[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6302084,"mediaKeyId","2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886","parentId",2482627,"title","Commissioners adopt multiple resolutions recognizing community groups, procurement month and athletic achievements","audioSeconds",1843,"startMs",1417000,"endMs",3260000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886&start=1417&end=3260","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886/thumbnail_1417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6302084/El-Paso-County/Texas/Commissioners-adopt-multiple-resolutions-recognizing-community-groups-procurement-month-and-athletic-achievements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302084-60c2c787c58d7b75ea57da5a3c3cdf48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172612&Signature=ZDl43mCltBXhPL1UTgVyEYwvXPHuBQX~TY~S89JXYTn0B14nwR2lqIe6HgykUWVMU1ddBbl18rWPY-F1HTDAbLHvILuJ9PfDIIOPQ1qwZsF8CzKcVdI5igClV0J7sBVF-b~MD0GmipkyjHaVI3QiZVaek6CUtnI1RtdGe3DbYxFR7N-Vr0ufd8Wlcl1oj8CKOtqEMef6rUzI-~cdlLLVJrfOYTJnS8gHqRhU4hC5N6z8tao419lV7SA4zMHtou9eLu7i65GWDyGqrjIeRNefUhgnlnfXxpiCEnNwzc0RsOHbIkLE2wCkQ--4B6T-wCq9JUhdn7kqbNVteIH2uU0G2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County, TX","date","2025-03-03T22:54:43Z","article","El Paso County Commissioners on Monday approved a slate of resolutions acknowledging community events, organizations and achievements across the county.

Key votes carried on the consent and regular agenda:

- Resolution recognizing the third annual “Pass the Baton” International Women’s Day law enforcement luncheon (Agenda item 5F). The court read and adopted the resolution; Judge Samaniego moved and Commissioner Holguin seconded the motion, which carried.

- Recognition of Jacqueline Garcia Martinez and Bazaar Model Management for contributions to fashion, modeling and pageantry in El Paso (Agenda item 5E). The court adopted the resolution and heard remarks from Martinez and her team; motion carried.

- Resolution declaring March 2025 as National Procurement Month and recognizing the county Purchasing Department (Agenda item 5A). The court adopted the resolution; Purchasing Agent Karen Davidson and staff introduced the department and team.

- Recognition of Burgess High School girls wrestling team for historic state qualifiers and a fifth‑place team finish at the UIL state tournament (Agenda item 5B). Commissioner Stout read the resolution for that item; the motion carried.

- Resolution designating El Paso (county level) as the “boot capital of Texas” in recognition of the local boot‑making tradition (Agenda item 5C). County and Visit El Paso representatives discussed legislative outreach to obtain state recognition; the motion carried.

- Resolution declaring March 25, 2025, as Diabetes Alert Day in El Paso County (Agenda item 5D). Representatives from community health partners and tribal health programs spoke in support; the court adopted the resolution.

Each resolution was introduced, read into the record, and adopted by a motion and second. County staff indicated that presentation of resolutions often included invited guests and community speakers; adopted resolutions will be signed and provided to honorees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 3, 2025 El Paso County Commissioners Court Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 3 meeting the court adopted several resolutions and recognitions including procurement month, a women in law enforcement luncheon, honors for a modeling management firm, Burgess High girls wrestling, designation of El Paso as boot capital of Texas (county level), and Diabetes Alert Day.","taxTitle","El Paso County, Texas","taxId",2703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302089,"County highlights $40 million ARPA investment connecting Lower Valley neighborhoods to sewer service",81,6634000,6715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886&start=6634&end=6715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886/thumbnail_6634000.jpg","/articles/6302089/El-Paso-County/Texas/County-highlights-40-million-ARPA-investment-connecting-Lower-Valley-neighborhoods-to-sewer-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302089-7bf00c5d577e0e2618dd1af804c49c67/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172612&Signature=B1aqEto3OD0jglnIZlf7XFL~2smc-THD4cDluTHsDEmHbnwkiO0kCAqgtaNatUFNF6Zd4PoaFReFqL9BPKCgLfq5T6Vbk5xeqvSuD7ZFNlr0hy0WlWxsuO6TdMu3GdhRBrdF6cZ4IpiNZRQxyS4j8cNSK30DoGrqxMYX-owoST87Rx2BcjIzv5zkDi01gaJiYfHP94s95ru11aH3ElfqcPspF8fKulzidnEackIQQnP049EpLnJblrgbHdR0Hp1F7TvRF~Ftc9Pb5ltfsGQll6mYwla1TTJjq2QxQWB0MS3ZFTKSq09SysEC2prWnuXrPfyRhb90ZoAtZ3iURwyl2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County officials said Monday that construction has started on projects that will connect three Lower Valley neighborhoods to the Lower Valley Water District sewer system, funded with about $40 million of county American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocations.

