHAT THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS, OR JUST BEING ABLE TO TALK TO THAT SANTA. WELL, THANK YOU, AND YOU'VE BEEN SUCH A GREAT LEADER AND BRINGING AWARENESS AND THROUGH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR PASSION, WE THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND SOPHIA AS WELL FOR THE SUPPORT. THANK YOU. YES, THANK YOU GUYS. AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL SEE YOU THERE. AND YOU CAN YOU WILL TAKE A PICTURE WITH SANTA. YEAH WE WILL. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER ON THE TELEPHONE IS MICHAEL CLARK. GO AHEAD, MR. CLARK. MR. CLARK, ARE YOU THERE? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME BACK TO HIM? YES. OKAY. I'LL CONTINUE ON WITH STATEMENTS FROM MARK GALLARDO. HE BEGINS AS A CURRENT DETENTION OFFICER GOING ON TWO YEARS OF SERVICE. I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF SCRUTINY WITH THE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY WITH SHERIFF UGARTE. I MYSELF IS WONDERING HOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER WORKED A MINUTE IN OUR SHOES, WALKING AMONG, WALKING AMONG MURDERERS, CHILD MOLESTERS, GANG MEMBERS, OR ANYONE SHOWING NO CARE OR REGARD TO THE LAW, WHETHER IT BE PATROLLING THE STREETS OR DOING A PHYSICAL CHECK IN THE JAILS SHOULD HAVE A SAY ON HOW OUR DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS SHOULD BE RUN. I UNDERSTAND THE THE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE DEPARTMENT GOING OVER BUDGET, BUT I'M HERE TO SAY SHERIFF UGARTE IS ACTUALLY TRYING TO HELP US DETENTION OFFICERS OUT IN OUR DAILY STRUGGLES. WHEN I 
          [00:45:03]
FIRST STARTED, THE PREVIOUS SHERIFF WAS ON HIS WAY OUT. NO GUIDANCE OR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE JOB WAS GOING TO TRULY BE, ONLY WHAT THE STANDARD WAS TO BE PART OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE WERE EXTREMELY SHORT STAFFED AND STRUGGLING IN EVERY POSITION POSSIBLE. ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS WERE HIGH AND WE HAD OTHER ISSUES AND WE HAD ISSUES IN OUR PROBLEM. POD 1400, WHERE WE HOUSED OUR MENTAL AND TROUBLEMAKER INMATES ALMOST DAILY, AND IT WAS A HUGE STRESS ON ANY OFFICER ASSIGNED THERE. WHEN SHERIFF UGARTE TOOK OVER, I WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH HIS PRESENCE. WHEN MY SHIFT WAS ON GRAVEYARD, HE SHOWED UP DURING OUR CHILD MIDNIGHT JUST TO TALK TO US IN OUR DINING AREA, JUST TO GET IDEAS AND ADDRESS ANY ISSUES WE HAD WITHIN THE JAIL. AND IT WASN'T JUST A POLITICAL MOVE. HE ACTUALLY MADE CHANGES FOR US. 
          ASSAULTS ON OFFICERS DROPPED DUE TO HAVING AN EXTRA OFFICER. I UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET IS PAST MAXIMUM CAPACITY, BUT THAT CAN EASILY BE MANAGED WITH A CAP PER OFFICER WITH A CERTAIN OVERTIME LIMIT. RIGHT NOW, OUR CURRENT STRUGGLE IS HAVING ONE OFFICER LEAVE LOCKDOWN JUST TO FILL IN THE GAPS WHERE ANOTHER OFFICER IS SUPPOSED TO BE, WHERE WE RUN THE RISK OF LEAVING OUR PARTNER IN THE POD. WE ARE ORIGINALLY ASSIGNED BY THEMSELVES FEEDING, ESCORTING A NURSE TO CONDUCT MEDICATION FOR THE INMATES, AS WELL AS DOING 25 MINUTE CHECKS, CONDUCTING ROTATIONS, CONDUCTING SUN, PORCH AND POSSIBLY 15 MINUTE CHECKS IF THEY HAVE AN OBSERVATION, AS WELL AS IF AN INMATE IS HAVING A BAD DAY, HE CAN FORCEFULLY OPEN HIS DOOR AND CAUSE A FIGHT WITH ANOTHER INMATE THAT'S ON ROTATION, OR EVEN THE OFFICER RUNNING THE FLOOR. I TRULY BELIEVE IN MY BOSS, SHERIFF UGARTE. NEVER HAVE I HAD SUCH A GREAT LEADER TAKE CHARGE AND ACTUALLY CARE FOR HIS SUBORDINATES, OR TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY SEE WHAT HIS PEOPLE'S NEEDS MORE THAN HE HAS. I BACK HIM 100%, AND I TRULY BELIEVE THE VISION THAT HE HAS FOR OUR DEPARTMENT IS FOR THE GREATER GOOD. END OF COMMENT. EXCUSE ME. OUR NEXT COMMENT COMES FROM MICHAEL HERNANDEZ. HIS COMMENT BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE THE EL PASO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF NONCOMPLIANCE FROM THE ADMINISTRATORS AT EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK. THESE ARE THE ISSUES. NO SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT INVOICES AND PURCHASING STATEMENTS ARE USED INSTEAD. IMPEDES THE ABILITY TO KEEP TRACK OF EXPENDITURES. EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK HAS NOT BEEN OPEN ABOUT COSTS, LATE PURCHASES OF CERTIFICATIONS NEGATIVELY AFFECT COMPLETION RATES AND TYPES OF CERTIFICATIONS ATTAINED. THE DELAY CAUSES STUDENTS TO LOG IN 3 TO 4 WEEKS LATER FOR MSSCCLACLT CLASSES, WHICH LEADS THEM TO HAVE TOO MUCH TIME ON CLA AND UP TO TWO WEEKS FOR CLT, DISCRIMINATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS ADDS TO BARRIERS. REENTRY PARTICIPANTS FACE CHRIS CAGLE AND CARMELLA GALIZIA HAVE LIED TO THE COUNTY ABOUT KNOWING THE USE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. GRANTS ARE USED AS A SLUSH FUND TO COVER PERSONNEL COSTS, FURTHER HIRING, PROMOTIONS AND RAISES BY EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK NECESSITATE ALTERING THE GRANT IN FAVOR OF COVERING PERSONNEL COSTS. THE WFP PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE EQUIPMENT PURCHASED. THIS EXCLUSIVELY BELONGS TO OPERATIONS. THERE IS HARDLY ANY INTERACTION WITH OPERATIONS, AND THE WFP PROGRAM OPERATIONS ARE ADDED TO HELP PAY FOR PERSONNEL WAGES. EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK WANTS TO DICTATE THE TERMS OF THE NEXT GRANT BY SENDING THE TYPES OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES ACCEPTABLE TO THE FOOD BANK. 
          RECENT MINOR CHANGES AND FEATURING AN EX REFERRAL. MR. ELIAS KANG AT EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK WFD PAGE WAS DESIGNED TO MANIPULATE AND DECEIVE EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK HAS VIOLATED BOTH GRANT AGREEMENTS, WHICH WARRANTS CONSIDERATION OF LIMITING, ALTERING OR ENDING GRANTS TO THE FOOD BANK. THE CURRENT WFP SPARK CLASSROOM INSTRUCTOR HAS NO RECOURSE OR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE CONFIDENTIAL, AND HIS EYES ONLY HE, ABRAHAM MEDINA HAS REVEALED EL PASO COUNTY PARTICIPANTS IN THE WFP PROGRAM AND THEIR PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER AND PAST CRIMINAL OFFENSES, ETC. END OF PUBLIC COMMENT. DO WE HAVE MR. CLARK BACK ON? MR. CLARK, ARE YOU THERE? I'M HERE. GO AHEAD. SIR. GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE, SAN DIEGO COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE LISTENING. MY NAME IS MIKE CLARK. I'M A UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN FATHER AND A PROUD 
          [00:50:04]
EL PASO RESIDENT. I'M CALLING TODAY BECAUSE OF THE RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVING YOUNG PEOPLE WEARING THE KU KLUX KLAN ATTIRE IN OUR COMMUNITY. LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. THIS IS NOT SIMPLY KIDS BEING KIDS, AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING WE SHOULD NORMALIZE OR IGNORE. THE KU KLUX KLAN REPRESENTS A GENERATION OF RACIAL TERROR, INTIMIDATION, AND VIOLENCE. 
          WHILE BLACK AMERICANS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN AMONG ITS PRIMARY TARGETS, ITS HATRED HAS EXTENDED TO HISPANIC COMMUNITIES, JEWISH COMMUNITIES, CATHOLICS, IMMIGRANTS, AND OTHERS. THIS IS NOT JUST A BLACK ISSUE. THIS IS AN EL PASO ISSUE. ON AUGUST 3RD, 2019, OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCED A RACIALLY MOTIVATED ATTACK AT WALMART THAT TOOK 23 INNOCENT LIVES. WE CAME TOGETHER AND DECLARED EL PASO STRONG. BUT BEING EL PASO STRONG MEANS CONFRONTING HATRED BEFORE A TRAGEDY HAPPENS. NOT JUST COMING TOGETHER AFTERWARDS. AS A BLACK FATHER RAISING CHILDREN IN THIS COMMUNITY, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO QUESTION WHETHER MY CHILDREN RECEIVED THE SAME RESPECT AND PROTECTION AS EVERY OTHER CHILD. AND TODAY, I'M CALLING ON EVERY ELECTED LEADER IN EL PASO COUNTY TO PUBLICLY ADDRESS THIS INCIDENT. THAT INCLUDES OUR MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, REPRESENTATIVE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP AND COUNTY JUDGE, SAN DIEGO JUDGE SAMANIEGO. UNLESS I MISSED A STATEMENT, I HAVE NOT HEARD YET ANYTHING FROM YOU PUBLICLY ON THIS RESPONSE FROM YOUR OFFICE. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY LIKE TO HEAR WHERE YOU STAND ON THIS ISSUE AND WHAT STEPS COUNTY LEADERS WAS WILLING TO TAKE, BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES MORE THAN SILENCE. I'M NOT ASKING ANYONE TO DESTROY THESE YOUNG PEOPLE'S FUTURE. I'M ASKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, EDUCATION, AND MEANINGFUL ACTION THAT PREVENTS THIS BEHAVIOR FROM CONTINUING. WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT IS WILLING TO STAND TOGETHER, PUBLICLY CONDEMN RACIAL HATRED, AND DEMONSTRATE THAT EVERY COMMUNITY MATTERS. IF WE CAN UNITE AFTER TRAGEDY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNITE TO PREVENT ONE. 
          I LOVE EL PASO. THIS IS MY HOME AND I WANT EVERYONE IN THIS IN MY FAMILY TO FEEL SAFE CALLING IT THEIRS AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'D LIKE TO READ IN A PUBLIC COMMENT FROM MISS ELIZABETH CRAWFORD. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND COMMISSIONERS. AS MANY CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN, I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT A BLOCK OF HORRORS TURNED INTO A BLOCK OF HOPE. IN 2018, A MOVIE CAME OUT ENTITLED KERMIT GOSNELL GOSNELL THE TRIAL OF AMERICA'S BIGGEST SERIAL KILLER. IT'S ABOUT A PHILADELPHIA ABORTIONIST WHO RAN A HOUSE OF HORRORS, BRUTALLY KILLING BABIES AND SERIOUSLY INJURING COUNTLESS MOMS IN THE PROCESS. KERMIT GOSNELL RECENTLY DIED IN JAIL. WE HOPE THAT AT SOME POINT BEFORE HIS DEATH, HE REPENTED AND ASKED GOD FOR FORGIVENESS. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT RIGHT THERE ON LANCASTER AVENUE, A GROUP OF PRO-LIFERS REFUSED TO LET GOSNELL HOUSE OF HORRORS OPERATE UNCHALLENGED. ALPHA PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER, NOW NAMED ALPHA ALPHA CARE, OPENS ITS DOORS TO ABORTION MINDED WOMEN TO OFFER THEM HOPE AND HELP. INSTEAD OF CHOOSE LIFE. INSTEAD CHOOSE LIFE. IN THE 1990S, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING MY SENIOR YEAR INTERNSHIP WITH ALPHA PREGNANCY SERVICES AS MY FIRST EXPOSURE TO THE ABORTION CRISIS. ALPHA WAS STARTED BY 10TH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, A LARGE CONGREGATION WITH DECADES OF SERVICE IN THE HEART OF PHILADELPHIA. WHILE MUCH OF THE PRESBYTERIAN DENOMINATION HAS TURNED TO WOKE IDEOLOGY. 10TH PRESBYTERIAN HAS NOT GONE ALONG WITH THEM. AS WE HEAR THE YOUNG SEMINARIAN TURNED POLITICIAN IN TEXAS TRAVELING OUR STATE TO DECLARE THAT GOD IS NON-BINARY AND THAT GOD IS PRO-CHOICE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL PRESBYTERIANS TAKE THESE POSITIONS. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE CONGREGATIONS IN PRESBYTERIANISM THAT HAVE REFUSED TO BOW TO THE POPULAR PROGRESSIVE AGENDA, AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE MANY WAYS THAT GOD HAS USED ALPHA CORPS OVER THE YEARS SO THAT INSTEAD OF COMING NOW TO A HOUSE OF HORRORS, LADIES CAN COME INTO AN INNER CITY HAVEN OF HOPE. IN ONE JOHN FIVE FOUR WE ARE TOLD, FOR WHATEVER. FOR WHATSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD OVERCOMES THE WORLD. AND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, EVEN OUR FAITH. THE DARKNESS HAS BEEN DRIVEN OUT BY CHRIST'S LIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AND OF COMMENT. WE HAVE ONE FINAL SPEAKER. WE HAVE COMMISSIONER CORONADO. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. YOU 
          [00:55:03]
KNOW, AS AS A AS A PROUD, LONG MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY, I I'M REALLY DISGUSTED BY THE SHOWING OF, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE WEARING THIS ATTIRE THAT REPRESENTS NOTHING BUT HATRED IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE NOT THAT PEOPLE HERE. YOU KNOW, I'M REALLY PROUD TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT WE CELEBRATE OUR DIFFERENCES. WE ARE VERY, VERY FRIENDLY TO PEOPLE, TO ALL PEOPLE, AND WE ARE VERY WELCOMING. AND THIS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN OUTLIER IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE STILL, YOU KNOW, WE CAN SEE THAT THAT THE FIGHT CONTINUES. AND, YOU KNOW, LATELY IN OUR COUNTRY, WE'VE SEEN A LOT MORE OF THIS THAT IT IT SEEMS TO SOME PEOPLE IN POLITICS HAVE SEEM TO MAKE IT OKAY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND SPEAK, AND THAT WE CERTAINLY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FIGHT AGAINST WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER IN A TIME WHEN, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DIVIDE US AND WE HERE ARE CELEBRATING OUR DIFFERENCES. WE ARE ALL THE SAME. WE MAY LOOK DIFFERENT, BUT WE'RE ALL THE SAME. AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT REALLY HOLDS THAT DEAR BECAUSE I THINK WE'RE VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY WELCOMING. AND IT JUST IT SADDENS ME TO SEE THIS KIND OF HATRED IN OUR COMMUNITY, JUST AS IT LEADS US TO, YOU KNOW, TO KNOW THAT WE STILL NEED AND WE HAVE WORK TO DO AND THAT WE NEED TO KEEP THE FIGHT ON. SO I WANT TO THANK OUR BROTHERS WHO CAME UP AND SPOKE TODAY. 
          BROTHERS AND SISTERS, THANK YOU ALL FOR KEEPING THE FIGHT ON. THANK YOU JUDGE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. APPRECIATE THAT. THIS COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT, JUDGE. THANK YOU. AND ONCE AGAIN, IF WE DO HAVE ADDITIONAL BECAUSE WE ARE OUT OF ORDER ON OUR AGENDAS, I'LL LET YOU KNOW AND SEE IF WE CAN WORK THEM IN. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER FIVE IS THE CONSENT AGENDA COMPOSED OF ITEMS FIVE A THROUGH 5CW. WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR CHANGES. FIRST UP WE HAVE ITEM B L. WE HAVE A CORRECTION REQUESTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THIS ITEM 
          [CONSENT AGENDA]
SHOULD READ A PROVEN. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT LEASE BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF EL PASO, TEXAS AND REGION 19 EDUCATION SERVICE CENTER FOR THE LEASE OF APPROXIMATELY 0.41 ACRES OF LAND TO BE USED AS A HEAD START FACILITY WITHIN THE COUNTY. 
          SPARKS PARK FOR A TEN YEAR TERM BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 072 FOR. 
          WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR A CORRECTION FOR ITEM B Y FROM THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. THE ITEM SHOULD READ RATIFY THE APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY'S PURCHASING AGENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR REPLACEMENT OF TWO PUMPS FOR EL PASO COUNTY DOWNTOWN JAIL USING REGION 1922-7434 AWARDED TO WYLER INDUSTRIAL WORKS INCORPORATED OF EL PASO, TEXAS, FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $154,710. PURCHASING APPROVED ON OCTOBER 3RD, 2026. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN CIP26SODDF, CAP OUT. RENOVATIONS. REPAIR. WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR A CORRECTION TO ITEM 5CA FOR THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. THE ITEM SHOULD READ APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THREE. 2026 FORD F-150 CONSTABLE VEHICLES FOR EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS USING REGION 19 CONTRACT. 227447 AWARDED TO ALAMO AUTO SUPPLY OF EL PASO, TEXAS, FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $107,871. PURCHASING APPROVED SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2026. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GC1STGAR25. CAP OUT VEHICLES. EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE A CORRECTION FOR ITEM NUMBER FIVE CC FROM THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. THE ITEM SHOULD READ APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE SINGLE SOURCE PURCHASE OF FORENSIC DNA TESTING FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. AWARDED TO OTHRAM INCORPORATED OF THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS. IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $400,000 FOR ONE YEAR. FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN SPECIAL GRANT GENETIC 26 OPERATING EXPENSE 
          [01:00:09]
PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 262.024 C AS A SINGLE SOURCE ITEM. THIS PURCHASE IS EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY PURCHASING ACT. SINGLE SOURCE STATUS WILL BE REEVALUATED AS REQUIRED TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH STATUTE. 
          WE HAVE A REQUEST TO POSTPONE ITEM C M BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THIS ITEM READS GRANT AWARD APPROVING. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 27 SPECIALTY COURTS PROGRAM FOR THE 65TH FAMILY DRUG COURT IN THE AMOUNT OF $99,401.50 FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2027. NO COUNTY MATCHES REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0781. WE HAVE A REQUEST TO POSTPONE ITEM C5CS FOR ONE WEEK AS WELL BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THIS ITEM IS GRANT AWARD. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 27. INNOVATIVE CIVIL ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION COUNTY SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION GRANT FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FROM OCTOBER 1ST, 2026 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2027. IN THE AMOUNT OF $306,389.77. NO COUNTY MATCHES REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0771. WE HAVE A REQUEST TO POSTPONE ITEM 5CU ALSO ONE WEEK, BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THIS ITEM IS GRANT AWARD. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. FISCAL YEAR 27 PROJECT HOPE JUVENILE MENTAL HEALTH COURT GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $93,613.60 FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2027. NO COUNTY MATCH IS REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0765. AND FINALLY, WE HAVE LAST REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO POSTPONE FOR ONE WEEK. ITEM 5CV THIS ONE IS GRANT AWARD. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO ACCEPT THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. FISCAL YEAR 27 JUVENILE DRUG TREATMENT COURT PROGRAM GRANT AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $83,344.24 FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO AUGUST 31ST, 2027. NO COUNTY MATCH IS REQUIRED. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0766. DO WE HAVE ANY ITEMS THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO PULL FOR INDIVIDUAL DISCUSSION? JUDGE FOR B AS IN BOY. THANK YOU. B AS IN BOY FOR COMMISSIONER STOUT. ANY OTHERS? I'LL MOVE TO APPROVE CAESAR. 
          THANK YOU JUDGE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER, I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU. 
          COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. 
