EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Commissioners Court adopted a fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $635.6 million during its meeting on Monday, Sept. 15.
That spending plan includes essential services, maintains community programs and prepares to meet future challenges, the County said.
El Paso County commissioners OK property tax hike
“At its core, the budget reflects a simple goal: keep serving the people of El Paso County in theareas that matter most — public safety, health, infrastructure, and community well-being — while staying financially responsible,” the County said in a news release.
Earlier this summer, commissioners voted to raise property taxes, a move expected to cost the average homeowner about $137 more a year.Here are some highlights of the budget, according to the County:
- Public Safety: $5.2 million to meet commitments to Sheriff’s Office employees coveredunder the collective bargaining agreement.
- Health and Mental Health Care: $2.3 million more for medical and mental health servicesin the detention system.
- Roads and Bridges: $6.8 million transferred to maintain local roads, funded by auto salestax revenues.
- Community Programs: Increases for animal welfare services, municipal ID, and otherunderfunded operations that directly serve residents.
- Infrastructure: Continued investments in flood control, mobility, and facility upgradesthrough voter-approved bonds.
To balance the budget, the County is using $32.9 million from reserves, while stillleaving an estimated $47 million in emergency funds — about 10% of yearly expenses, the County said…