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.

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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.”

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City Manager Dionne Mack addressed these concerns, explaining that the city was directed to use the Paso del Norte Community Foundation to accept donations. “I was directed by city council to go and execute that contract with the Paso del Norte Foundation. It was clear that they would ensure that we had a pass-through ability to be able to accept resources,” Mack said. She noted that the city is not yet ready to launch a development effort, stating, “We’re coming to the end of our capital plan for the zoo. And so, I think we need clarity with a lot of communication and costing before we talk about actually launching, you know, a development program.”

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The zoo is currently led by Interim Director Gary Lunsford, following the departure of former director Joe Montisano. Lunsford emphasized the importance of planning, saying, “As soon as we go through master planning process, we’ll have a better idea what the future’s going to look like, and we’ll start seeking funds to make that happen.” He added, “In order to proceed with the master plan, we’ll need approval from City council.”

City leaders anticipate that these discussions will continue during strategic planning sessions, which city leaders expect to occur over the next two months.

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