          ITEM NUMBER SIX A FROM RESOLUTIONS. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASSING OF THE COLORS AND RECOGNIZING ITS LONG STANDING TRADITION OF HONORING OUR NATION, MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND COMMUNITY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYONE REPRESENTING THE. YEAH. YOU WANT TO, TONY? AND OF 
          [A. Approve and adopt a resolution commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Massing of the Colors and recognizing its longstanding tradition of honoring our nation, military service members, veterans, and community in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
COURSE, OUR VETERAN OF THE YEAR. THEY BOTH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING ON SATURDAY. IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN THERE. IT IS SUCH A PATRIOTIC. YOU. TO REALLY GET THE SENSE OF OF UNDERSTANDING WHO WE'RE ALL ABOUT. AND IT'S SUCH A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR 250TH ANNIVERSARY. SO I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE THERE. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE ACTUALLY THE, THE MAIN PERSON OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS AT THE NATIONAL 
          [01:05:04]
LEVEL. AND HE WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE'RE VETERAN VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA, AND HE HAD SUCH GREAT IDEAS ABOUT WHAT HE'D LIKE TO DO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT PLATFORM. 
          AND TONY, THANK YOU ALSO FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. SO I'LL READ THIS INTO THE RECORD, WAS THE SIGNING OF DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ON JULY 4TH, 1776. ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND SELF-GOVERNANCE THAT CONTINUE TO GUIDE THE NATION AND WAS A U.S. SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COMMISSION IS LEADING THE NATIONWIDE COMMEMORATION OF AMERICA'S 250, MARKING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1776 WAS EL PASO. HISTORY GOES BACK CENTURIES BEFORE 1776, ROOTED IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, SPANISH EXPLORATION AND MEXICAN GOVERNANCE, AND EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ACROSS GENERATIONS CONTINUE TO PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SHAPING THIS COUNTRY THROUGH MILITARY SERVICE, PUBLIC SERVICE, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, BUSINESS CULTURE, AND CIVIC LIFE. REFLECTING A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP, RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT TO THE NATION'S IDEALS, AND WAS A GREATER EL PASO CHAPTER OF THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE WORLD WARS. M O WW HELD THE 50TH ANNUAL MASSING OF COLORS ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, 2026 AT EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADMINISTRATION SERVICE CENTER AUDITORIUM, WITH SOME MASSING OF THE COLORS. AS PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDER'S OWNERSHIP OF THE CEREMONY NATIONWIDE AND SERVES AS A CEREMONY TO REDEDICATE. TO REDEDICATE OUR FAITH IN THE COLORS OF THE UNITED STATES, WHERE CW FOUR RETIRED JESSICA RAMIREZ WILL SERVE AS THE HONORED GUEST, SERVED AS THE HONORED GUEST, AND WAS AMASSING THE COLORS DESIGNED TO SHOW OUR UNITED SUPPORT OF SERVICE MEMBERS PAST AND PRESENT, AND WAS A MASSING OF THE COLORS. REPRESENTS ALL BRANCHES OF THE ARMED FORCES, ROTC, JROTC, VETERANS, CIVIC LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS, PATRIOTIC FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, AND HONORS. OUR GOLD STAR MOTHERS AND MILITARY WIDOWS. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY JOIN THE NATION IN COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MASSING OF THE COLORS SIGNED THIS 26TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. BEFORE WE GET STARTED, I JUST WANT TO I HOPE SHE'S HEARING SOMEHOW. 
          BUT WE HEARD FROM JESSICA. SHE'S A RETIRED. WHAT AN AMAZING SPEECH. OH MY GOODNESS. 
          IT WAS SO MOVING. I SAID YOU KNOW THE BOY YOU GOT TO GET HER INTO OUR ORGANIZATION SOMEHOW SOME WAY SHE BECAUSE SHE'S DOING IT FROM AFAR RIGHT NOW. YEAH. SHE IS SO, SO AMAZING. 
          AND SUCH A YOUNG LADY HAS DONE SO MUCH ALREADY IN THE MILITARY, BUT NOW HAS DONE GREAT THINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO I'LL PASS IT ON TO YOU, TONY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THAT EVENT. IT WAS A REALLY GREAT EVENT. WHEN YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, THE MILITARY, COMMUNITY, VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND THEN THE KIDS, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE OUR JRA SCOUTS AND OUR BOY SCOUTS. THOSE ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS. SO WATCHING THEM SHARE THIS MOMENT OF PATRIOTISM WAS VERY INSPIRING. AND THEN TO TOP IT OFF, JESSICA RAMIREZ IS A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE. AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, WHEN SHE FINISHED THAT SPEECH, IF I HADN'T HAVE ALREADY SERVED 20 YEARS, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE FOUND THE NEAREST RECRUITING OFFICE. SHE WAS VERY INSPIRED AND AMAZING, AND I HOPE THAT IT TOUCHED THOSE CHILDREN, THAT THEY WERE INSPIRED, AND THEY WANT TO BECOME LEADERS IN THE SAME FASHION AS HER. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RESOLUTION FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THEM. I'LL MAKE SURE THAT COLONEL BELTRAN GETS A COPY OF THE RESOLUTION. WE'LL SEE HIM, HOPEFULLY. WELL, WE WON'T BE THERE, BUT THE UAV MEETING ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, HE SHOULD ATTEND, SO I'LL MAKE SURE HE GETS A COPY. THANK YOU. 
          THE BILL. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY IT WAS AMAZING TO HEAR THE OTHER HIGH SCHOOL, YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, BOWIE. HE'S JEFFERSON. JEFFERSON IS DEAD. BUT THAT'S OKAY. MY MISTAKE. 
          ANYWHO, IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR THEM DISCUSS AND EXPLAIN, IN THEIR OWN WORDS WHAT IT MEANT TO BE AN AMERICAN AND HOW IT IMPACTED THEIR LIVES. AND I WANT TO ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE YOUNG MARINES. EL PASO'S YOUNG MARINES WERE NOT ABLE TO BE THERE BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY 
          [01:10:04]
OF THEM. THEY COULD NOT PHYSICALLY GET TRANSPORTATION TO GET THEM THERE, AND THEY ALWAYS PARTICIPATE. AND THIS WAS THE ONE YEAR THEY REALLY FELT BAD ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO ATTEND. SO KUDOS TO THEM FOR ALWAYS BEING AVAILABLE. BUT IT WAS A GREAT, GREAT REPRESENTATION FOR AMERICA, NOT JUST EL PASO, BECAUSE MASSING OF THE COLORS IS THAT IMPORTANT. 
          THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, I PROMISED MY PEN, MY VETERANS CAPITAL OF THE USA PEN TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL RUIZ. BUT AFTER HEARING JESSICA SAID, COLONEL, DO YOU MIND IF I GIVE MY PEN TO JESSICA? OKAY, SO I SHOULD HAVE HAD TWO. BUT BUT ANYWAY, WHAT A GREAT CEREMONY. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WE'D LOVE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU. THANK YOU. 
          ITEM NUMBER SIX B APPROVING ADOPT A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OCTOBER 22ND, 2026 AS LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM? REPRESENTATIVES, PLEASE. THANK YOU. THESE ARE THE LIKE PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE. 
          [B. Approve and adopt a resolution recognizing October 22, 2026, as “Lights on Afterschool Day” in El Paso County, Texas.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
I MEAN, WE JUST TAKE THINGS FOR GRANTED. BUT ONCE YOU HEAR THE INTERVENTION THAT TAKES PLACE AND THE COMMITMENT, IT JUST I JUST WISH EVERYBODY UNDERSTOOD HOW MUCH HAS TO HAPPEN AND THE CARE THAT YOU PROVIDE AFTER SCHOOL. SO I'LL READ THIS INTO THE RECORD, WAS THE PEOPLE OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, STAND FIRMLY COMMITTED TO QUALITY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE SAFE, CHALLENGING AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCES THAT HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND ACADEMIC SKILLS. SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES BY ENSURING CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND PRODUCTIVE WHEN NOT IN SCHOOL. 
          BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES. PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BY INVOLVING STUDENTS, PARENTS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS. ENGAGE FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN ADVANCING YOUTH WELFARE AND OFFER YOUNG PEOPLE PROVEN BENEFITS, PARTICULARLY IN ACADEMICS, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND OVERALL PHYSICAL WELL-BEING. WITH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN EL PASO COUNTY, CONTINUE TO INNOVATE WITH ENRICHING OPPORTUNITIES THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING, STRENGTHENING TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND DEVELOP THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO SUCCEED. WHEREAS, EL PASO COUNTY IS HONORED TO BE HOME TO NUMEROUS ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE LEADERSHIP IN YOUTH HEALTH AND EDUCATION ENSURES A QUALITY, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS PREPARE CHILDREN TO GROW INTO SUCCESSFUL ADULTS, AND WAS. THE PASO DEL NORTE HEALTH FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF INVESTING IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS HEALTHY KIDS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UNITED WAY OF EL PASO COUNTY, WHERE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE BOOST NETWORK. AND. WHEREAS, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATE IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS PERFORM BETTER ACADEMICALLY, DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN RISKY BEHAVIORS. AND WHEREAS, LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL, THE NATIONWIDE CELEBRATION OF AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS WAS HELD ON OCTOBER 22ND, 2026, HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON AND THE DOORS OPEN FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. NOW THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DECLARES OCTOBER 22ND, 2026 AS LIGHTS ON AFTER SCHOOL DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT INNOVATIVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ENSURE ALL CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE, ENGAGING, AND HIGH 
          [01:15:03]
QUALITY OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND SCHOOL DAYS. SIGN THIS 26TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU JUDGE. 
          THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS AN EFFORT THAT HAS BEEN GOING FOR ALMOST A DECADE THROUGH THE SUPPORT WE HAVE FROM THE PASO DEL NORTE HEALTH FOUNDATION, HOUSED AT UNITED WAY THROUGH BOOST, WE HAVE A COLLECTIVE APPROACH TO SUPPORT AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SO WE SUPPORT THEM WITH TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING, CONTINUE TO CONNECT THEM TO DIFFERENT RESOURCES TO FUNDING, TRY TO KIND OF GET THEM ABREAST OF THE LATEST PRACTICAL TOOLS THAT THEY CAN USE TO ENHANCE THEIR SERVICES. BUT MORE THAN THAT, WE ENHANCE COLLABORATION, RIGHT? WE TRY TO GET OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO, TO BE BETTER AMONGST THEMSELVES. AND WE SEEN THE NEED CONTINUES TO GROW. LIKE IN TEXAS, THERE'S LIKE MORE THAN 3 IN 4 KIDS WILL DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM. AND IT'S, IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT THERE'S A LACK OF THESE SERVICES AND WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THIS AS A, AS A TOOL FOR, FOR ENHANCING THE SKILLS OF THE KIDS. THIS IS THE SPACE WHERE KIDS NEED TO BE KIDS. AND WE'VE SEEN IT LIKE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING AS A SOCIETY IS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALLOWING THEIR KIDS TO BE GROWING AS A, AS A THRIVING ADULT. SO WE ARE REALLY PROUD THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO THIS EFFORT, THIS LICENSE, AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS, WE DO THIS COLLECTIVE EVENT THAT EVERYBODY CELEBRATES AFTER SCHOOL, AND IT'S A SPACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE WITHIN THE NETWORK. AND THIS IS YOUR TRADITIONAL BOY SCOUTS, YOUR BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, YOUR GIRL SCOUTS, LIKE A LOT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ALREADY PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES, ARE PART OF THIS COLLECTIVE TO CELEBRATE IT AS A AS A COLLECTIVE APPROACH TO THINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, COURT AND JUDGE, I'M JANET RENNER, I'M A SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER AT THE PASO DEL NORTE HEALTH FOUNDATION, AND I MANAGE OUR HEALTHY KIDS INITIATIVE, AND WE PARTNER WITH THE UNITED WAY ON THE BOOST NETWORK. AND WE ALSO PARTNER WITH 20 ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO PROVIDE OUT-OF-SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES TO WHAT WE CALL DISCONNECTED YOUTH. AND THOSE ARE YOUTH THAT DON'T TYPICALLY HAVE AFTER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES AND ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND GET THOSE POSITIVE ACTIVITIES, BE AROUND THE TRUSTED ADULTS THAT WILL HELP THEM GROW EMOTIONALLY AND SOCIALLY. AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THESE DAYS HAVE THOSE PEER TO PEER INTERACTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THEM THRIVE AS ADULTS. AND WE THANK YOU. YOU KNOW, AS A FORMER JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER, THAT GAP BETWEEN WHEN SCHOOL ENDS AND WHEN THEY'RE ABLE TO BE WITH THEIR PARENTS AT 6:00, THAT LITTLE GAP THERE, IT'S YOU'VE GOT SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR RISKY BEHAVIORS, FOR BEING UNSUPERVISED. AND I ALSO, THE PARENTS ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THEY LOOK AT THEIR, THEIR WATCH AND IT'S 330 NOW I HAVE TO WORRY FROM 330 UNTIL THEY GET HOME IF THEY'RE NOT BEING SUPERVISED. SO IT'S, IT'S SUCH A COMPLIMENT TO PARENTS. AS WE KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF PARENTS THAT BOTH PARENTS HAVE TO WORK. 
          THEY DON'T FINANCIALLY CAN'T AFFORD SOMEBODY TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. AND SO THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT, BECAUSE I DO RECALL HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO HAVE THAT SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, MY CHILD IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF UNTIL I GET BACK HOME. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. BOTH FOUNDATIONS HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLE, NOT ONLY IN THIS, BUT IN EVERYTHING ELSE UNITED WAY. AND THE FOUNDATION HAS JUST BEEN SUCH A GREAT PARTNER FOR THE COUNTY. SO WE THANK YOU. 
          THANK. 
          [01:20:14]
ITEM NUMBER SIX. C APPROVING ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING OCTOBER 2026 AS AS MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, AND RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF EL PASO PROJECT PERIOD AND ITS DEDICATION TO PROMOTING MENSTRUAL HEALTH, RESTORING DIGNITY, AND PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. DO YOU WANT TO COME UP HERE? AND WE HAVE MINE AND YOUR VERY OWN JOCELYN. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT YOU DO AND THE, YOU KNOW, ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO BE AT THE POINT THAT YOU'RE AT AND YOU STILL GO TO SCHOOL, YOU STILL HAVE YOUR INTERNSHIP WITH US. SO VERY THANKFUL. AND ALSO TO, TO, TO THE INDIVIDUALS HERE TODAY. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO HEAR SOMETHING THAT VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND AT YOUR AGE AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. AND IT'S VERY ADMIRABLE. OF COURSE, ACCESS TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND ACCURATE MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION ARE ESSENTIAL TO PROMOTING HEALTH, DIGNITY, OVERALL WELL-BEING. YET BARRIERS SUCH AS LIMITED ACCESS TO THESE ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS AND SOCIETAL STIGMA CONTINUES TO AFFECT INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          WITH EL PASO, PROJECT PERIOD IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FOUNDED IN OCTOBER 2024 IN EL PASO, TEXAS, DEDICATED TO RESTORING DIGNITY AND PROMOTING MENSTRUAL EQUITY BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS, PROVIDING MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION, AND CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS WITH REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESOURCES. WITH EL PASO, PROJECT PERIOD HAS EXPANDED ACCESS TO FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND THROUGHOUT THE REGION, INCLUDING THROUGH THE UTEP FOOD PANTRY, WHERE STUDENTS OBTAIN MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS AND PERIOD KITS AT NO COST AT THE UNION BUILDING AND THROUGH WATER STATIONS THROUGH EL PASO COUNTY, PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS FOR ESSENTIAL CARE WITH EL PASO, PROJECT PERIOD HAS BUILT AN EXPANSIVE, CROSS-SECTOR NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS, COLLABORATING WITH MUNICIPAL LEADERS LIKE THE CITY OF EL PASO. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING UTEP, EPCC, EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TEXAS TECH HEALTH. EL PASO CORPORATE SPONSORS SUCH AS EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS AND REGIONAL NONPROFITS TO ADVANCE YOUTH EDUCATION, YOUTH DISTRIBUTION AND PUBLIC WELLNESS INITIATIVES. WITH EL PASO, PROJECT PERIOD HAS EXTENDED ITS IMPACT BEYOND LOCAL BORDERS THROUGH OUTREACH, PROVIDING ESSENTIAL MENSTRUAL HEALTH RESOURCES TO UGANDA, 
          [C. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring October 2026 as “Menstrual Health Awareness Month” in El Paso County, Texas, and recognizing the second anniversary of El Paso Project Period and its dedication to promoting menstrual health, restoring dignity, and providing essential resources to the community.
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
AFRICA AND THROUGH BINATIONAL INITIATIVES IN CIUDAD JUAREZ, INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR ENFERMERIA DEL CENTRO DE EDUCACION DE SALUD AND LOCAL NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS, OR THROUGH INITIATIVES INCLUDING MY FIRST PERIOD KITS, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND RESOURCE DISTRIBUTION. EL PASO PROJECT PERIOD HAS FOSTERED GREATER AWARENESS, ENCOURAGED OPEN DIALOG AND AROUND MENSTRUAL HEALTH, AND REDUCE THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENSTRUATION. AND WHEREAS OCTOBER 18TH, 2026 MARKED THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF EL PASO PROJECT PERIOD, COINCIDING WITH NATIONAL DAY ON OCTOBER 19TH, TOGETHER COMMEMORATING TWO YEARS OF TRANSFORMATIVE LOCAL SERVICE ALONGSIDE A NATIONAL MOVEMENT FOR MENSTRUAL EQUALITY EQUITY WITH EL PASO COUNTY, RECOGNIZES THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF MENSTRUAL HEALTH, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY LED INITIATIVES THAT PROMOTE HUMAN DIGNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH. NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY DECLARE OCTOBER 2026 AS MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN EL PASO COUNTY AND RECOGNIZES THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF EL PASO PROJECT PERIOD, HONORING THE ORGANIZATION'S DEDICATION TO PROMOTING MENSTRUAL HEALTH, RESTORING DIGNITY, AND PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO COMMUNITIES LOCALLY, BY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, WHILE URGING ALL RESIDENTS TO JOIN IN ENDING PERIOD POVERTY AND STIGMA. SIGN THIS 26TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. VERY IMPRESSIVE. JOCELYN, YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? YES, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYONE JOINING US TODAY. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD FOR GUIDING ME THROUGH THIS JOURNEY, 
          [01:25:02]
MY FAMILY AND MY FRIENDS BELIEVING AND SUPPORTING ME AND HELPING ME BUILD EL PASO PROJECT. PERIOD. I ALSO WANT TO SINCERELY THANK JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR DECLARING OCTOBER 2026 MENSTRUAL HEALTH AS MENSTRUAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND RECOGNIZING THIS ORGANIZATION FOR THE TWO YEARS OF SERVICE. AS A FOUNDER AND CEO, I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HOW FAR WE HAVE COME IN OUR MISSION RESTORING DIGNITY THROUGH ESSENTIAL RESOURCES. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE WORKED ON MAKING MENSTRUAL HEALTH ITEMS ACCESSIBLE AND HELP BREAK THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENSTRUAL HEALTH. 
          THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH WOMEN RESCUE, WHO HELP US PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN UGANDA, AFRICA. THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED WITH THE YOUTH OF FOOD PANTRY, WHERE STUDENTS CAN ACCESS FREE MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS RIGHT ON CAMPUS. WE ALSO ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM EL PASO CHIHUAHUAS BASEBALL TEAM AND OUR GROWING PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY WITH THE WATER STATIONS THROUGHOUT EL PASO COUNTY. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR DEDICATED DONORS, VOLUNTEERS, OUR TEAM AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND EVERYONE WHO HAS BELIEVED IN THIS MISSION AND HAS HELPED IT COME TO LIFE. WE ARE TODAY. I HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION REMINDS US ABOUT. MENSTRUAL HEALTH IS MORE THAN JUST PRODUCTS. IT IS ABOUT DIGNITY, EQUITY, EDUCATION AND ENSURING THAT NO ONE GOES WITHOUT BASIC NECESSITIES. WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN US FOR OUR FUN COMMUNITY EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EL PASO ZOO, WHERE WE'LL BE PROVIDING GAMES AND GIVING OUT CANDY FOR OUR COMMUNITY FROM 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE MORE COMMON COMMEMORATIVE PINS. 
