EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — An audit of the El Paso Zoo presented to the city’s Financial Oversight and Audit Committee has sparked questions among city leaders regarding the zoo’s financial management and its ability to fundraise. The audit, which reviewed the zoo’s financial handling over the past two years, shifted the focus to broader issues of fundraising and long-term planning.
For 60 years, the El Paso Zoological Society, a nonprofit partner, managed fundraising efforts for the zoo. However, this partnership ended in March 2024 when the city decided not to renew its contract. Since then, donations have been accepted through the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, a change that has raised questions about the current fundraising strategy.
Rep. Josh Acevedo of Central, Northeast El Paso, expressed concerns during the Financial Oversight and Audit Committee meeting, stating, “It’s not clear how much fundraising has happened.” He added, “I brought that up during the FOAC meeting, and the city manager responded and said that right now we don’t have a real plan for the zoo.”…