Arrieta-Candelaria told commissioners that $35.8 million more has been collected in the first 10 months of the fiscal year than during the same period last fiscal year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat consisted primarily of the property taxes, due to the amount that was assessed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The county also has spent 3% more than it had at this point in 2025, or about $9.5 million more, Arrieta-Candelaria said.<\/p>\n
The county has spent $5.8 million, or 7%, more in the \u201cgeneral government\u201d category, partly due to additional hirings. About $5.4 million, or 4%, more has been spent in public safety, which Arrieta-Candelaria said was \u201cprimarily due to the sheriff\u2019s office expenses being higher year-over-year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The county also has spent nearly twice as much on \u201cresource development,\u201d increasing from $1.4 million in 2025 to $2.7 million so far this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is primarily due to the payments under all of the approved 381 agreements and the economic impact fund initiatives compared to 2025,\u201d Candelaria said, referring to financial incentives the county has approved for companies to move to El Paso or expand.<\/p>\n
Some of the higher costs were offset by lower expenses in other areas. Expenses came down by 2% in \u201cadministration of justice,\u201d about 4% in \u201cculture and recreation\u201d and 7% in \u201chealth and welfare.\u201d Expenditures in public works also declined about 3%, according to Arrieta-Candelaria.<\/p>\n
Debate over Binational Affairs Division<\/p>\n
At the Commissioners Court meeting, there was also a testy exchange between El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego and Commissioner David Stout over an agenda item to move oversight and responsibility of the Binational Affairs Division into the judge\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Samaniego described it as a way to avoid a duplication of services and save the cost of an additional salary, which he estimated at $160,000 including benefits.<\/p>\n
But Stout said the salary would be a good investment for the county because of the increasingly critical role of the Binational Affairs Division.<\/p>\n
\u201cI advocated heavily over a number of years to create this position once we got our Economic Development Department created,\u201d Stout said.<\/p>\n
The complexities of that position call for it to remain institutionalized under county administration rather than within a politician\u2019s office, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s under any commissioner\u2019s office or the judge\u2019s office, it may not receive that same type of dedication that is necessary,\u201d Stout said. \u201cThere are a number of issues that have to do with binational affairs that are important to all (commissioners), and it makes it much more difficult for us to be able to direct and provide input on what we would like to see if it\u2019s under one individual\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Samaniego pushed back, saying, \u201cI do have the right as a county judge to do all of those things, independent\u201d of Commissioner\u2019s Court, and added that he was nonetheless bringing it to the court for a vote.<\/p>\n
Stout said he was surprised to learn of the effort to bring that position under the judge\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really hope that in the future if this position is brought under your office that you actually take the time to reach out to the commissioners and engage us on what is going on with binational affairs,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Samaniego made the motion to move the Binational Affairs Division under the oversight of the county judge and have it assessed again in March 2027. Commissioner Sergio Coronado seconded the motion.<\/p>\n
All but Stout voted in favor.<\/p>\n
Resolutions for El Paso Electric, Fort Bliss commander and the \u2018K-Man\u2019<\/p>\n
Commissioners Court also passed a resolution recognizing September 2026 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and honoring El Paso Children\u2019s Hospital for its \u201ccommitment to pediatric cancer patients and families.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, September 2026 was declared \u201cNational Deaf Awareness Month,\u201d and commissioners recognized Samuel Ornelas, also known as the \u201cK-Man,\u201d for his \u201centhusiasm, community spirit and support of the El Paso Chihuahuas.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kelly Tomblin<\/a>, CEO of El Paso Electric, accepted a commemoration for the utility\u2019s 125th Anniversary.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t be more proud to contribute to the economy to keep our communities safe and thriving,\u201d Tomblin said. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing that we can\u2019t and won\u2019t do, and we\u2019ll continue to transform the energy landscape for the growth and prosperity of our region.\u201d<\/p>\n