          IF EVERYBODY WOULD STILL LIKE ONE AND SUPPORT THE MISSION. LASTLY, THANK YOU AGAIN, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING OUR WORK AND HELPING US BRING VISIBILITY TO THIS IMPORTANT CAUSE. WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN TWO YEARS AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE GROWING OUR IMPACT THROUGH PASO COUNTY, CIUDAD JUAREZ AND INTERNATIONALLY. TWO YEARS OF SERVICE AND WE'RE ONLY GETTING STARTED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO FOUNDING CEO, I THINK I NEED TO BE WORKING FOR HER INSTEAD OF THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD AND TELL US. GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MELISSA CASTANEDA. I AM THE OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR EL PASO PROJECT PERIOD. I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH RACHEL FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS NOW, AND I'M JUST SO EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING AWARENESS TO THIS TOPIC, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOPS, THROUGH PROVIDING ALL THESE PRODUCTS. WE'VE MADE MULTIPLE COLLABORATIONS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER COMMUNITIES IN EL PASO, AND JUST HAVING THE CHANCE TO BRING THESE TOPICS INTO DISCUSSION. I THINK IT'S DEEPLY IMPORTANT IN BREAKING THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENSTRUATION, WHICH IS SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY DEAL WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY. THESE PRODUCTS HAVE A HIGH COST, UNFORTUNATELY, AND WE ARE WORKING IN OUR GOAL AS AN ORGANIZATION IS TO PROVIDE AS MUCH AS WE CAN. WE DID THIS NOT FOR A PROFIT, BUT FOR JUST HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO DISCUSS THESE TOPICS AND GETTING ACCESS TO ALL THESE PRODUCTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S YOU. YOU IDENTIFIED SOMETHING THAT'S SO HIDDEN FROM US AND YOUNG LADIES HAVING TO GO THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES, NOT FEELING GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES, NOT BEING ABLE TO, TO AFFORD THESE PRODUCTS. I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT AWARENESS. I'M VERY PROUD OF BOTH OF YOU. 
          THANK YOU. I KNOW THEY SAY RACHEL AND JOCELYN, SO I CALL HER JOCELYN AND RACHEL. SO JUST FOR THERE WON'T BE ANY CONFUSION. SO SAME PERSON. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. 
          [01:30:43]
ITEM NUMBER SIX. APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. COMMISSIONER. ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING. GOOD 
          [D. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
David Stout, Commissioner, Precinct 2, 915-273-3559]
MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. EVERYBODY IN THE AUDIENCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HONORED TO BE ABLE TO READ THIS RESOLUTION TO THE RECORD. OF COURSE, WE HAVE OUR FRIENDS FROM THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE JOINING US TODAY, AS WELL AS OTHERS. I WILL GO AHEAD AND READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN WE'LL WE'LL HEAR FROM OUR OUR ESTEEMED GUESTS. THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION STATES, WHEREAS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IN HOMES ON EVERY STREET OF OUR COMMUNITY, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STEALS SAFETY, SILENCES VOICES AND SHATTERS LIVES REGARDLESS OF AGE, RACE, INCOME, EDUCATION OR BACKGROUND. AND WHEREAS EACH YEAR, THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCED THE TRAUMA OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND COUNTLESS OTHERS ARE AFFECTED AS FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS, AND COWORKERS OF SURVIVORS, AND AS THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. CASF HAS SERVED AS A STEADFAST SOURCE OF SHELTER, ADVOCACY, COUNSELING, AND HOPE FOR SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE. WORKING TIRELESSLY TO BREAK CYCLES OF ABUSE AND BUILD PATHWAYS TO SAFETY. AND WHEREAS, DURING THE 2025 2026 FISCAL YEAR, CSFVS24 OVER SEVEN CRISIS HOTLINE RECEIVED OVER 5400 CALLS FOR HELP IN ITS EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED, AND ITS EMERGENCY SHELTER PROVIDED SAFE HOUSING FOR 655 INDIVIDUALS, AND ITS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER SERVED 2899 INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED BY FAMILY VIOLENCE, A TESTAMENT TO BOTH THE SCALE OF THIS CRISIS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE LIFE SAVING REACH OF THE CASFS WORK. 
          AND WHEREAS ENDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REQUIRES MORE THAN AWARENESS ALONE, IT REQUIRES A DELIBERATE SHIFT IN THE ATTITUDES, SYSTEMS AND SILENCES THAT ALLOW ABUSE TO CONTINUE. A CALL CAPTURED IN THIS YEAR'S THEME CHANGE THE TRACK IN VIOLENCE AND WHEREAS CHANGE THE TRACK IN VIOLENCE CALLS UPON EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AGENCY AND INSTITUTION IN OUR COMMUNITY TO MOVE OFF THE WELL WORN PATH OF SILENCE AND INACTION AND ONTO A NEW TRACK, ONE DEFINED BY EARLY INTERVENTION, SURVIVOR CENTERED SUPPORT, COMMUNITY ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COLLECTIVE REFUSAL TO NORMALIZE ABUSE. AND WHEREAS SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DESERVE TO BE BELIEVED, SUPPORTED AND EMPOWERED, AND EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN CREATING HOMES, WORKPLACES, AND PUBLIC SPACES THAT ARE SAFE FROM VIOLENCE. AND WHEREAS, PREVENTION, EDUCATION AND COORDINATION, COMMUNITY RESPONSE AMONG LAW FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COURTS, SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, FAITH COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES REMAIN ESSENTIAL TO CHANGING THE TRACK AND ENDING THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZE THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH SIGNED THIS 26TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2026, THE HONORABLE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. 
          VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. NO. THANK YOU. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU THIS MORNING. MY NAME IS SANDRA GARCIA. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR FOR ALLOWING US TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU. THIS THIS MORNING, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE THEME THIS YEAR IS CHANGE THE TRACK AND VIOLENCE. OFTEN TIMES, VIOLENCE FOLLOWS A FAMILIAR, FAMILIAR PATH THAT'S PASSED ON TO GENERATIONS, AND IT'S KEPT HIDDEN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. AND SO THE IDEA IS TO START THOSE CONVERSATIONS, KNOW THAT THAT PATH ISN'T WHERE IT NECESSARILY NEEDS TO STAY, AND THAT THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY TO REROUTE THOSE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. YOU HIGHLIGHTED THE NUMBER OF HOTLINE CALLS THAT WE RECEIVED THIS PAST YEAR. AGAIN, THAT'S 505,600 INDIVIDUALS THAT CALLED AND WERE SEEKING SOME SORT OF ASSISTANCE. WE ALL KNOW THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, LIKE MANY OTHER VICTIMIZATIONS LIKE SEXUAL ASSAULT, ARE UNDERREPORTED. AND SO THESE ARE 
          [01:35:01]
THE INDIVIDUALS THAT FELT SAFE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT THAT CALL THAT WAS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL, TO BE ABLE TO DIRECT THEM AND PROVIDE THEM SERVICES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. 
          THE EMERGENCY SHELTER. YES. WHILE IT'S A LITTLE OVER 655 INDIVIDUAL ADULTS AND CHILDREN THAT WERE UNDUPLICATED, BUT WE DID SERVE 840 INDIVIDUALS, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT IT TAKES MORE THAN ONE TIME TO LEAVE A SITUATION THAT YOU DON'T FEEL SAFE IN. THESE SITUATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE MADE WITHIN FAMILIAR GOOD FAITH RELATIONSHIPS. AND SO OFTENTIMES WE TEND TO FORGET THAT THIS ISN'T AN INDIVIDUAL THAT JUST ASSAULTED YOU, THAT WAS OFF THE STREET. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT YOU ARE GENERALLY IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH. YOU HAVE BEEN IN LOVE WITH, YOU HAVE MAYBE CHILDREN WITH, YOU HAVE A HOME WITH. AND SO THAT JUST COMPLICATES THE ISSUE SO MUCH MORE. AND SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT AND REALLY HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT WHEN SOMEONE DECIDES TO SEEK HELP, THEY ARE AT THEIR WIT'S END AND ARE LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF RESOURCE AND SAFETY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND IT IN THE PLACE THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT, WHICH IS THEIR HOME. THE WORK THAT WE DO, WE DO NOT DO ALONE. WE HAVE OVER 12,300 VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE PROVIDED OVER 15,000 HOURS OF SERVICE THIS PAST YEAR, WHICH HAS GROWN HUGE SUPPORT TO THE CENTER. ALONG WITH. WE WERE ALSO FORTUNATE TO PARTICIPATE IN EL PASO GIVING DAY THIS PAST THURSDAY AND WERE ABLE TO RAISE A LITTLE OVER 72,000, WHICH JUST SHOWS THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS ISN'T THE WAY WE WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO LIVE. WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE. WE WANT THEM TO FEEL THAT THEY ARE IN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AS THEY MOVE FORWARD THROUGH THEIR LIFE AND BE ABLE TO GROW WITH THEIR CHILDREN IN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL. WE DO HAVE, AS OBVIOUSLY WE ARE, OCTOBER 26TH, SO WE ARE ROUNDING OUT OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. BUT ONE OF OUR LAST EVENTS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP ON THE 28TH, WHICH IS THE WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK, IS FROM 6 TO 9 P.M. WILL BE AT FLIX BREWHOUSE. WE WILL BE SCREENING 9 TO 5. OBVIOUSLY, YOU ALL KNOW THE THE TIMELESS CLASSIC WHERE THERE'S A GROUP OF WOMEN WHO REFUSE TO LIVE UNDER THE CONTROL OF SOMEONE ELSE. IN THIS CASE, IT'S THEIR BOSS. AND SO YES, IT'S MORE OF A COMEDIC TWIST ON IT, BUT I THINK IT REALLY JUST LENDS ITSELF TO ALLOW THE CONVERSATION TO START AND TO SHOW THAT I THINK WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, FOR US, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I CONSISTENTLY SAY IT'S WE'RE NOT JUST WORKING ON THE RELATIONSHIPS AS PARTNERS. WE HAVE SO MANY RELATIONSHIPS IN OUR LIFE. WE HAVE IT OBVIOUSLY WITH OUR PARTNERS, WITH OUR CHILDREN, WITH OUR FAMILY, WITH OUR COWORKERS. AND SO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE WE'RE ABLE TO FORTIFY WHAT THOSE TRENDS SHOULD LOOK LIKE AND REALLY MIMICKING IT AND MODELING IT FOR OUR COMMUNITY ALLOWS US TO HOLD THAT EXPECTATION FOR EVERYONE AND TO ENSURE THAT WE ALL HOLD THAT FOR ONE ANOTHER AS WELL. AND INTERVENE WITH ME THIS MORNING, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF BOARD MEMBERS, ACTUALLY, THAT ARE WITH ME THIS MORNING, ALONG WITH PART OF OUR MIGHTY STAFF THAT MAKE THE WORLD GO ROUND REALLY IN THE CENTER. AND SO IF YOU'D LIKE TO, ERIN, WELCOME. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. SO AARON SUTLIFF, I'M THE DIVISION CHIEF OF THE PROTECTIVE ORDER UNIT. YOU'VE HEARD FROM ME A COUPLE OF TIMES. 
          I WEAR A COUPLE OF HATS, THAT ONE I JUST DESCRIBED, BUT I'M ALSO CHAIR OF THE BOARD AT THE CENTER AGAINST SEXUAL AND FAMILY VIOLENCE. IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY. 
          I DID JUST WANT TO SORT OF CONTEXTUALIZE THE TEXAS COUNCIL ON FAMILY VIOLENCE. DOES AN HONORING TEXAS VICTIMS REPORT EVERY YEAR. THEY JUST RELEASED THE 2025 VERSION. THEY FOUND THAT 160 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY THEIR INTIMATE PARTNER IN 2025. 140 OF THOSE WERE WOMEN, AND 73% OF THOSE WERE KILLED WITH A FIREARM. EL PASO IN 2024 EXPERIENCED NO INTIMATE PARTNER FATALITIES, BUT IN 2025, WE EXPERIENCED THREE, WITH THE YOUNGEST BEING 21 AND THE OLDEST BEING 58. AND IN EL PASO BETWEEN JULY 1ST AND SEPTEMBER 30TH, OUR OFFICES HELPED 117 PEOPLE GET PROTECTIVE ORDERS. SO WHAT ARE WE DOING? SO I'VE DESCRIBED SORT OF THE LANDSCAPE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO CHANGE THE TRACK? I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOUR THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING LOCALLY THAT ARE INNOVATIVE AND ARE GETTING ATTENTION FROM ACROSS THE STATE. 
          FIRST, I'LL DISCUSS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HIGH RISK TEAM, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND CASPI HAVE PARTNERED TO WORK TOGETHER TO THINK THROUGH HIGH LETHALITY CASES AND HOW WE WILL RESPOND TO THEM IN IN AN ELEVATED FASHION. SO WHERE WHERE THERE'S STRANGULATION, USED A FIREARM ISOLATION FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY THERE AT THE SHELTER, ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ELEVATE RISK. AND SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THAT? WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO SORT OF TRIAGE THE WORST CASES. SO THOSE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HIGH RISK TEAMS ARE ACROSS TEXAS. WE HAVE ONE IN EL PASO. ALSO MENTION A PROJECT 
          [01:40:01]
CALLED SCENES TO SERVE. WE USE ACTORS. SO IT'S THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE CASPI AGAIN, AND SOME OTHER PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHERE WE TRAIN USING TRAINED ACTORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, USING SCENARIOS, SO SCENARIOS WHERE SOMEONE HAS A PROTECTIVE ORDER AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET IT ENFORCED. OFFICERS RESPOND TO THE SCENE, THEY INTERACT WITH THE ACTOR, AND THEY SORT OF GO THROUGH THIS, THIS TRAINING EXPERIMENT OR TRAINING PROCESS, AND NO ONE ELSE IS DOING IT IN TEXAS. SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT EXPANDING INTO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN JANUARY, GOING DOWN DISTRICT WITH IT, AND HAVING A SERIES OF THESE KINDS OF TRAINING EVENTS IN THE REST OF THE FISCAL YEAR. THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT JUST BRIEFLY IS THE FAMILY JUSTICE AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE. COMMISSIONER OLGUIN WAS KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE OUR WELCOMING THE SECOND DAY. SO THIS IS A KIND OF CONFERENCE THAT TAKES SERIOUSLY THE NEED FOR TRAINING AND AWARENESS ON THESE TOPICS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME REALIZES THAT THERE ARE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IN THE FIELD. AND SO THAT WE CAN'T BE WE CAN'T SERVE SURVIVORS IF WE OURSELVES ARE NOT WELL. SO COMMISSIONER OLGUIN JOINED US JUST LAST WEEK TO, TO ON THE SECOND DAY OF THAT THAT TRAINING EVENT. AND THEN I ALSO JUST WANT TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST. THERE'S A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM THAT Y'ALL HAVE AGREED WILL BE ON THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA HAS TO DO WITH SAFEGUARDING PRIVATE INFORMATION FOR SURVIVORS SEEKING PROTECTIVE ORDERS. MORE ON THAT TO COME AS WE GET SET UP FOR THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND AND REALLY ATTENTION ON THIS ISSUE. IT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR SUCCESS IN THIS COUNTY. 
          THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU AS WELL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD AND INTRODUCE YOURSELVES AND. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS SANDRA FRAUSTO AND I AM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AND PROUDLY, I'M ALSO A BOARD MEMBER FOR THE CASB BOARD. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING US A SPACE TO CONTINUE RAISING AWARENESS. MY NAME IS YASMEEN PEREZ. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES AT THE CENTER. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I'M MELISSA ORTEGA, I'M THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR WITH CASB. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS GUADALUPE RUBIO, AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEVELOPMENT WITH CASB. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WE GOT EVERYBODY. YEAH. WELL, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH. ONCE AGAIN, THIS KIND OF AWARENESS, YOU KNOW, THAT WHEN YOU PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND THE TRAINING AND PEOPLE CAN IDENTIFY SITUATIONS LIKE TEACHERS AND FRIENDS AND PARENTS AND THAT LEVEL OF EXPOSURE MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE TO, TO, TO GET INVOLVED IN SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN. AND THERE USED TO BE A TIME THAT WE WERE PROBABLY MORE PROTECTIVE TO THE PERPETRATOR THAN WE WERE TO THE VICTIMS IN THE FAMILY. AND SO WE'VE GONE A LONG WAYS. AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. ONCE AGAIN, THAT KIND OF AWARENESS IS SO IMPORTANT. TEACHING OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON, ON POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, INDICATIONS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITHIN THE FAMILY BECAUSE IT COULD BE HIDDEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. AND THAT'S A LOT OF SUFFERING FOR A FAMILY NOT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES. SO ONCE AGAIN, COMMISSIONER STOUT, THANK YOU FOR THIS EXCELLENT RESOLUTION. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK THAT YOU DO. I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW IMPACTFUL IT IS ON THE LIVES OF THE FOLKS THAT YOU THAT YOU SERVE AND YOUR CLIENTS. AND I'M PROUD TO SEE THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE DA'S OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ALSO INVOLVED IN THE BOARD OF THIS AMAZING ORGANIZATION. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. 
          [01:46:18]
ITEM NUMBER SIX E APPROVE AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION DECLARING OCTOBER 20TH, 2026 AS ELECTION HERO DAY IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. SO 
          [E. Approve and adopt a resolution declaring October 20th, 2026 as "Election Hero Day" in El Paso County, Texas.
Iliana Holguin, Commissioner, Precinct 3, 915-273-3594]
UNFORTUNATELY, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION LAST WEEK, WHICH WAS THE START OF EARLY VOTING. BUT I AM VERY, VERY HONORED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION TODAY IN HONOR OF ALL OF OUR AMAZING ELECTION WORKERS WHO DO SO MUCH BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ELECTIONS HAPPEN. OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, FREELY AND FAIRLY. AND IT'S SO FITTING THAT WE ARE HONORING THESE BEHIND THE SCENES HEROES RIGHT NOW AT A TIME WHERE, SADLY, OUR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ATTACKING AND QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM. SO OUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR, LISA WEISS, IS HERE. WE ALSO HAVE BOARD MEMBERS FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, DIANA PERRY AND CONNIE CRAWFORD. IF YOU ALL WANT TO START MAKING YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM, AS I READ THE RESOLUTION INTO THE RECORD, WHEREAS THE CORNERSTONE OF DEMOCRACY IS FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND ENSURING THAT EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER CAN VOTE SAFELY, SECURELY AND WITHOUT FEAR OF INTIMIDATION IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO THE FUNCTIONS AND SUCCESS OF DEMOCRACY. AND WHEREAS, ELECTION ADMINISTRATION IS NEVER AN EASY RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT HAS FACED IMMENSE, UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. AND WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HONOR ELECTION HEROES FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO UPHOLDING EL PASO COUNTY'S FREE AND FAIR ELECTION PROCESS BY PROMOTING VOTER ENGAGEMENT, PARTICIPATION AND PROTECTION, MAKING SURE VOTERS HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED, AND ENSURING THAT EVERY BALLOT IS COUNTED. AND WHEREAS, WHETHER EL PASO COUNTY OR NATIONWIDE ELECTION HEROES NEVER FAIL TO DISPLAY COURAGE, RESILIENCE AND DEDICATION TO FACILITATING SAFE, SECURE AND SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS. AND WHEREAS, TODAY, THE EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS, COMMISSIONERS COURT JOINS ALL EL PASOANS IN EXPRESSING SINCERE GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT AND THEIR WORK TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND PROVIDE SAFE, SECURE AND ACCESSIBLE VOTING EXPERIENCES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DO HEREBY DESIGNATE OCTOBER 20TH, 2026 AS ELECTION HERO DAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. WELCOME, DIANA. WELCOME, LISA. OR WHO'S GOING FIRST? LISA. OKAY, I GUESS I'LL BE GOING FIRST. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF EL PASO FOR NOT ONLY THIS RESOLUTION, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR AMAZING PARTNERSHIP WITH EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS. 
