EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The City of El Paso says four outside jurisdictions have more than $1.5 million in outstanding balances for animal services provided under agreements with the city.<\/p>\n
According to the city, the current outstanding balances are:<\/p>\n
El Paso County: $1,081,780Horizon City: $260,987Fort Bliss: $84,289San Elizario: $83,891<\/p>\n
Together, the balances total $1,510,947.<\/p>\n
The city said the balances reflect amounts billed to each jurisdiction for animal services provided under their respective agreements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City continues to work with its partner jurisdictions regarding amounts due under these agreements,\u201d the city said in a statement.<\/p>\n
El Paso County accounts for most of the outstanding balance.<\/p>\n
In a statement to KFOX14, the county said it has paid the city $991,696 for animal services over the past two years, including $39,706 associated with fiscal year 2024, $251,285 with fiscal year 2025 and $700,705 with fiscal year 2026.<\/p>\n
The county also said costs have increased significantly and exceeded budgeted amounts, and that its review found areas of the billing that still need to be reconciled and clarified.<\/p>\n
The county provided the following statement:<\/p>\n
El Paso County values its partnership with the City and intends to continue working together to provide animal services for our community. To date, the County has paid the City $991,696 for animal services over the past two years\u2014$39,706 associated with FY2024, $251,285 with FY2025, and $700,705 with FY2026. Like other jurisdictions, we have encountered challenges reconciling the billing as costs have increased significantly and exceeded budgeted amounts. Our detailed review has identified several areas that require reconciliation and clarification under the current agreement. We are working collaboratively with the City to resolve the remaining billing questions and we will propose clearer, simpler billing terms going forward.<\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 followed up with El Paso County seeking additional information about the billing concerns. The county declined to comment beyond its statement, saying it is still working through the matter.<\/p>\n
KFOX14 also reached out to Horizon City, Fort Bliss and San Elizario for their responses to the balances reported by the city and is waiting to hear back.<\/p>\n
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