EPCC trustees weigh $173M budget that could raise property taxes for county homeowners

EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County homeowners could see a modest increase in the EPCC portion of their property tax bills if trustees approve a proposed budget and tax rate increase under discussion Tuesday.

El Paso Community College trustees are considering adopting a nearly $173 million operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Agenda documents show the proposed operating budget totals about $172.7 million and is balanced with projected revenue after accounting for the college’s tax strategy, budget reductions and vacancy freezes.

Trustees are also weighing a property tax rate about 8% above the no-new-revenue rate.

The 8% figure refers to how far the proposed rate is above that benchmark, not how much an individual tax bill would increase.

The proposed budget includes a 2% cost-of-living raise for eligible employees while reducing some department budgets.

EPCC is also dealing with an $8 million decrease in state funding, according to agenda items, along with a statewide freeze that prevents the college from raising tuition.

To help close the gap, trustees are considering raising the property tax rate to about 11 cents for every $100 of property value.

For the average homestead with a taxable value of about $240,000, EPCC estimates its portion of the property tax bill would be about $264 a year, about $16 more under the proposed rate.

In a statement, an EPCC spokesperson said, “They will be considering budget options that are designed to support the college’s commitment to advancing students and our region by providing affordable, accessible education while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

Trustees are set to discuss the proposal during tonight’s meeting at 4:30 p.m. at EPCC headquarters.

If approved, trustees would host a public hearing on Sept. 16, followed by a final vote.

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