          THEY'RE ALWAYS WILLING TO ASSIST WITH VOTER REGISTRATION, AND THEY OFTEN SERVE AS THE GO TO SOURCE THAT VOTERS USE FOR ACCURATE CANDIDATE AND BALLOT MEASURE INFORMATION. THANK YOU ALSO TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS FOR ALWAYS SUPPORTING US, EVEN ON THE WEEKENDS, LATE NIGHTS, OR OFTENTIMES HOLIDAYS. ALTHOUGH I'M THE ONLY ONE SPEAKING TODAY, I REPRESENT 18 TOTAL FULL TIME STAFF, MOST OF WHOM ARE OUT IN THE FIELD TODAY, SEVERAL TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY A THOUSAND POLL WORKERS WHO WORK EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTY THROUGH SOME OF THE TOUGHEST SITUATIONS TO ENSURE OUR CITIZENS RIGHT TO VOTE. THIS IS MY 21ST YEAR SERVING AS AN ELECTION OFFICIAL, AND THE SCRUTINY ON ELECTION OFFICIALS HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER. ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE NO LONGER SIMPLY 
          [01:50:02]
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WITH A SERVANT'S HEART AND ELECTION KNOWLEDGE. WE ARE NOW ALSO EXPERTS IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION. WE SPEND MUCH OF OUR TIME COMBATING MISINFORMATION, DISINFORMATION AND MALINFORMATION. MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE RETIRED OR LEFT THE PROFESSION SINCE 2020, AND THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO GROW. TEXAS ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY THREATENED, DOXED AND EVEN FORCED TO STATION LAW ENFORCEMENT OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES AND CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS. 
          THOSE ARE THE TOUGH PARTS, BUT WE ALWAYS SAY IN OUR OFFICE THAT PRESSURE IS A PRIVILEGE, AND WE GO THROUGH THOSE PARTS TO GET TO THESE PARTS. JUST YESTERDAY, I SPOKE TO A YOUTH GROUP OF MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM TEMPLE MOUNT SINAI, AND AFTER THE PRESENTATION, THERE WAS ONE STUDENT WHO WAS OLD ENOUGH TO VOTE, AND SHE VOTED FOR THE FIRST TIME HERE AT THE COURTHOUSE. AFTERWARDS, ALL THE OTHER STUDENTS WERE EAGER TO ASK HER QUESTIONS AND CONGRATULATE HER. IT WAS VERY SPECIAL TO SEE ON ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT VOTING THIS PAST SATURDAY. WE ALSO HAD OUR TAKE YOUR FUTURE VOTER TO VOTE DAY. IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS AND WATCHING OUR COUNTY VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS WITH THEIR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, NIECES, NEPHEWS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALWAYS WILL REMEMBER AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL TOO. TEN DAYS AGO, WE WERE REGISTERING OUR NEWEST CITIZENS TO VOTE AT THE NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, AND THE WEEKS BEFORE THAT, WE WERE IN SEVERAL LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, DOING THE SAME WITH MANY OF OUR LEAGUE PARTNERS, ALL WHILE PREPARING FOR THIS MIDTERM ELECTION, WHETHER IT BE MIDTERM REDISTRICTING EQUIPMENT ISSUES, BACKLOGS OF VOTER REGISTRATIONS, OR EVEN A FIRE ON THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING, THIS TEAM ADAPTS AND WORKS HARDER THAN ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE I'VE EVER WORKED WITH, AND THEY MAKE ME PROUD EVERY DAY TO BE YOUR EL PASO COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR. IT'S MY HONOR TO SERVE BESIDE ALL OF THESE ELECTION OFFICIALS. FINALLY, I MUST REMIND EVERYONE THAT EARLY VOTING IS GOING ON NOW THROUGH OCTOBER 30TH WITH ELECTION DAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD, 7 TO 7. 
          PLEASE CONTINUE TO GET OUT AND VOTE EL PASO. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MISS CRAWFORD. THANK YOU. 
          GOOD MORNING. I'M DIANA, I'M WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR LETTING US JOIN IN ON THE RESOLUTION TO THE EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE. WE ARE ALWAYS VERY WELL SERVED AT THE OFFICE, AND THEY ALLOW US. SOMETIMES IN THE HUNDREDS APPLICATIONS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LETTING US BE HERE AND SHOW OUR APPRECIATION TO THE ELECTIONS OFFICE AND ALL ITS EMPLOYEES. THANK YOU. CONNIE CRAWFORD WITH THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS. I'D LIKE TO READ ANOTHER HONOR BESTOWED TO OUR ELECTION HEROES. THIS DOCUMENT CERTIFIES THAT THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, EL PASO LIT THE STAR ON THE FRANKLIN MOUNTAIN ON SEPTEMBER 26TH IN HONOR OF 2026 ELECTION HERO, THE EL PASO COUNTY ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT. 
          THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. LISA. I WANT TO ALL OF US, WE WANT TO THANK YOU. 
          AND ONE OF THE THINGS JUST YOUR LEADERSHIP, BUT YOUR CALMNESS REALLY HELPS OTHERS BECAUSE YOU GO THROUGH SOME VERY COMPLICATED SITUATIONS AND THINGS HAPPEN. AND BUT YOU REMAIN THAT CALMNESS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY RESPECT IS YOUR IMPARTIALITY. I MEAN, BOTH PARTIES, ALL PARTIES ARE EQUAL IN ANY, IN ANY WAY. YOU NEVER SHOW ANY, ANY FAVORITISM AS YOU WANT PEOPLE TO VOTE AND YOU WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CANDIDATES. 
          BUT OH MY GOODNESS, JUST WE'RE VERY THANKFUL TO WHAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH, AND WE'RE VERY THANKFUL THAT YOU HAVEN'T JUMPED SHIP LIKE SOME OF THE OTHERS, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT. IT'D BE AN EL PASO WOULD REALLY BE MISSING BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE SUCH AN AMAZING JOB AND NO ONE BETTER OBVIOUSLY, THAN COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, WHO UNDERSTANDS THE PROCESS OF VOTING AND THE IMPORTANCE AND AND WHAT HAPPENS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WHEN WE DON'T VOTE, WE GET EMBARRASSED AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE THEY TAKE US FOR GRANTED. THEY DISRESPECT THE FACT THAT THEY WERE NOT HIGH IN VOTING. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CHANGE THOSE NUMBERS. AND WE'RE SEEING THAT FROM, YOU KNOW, JUST IN GENERAL, NOT NOT ANY PARTICULAR PARTY, BUT IN GENERAL, BEING ABLE TO GET THE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND VOTE MAKES SUCH A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE. SO, LISA, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND BOTH OF YOU THAT YOU SUPPORT THAT. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. JUDGE. I WAS ABLE TO SEE FIRSTHAND ALL OF THE INCREDIBLE WORK FOR SEVERAL YEARS WHEN I SERVED AS THE EL PASO COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR, JUST TO REALLY SEE JUST HOW MUCH WORK YOUR STAFF DOES EVERY SINGLE YEAR AS THEY PREPARE FOR ELECTION. AND THEN ONE ELECTION IS OVER AND IT'S 
          [01:55:02]
RIGHT BACK AT IT TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT ELECTION. BUT EVERYTHING FROM SECURING THE LOCATIONS TO MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS ON THE DAYS OF EARLY VOTING AND ELECTION DAY TO MAKING SURE THAT THE EQUIPMENT IS IS WORKING PROPERLY, PROCESSING ALL OF THE VOTE BY MAIL, WHICH EVERY YEAR HAS GROWN STEADILY. IT'S JUST REALLY INCREDIBLE. 
          AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND JUST HOW MUCH WORK IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ELECTIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL. I KNOW THAT YOUR TEAM COULDN'T BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT IN THE FIELD HELPING VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS. SO PLEASE BE SURE TO RELAY TO THEM JUST HOW MUCH THEIR WORK IS APPRECIATED. THEY TRULY ARE UNSUNG HEROES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THREE FROM MY OFFICE. EVERYONE ELSE IS EITHER IN THE FIELD. WE HAVE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE PROCESSING BALLOT BY MAIL, AND THEN WE HAVE A LOBBY FULL OF PEOPLE WORKING ON LIMITED BALLOTS. SO I WAS ONLY ABLE WE WERE JUST KIND OF ABLE TO KIND OF COME OVER HERE REAL QUICK WITH A SMALL GROUP, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM AND LET THEM COME UP HERE. LADIES. THIS IS JUST A SMALL PORTION OF OUR STAFF. BUT EVERYONE, YOU KNOW, I COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER STAFF, SO I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM. THIS IS MELISSA MARTIN. SHE DOES OUR ELECTIONS INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, ALL OF OUR PRESS, THINGS LIKE THAT, OUR SOCIAL MEDIA. THIS IS VANESSA CEPEDA. SHE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON ALL OF OUR BALLOT PROGRAMING, OUR TESTING, EVERYTHING BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE CENTRAL COUNT STATION. AND MELISSA SOTO, WHO RUNS OUR VOTER REGISTRATION SITE. SO THANK YOU. THESE GUYS ARE, YOU KNOW, THE TOP OF THE TOP, JUST LIKE EVERYONE IN MY OFFICE. BUT I'D LIKE TO THANK THEM AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. 
          MELISSA MARTIN, ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER, SERVICES COORDINATOR. YOU KNOW, WE'RE WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE THIS MORNING, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE VOTERS OF EL PASO. LIKE MISS WEISS MENTIONED. YOU KNOW, WE ARE CONDUCTING EARLY VOTING RIGHT NOW. THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, REALLY GOOD COMPARED TO THE PAST FEW MIDTERM ELECTIONS. AND WE HOPE THAT THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO INCREASE AS AS FRIDAY COMES AROUND. SO WE INVITE VOTERS GO VOTE. YOU KNOW, THERE'S 39 LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY OF EL PASO. HOURS VARY BY LOCATION. AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TO DO YOUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU. YOU'RE OKAY. OKAY. WE'RE THE TALKERS. YES. 
          WELL, SAY YOUR NAMES AND TELL US WHAT YOU DO. HELLO. MY NAME IS VANESSA ZEPEDA. I DO THE PROGRAMING FOR THE ELECTION, AND I ALSO TABULATE ALL THE RESULTS. OKAY. NICE TO MEET YOU. 
          THANK YOU. SOMETHING JUST REALLY QUICKLY ABOUT VANESSA, OUR ELECTIONS DEPUTY, TONY RIVERA. MOST OF YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN OUT WITH A HEALTH ISSUE NOW FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. AND SO SHE HAS TAKEN OVER AND DONE JUST A BEAUTIFUL JOB. AND I JUST REALLY WANTED TO GIVE HER THOSE KUDOS IN FRONT OF EVERYONE. THANK YOU. THAT WAS NOT AN EASY PLACE TO STEP INTO FOR SURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. VANESSA. HELLO. MY NAME IS MELISSA SOTO AND WE DO VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE BALLOT BY MAIL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELL, WE'D LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH ALL OF Y'ALL, IF YOU'LL JOIN US UP FRONT. 
          [02:00:42]
ITEM NUMBER SEVEN A FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS DETERMINING THE COST OF CERTAIN AUTHORIZED IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE TIERRA DEL ESTE THREE PHASE SIX PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. APPROVING 
          [A. Discuss and Consider Adopting a Resolution of El Paso County, Texas Determining the Costs of Certain Authorized Improvements to Be Financed by the Tierra Del Este III – Phase VI Public Improvement District; Approving an Updated 2026 Preliminary Amended and Restated Service and Assessment Plan, Including Proposed Updated Assessment Rolls for Phases #1-#3 of Said District; Calling a Meeting and Noticing a Public Hearing for November 9, 2026 to Consider an Order Levying Updated Assessments on Property Located Within Said District; Directing the Filing of the Proposed Updated Assessment Rolls With the County Clerk to Make Available for Public Inspection; Directing County Staff to Publish and Mail Notice of Said Public Hearing; And Resolving Other Matters Incident and Related Thereto.
Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]
AN UPDATED 2026 PRELIMINARY AMENDED AND RESTATED SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, INCLUDING PROPOSED UPDATED ASSESSMENT ROLLS FOR PHASES ONE THROUGH THREE OF SAID DISTRICT CALLING, A MEETING AND NOTICING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR NOVEMBER 9TH, 2026 TO CONSIDER AN ORDER LEVYING UPDATED ASSESSMENTS ON PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN SAID DISTRICT. DIRECTING THE FILING OF THE PROPOSED UPDATED ASSESSMENT ROLLS WITH THE COUNTY CLERK TO MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, DIRECTING COUNTY STAFF TO PUBLISH AND MAIL NOTICE OF SAID PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLVING OTHER MATTERS, INCIDENT AND RELATED THERETO. THANK YOU CESAR. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS CHRIS MARTINEZ WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AN UPDATE REGARDING THE TIERRA DEL ESTE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. AS WAS JUST, READ IN AND PRESENT FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND ASSESSMENT FOR MAINTENANCE COSTS TO BE COLLECTED IN THE 2026 TAX YEAR. THIS PRESENTATION PROVIDES THE FINAL NUMBERS DETAILED IN THE AMENDED AND RESTATED PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN THE AGENDA ITEM BACKUP. AS SUCH, I'LL PROVIDE DETAILS REGARDING THE COST DETERMINATION RESOLUTION AND PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN FOR YOUR REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION. I KNOW WE HAVE A PACKED AGENDA TODAY, SO I'LL DO MY BEST TO BE CONCISE, BUT HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT THE COURT MAY HAVE. FIRST THING I'D LIKE TO DO IS PROVIDE A QUICK OVERVIEW AND A RECAP OF THE COURT, I BELIEVE IS PRETTY FAIRLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS AT THIS POINT. BUT THE KEY ASPECTS RELATED TO THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AS. AS THE COURT IS AWARE, THE. THIS PETITION WAS INITIALLY SUBMITTED BY THE LANDOWNER, RANCHO REAL LAND HOLDINGS AND THE PIT EXISTS ENTIRELY WITHIN AN UNINCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY IN EAST MONTANA COUNTY PRECINCT ONE WITHIN THE CITY'S EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION ZONE. THIS IMAGE HERE PROVIDES A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF THE AREA THAT TOTALS ABOUT 1000 ACRES, WITH AN ESTIMATED CAPACITY OF OVER 3500 SINGLE FAMILY UNITS FOR DEVELOPMENT. PHASES ONE THROUGH THREE, WHICH CAN BE SEEN ON THE IMAGE, HAVE ALL BEEN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AND ACTIVATED BY THE COURT. THERE'S A SMALL TYPO THERE ON THE ON THE IMAGE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE PHASE THREE IS LISTED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MAP WHERE IT SAYS PROPOSED. THAT'S JUST A HOLDOVER FROM WHEN THE ITEM WAS PRESENTED BACK IN APRIL. BUT THAT ITEM, THAT PHASE HAS NOW HAS SINCE BEEN APPROVED BY THE COURT. HERE'S A LIST JUST AGAIN AS A RECAP, A LIST OF THE MAIN TENETS OF THE INITIAL PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ESTABLISHMENT ORDER APPROVED IN 2021 THAT LAID OUT A PROCESS FOR PEER REVIEW PEER REVIEW WITH A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TOWARDS ENSURING COUNTY COMMUNITY BENEFITS. AND HERE IS THE LIST OF BENEFITS PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED AND FORMALIZED BY THE COURT FOR THIS SPECIFIC PIT. 
          AS A REMINDER, THE IMPOSED ASSESSMENTS APPROVED BY THIS COURT ARE WHAT HELP COVER THE COST FOR THESE ENHANCED COMMUNITY BENEFITS. THROUGH THE COST DETERMINATION RESOLUTION BEING PRESENTED TODAY, THE COURT WOULD ADOPT A RESOLUTION THAT FINALIZES A 2026 ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT OF $35 PER LOT. THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THAT RESOLUTION ORDER, APOLOGIZE WOULD BE ATTACHED TO THAT RESOLUTION ORDER AND THE CALL FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AFTER AT LEAST A TEN DAYS NOTICE. THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN CONTAINS THE FULL COST ESTIMATES AND ESTIMATED AND THE ESTIMATED LEVY. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THERE, AS YOU CAN SEE IN BOLD, THAT THIS $35 MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT BEING PROPOSED DOES REPRESENT A $10 INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS THAT WERE COLLECTED IN 2025 AND IN 2024. AND THIS IS REALLY AS A RESULT OF THE ONGOING COORDINATION BETWEEN COUNTY STAFF, THE DEVELOPER AND THE AND OUR PAID ADVISOR DTA, AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR INTERNAL DEPARTMENTS AS WE BRING NEW ELEMENTS OF THE OF THE OF THE PIT ONLINE AND FURTHER HOUSEHOLDER DEVELOPED AND SOME OF THE AMENITIES WITHIN THE PIT ARE ARE FINALIZED. THESE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS NEED 
          [02:05:04]
FURTHER REFINEMENT TO ALLOW AND COVER FOR THOSE COSTS. THESE NEXT FEW SLIDES SHOW THE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT BEING PROPOSED TODAY, ALONGSIDE THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ASSESSMENT FIGURES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REIMBURSEMENT ACROSS ALL THREE ACTIVE PIT PHASES. SO YOU CAN SEE HERE ON THIS SLIDE, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF NUMBERS, BUT I JUST WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION THAT THIS IS FOR JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, BUT ALSO WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE OPERATIONALLY FOR PHASE ONE OF THE PIT. YOU CAN SEE IN THAT 2026 TAX YEAR, THE, THE, THE TOTAL, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE ASSESSMENT THAT WOULD GO TOWARDS REIMBURSING A LOT OF THOSE AUTHORIZED IMPROVEMENTS. THAT'S WHERE THAT $510 FIGURE COMES FROM THERE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THAT COLUMN. AND THEN THE $15 FOR ANY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. 
          THOSE ARE EXPENSES RELATED TO ANY COORDINATION THAT HAPPENS AT THE STAFF LEVEL WITH DTA, THE COUNTY'S PIT ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE COLLECTION EFFORTS, WORKING WITH THE CITY TAX OFFICE FOR GETTING ON THE TAX ROLLS, THOSE TYPES OF EXPENSES. AND THEN YOU SEE THAT $35 MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT FIGURE, WHICH IS WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED BY STAFF TODAY IN ALIGNMENT WITH ALL OF THAT, BRINGING A TOTAL ANNUAL INSTALLMENT FOR EVERY PROPERTY OWNER OF $560 WITHIN THAT PHASE ONE PIT, AS AN EXAMPLE. AND SO THE NEXT FEW SLIDES KIND OF SHOW THAT BREAKDOWN WITHIN PHASE ONE, TWO, AND THREE, BUT IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CONCEPT. AND SO WHAT YOU CAN SEE HERE IS JUST THE AMORTIZATION FOR THIS PHASE WHEN AGGREGATED ACROSS ITS 584 LOTS. RIGHT. AND SO GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF LOTS WITHIN THIS PHASE, YOU CAN SEE THERE THAT $297,000, $840 IN THE THIRD COLUMN OF THE TABLE REPRESENTS THAT COLLECTION EFFORT FROM, IF COLLECTED FROM ALL PROPERTY OWNERS AGAINST THAT 510 FIGURE THAT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE. 
          RIGHT. AND YOU CAN SEE HOW THAT'S THEN REFLECTED IN THE $8,760 OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES LATER IN THAT TABLE, AND THE $14,600 OF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES LATER IN THAT TABLE, ONCE COLLECTED ACROSS ALL 584 PROPERTY OWNERS WITHIN PHASE ONE. AND SO YOU CAN SEE THIS SAME CONCEPT REPEATED FOR PHASE TWO HERE, WHERE YOU CAN SEE THAT $35 MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT AND WHERE IT FITS IN TO WHAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE COURT BACK IN APRIL. AND THEN THAT AMORTIZATION IN PHASE TWO. THERE ARE MORE LOTS IN THIS PHASE. AND SO YOU CAN THE THE THAT AMORTIZATION YOU CAN SEE IS MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT'S WHAT WAS SEEN IN PHASE ONE. AND THEN PHASE THREE IS A PHASE WHERE WE INTRODUCED ACTUALLY TWO DIFFERENT LOT TYPES BASED ON THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE HOME. AND SO YOU'LL SEE THAT THERE'S A NEW IDENTIFIER THERE IN THAT RED HEADER OF THE TABLE WHERE IT SAYS LOT TYPES TWO. AND YOU CAN SEE THE $35 ASSESSMENT AS IT FITS WITHIN THAT LOT TYPE. WITHIN PHASE THREE, THE AMORTIZATION THERE AGAINST THE 322 HOUSEHOLDS THAT WOULD THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH THAT LOT TYPE AND THEN LOT TYPE THREE IN PHASE THREE, THE SECOND LOT, THE SECOND LOT TYPE WITHIN THAT PHASE, AND THE 100 AND THE AMORTIZATION AGAINST THE 136 HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THAT PHASE AND LOT TYPE. AND SO THAT CONCLUDES THE PRESENTATION. TO SUMMARIZE THE ACTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT TODAY, THEY ARE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT A COST DETERMINATION RESOLUTION THAT OUTLINES THE COST OF MAINTENANCE FOR THE 2026 TAX YEAR, TO BE FINANCED BY THE TIERRA DEL ESTE THREE PHASE SIX PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT APPROVED THE PRELIMINARY SERVICE AND ASSESSMENT PLAN, WHICH OUTLINES THE MAINTENANCE, IMPROVEMENTS AND FINANCE STRUCTURE TO CREATE A REIMBURSEMENT STRUCTURE TO THE COUNTY, CALLING THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD IN THREE WEEKS ON NOVEMBER. I BELIEVE THAT'S TWO WEEKS ACTUALLY, ON NOVEMBER 9TH, FOR THE COURT TO THEN CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDER LEVYING THE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENTS PRESENTED TODAY ON REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE PYD, AND DIRECTING STAFF TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS NECESSARY FOR THE COURT TO CONSIDER THIS ACTION ON THE NINTH. TODAY'S RECOMMENDED ACTION DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE COURT TO ANY ISSUANCE OF DEBT OR ANY TERMS OF THE PIT. ALL ITEMS BEING PRESENTED HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY'S BOND COUNSEL AND THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THAT DOES CONCLUDE THE PRESENTATION. TODAY. I AM AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THE COURT MAY HAVE. THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS I'D ASK, ONLY THAT THERE BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEMS LISTED ON THE SLIDE. THANK YOU. CHRISTINE, WE HAVE A EXCUSE ME. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I DON'T KNOW, MY MINE'S NOT COMING UP. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER STOUT. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. JUDGE. 
          WHILE WE'RE ON ITEMS FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, WOULD IT BE OKAY IF I READ THE ONE FROM 
          [02:10:04]
CONSENT THAT WAS PULLED? THANK YOU SIR. ITEM NUMBER FIVE BE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA APPROVING. AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE MASTER SERVICE AGREEMENT. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0114 AND STATEMENT OF WORK. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0470 WITH MGT IMPACT SOLUTIONS, LLC FOR THE ARTS MASTER PLAN FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $168,900 IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND, CREATIVE PLACE CONTRACT SERVICES. GENERAL. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MICHELLE COCHRAN WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE FOR THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER. YEAH. FOR ME? YES, SIR. YEAH, I JUST WANTED I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT. THIS PROJECT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVING FORWARD WITH WITH THIS ARTS MASTER PLAN. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WHILE, I THINK PROBABLY SINCE WE CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND REALLY TRYING TO CONCENTRATE MORE RESOURCES AND MORE ACTIVITY HERE AT THE COUNTY ON, ON THE ARTS AND SUPPORTING THE ARTS. AND, YOU KNOW, WE CREATED AN ARTS COMMISSION AND, AND THIS MASTER PLAN, I HOPE, WILL BE GREATLY INFORMED BY ALSO THE WORK THAT THE COMMISSION IS DOING. BUT, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS AND, AND SAY THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR, FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT. THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR SUPPORTING THIS, THIS INITIATIVE. I THINK THAT IT WILL NOT ONLY MAKE EL PASO A MUCH, A MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE, BECAUSE WE'RE INVESTING MORE IN CREATIVE AND PLACEMAKING AND, AND THE ARTS, BUT IT WILL BRING MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, PLEASE. YEAH. I'LL MAKE THE MOTION TO TO PASS. TO APPROVE. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MICHELLE. ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. BE FROM THE REGULAR AGENDA. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE EL PASO TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY REGARDING SERVICE CHANGES. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2026. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO DELETE THIS ITEM. WE WILL REPOST AT A DIFFERENT TIME. WE HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE FROM 
          [B. Approve and Authorize the County Judge to sign the Master Service Agreement (Contract No. 2026-0114) and Statement of Work (Contract No. 2026-0470) with MGT Impact Solutions, LLC (MGT) for the Arts Masterplan.  Funding in the amount of $168,900.00 is  available in GF-CREATIVEPLACE-CONTR SVC-GEN.
Betsy C. Keller, Chief Administrator, County Administration, 915-273-3600]
COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. A COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVE AN. 
          ADOPT A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE PROPERTY AS LISTED IN THE BACKUP BE SOLD AT. SOLD AT A SHERIFF'S SALE PURSUANT TO SECTION 34.05, SUBSECTION C AND D OF THE TEXAS PROPERTY CODE. 
          FURTHER, AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE RESOLUTION APPROVED THROUGH THIS ACTION. 
          [A. Approve and adopt a resolution requesting that the property, as listed in the backup, be sold at a Sheriff's sale, pursuant to section 34.05 subsection (c) and (d) of the Texas Property Code. Further, authorize the County Judge to sign the resolution approved through this action.  (14011-OP)
Ricardo A. Samaniego, County Judge, County Judge's Office, 915-273-3591]
OPINION NUMBER 14011. NEVADA. JUST A QUICK RECAP OF THAT, PLEASE. IT'S JUDGE. THESE NORMALLY COME THROUGH YOUR OFFICE. I BELIEVE THIS IS NORMALLY AT THE REQUEST THROUGH OUR OUR OUTSIDE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. SO TO ADD TO WHAT MISS KELLER WAS NOTING, MR. NEVADA DID REVIEW THIS ITEM, BUT IT'S OUTSTANDING ITEM WITH REGARDS TO STRUCK OFF PROPERTIES THAT IS REVIEWED BY OUTSIDE COUNSEL. MR. NEVAREZ DOES A SECONDARY REVIEW AS THESE ARE PLACED ON THE SHERIFF'S AUCTION. I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU'RE HERE. 
          PLEASE, I'LL TURN IT OVER. THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. SORRY. WE ALSO HAVE SOMEBODY HERE. THANK YOU. YES. GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS RUBEN JUAREZ, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND SOMEBODY FROM FROM DELGADO. ACOSTA SHOULD BE THERE TO PRESENT THE ITEM. HOWEVER, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS THAT THE COURT MAY HAVE. THANK YOU. RUBEN, AND SHE'S RIGHT HERE. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS 
          [02:15:03]
ESTHER ALARCON FROM DELGADO ACOSTA LAW FIRM. THIS PROPERTY WAS STRUCK OFF AND FORECLOSED ON LAST YEAR. IT WAS STRUCK OFF TO THE TAXING ENTITIES BACK IN AUGUST OF 2025. AND WE'RE ASKING FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO PASS TO GO AHEAD AND PUT IT BACK UP FOR TAX SALE. AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, TO APPROVE. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. JUDGE, WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'D LIKE TO SKIP OVER NINE A AND CONTINUE ON WITH TEN, PLEASE. THANK YOU SIR. 
          ITEM NUMBER TEN A FROM PURCHASING A PROVEN AUTHORIZED THE AWARD RECOMMENDATION OF RFQ 26-01 FOR EL PASO COUNTY SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS REWRITE TO THE HIGHEST RANKED FIRM. 
          FREESE AND NICHOLS INCORPORATED OF EL PASO, TEXAS, PURCHASING APPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 2ND, 2026. 
          [A. Approve and authorize the award recommendation of RFQ 26-014 El Paso County Subdivision Regulations Rewrite to the highest ranked firm, Freese and Nichols, Inc. of El Paso, Texas.  Purchasing approved on September 2, 2026.  Funds are available in GF-PLAN&DEV-PROF SVC-GEN.
Karen Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department, 915-273-3349]
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. GENERAL. 
          WELCOME, KAREN. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. KAREN DAVIDSON, YOUR COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT. AND WE PERFORMED AN RFQ, A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO HELP EL PASO COUNTY WITH THEIR SUBDIVISION REGULATION. REWRITE THESE REWRITE AND THE RELATED TECHNICAL MANUALS INCLUDE OUR DRAINAGE DESIGN STANDARDS, OUR LANDSCAPING DESIGN STANDARDS, OUR CONSTRUCTION DESIGN STANDARDS, AND OUR NONRESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT MANUAL IT IN TOTALITY, THE WHOLE SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS REWRITE. AND IN OUR RANKING, WE FOUND THAT FREESE AND NICHOLS WAS THE HIGHEST RANKING FIRM. 
          AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD TO FREEZE AND NICHOLS, THE RFP FOR THE EL PASO COUNTY SUBDIVISION REWRITE REGULATIONS. WE WRITE. THANK YOU. AND I'M CERTAINLY HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE PUBLIC WORKS ON THE LINE. IF YOU NEED ANY OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. KAREN. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. VOTING IS OPEN. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COURT. ITEM NUMBER TEN. BE APPROVED AND AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF RENEWAL AND CONSOLIDATION OF EXXON PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND CONSTABLE PRECINCTS USING SOURCEWELL TEN 1223AXN AWARDED TO AXON ENTERPRISE INCORPORATED OF SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, FOR A 
          [B. Approve and authorize the purchase of Renewal and Consolidation of Axon Public Safety Technology Systems for the Sheriff’s Office and Constable Precincts using Sourcewell 101223-AXN awarded to Axon Enterprise, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ for a total amount of $5,178,467.00. Purchasing approved on 10/6/2026. Funding is available in GF-ITD-MANT/REP-TSER & BDY CAM.
Karen Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department, 915-273-3349]
TOTAL AMOUNT OF $5,178,467. PURCHASING APPROVED ON OCTOBER 6TH, 2026. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL FUND. IT'D. MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, TASER AND BODY CAMERA. GOOD MORNING AGAIN, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS KAREN DAVIDSON, YOUR COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT. AND WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL AND AUTHORIZATION FOR THE AXON PUBLIC WORKS SAFETY TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM TO COMBINE TOGETHER ALL THE DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT THEY PURCHASE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. 
          AND SO WHAT WE'RE SHOWING YOU HERE ARE THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF ANNUAL COSTS OF 1,035,693 40. 
          AND THIS IS THEIR STANDARD SPENT. BUT WE'RE PUTTING TOGETHER ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ITEMS THAT WE BUY FROM AXON, ANYWHERE FROM THE BODY WORN CAMERAS TO THE IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEMS, INTERVIEW ROOM SYSTEMS, TASER PROGRAMS, PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THE BEST ECONOMIC DISCOUNTS WE POSSIBLY CAN, AND THEN PRESENTING IT TO YOU ALL AS A TOTALITY. SO THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL ON FOR AXON PUBLIC SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES FOR FIVE YEARS, WE'RE GOING THROUGH A COOPERATIVE THROUGH SOURCEWELL. 
          AND THE TOTAL AWARD WE'RE SEEKING TODAY IS 5,178,467. AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE IN THIS PROCUREMENT. AND IT IS AN ITD PROJECT, AND I HAVE IT. MISS CAMPOS, ON THE LINE. IF YOU HAVE ANY OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU KAREN. THANK YOU. KAREN. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION TO APPROVE JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER TEN. C APPROVE AN AUTHORIZED THE 
          [02:20:10]
PURCHASE TO MODERNIZE AND SUSTAIN THE ASTRO P25 RADIO SYSTEM FOR SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLE DEPARTMENTS USING DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION RESOURCES. DIRCO5433. AWARDED TO MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED OF AUSTIN, TEXAS FOR AN ESTIMATED TOTAL AMOUNT OF $11,999,495. PURCHASING APPROVED ON AUGUST 25TH, 2026. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN GENERAL 
          [C. Approve and authorize the purchase to Modernize and Sustain the ASTRO P25 Radio System for Sheriff’s and Constable’s Departments using Department of Information Resources DIR-CPO-5433 awarded to Motorola Solutions, Inc. of Austin, TX for an estimated total amount of $11,999,495.00. Purchasing approved on August 25, 2026. Funding is available in GF-ITD-PUBSAFETY-MAINT-HARDWR.
Karen Davidson, Purchasing Agent, Purchasing Department, 915-273-3349]
FUND, ITD, PUBLIC SAFETY, MAINTENANCE AND HARDWARE. GOOD MORNING AGAIN FOR THE RECORD, KAREN DAVIDSON, COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT AND THIS PROCUREMENT IS AN ITD PROJECT. 
          AND THIS INVESTMENT BEGINS THE REPLACEMENT OF CRITICAL END OF LIFE INFRASTRUCTURE BEGINS ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION, AND PRESERVES MORE THAN 15 MILLION IN EXISTING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE. SO THIS IS US BUYING OUR SIDE OF THE EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S CONSTABLE AND OUR REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS, OUR 99911 DISPATCH. BUT WE DO THIS IN IN COORDINATION OR IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY. SO WE'RE BUYING OUR SIDE OF THE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE AND THEY BUY THEIR SIDE AND THEN WE SHARE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TOGETHER. SO IT IS TO MODERNIZE AND SUSTAIN THE ASTRO P25 RADIO SYSTEM. AND THIS IS OUR SIDE OF THE OBLIGATION. AND WE'RE SHOWING YOU 116 YEARS FOR THE 11,999,495. SO THAT TOTAL IS FOR A SIX YEAR TERM. AND AGAIN, I HAVE MISS CAMPOS ON THE LINE FOR ANY OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS. AND I'M HERE FOR ANY PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COURT. HAVE A GOOD DAY. YOU TOO. KAREN. ITEM NUMBER 11, A AUDITOR. PURSUANT TO TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 114.023114.024114.026. RECEIVE THE ATTACHED PRESENTATION AND THE INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED SEPTEMBER 2026. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO POSTPONE THE ITEM FOR ONE WEEK. WE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 12. A ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO TEXAS TAX CODE, SECTION THREE FIVE, 2.1015. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING THE PROPOSED HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX REVENUE GRANT PROGRAM AWARD AGREEMENT REQUEST FOR HOT FUNDS 
          [A. Pursuant to Texas Tax Code Section 352.1015, discuss and take appropriate action regarding the proposed Hotel Occupancy Tax Revenue Grant Program Award Agreement request ("HOT Funds") to the UTEP Department of Chicano Studies, Languages and Linguistics for the Latino Art Now! 2026 Conference taking place from November 19-21, 2026, in El Paso, Texas in the amount of $8,606. Funding is available in SR-TOURPROM-ART15-ADVERTISING.  (Contract No. 2026-0776)
Roberto Ransom, Director, Economic Development Department, 915-273-3583]
TO THE UTEP DEPARTMENT OF CHICANO STUDIES, LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS FOR THE LATINO ART NOW 2026 CONFERENCE, TAKING PLACE FROM NOVEMBER 19TH THROUGH THE 21ST 2026 IN EL PASO, TEXAS, IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,606. FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN SPECIAL REVENUE TOURIST PROMOTION, ART 15 ADVERTISING CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0776. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM CORRINE CHACON, HERITAGE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND WE'RE HERE TO PRESENT AND RECOMMEND A HOT FUND GRANTS AWARD FOR AN EXCITING EVENT THAT IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN EL PASO. FROM OUR PARTNERS AT THE UTEP DEPARTMENT OF CHICANO STUDIES, LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS, WHICH IS THE DEPARTMENT THAT'S ORGANIZING THE CONFERENCE. JUST TO BRAG, UTEP OUTBID UC BERKELEY TO WIN THE CONFERENCE, WHICH HAD BEEN ON HIATUS FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND THE CONFERENCE IS A PROJECT OF THE INTER-UNIVERSITY PROGRAM FOR LATINO RESEARCH, WHICH IS THE OLDEST NATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOCUSING ON LATINO RESEARCH. THE HIGH RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS RESULTED IN 61 SESSIONS. IF YOU'VE EVER HAD TO ORGANIZE A CONFERENCE, YOU KNOW THAT IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF 
          [02:25:03]
REVIEW AND PREPARATION. THE APPLICATION FOR HOT FUNDS WAS REVIEWED FOR ELIGIBILITY BY STAFF AND BY LEGAL, BY LEGAL. AND WE HAVE HERE DOCTOR MONTELONGO OF THE CHICANO STUDIES TO PRESENT. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. SO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHICANO STUDIES, LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS IS INCREDIBLY HONORED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE CONFERENCE TO EL PASO. THE THEME OF THE CONFERENCE IS FRONTERAS VISUALIZING THE PERIPHERY AS CORE. AND SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS TO REMIND THE REST OF THE OF THE NATION THAT THE BORDER IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL PLACE. IT IS NOT THE FRONTIER, IT IS THE CORE. AND WE'RE WANTING TO SHARE THE BEAUTY OF THE ART. AND JUST TO REITERATE WHAT COMMISSIONER STOUT SAID EARLIER. EL PASO HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN AS A PLACE FOR HOSTING THIS CONFERENCE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SITES THAT HELD IT BEFORE NEW YORK HELD THE CONFERENCE TWICE LOS ANGELES, WASHINGTON, D.C. CHICAGO, HOUSTON. SO US BRINGING THE CONFERENCE TO THE EL PASO CIUDAD JUAREZ REGION, WE SEE AS A VERY IMPORTANT COUP IN A WAY, NOT JUST TAKING IT FROM UC BERKELEY, BUT ALSO BRINGING IT TO OUR CITY SO WE CAN SHOWCASE THE BEAUTIFUL ART PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE AND THE AMAZING ARTISTS THAT WILL BE COMING. SO WE ARE BRINGING SCHOLARS, CURATORS, GALLERISTS, COLLECTORS, MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS FROM ALL ACROSS THE NATION. THEY'RE COMING FROM NEW YORK, CHICAGO, MINNESOTA, LOS ANGELES, OREGON, FROM PORTLAND, ALL OF NEW MEXICO, THROUGHOUT TEXAS. AND WE WILL BE HOLDING THE CONFERENCE ACROSS FOUR, THREE LOCATIONS IN DOWNTOWN, THE MUSEUM OF ART, THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY, AND THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER, AND WILL BE UTILIZING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ROOM FOR REGISTRATION. AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE. WE HAVE OVER 250 PEOPLE REGISTERED SO FAR, AND WE EXPECT THAT TO GO UP BECAUSE REGISTRATION WILL END ACTUALLY ON NOVEMBER 19TH ON THE DAY THAT THE CONFERENCE STARTS. WE ALSO HAVE FIVE HOTELS BOOKED. WE HAVE THE INDIGO, WE HAVE THE PLAZA, WE HAVE ALOFT DOUBLETREE AND THE COURTYARD. AND SO FAR I WAS JUST CHECKING MY EMAIL. WE HAVE OVER 300 NIGHTS BOOKED AT THE HOTELS, AND I'M ASSUMING THAT IS GOING TO GO UP AS WELL, BECAUSE WE'RE LATINOS AND WE WAIT TILL THE VERY LAST MINUTE TO BOOK OUR HOTEL ROOMS. NO. WE HAVE MISS PILAR TOMPKINS RIVAS, WHO WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER. SHE IS AN INCREDIBLY WELL-KNOWN CURATOR AND ARTIST WHO HAS WORKED AT THE SMITHSONIAN AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PLACES. WE ALSO HAVE TWO PLENARY SESSIONS. WE HAVE ONE WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED US LATINX FORUM, AND THEY ARE A A CONSORTIUM OF ARTISTS THAT SUPPORT THE ARTS THROUGH GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NEW AND UPCOMING ARTISTS. 
          AND OUR SECOND PLENARY IS GOING TO BE A DISCUSSION WITH LOCAL ARTISTS. SO WE HAVE OLGA GUERRA FROM JOTA, AND WE HAVE MARCOS SANCHEZ, WHO TEACHES AT EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND THEY WILL BE MODERATED BY CARRIE DOYLE, WHO WAS THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE RUBIN CENTER OF THE RUBIN ART CENTER AT UTEP. AND THEN WE HAVE OVER 65 BREAKOUT SESSIONS. AND SO IT WILL BE GOING CONTINUOUSLY AT ALL THREE LOCATIONS FROM 10 TO 5 FOR THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND HALF DAY ON SATURDAY. AND I WILL BE HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FOR ME. THIS IS PRETTY, PRETTY AMAZING. I MEAN, I HOPE THE COMMUNITY REALIZES. HAS THERE EVER BEEN A BINATIONAL KIND OF FOCUS? BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE ANY IN THE PREVIOUS CONFERENCES? NO, THIS IS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME. AND IN FACT, THERE'S A SECOND ENCUENTRO GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME CALLED SUTURA. AND THIS IS AN ENCUENTRO OF ALL US MEXICO BORDER ARTISTS. SO THEY'RE 
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COMING FROM MEXICALI. CALEXICO, SONORA, THE LAREDO'S. AND SO WE'RE COLLABORATING WITH THEM BECAUSE A NUMBER OF EVENTS WILL BE IN JUAREZ. AND SO WE ARE WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING THEIR THEIR SCHEDULE ALONG WITH OURS. SO THE PEOPLE COMING TO OUR CONFERENCE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE MUSEUMS AND JUAREZ AND THE GALLERIES IN JUAREZ FOR THE EVENT. SO IT'S TRULY A BINATIONAL EVENT. WELL THAT'S AMAZING. YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANYTHING IN EL PASO THAT'S NOT BINATIONAL. 
          AND THIS IS REALLY STRENGTHENING THAT IDEA OF IN DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS. YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THE POLITICAL LEVELS AND OTHER DIMENSIONS. WE'RE PRETTY STRONG. BUT AT THE ART LEVEL, I THINK THIS IS GOING TO REALLY BRING US TOGETHER BECAUSE IT TAKES OUT THE POLITICS, TAKES OUT EVERYTHING, BUT THE UNITY BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES. SO. ABSOLUTELY. 
          AND I, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE ALL AWARE THAT THE ARTS DISTRICT IN EL PASO IS FLOURISHING. IT'S REALLY STARTING TO GROW. BUT IF YOU'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH JUAREZ, JUAREZ IS PROBABLY EVEN A LITTLE BIT MORE ALIVE THAN OURS IS. SO I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING. WE'RE ENCOURAGING THE PEOPLE TO WALK ACROSS THE BRIDGE JUST TO SEE EVEN JUST THE, THE COMMUNITY ARTWORK THAT YOU SEE ALONG ALONG THE, THE, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT? THE. THE BORDER, THE NO, IT'S WELL THE RIVER BECAUSE IT'S NOT A RIVER, BUT THE CONCRETE THAT'S THERE. 
          YEAH. THE CONCRETE EMBANKMENT. YEAH. THE CANAL THAT WE THAT YOU LOOK AT THE ART THERE BECAUSE I MEAN, THAT'S COMMUNITY ART, RIGHT? I THINK WE COULD SIT AROUND AND DISCUSS WHETHER GRAFFITI IS COMMUNITY ART, BUT I THINK IT IS. AND, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE IN JUAREZ HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB WITH THEIR ARTS DISTRICT. SO I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THE TWO REGIONS WORKING TOGETHER. YEAH. AND THEN ALSO REINFORCING, FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF THE UNIVERSITIES HAVE TAKEN OUT CHICANO STUDIES. AND SO BEING ABLE TO STRENGTHEN THAT AND SHOWING THE COMMUNITY THE IMPORTANCE OF CHICANO STUDIES, BECAUSE A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS NO LONGER HAVE IT. I WAS IN CHICANO STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, AND IT'S AMAZING THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT THE EXPOSURE THAT WE GET. SO I'M GLAD YOU'RE ALSO STRENGTHENING SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BY DOING THIS. YEAH. AND I JUST LIKE TO INCLUDE THAT LATINO ART NOW IS, WAS THE VISION FOR LATINO ART NOW WAS THROUGH DOCTOR GILBERTO CARDENAS, WHO WAS AT NOTRE DAME. AND SO HE STARTS LATINO ART NOW WHEN HE'S AT NOTRE DAME. SO THERE REALLY IS A REALLY DEEP CONNECTION THERE FOR WHAT YOU JUST SAID, WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, I APPRECIATE IT. I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO APPROVE. SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, A SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          GOOD LUCK. WHATEVER WE COULD DO. THANK YOU. GOOD JOB. CYNTHIA. JUDGE, CAN WE GO AHEAD AND DO THE GRANT ITEMS? WE HAVE THEM IN THE AUDIENCE AND I THINK THEY'LL BE QUICK. THERE'S A COUPLE ITEMS. MAKE SURE. COME ON DOWN. ITEM NUMBER 13 A GRANT APPLICATIONS GRANT APPLICATION A PROVEN AUTHORIZE THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO APPLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FISCAL YEAR 26, ASSISTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND GOVERNMENTS WITH ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS. ANGEL GRANT FROM DECEMBER 1ST, 2026 TO NOVEMBER 30TH, 2029. IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000, 
          [A. GRANT APPLICATION - Approve and authorize the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to apply for the Department of Justice FY26 Assisting Neighborhoods and Governments with Enforcement of Laws (ANGEL) grant from December 1, 2026, to November 30, 2029, in the amount of $500,000. No County match is required. Further, approve and authorize the County Judge to sign the accompanying Certification and all other required accompanying documents.  (Contract No. 2026-0779)
Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]
NO COUNTY MATCH IS REQUIRED. FURTHER APPROVING AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN THE ACCOMPANYING CERTIFICATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS ESTELLA HOOPER WITH THE BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT, THE GRANTS DIVISION. THE ANGEL FUNDING WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL. THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY IS VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO THE BIDEN OPPORTUNITY. IT DOES REQUIRE COMMITMENT TO ENTERING AND FULLY PARTICIPATING IN A 287 PARTNERSHIP, AND REQUIRES A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM THE HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE, WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY ACQUIRED. 
          PERMISSIBLE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HIRING SWORN AND NON SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND THE PURCHASE OF TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT. IT DOES NOT ALLOW CONSTRUCTION, AND THE MAX THAT WE COULD APPLY FOR IS 500,000. AND I'LL PASS IT ON TO SERGEANT SANCHEZ, WHO WILL GO OVER THE 
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APPLICATION. WELCOME. HI. I'M SERGEANT ANDRES SANCHEZ WITH EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. 
          I'M OVER THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UNIT AND ALSO OVER GRANTS. SO TODAY I PREPARED A PRESENTATION. I DON'T KNOW IF. WE DIDN'T SEE ONE IN THE BACK OF IT. NO. IT WASN'T. I DON'T THINK THEY SEE IT IN THE BACKUP. I DO HAVE IT. IF NOT, I CAN JUST EXPLAIN IT IF YOU WANT TO JUST EXPLAIN IT. YEAH THAT'S FINE. YEAH. BUT IT'S A BUNCH OF STUFF. THERE'S ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT, BUT TRY YOUR BEST TO SEARCH. OKAY. SO FOR THE ANGEL GRANT FOR FY 2026, THIS INITIATIVE SEEKS TO PROTECT AMERICAN CITIZENS FROM BEING VICTIMIZED, HARMED, OR KILLED BY CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, TRAUMA, AND LIFE ALTERING DEVASTATION EXPERIENCES BY OUR ANGEL FAMILIES. THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY WILL SUPPORT AND DISRUPT PREVENT VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED BY CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, AND ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH COORDINATED, INTELLIGENCE LED LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS. AND IT'S GOING TO FOCUS ON VIOLENT CRIME, GANG ACTIVITY, DRUG TRAFFICKING, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND SUPPORTING HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE OPERATIONS. THIS IS NOT AN IMMIGRATION FOCUSED APPLICATION, AND NO PERSONNEL ARE BEING REQUESTED FOR THIS GRANT. ONLY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. THESE REQUESTS ARE FOR INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEMS AND INVESTIGATION PURPOSES ONLY. SO THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT ARE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE TO MODERNIZE INVESTIGATION, INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY. IMPROVE CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION, EVIDENCE PROCESSING, EXPAND AERIAL SURVEILLANCE AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSE CAPABILITIES, STRENGTHEN DIGITAL FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS, ENHANCE DEPUTY SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, AND SUPPORT EFFICIENT CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS. SO AS FAR AS THE EQUIPMENT GOES, THE MAJOR THINGS GO WITH THE FORENSIC LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND EVIDENCE STORAGE, 3D LASER SCANNING EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE. THANK YOU. SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT. FINGERPRINT DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT, SKYDIO DRONE SYSTEMS AND RELATED SERVICES ALONG WITH THE PLATFORMS AND TECHNOLOGY, DIGITAL FORENSIC WORKSTATIONS AND SOFTWARE. LONG RANGE ACOUSTIC DEVICE AND THE MOBILE COMPUTERS AND ACCESSORIES. THIS EQUIPMENT COMES UP TO $456,132.10, WHICH ALSO ACCOUNTS FOR 10% INCREASE IN THE BUDGET FOR INFLATION. NOW, THE EQUIPMENT BENEFITS, SO WE WOULD HAVE ADVANCED CRIME SCENE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVES ACCURACY IN DOCUMENTING, RECONSTRUCTING, PRESERVING CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE OR INVESTIGATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS. I TALKED ABOUT THE DRONES TO ADVANCE ENHANCE AERIAL SURVEILLANCE, SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, CRIME SCENE DOCUMENTATION, AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS WHILE REDUCING RISK TO DEPUTIES, FORENSIC LAB, LABORATORY EQUIPMENT, DIGITAL FORENSIC TECHNOLOGY AND MOBILE COMPUTING EQUIPMENT AS WELL TO IMPROVE FIELD ACCESS TO CRITICAL INFORMATION WHILE OUT IN THE FIELD. AND THE LRA, WHICH WE TALKED ABOUT, THE LONG RANGE ACOUSTIC DEVICE. OVERALL, WE WANT TO MODERNIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES, IMPROVES INVESTIGATIVE EFFICIENCY, STRENGTHEN OFFICER SAFETY AND ENHANCE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE'S ABILITY TO PROTECT AND SERVE EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. AS FAR AS SUPPLIES GOES, THAT'S A BUDGET OF 39,530 AND $0.14. IT INCLUDES DIGITAL CAMERAS, LENSES, LIGHTING, FINGERPRINT PROCESSING SUPPLIES, RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, EVIDENCE DOCUMENTATION, MEASUREMENT TOOLS, PORTABLE DIGITAL STORAGE DEVICES, PRINTERS, BATTERIES AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE SUPPLIES. SO AS I MENTIONED, EVERYTHING IS PRETTY MUCH GOING INTO INVESTIGATIONS. OUR CRIME SCENE UNIT, OUR FORENSIC ANALYSTS ARE THE MAJORITY OF THE OF THE ONES THAT WE RECEIVING THESE KIND OF FUNDING FOR THEIR EQUIPMENT. AND AS FAR AS LIKE MY SECTION, WHICH WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE, THE ICS, IT'S MOSTLY FOR LIKE COMPUTERS, THINGS THAT WERE DISPATCHED TO THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, SEVERE WEATHER, WHATEVER THE CASE, WE'RE ABLE TO RESPOND AND HAVE SOMETHING THERE FOR US. AS OF RIGHT NOW, THE OEM ONLY PRETTY MUCH CATERS TO THE CITY. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR OWN EQUIPMENT AS WELL. AND LIKE I SAID, THE BENEFITS WOULD BE IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY, STRONGER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, GREATER OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, ENHANCE OFFICER SAFETY AND RESPONSIBLE 
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USE OF GRANT FUNDING. INVESTMENTS IN SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT TEND TO PROVIDE LONG TERM BENEFITS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND COMMUNITY. WE'RE ASKING FOR THE 500,000 PRETTY MUCH GOING FOR THE WHOLE THING 400, $456,932.10. 91% OF IT IS GOING TO BE FOR EQUIPMENT, 7.9% IS GOING TO BE GOING FOR SUPPLIES, AND THE INDIRECT COST IS JUST UNDER A PERCENT. AND THIS INVESTMENT, LIKE I SAID, WILL HELP MODERNIZE INVESTIGATIVE RESOURCES, STRENGTHEN FORENSIC CAPABILITIES, IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, SUPPORT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THANK YOU. HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? YES, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER. 
          THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING. GOOD AFTERNOON SERGEANT. I JUST HAD ONE QUESTION. SO I NOTICED THAT THE NOFO DOES DESCRIBE COOPERATION WITH DOJ AND HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE JUST ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THESE GRANT FUNDS ARE NOT GOING TO BE USED FOR ANY TYPE OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. NO. AND WE SPECIFICALLY, TO SOME EXTENT, DID NOT REQUEST ANY PERSONNEL FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT'S JUST EQUIPMENT. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE AGREEING TO, THAT WE'RE JUST GOING TO BE USING THIS EQUIPMENT FOR TO PROTECT CITIZENS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY TO USE PERSONNEL FOR THAT PURPOSE, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT RECEIVING FUNDING FOR THAT. BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, I WAS LOOKING MORE INTO IT AND I WANTED TO SEE, WELL, WHAT IS IT? BECAUSE IT SAYS, YOU KNOW, PROTECT CITIZENS. DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO CHECK, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE FOR THEIR IF THEY'RE AMERICAN CITIZENS? NOT BEFORE USING THIS FUNDING. AND THE ANSWER IS NO. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION. FOR THE MOST PART, MOST THINGS ARE GOING TO BE IN EMERGENCY. SOMETIMES WE'RE NOT GOING TO KNOW WHO THE VICTIM IS NECESSARILY OR ALL THE VICTIMS INVOLVED. IT'S GOING TO BE A CHAOTIC SCENE. SO THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED IN THOSE SITUATIONS. IT WILL BE IN THE LATTER. WHEN YOU HAVE AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING FOR A LONG TIME, IT IS CLEARLY IDENTIFIED. YOU KNOW THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE CATEGORIZED UNDER THIS SECTION OR WHATEVER THE CASE. THAT'S WHEN IT WILL GET A LITTLE HAZY. HOWEVER, MOST OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS, WE DO THEM PRETTY MUCH RIGHT AFTER IT OCCURS, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE TO BE WORRIED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CAN THIS FUNDING BE USED FOR THAT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY'RE GOING TO BE USED AND IT'S AN EMERGENCY. IT'S NOT GOING TO CATEGORIZE UNDER HAVE TO EVEN QUESTION IF WE COULD USE THESE FUNDS TO HELP WHOEVER IS THE VICTIM. OKAY, THAT WAS MY CONCERN. OKAY. SO IT'S REALLY JUST FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS, SHERIFF'S OFFICE OPERATIONS, AND NOT ANYTHING RELATED TO MURDER. WE HAVE TO DO INVESTIGATION. BY ALL MEANS, WE'RE GOING TO BE USING THOSE FUNDS FOR THAT MURDER, HOMICIDE, BURGLARY, KIDNAPING, WHATEVER THE CASE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR. OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, MR. COMMISSIONER. I HAD THE SAME LINE OF OF QUESTION, JUST MAKING SURE THAT THAT. THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED AS WHAT I READ KNOW. AND LIKE I SAID, WE FOCUS ON THE EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES SIMILAR TO THINGS THAT WE LEARNED FROM THE BIDEN GRANT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU BOTH. 
          JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, I THINK IT WAS MELISSA WAS SPEAKING, WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS. MELISSA CARRILLO COUNTY OPERATIONS. JUST AS A MATTER OF REFERENCE REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR GRANT FOR THE COURT'S KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS A GRANT OPPORTUNITY THAT OFFERS UP TO $25 MILLION. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ANTICIPATING ABOUT 50 AWARDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 500,000 EACH, WHICH IS WHY THE APPLICATION HERE IS 500,000. AND AGAIN, JUST FOR THE COURT'S SECURITY, WHEN THE APPLICATION IF THE AWARD COMES THROUGH, WE WILL REVIEW WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO. THERE ARE NO OTHER STRINGS. COMMISSIONER STONE, BEFORE YOU ALL SUPPORT THE ACTUAL AWARD IF AWARDED. THANK YOU. MELISSA. COMMISSIONER CORONADO AND THE SAME LINE OF QUESTIONING. IT DOES REQUIRE COMPLIANCE WITH THE. 287. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE AN EXPANSION THAT WE'VE CHOSEN. ONE OF THE OPTIONS THAT WE'VE ALREADY SENT. IS THAT CORRECT? I UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE BIDEN GRANT. THERE'S NO NOTHING NEW. THERE'S NOTHING DIFFERENT. LIKE I SAID, ONCE WE ACTUALLY GET AWARDED, WE CAN LOOK AT IT AGAIN. BUT AT THIS TIME EVERYTHING SEEMS THE SAME. OKAY, SO SO AS YOU TALK ABOUT THE BIDEN GRANT. YOU KNOW, I HAD A RECENT MEETING WITH SOME FOLKS FROM THE ACLU AND, AND BORDER NETWORK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THEY HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE BIDEN GRANT AND POSSIBILITY OF MAYBE WE MISINTERPRETED SOME OF SOME OF WHAT WAS MAYBE POSSIBLE STRINGS ATTACHED. AND SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO HAVE AND, YOU KNOW, I'M HAVING MY STAFF REACH OUT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THE SHERIFF, TO, TO, TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A MEETING WITH, WITH THEM TOGETHER SO THAT THEY CAN ENUNCIATE THEIR, THEIR CONCERNS WITH, WITH THAT GRANT AND MAYBE THIS ONE TOO. NOW, IF IT IF IT'S ALONG THE SAME LINES OR SIMILAR, BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION OF WHAT OF WHAT THAT GRANT 
          [02:45:04]
ENTAILS US HAVING TO DO. WELL, WE'LL DEFINITELY COMMISSIONERS WILL DEFINITELY HAVE, AS MELISSA MENTIONED, WHEN WE GET THE AWARD IS WHEN THERE'S ALL OF THE DETAILS AND THE CONTRACTUAL TERMS. AND SO WE'LL DEFINITELY HAVE A IN DEPTH REVIEW. WE'RE GLAD TO MEET WITH THEM. AND ALSO WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE HAVE A MEMBER OF OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S TEAM AND A MEMBER OF OUR GRANTS TEAM THERE TO SEE WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE, SO WE CAN HAVE HEIGHTENED AWARENESS TO LOOK FOR THOSE CONCERNS. OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 13. B. GRANT. APPLICATION. APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO APPLY FOR THE. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FISCAL YEAR 26. PATRICK LEAHY, BULLETPROOF VEST PARTNERSHIP FROM FEBRUARY 1ST, 2027 TO JANUARY 31ST, 2029 IN THE AMOUNT OF $337,720. A COUNTY MATCH OF $168,860 IS REQUIRED AND IS BEING REQUESTED FROM C P REPLACE 26SO VESTS, NO CAP, E Q $100,000 AND FROM GENERAL FUND GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFER 
          [B. GRANT APPLICATION - Approve and authorize the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to apply for the Department of Justice FY26 Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) from February 1, 2027, to January 31, 2029, in the amount of $337,720. A County match of $168,860 is required and is being requested from CP-REPLACE26-SO-VESTS-NOCAP EQ ($100,000) and from GF-GADM-XFER OUT-GRANT MATCH ($68,860). (Contract No. 2026-0792)
Oscar Ugarte, Sheriff, EPCSO, 915-273-3800]
OUT GRANT MATCH 600. EXCUSE ME $68,860. CONTRACT NUMBER 2026 0792. HELLO AGAIN. ELLA HOOPER WITH THE BUDGET AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT. THE PURPOSE OF THE BULLET VEST PARTNERSHIP IS TO REIMBURSE STATES, COUNTIES, TRIBES AND CITIES UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF BODY ARMOR VEST PURCHASED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. IN OUR APPLICATION, WE ARE REQUESTING 150 FOR VESTS FOR DETENTION OFFICERS IN ORDER TO REPLACE EXPIRED VESTS, AND WITH ME IS LIEUTENANT NEVAREZ. 
          TO HELP ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. THANK YOU. WELCOME. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COURT, JUST IN CASE THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. SO I, I UNDERSTAND THAT LATELY OR MORE RECENTLY, THE COSTS OF THE VESTS HAVE GONE UP TO HISTORICAL COSTS. SO I'M JUST WONDERING, I KNOW THAT THIS IS THE GRANT TO REQUEST THE MONEY TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR THIS PURCHASE, BUT WE'RE NOT AUTHORIZING THE SPECIFIC PURCHASES YET. RIGHT. THAT'LL, I'M ASSUMING, COME BACK AT A LATER DATE WHERE WE CAN LOOK AT I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE COST OF THE VEST HAS GONE UP SO SIGNIFICANTLY. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACTUAL PURCHASE OF THE VEST THAT'S GOING TO COME BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SO THAT WE CAN LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE CLOSELY AT THAT. YES, MA'AM. AND THE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL FUNDING THAT'S MENTIONED IN HERE IS A MATCH IS FUNDING WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUING TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF THE VEST. THIS JUST HELPS US LEVERAGE THAT FUNDING. BUT THAT ACTUAL PURCHASE GOES THROUGH A NORMAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND COMES BACK FOR APPROVAL BECAUSE IT'LL BE OVER $100,000. OKAY, GREAT. THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE I DO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ACTUAL COST OF THE VEST, BUT CERTAINLY ANY REIMBURSEMENT THAT WE CAN GET, DEFINITELY WE WANT TO DO. THANK YOU. BETSY. OH, I'M SORRY, DO WE KNOW WHAT IS? SO I KNOW WE'RE BUDGETING FOR 154 VESTS. 
          DO WE KNOW THAT COST THAT WENT INTO THAT CALCULATION OF THE VESTS? YES. WE DID ACTUALLY GET A QUOTE FROM ONE OF THE CO-OP VENDORS. AND BASED ON THAT, THAT PRICE. AND THEN ALSO THE APPLICATION DOES LIMIT US TO THE MAX OF 1100 PER VEST. OKAY. SO BASED ON THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO SUBMIT FOR 154 VESTS. OKAY, SO 1100 IS THE MAX, RIGHT? OKAY. THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. VOTING IS OPEN. 
          MOTION CARRIES. COMMISSIONER BUTLER, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU BOTH. JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND RECESS FOR THE AFTERNOON? OKAY. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS FOR ONE HOUR. IT IS 12:20 P.M. 
          [02:52:59]
FALL IS UPON US HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN FROM ADOPTING OUR BUDGET TO COMPLETING CRITICAL WATER PROJECTS. WE HAVE EVERYTHING. IN THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A NEW TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.451133 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS 1.7% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE NEW COUNTY BUDGET OF $690.7 MILLION WILL TAKE EFFECT. THIS BUDGET WILL FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES, ADDRESS RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY WORKFORCE. 
          THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MANAGING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE RESPONDING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. 862 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY'S LOWER VALLEY WILL NOW HAVE DEPENDABLE WASTEWATER SERVICES, THANKS TO THE COMPLETION OF A $33.3 MILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROGRAM. EL PASO COUNTY CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $25.1 MILLION IN EL PASO COUNTY ARPA FUNDING AND $8.21 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT. TOGETHER, THE INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE, THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO 
          [02:55:06]
CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA. 
          DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS, OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY. REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS IN CLINT AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCOT PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. 
          FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 
          GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR. THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          HOLA! I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO A COUNTY THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 2020, 17, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO, AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFP PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO 
          [03:00:03]
STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE WAS INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY, PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FOODS BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT WITH THE HIGH FIVE GRANT. IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. 
          BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE TRAILERS. NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. 
          RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED. AND SEEING THE COMMUNITY IT'S NEEDED ON OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN SAN ESTADIO, TEXAS IN OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THE HIF-PHI GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. 
          VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO, IS CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA. AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          [03:05:31]
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. 
          HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. 
          I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. BUT ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. 
          WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE 
          [03:10:05]
LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT IS IT THE CITY? EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY. IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS. THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS. OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. 
          BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HA! HEY. 
          EVERY DAY ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND NEWCOMERS FACE CHALLENGES THAT CAN MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT. THAT'S WHY EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO BUILD STABILITY, IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND CREATE BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH COMPASSION, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES. OUR WORK IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH FIVE DIVISIONS, EACH PLAYING A UNIQUE ROLE IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION HELPS ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 
          THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. 
          ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED. THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE 
          [03:15:03]
CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. 
          PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. 
          CITIZENSHIP. AND. I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTY WIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS SERVED RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MEETING SPACES, A HYGIENE CLOSET, AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARTNERS. CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, LEARN AND CONNECT. IN TODAY'S WORLD, ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. LOCATED AT THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS, ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EL PASO COUNTY'S FIRST ALL DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD. RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION. ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. 
          [03:20:53]
FALL IS UPON US HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN. FROM ADOPTING OUR BUDGET TO COMPLETING CRITICAL WATER PROJECTS, WE HAVE. EVERYTHING. IN THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A NEW TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.451133 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS 1.7% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE NEW COUNTY BUDGET OF $690.7 MILLION WILL TAKE EFFECT. THIS BUDGET WILL FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES, ADDRESS RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY WORKFORCE. 
          THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MANAGING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE RESPONDING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. 862 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY'S LOWER VALLEY WILL NOW HAVE DEPENDABLE WASTEWATER SERVICES, THANKS TO THE COMPLETION OF A $33.3 MILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROGRAM. EL PASO COUNTY CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $25.1 MILLION IN EL PASO COUNTY ARPA FUNDING AND $8.21 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT. TOGETHER, THE INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE. THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS. OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY, REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS AND CLINT, AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCOT PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. 
          FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 
          GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          [03:25:20]
I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 20 2017, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO, AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFFI PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE INHERITED IT FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY, PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FOODS BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT. WITH THE GRANT, IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE 
          [03:30:04]
TRAILERS. NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED. AND SEEING THE COMMUNITY IT'S NEEDED IN OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN SAN ESTADIO, TEXAS IN OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THE GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE WAS, HAS EVEN BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO IS CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          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 
          [03:35:02]
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. 
          I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY. 
          IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS. 
          THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS. 
          OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. AND DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HEY. 
          [03:40:59]
EVERY DAY ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND NEWCOMERS FACE CHALLENGES THAT CAN MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT. THAT'S WHY EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO BUILD STABILITY, IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND CREATE BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH COMPASSION, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO. THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES. OUR WORK IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH FIVE DIVISIONS, EACH PLAYING A UNIQUE ROLE IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION HELPS ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 
          THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. 
          ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED. THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. 
          PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. 
          CITIZENSHIP AND. I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTYWIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS SERVED RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MEETING SPACES, A HYGIENE CLOSET, AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARTNERS. CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, LEARN AND CONNECT. IN TODAY'S WORLD, ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. LOCATED AT THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS, ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EL PASO COUNTY'S FIRST ALL DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD. RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING 
          [03:45:03]
SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. 
          FALL IS UPON US HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN. FROM ADOPTING OUR BUDGET TO COMPLETING CRITICAL WATER PROJECTS, WE HAVE. EVERYTHING. IN THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A NEW TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.451133 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS 1.7% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE NEW COUNTY BUDGET OF $690.7 MILLION WILL TAKE EFFECT. THIS BUDGET WILL FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES, ADDRESS RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY WORKFORCE. 
          THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MANAGING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE RESPONDING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. 862 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY'S LOWER VALLEY WILL NOW HAVE DEPENDABLE WASTEWATER SERVICES, THANKS TO THE COMPLETION OF A $33.3 MILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROGRAM. EL PASO 
          [03:50:05]
COUNTY CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $25.1 MILLION IN EL PASO COUNTY ARPA FUNDING AND $8.21 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT. TOGETHER, THE INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE. THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS. OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY, REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS AND CLINT, AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCOT PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. 
          FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 
          GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          HOLA! I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 20 2017, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO, AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS 
          [03:55:05]
INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFP PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY, PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FOODS BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT. WITH THE GRANT, IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE TRAILERS. NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED. AND SEEING THE COMMUNITY IT'S NEEDED ON OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN TEXAS IN OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THE HIF-PHI GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO IS 
          [04:00:02]
CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA. AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          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, VETERAN 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. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 1:33 P.M. I'D LIKE TO QUICKLY GO TO ITEM NUMBER NINE A FROM COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF REGARDING THE CURRENT SCOPE AND FUNDING NEEDS FOR THE TIERRA ESTE AND BOB HOPE ROADWAY EXPANSION PROJECTS, AS WELL AS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PURSUING FINANCING. COULD WE PLEASE HAVE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS ITEM? DELETE DELETE, DELETE, PLEASE, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHICH MEETING WE'RE GOING TO PUT IT BACK ON. OKAY. A MOTION TO DELETE THE ITEM PLEASE. SO MOVED. SECOND, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. I JUDGE. 
          I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT COMMISSIONER AGAIN. OH I'M SORRY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ON TO ITEM NUMBER 14 A RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND FISCAL YEAR 2027. SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGETS AND 
          [04:05:03]
STAFFING AND AND RECEIVE DIRECTION ON SHERIFF'S OFFICE BUDGETARY OR STAFFING ISSUES. 
          IF WE COULD HAVE A MOTION TO DELETE THIS ITEM, PLEASE. SO MOVED. THANK YOU. JUDGE. SECOND COMMISSIONER STOUT SNUCK IN THERE. SIR, WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN, I VOTE AYE, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. I THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER, AGAIN, I THANK YOU. MOTION CARRIES. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. ITEM NUMBER 14 BE APPROVED. BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER TWO A 
          [A. Receive a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 Sheriff's Office Budgets and Staffing and receive direction on Sheriff's Office budgetary or staffing issues.
Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]
TO THE EL PASO COUNTY'S 2026 2027 OPERATING BUDGET. THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT IS TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,515 TO COVER THE COST OF COURTHOUSE SECURITY OVERTIME 
          [B. Approve budget amendment No.02(a)  to the El Paso County’s 2026-2027 operating budget. This budgetary amendment is to transfer appropriations from the general and administrative account to the Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $8,515.00 to cover the cost of courthouse security overtime for elections.  This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2026-2027 overall operating budget of $690,749,465.00.
Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]
FOR ELECTIONS. THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE. THE COUNTY OF EL PASO'S 2026 2027 OVERALL OPERATING BUDGET OF $690,749,465. GOOD AFTERNOON, GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OF THE COURT CARMEN CANDELARIA, BUDGET AND FINANCE DIRECTOR. SO THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT, TRANSFERS, IS REQUESTING A TRANSFER FROM OUR OPERATIONS CONTINGENCY INTO OVERTIME FOR THE COURTHOUSE SECURITY DIVISION OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THIS IS FOR $8,515. THIS IS I WORKED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT, MISS LISA WEISS, AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, IN ORDER TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF OVERTIME THAT WOULD BE NEEDED FOR COURTHOUSE SECURITY HERE ON ELECTION DAY. AND SO THAT IS THE AMOUNT THAT'S BEFORE YOU TODAY. ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR QUESTIONS? JUST A MOMENT. THE VOTING SCREEN IS FROZEN. I CAN'T SEEM TO LOG ON. I DON'T KNOW WHY. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. SECOND. THANK YOU JUDGE. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, COMMISSIONER STOUT, I, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN, I COMMISSIONER CORONADO, I JUDGE SAMANIEGO. MOTION CARRIES. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. ITEM NUMBER 14 C APPROVED BUDGET AMENDMENT NUMBER 46 A TO THE EL PASO COUNTY'S 2025 2026 OPERATING BUDGET. THIS IS TO TRANSFER APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNT TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $22,323 TO COVER THE COST OF MEDICAL EXPENSES. THIS BUDGETARY AMENDMENT WILL NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE. THE COUNTY OF EL PASO'S 2025 2026 OVERALL OPERATING BUDGET OF $695,163,486.76. AGAIN, JUDGE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. CARMEN CANDELARIA, DIRECTOR OF BUDGET AND FINANCE. FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS A BUDGETARY ITEM. THIS IS A YEAR END BUDGETARY ITEM, 
          [C. Approve budget amendment No.46(a) to the El Paso County’s 2025-2026 operating budget. This is to transfer appropriations from the general and administrative account to the Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $22,323.00 to cover the cost of medical expenses. This budgetary amendment will not increase or decrease the County of El Paso's 2025-2026 overall operating budget of $695,163,486.76.
Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Director, Budget and Finance, 915-273-3726]
AND WE'RE JUST REQUESTING THAT WE TRANSFER MONEY FROM ONE DIVISION OF THE SHERIFF TO ANOTHER, FROM THE DOWNTOWN DETENTION TO THE JAIL ANNEX. THIS DOES NOT INCREASE OR DECREASE THE BUDGET. THIS IS ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE JUST PULLED OUT BECAUSE IT IS IN THE SHERIFF'S DIVISIONS, AND THIS AFFECTS FISCAL YEAR 2526. ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS AMENDMENT? WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. SECOND, THANK YOU, JUDGE. MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO, SECOND, FROM COMMISSIONER FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I, I VOTE I COMMISSIONER CORONADO, I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. JUDGE, I THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES SO MUCH. BEFORE WE MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I'D LIKE TO READ A FEW ITEMS. ITEM NUMBER 15 B FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, SECTION 551.071 DISCUSS LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES PERTAINING TO ELECTION POLLING SITES WITHIN EL PASO COUNTY. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S FILE NUMBER 000326AD. 
          [04:10:08]
ITEM NUMBER 15 C POSTPONED OCTOBER 5TH, 2026. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION. STYLED NASHVILLE ET AL VERSUS DHS CAUSE NUMBER 126CV02886. 
          COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000126PLAD. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071. 
          ITEM NUMBER 15. E PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071. DISCUSS LEGAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EL PASO COUNTY WATER SYSTEMS. DOING BUSINESS AS EAST MONTANA WATER SYSTEM AND ITEM NUMBER 15 G POSTPONED OCTOBER 5TH, 2026. DISCUSS LITIGATION STYLE. CHRISTOPHER BRACKEN VERSUS EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS CAUSE NUMBER 2025DCV4115. COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000526LD. ITEM NUMBER 16. A DISCUSS FROM REGULAR SESSION. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION PERTAINING TO ELECTION POLLING SITES WITHIN EL PASO COUNTY. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S FILE NUMBER 000326AD. ITEM 16 BE POSTPONED. OCTOBER 5TH, 2026. DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE PENDING LITIGATION STYLED NASHVILLE ET AL VERSUS DHS CAUSE NUMBER 126CV02886. COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000126PLAD. AND ITEM NUMBER 16 E POSTPONED. OCTOBER 5TH, 2026. DISCUSS LITIGATION STYLED CHRISTOPHER BRACKEN VERSUS EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. CAUSE NUMBER 2025DCV4115. 
          COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 000526LD. WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOTION TO DELETE ALL OF THESE ITEMS. SO MOVED. THANK YOU. JUDGE. SECOND COMMISSIONER STOUT, WOULD YOU CAN YOU CAN. 
          THANK YOU. SECOND THAT'S FINE COMMISSIONER. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO, SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT. THE VOTING IS OPEN. I THANK YOU, JUDGE. I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. WE HAVE THE NEXT ITEMS. ITEM 15 H DISCUSS LITIGATION STYLE. TERESA VASQUEZ VERSUS EL PASO COUNTY, TEXAS. CAUSE NUMBER 2024DCV2743. COUNTY ATTORNEY CASE NUMBER 009124LD. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 5510071 AND ITEM NUMBER 15 I PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.0725 DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF EL PASO AND WORLDWIDE LLC, KNOWN AS META, REGARDING A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT RELATED TO THE META EL PASO DATA CENTER. WE WOULD LIKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE THESE ITEMS FOR ONE WEEK, PLEASE. SO MOVED. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM JUDGE, COMMISSIONER STOUT. JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SECOND. 
          JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE THE SECOND. YES. THANK YOU. MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER STOUT, SECOND FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. VOTING IS OPEN. I VOTE AYE. I THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER OLGUIN. COMMISSIONER STOUT THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. THIS BRINGS US TO ITEM NUMBER 15, EXECUTIVE SESSION. COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS ITEMS 15 D AND 15 F PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECONVENE TO TAKE OFFICIAL ACTION. IT IS 1:45 P.M. 
          [EXECUTIVE SESSION
Only the members of the Commissioners Court have a right to attend an executive session,
except that legal counsel must be present if the executive session is held pursuant to
Government Code section 551.071. In addition to legal counsel, Commissioners Court may
include in executive session certain officers and employees if it finds that (1) their
participation is necessary to the matter under consideration; (2) their interests are not
adverse to the county, and (3) their presence will not waive the attorney client privilege.
Generally, the Chief Administrator, Commissioners Court Recorders, and Audio/Visual staff attend the closed session items
based on the enumerated criteria, and certain other persons may attend based on the above-listed
criteria or as otherwise provided by law.]
          [04:16:52]
FALL IS UPON US HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN FROM ADOPTING OUR BUDGET TO COMPLETING CRITICAL WATER PROJECTS. WE HAVE. EVERYTHING. 
          IN THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A NEW TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.451133 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS 1.7% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE NEW COUNTY BUDGET OF $690.7 MILLION WILL TAKE EFFECT. THIS BUDGET WILL FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES, ADDRESS RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY WORKFORCE. THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MANAGING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE RESPONDING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. 862 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY'S LOWER VALLEY WILL NOW HAVE DEPENDABLE WASTEWATER SERVICES, THANKS TO THE COMPLETION OF A $33.3 MILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROGRAM. EL PASO COUNTY CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $25.1 MILLION IN EL PASO COUNTY ARPA FUNDING AND $8.21 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT. TOGETHER, THE INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE, THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. 
          EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA. DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS, OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY. REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS IN CLINT AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF 
          [04:20:06]
STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCOT PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR. THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM IS MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 20 2017, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS. THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFFI PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS, KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO 
          [04:25:04]
FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE WAS INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY, PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FOODS BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT. WITH THE GRANT, IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE TRAILERS. NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE, AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED. AND SEEING THE COMMUNITY IT'S NEEDED ON OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN SAN ESTADIO, TEXAS AND OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. THE GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO IS CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          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 
          [04:30:04]
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. 
          HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. 
          I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. 
          WELL. SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT DO NOT. IT PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNTY WIDE. IT RUNS THE COURT SYSTEMS. WHEN THERE ARE BAD GUYS, IT KEEPS THE JAILS WHERE THEY STAY. IT REGISTERS VOTERS AND HOLDS ELECTIONS FOR EVERYTHING FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. COUNTIES KEEP TRACK OF RECORDS LIKE DEEDS, BIRTH CERTIFICATES AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. COUNTIES BUILD AND MAINTAIN ABOUT HALF THE ROADS IN TEXAS. THE COUNTY PROVIDES HEALTH CARE TO LOWER INCOME RESIDENTS. IT PROVIDES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DURING TIMES OF CRISIS, AND COUNTY OFTEN COLLECTS TAXES ON 
          [04:35:02]
BEHALF OF OTHER ENTITIES LIKE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CITIES. ARE YOU GETTING THE PICTURE? WOW, THAT'S A LOT. YES IT IS. OH, SO I GET IT. THE COUNTY IS ACTUALLY THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION ENABLED BY THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION TO CARRY OUT STATE LAWS, BUT WITH DIRECT AND CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP TO THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. VERY GOOD CITY GAL. YES, YOU ARE TEXANS AND MAY LIVE IN THE CITY, BUT REMEMBER YOU ARE ALSO PROUD COUNTY RESIDENTS TOO. THANK YOU. 
          BIG VOICE IN THE SKY. YEAH. DO YOU HAVE A NAME OR SOMETHING? WELL, YEAH. OH. HEY, GUYS, IT'S ME, CHET. I GUESS I'M JUST A GUY WHO THINKS COUNTY GOVERNMENTS COOL. AND I THOUGHT Y'ALL SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THIS STUFF. ANYWAY, SEE YOU LATER. OKAY. WELL, I HOPE YOU LEARNED SOMETHING, BECAUSE TEXAS COUNTIES DELIVER. HA! HEY. 
          EVERY DAY ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY, INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, SENIORS, AND NEWCOMERS FACE CHALLENGES THAT CAN MAKE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT. THAT'S WHY EL PASO COUNTY IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND OPPORTUNITIES THEY NEED TO BUILD STABILITY, IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND CREATE BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH COMPASSION, INCLUSION, AND RESPECT AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO, THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WORKS TO STRENGTHEN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES. OUR WORK IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH FIVE DIVISIONS, EACH PLAYING A UNIQUE ROLE IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE GENERAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION HELPS ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS BY PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENT, MORTGAGE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. 
          THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS BURIAL ASSISTANCE, HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE ONE OF LIFE'S MOST DIFFICULT MOMENTS WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. FOR MANY COUNTY RESIDENTS, THIS SUPPORT BECOMES THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS THEM REGAIN STABILITY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SUPPORTED OLDER ADULTS BY PROVIDING NUTRITIOUS MEALS AT COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHILE ALSO DELIVERING MEALS DIRECTLY TO HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. MORE THAN A MEAL, THESE SERVICES PROMOTE HEALTH INDEPENDENCE AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL CONNECTION, ENSURING OUR OLDER ADULTS REMAIN SUPPORTED, VALUED AND CONNECTED TO THEIR COMMUNITY. 
          ESTABLISHED IN 2020, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS ENSURE EVERY EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENT, WHETHER THEY'VE LIVED HERE FOR GENERATIONS OR ARE NEW TO OUR COMMUNITY, HAS ACCESS TO THE INFORMATION, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES THEY NEED. THROUGH OUTREACH, COLLABORATION, AND STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS HELPS RESIDENTS PURSUE CITIZENSHIP, LEARN ENGLISH, CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, AND EXPAND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. 
          PROGRAMS LIKE PACE, WHICH SUPPORTS COUNTY EMPLOYEES ON THEIR PATHWAY TO U.S. 
          CITIZENSHIP. AND I SPEAK 915, OUR COUNTY WIDE LANGUAGE ACCESS INITIATIVE HELPS REMOVE BARRIERS AND MAKE COUNTY SERVICES MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. WORKING ALONGSIDE SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, VOLUNTEERS, FAITH BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THE OFFICE OF NEW AMERICANS BRINGS RESOURCES DIRECTLY INTO NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION INVESTS IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGHOUT RURAL AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY. THROUGH THE COLONIA SELF-HELP CENTER PROGRAM, RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO OWNER OCCUPIED HOME IMPROVEMENT ASSISTANCE, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP EVENTS, THE TOOL LENDING LIBRARY, AND THE SMALL BUSINESS CENTER RESOURCES THAT PROMOTE SAFER NEIGHBORHOODS, HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, AND GREATER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THE 
          [04:40:04]
DIVISION ALSO OPERATES THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER, WHICH HAS SERVED RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS. THE CENTER PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, MEETING SPACES, A HYGIENE CLOSET, AND SERVICES OFFERED BY LOCAL PARTNERS. CREATING A WELCOMING PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER, LEARN AND CONNECT. IN TODAY'S WORLD, ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. LOCATED AT THE AGUA DULCE COMMUNITY CENTER CAMPUS, ILLUMINA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS EL PASO COUNTY FIRST ALL DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY WITH A FREE DIGITAL LIBRARY CARD. 
          RESIDENTS CAN INSTANTLY ACCESS THOUSANDS OF EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, MAGAZINES, MOVIES, TELEVISION SHOWS, STREAMING SERVICES, AND ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES. BEYOND ITS DIGITAL COLLECTION, ILLUMINA ALSO OFFERS IN-PERSON TECHNOLOGY CLASSES, PRINTING SERVICES, WI-FI HOTSPOTS, TABLETS, AND ENGAGING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT HELP BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND CONNECT RESIDENTS TO EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND ESSENTIAL ONLINE SERVICES. TOGETHER, THESE FIVE DIVISIONS SHARE ONE COMMON PURPOSE IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE. TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED EL PASO COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE FAMILY YOUTH SERVICES CENTER, LOCATED AT 6314 DELTA DRIVE. PROUDLY SERVING THE EL PASO COMMUNITY. 
          FALL IS UPON US HERE AT THE COUNTY, BUT THINGS ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN. FROM ADOPTING OUR BUDGET TO COMPLETING CRITICAL WATER PROJECTS, WE HAVE. EVERYTHING. IN THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. EL PASO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED A NEW TAX RATE AND BUDGET FOR 
          [04:45:05]
FISCAL YEAR 2027. COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED THE NO NEW REVENUE TAX RATE OF 0.451133 PER $100 OF TAXABLE VALUE, WHICH IS 1.7% LOWER THAN LAST YEAR. ON OCTOBER 1ST, THE NEW COUNTY BUDGET OF $690.7 MILLION WILL TAKE EFFECT. THIS BUDGET WILL FOCUS ON MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES, ADDRESS RISING OPERATIONAL COSTS AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY WORKFORCE. 
          THIS BUDGET REPRESENTS THE COUNTY'S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MANAGING TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHILE RESPONDING TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNITY. 862 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COUNTY'S LOWER VALLEY WILL NOW HAVE DEPENDABLE WASTEWATER SERVICES, THANKS TO THE COMPLETION OF A $33.3 MILLION AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT PROGRAM. EL PASO COUNTY CONGRESSWOMAN VERONICA ESCOBAR AND THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT CELEBRATED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. THE PROGRAM REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY $25.1 MILLION IN EL PASO COUNTY ARPA FUNDING AND $8.21 MILLION IN LOCAL FUNDING FROM THE LOWER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT. TOGETHER, THE INVESTMENTS SUPPORTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPROXIMATELY 17.5 MILES OF SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE. WITH CONSTRUCTION NOW COMPLETE. THIS INVESTMENT PROVIDES INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL SERVE THESE COMMUNITIES FOR GENERATIONS WHILE IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORTING THE CONTINUED GROWTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE LOWER VALLEY. EL PASO COUNTY IS EXCITED TO CELEBRATE THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. A CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 15TH AT THE SITE OF THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED RIGHT BEHIND THE COUNTY JAIL ANNEX. THIS PROJECT MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS APPROVED BY VOTERS THROUGH THE 2024 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND. THE NEW FACILITY WILL FEATURE MORE THAN 26,000FT■!S OF SPACE. THE NEW CAMPUS WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND SPECIALIZED AREAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES. THANK YOU. SEPTEMBER BROUGHT A SERIES OF MONSOON RAINS TO OUR AREA DURING THE HEAVY DOWNPOURS. OUR PUBLIC WORKS CREWS JUMPED INTO ACTION TO CLEAR ROADS IN THE SPARKS COMMUNITY. REMOVE DEBRIS FROM STREETS IN CLINT AND SET UP WATER REMOVAL OPERATIONS IN THE CANUTILLO AREA. EL PASO COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING OUR ROADS REMAIN SAFE AND OPERATIONAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY DURING PERIODS OF STORM ACTIVITY. NOW THAT IT'S COOLER, FAMILIES TOOK ADVANTAGE AND SET UP TENTS AT ASCOT PARK FOR AN OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE. 
          FAMILIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAMP LAKESIDE AND SPEND THE NIGHT UNDER THE STARS. OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS BROUGHT THEIR SLEEPING BAGS TO THE PARK TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS. 
          GUESTS ENJOYED THE PICNIC FACILITIES, NIGHTTIME FISHING AND A COMMUNITY CAMPFIRE WITH A MARSHMALLOW ROAST. THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF COUNTY CONNECTS. AS WE HEAD INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2026, MAKE SURE TO STAY TUNED AND STAY CONNECTED WITH EL PASO COUNTY. 
          HOLA! I'M EL PASO COUNTY JUDGE RICARDO SAMANIEGO. EVERYONE DESERVES EASY ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. BUT IN SOME PARTS OF EL PASO COUNTY, THAT CAN BE HARD TO FIND. SINCE 2020, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE. WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO PASS A HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE POLICY. MY IDEA FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNTYWIDE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT EL PASO COUNTY HAS TO TAKE CARE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, AND WE ALSO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY, WE HAVE A HIGH INCIDENCE OF OF CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, AND OBESITY. AND THAT REALLY COMES AS A RESULT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS NOT 
          [04:50:06]
ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD WITHIN PEOPLE'S NEIGHBORHOODS. WE HAVE A LOT OF FOOD DESERTS, WHICH MEANS WITHIN A MILE RADIUS OF SOMEONE'S HOME, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. AND THIS PROGRAM MEANT TO SUPPORT GROCERY STORES THAT PROVIDE THIS ACCESS, MUCH NEEDED ACCESS TO OUR NEIGHBORS. AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT CONTINUING THIS PROGRAM, AND I HOPE YOU ARE TOO. HFFI INVESTS IN LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS WITH FUNDS FROM EL PASO COUNTY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT FUND. IT OFFERS GRANTS AND LOANS FOR FOOD RETAIL PROJECTS THAT BRING HEALTHIER OPTIONS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT NEED THEM MOST. SINCE 20 2017, PROJECTS HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH THIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE. WITH PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS, THAT MEANS MORE JOBS AS WELL AS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR EL PASO COUNTY RESIDENTS. PROJECTS ARE LOCATED IN EVERY PRECINCT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN SAN ELIZARIO, SOCORRO, HORIZON CITY, CANUTILLO, AND THE WEST, CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST AREAS OF EL PASO. SINCE THE POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED, EL PASO COUNTY HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION IN HFFI PROJECTS. THAT MEANS THAT GROCERY STORES, FARMERS MARKETS, FOOD HUBS, MOBILE MARKETS, REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS AND OTHER FOOD RETAILERS ARE BETTER ABLE TO SERVE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR RESIDENTS. PROJECTS HAVE USED HFFI FUNDS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE STORE NEEDS TO EXPAND HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD. EVERY HFFI PROJECT TO DATE HAS USED GRANT FUNDS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, AND MANY ALSO HAVE USED THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION, STAFFING AND STORE IMPROVEMENTS. THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS HAD A REAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. STORES ARE SOURCING MORE OF THEIR PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL FARMERS AND VENDORS IN EL PASO COUNTY. IT HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED THE LOCAL FOOD ECOSYSTEM, CONNECTING FOOD AND FARM BUSINESSES IN WAYS THAT HELP US ALL. AND MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES THAT WE HAVE FUNDED REPORT INCREASES IN THEIR TOTAL RETAIL SALES. THEY ARE SELLING MORE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD, INCLUDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES, GRAINS, BEANS, AND OTHER STAPLES. AND IN 2025 ALONE, RECENTLY FUNDED PROJECTS ADDED 40 NEW HEALTHY FOOD ITEMS TO THEIR STORES. THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT OF THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. KEEPING HEALTHY FOOD AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE MATTERS TO ALL OF US. 
          WE KNOW THAT IN SOME AREAS OF EL PASO COUNTY, IT'S NOT EASY TO FIND GROCERY STORE NEARBY. 
          WE'RE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT THROUGH THE PROGRAM FROM CANUTILLO TO SAN ELIZARIO AND TO HORIZON CITY AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY. ACTUALLY, WE WAS INHERITED FROM MY PARENTS, AND WE KNEW THAT ALL THE TIME THAT MY PARENTS HAD THE PROPERTY. PEOPLE WOULD COME AND PICK UP FRUIT. AND SO WE KNEW THAT WE SHOULD START DOING SOMETHING WITH THE FRUITS BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MANY FOR US TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING. AND MY HUSBAND POSTED THE FIGS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE. AND THAT DAY, ALL NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO PEOPLE ASKING FOR THE ADDRESS FOR THE COST. SO WE KIND OF THOUGHT THIS COULD POTENTIALLY WORK. SO THEN WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT WITH THE H.H. GRANT. IT'S A VERY EASY PROCESS TO GO THROUGH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR INFORMATION. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED. YOU NEED TO READ WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE FULFILLING ALL THE REQUIREMENTS. BUT IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT PROCESS. SO HERE WHERE WE'RE STANDING USED TO BE WHERE THEY WOULD WORK ON THE TRAILERS. 
          NEXT DOOR WAS THE TOOL SHED FOR WORKING ON THE TRAILERS. SO WE BASICALLY RETROFITTED THIS AREA TO MAKE IT A STOREFRONT. WE PURCHASED EQUIPMENT LIKE THE REFRIGERATOR, THE POINT OF SALE SYSTEM, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. WE RETROFITTED THE TOOL SHED TO MAKE IT A REFRIGERATION UNIT, A WALK IN FOR ALL OUR FRESH PRODUCE. AND THEN OF COURSE, THE MARKETING AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT. THESE ARE MY ROOTS, LITERALLY. RIGHT. AND I LIKE TO SEE OTHER FARMS GO THROUGH THE SAME THING AS WELL TOO. IT'S NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITY. IT'S NEEDED IN OUR NATION. WE STARTED OUT HERE IN TEXAS IN OUR BACKYARD. WE STARTED GROWING FOOD, AND THE REASON WHY WE STARTED GROWING WAS BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER, SHE HAD LIKE SOME ALLERGY THINGS GOING ON. AND SO I DECIDED TO START GROWING MY OWN FOOD. OUR BUSINESS IS CONNECTING THE 
          [04:55:07]
COMMUNITY WITH SUPERIOR PRODUCTS. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. 
          THE HFFI GRANT IS A GREAT GRANT. THEY ACTUALLY HELPED US IN THE STORE THAT WE'RE STANDING IN RIGHT NOW. OKAY. VERY APPRECIATED ON THAT. THEY HELPED US WITH ALSO COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION, WHICH THAT HELPS OUT A LOT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE HARVESTING. THEY'VE HELPED US OUT WITH MARKETING AND DIFFERENT KIND OF ASPECTS AND MARKETING AS WELL. IT HAS REALLY EXPANDED THIS BUSINESS A LOT. IT'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH A LOT OF PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE JUST GROWING THEIR OWN FOOD. WE GET PEOPLE THAT ARE SAYING, HEY, WE CAME TO ONE OF YOUR CLASSES AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE THINGS YOU SAID, AND THEN THEY SAID THEY'RE HAVING GREAT SUCCESS IN THEIR OWN. AND THAT'S WHAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HELP US DO IS CONNECT WITH EL PASO AREA AND IN A POSITIVE WAY, PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD. 
          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, VETERAN 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. 
          [05:00:22]
HOWDY. I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN. ME TOO. BUT I'M A MCLENNAN COUNTY GAL AT HEART. 
          I LIVE IN WACO, WHICH I GUESS IS ALSO MCLENNAN COUNTY. AND DON'T GET ME WRONG, I'M PROUD TO BE A TEXAN, BUT I'M A CITY GIRL AT HEART. ALL THAT COUNTY STUFF IS IN THE COUNTRY, RIGHT? HOLD ON THERE, MISSY. WHETHER YOU LIVE IN THE CITY OR NOT, YOU'RE JUST AS MUCH A PART OF THE COUNTY AS ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S RIGHT. AND YOUR STATE, YOUR CITY, AND YOUR COUNTY ALL HAVE IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO. WELL, ARE YOU SAYING THAT WE'VE GOT THREE GOVERNMENTS RUNNING THE SHOW HERE? YEAH, THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT. WHAT DO THEY ALL DO ANYWAY? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. LET'S START WITH YOU, COWBOY. WE ALL LOVE LIVING IN THE LONE STAR STATE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT HAS A LIMITED PURPOSE AND SCOPE. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE ONLY MEETS EVERY OTHER YEAR. WHEN IT DOES, IT HAS TO MAKE DECISIONS AND LAWS THAT APPLY TO THE ENTIRE STATE AS A WHOLE, AND IT NEEDS A LOCAL PARTNER TO IMPLEMENT ITS LAWS AND POLICIES. 
          SO WHO DOES THAT? I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT'S WHERE THE COUNTIES COME IN. THEY WERE CREATED TO IMPLEMENT STATE POLICIES AND ENFORCE STATE LAWS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. IT'S WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON CARRYING OUT THE STATE'S PRIORITIES. YOU SEE, THE COUNTY ENFORCES THE STATE'S LAWS AND POLICIES. COUNTIES PROVIDE SERVICES LOCALLY TAILORED TO FIT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS. AND THEY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE RUN BY THE LOCALS AND CONNECTED TO THE PEOPLE. YEAH, BUT ISN'T THE CITY EVEN MORE LOCAL THAN THE COUNTY? THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, ONE THAT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. CITIES ARE LOCAL AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT WITH LIMITS AND WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. IF YOU LIVE IN A CITY, THEY MAY PROVIDE THINGS LIKE WATER, ELECTRICITY AND WASTE REMOVAL. BIGGER CITIES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND THE CITY MAY BUILD CERTAIN STREETS. WELL, THAT SOUNDS LIKE EVERYTHING I NEED. WHAT ELSE IS THERE? WELL, I'M GLAD YOU ASKED. THAT BRINGS ME BACK TO YOUR COUNTY. YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT FILLS THE GAP, PROVIDING THINGS THAT THE STATE. COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RECONVENED INTO REGULAR OPEN SESSION. IT IS 2:32 P.M. WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 16. SEE, DISCUSS AND TAKE ACTION REGARDING POTENTIAL PINE MCLEOD TRANSMISSION LINES GOING THROUGH EL PASO COUNTY. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S FILE NUMBER 0014268. GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONERS JED HUNTER, ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY. AT THIS TIME, I WOULD ASK FOR A 
          [C. Discuss and take action regarding potential Pine-McCloud Transmission Lines going through El Paso County, County Attorney’s file number 0014.26.AA.
Jed Untereker, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, 915-273-3247]
MOTION TO APPROVE THE INTERVENTION OF EL PASO COUNTY IN THE APPLICATION OF EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY TO AMEND ITS CERTIFICATE OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR THE PINE TO MCLEOD 345 KILOVOLT TRANSMISSION LINE IN EL PASO COUNTY. PUC NUMBER 60319. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER. DO WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU. JUDGE. MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER. SECOND. FROM JUDGE SAMANIEGO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO, COMMISSIONER STOUT. THANK YOU SIR. JUDGE YOUR VOTE. JUDGE. THANK YOU, SIR. 
          COMMISSIONER BUTLER, ARE YOU ON? SHE'S NOT ON. OKAY. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. 
          MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. ITEM NUMBER 16 D. DISCUSS AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION REGARDING COUNTY CONTRACT NUMBER 2024 0536 WITH THE EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KEVIN MCCAREY, ASSISTANT COUNTY 
          [D. Discuss and take appropriate action regarding County Contract No. 2024-0536 with the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank.
Kevin McCary, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney's Office, (915) 273-3238]
ATTORNEY. I NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SIGN A FORMAL LETTER AND NOTICE TO CURE TO THE EL PASOANS FIGHTING HUNGER FOOD BANK UNDER CONTRACT NUMBER 2024-0536. SO MOVED. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SECOND? OH, I THOUGHT YOU ALREADY. COMMISSIONER HAD ALREADY DONE. AND I'M FINE. ALL RIGHT. PUT ME 
          [05:05:02]
AS A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER. A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER CORONADO. THE VOTING IS OPEN. 
          THANK YOU. JUDGE. I THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER STOUT. I VOTE AYE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CORONADO. COMMISSIONER BUTLER IS ABSENT. MOTION CARRIES. IS IT OKAY IF I ADDRESS CHRIS JUST TO OR. THEY'VE HAD A DISCUSSION WITH. I BELIEVE JOEL HAD A CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS ABOUT THE NOTICE TO CURE AND THE WORKING TOGETHER THROUGH THAT PERIOD TO GET THOSE THINGS ADDRESSED. YES, PLEASE. THANK YOU. THIS COMPLETES ALL THE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA, JUDGE. 
          THANK YOU, BETSY, FOR EXPEDITING AND TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO. YES, SIR. THANK YOU. PRODUCTION TEAM. THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S MEETING AT 2:36 P.M. THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.