County representatives said the projects respond to decades‑old septic‑system failures and groundwater contamination risks. Officials told the court that many on‑site systems are more than 30 years old and have increasingly posed health and environmental concerns. County staff said ARPA funding expedited work that otherwise could have taken up to 15 years to assemble and fund through traditional sources.

Speakers at multiple points during the meeting described the work as the “first time” sewer and water connections for some communities and said construction would take roughly six to eight months. County leaders credited community advocacy and coordination with the Lower Valley Water District for enabling the projects to proceed after bids came back higher than earlier estimates and the court committed additional funds to close the gap.

No formal vote was recorded on Monday to reallocate funds because commissioners said the ARPA investment had already been programmed; the discussion before the court was an informational update and community celebration of the groundbreaking. County staff said they will provide construction timelines and further budget details as the projects move into active construction and will return to commissioners if additional funding approvals are required.","Commissioners celebrated the start of projects to connect three Lower Valley neighborhoods to the Lower Valley Water District sewer system, funded with approximately $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars allocated by El Paso County.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302094,"Emergency Service Districts 1 and 2 present clean audits and update budgets as volunteers decline",1848,17152000,19000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886&start=17152&end=19000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886/thumbnail_17152000.jpg","/articles/6302094/El-Paso-County/Texas/Emergency-Service-Districts-1-and-2-present-clean-audits-and-update-budgets-as-volunteers-decline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302094-cb35bcddf6ded35c68674ac2e3f91448/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172612&Signature=gHjcT8ep8tibcIthRz3jeGkDghnwWLxOn21v25vMvEQjRsYcFchugYxTgKNr1gHOc1qhWU1G5gbVxLYC0~zS99LQra83-E~Io~Ki2PFOLwqlG5QLyR-EcZPE9jR4O~X8Tv1-IGTZajFJ3dV~YRXDSrWeb18S7iVBvzu7TDw9P3jthl-dpLDZ3kUrY34Qf9~S9xV1pdUwNKcZ3gGoWY7g0Wgmf6escXwH78C1t4JqngO-0tabnhMMumU8GCwd6yNjpsCZb52NFKLheDkzd43hTK3alqgV5GUChujIJIzu8WRhS4Q1pxDY-ivTxLNRyyQxvDENOewbJexk~aCsFh1tEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two of the county’s emergency service districts reported clean annual audits and offered updates on FY2025 budget initiatives during Monday’s commissioners court.

ESD No. 1’s independent auditor, Theo Cabrera, delivered a clean (unmodified) opinion for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2024, and reported growing assets driven by 2022 initiation of sales‑tax collections and use of a 2023 long‑term borrowing of about $19 million for a new headquarters and related construction. Cabrera said the district had no findings of fraud or material internal control weaknesses; auditors offered non‑finding recommendations to refine the chart of accounts for capital expenditures and to engage a bond consultant to review arbitrage (rebate) liability on unspent bond proceeds.

Chief Catherine Ames and Chief Chris Menendez (ESE No. 1) described operational changes: the district has moved toward a combination career/volunteer model, added career firefighters so all three shifts are covered, and created a daytime “rescue crew” (currently 8 a.m.–8 p.m.) to improve response during busy hours. ESD 1 has invested in a new headquarters, paid land acquisition and equipment, and reported a general‑fund balance that the auditors characterized as healthy; auditors estimated the unassigned general‑fund balance could cover several months of operating expenditures.

ESD No. 2 also reported a clean audit. Its auditors, representatives from McDaniel & Company, described five‑year growth in total assets and a 101%‑funded pension plan. ESD 2 purchased land for a new Socorro fire station and planned a $6 million loan for that project, with reserve funds to cover any cost overrun. Mariana Navarette (ESD 2) said the district completed a radio upgrade, is transitioning to a shared emergency‑reporting system to avoid duplicate entries and has approved two additional full‑time firefighter positions funded from stipend and reserve programs.

Both chiefs and auditors noted a statewide trend of declining volunteer recruitment, pressuring districts toward phased conversion to paid staffing while balancing fiscal reserves. The court voted to accept both districts’ audit and progress reports (motions carried by the court).","ESD 1 and ESD 2 reported clean independent audits for the year ended Sept. 30, 2024, presented robust fund balances and outlined hiring and capital plans; both districts reported growth pressures that are shifting reliance from volunteers to paid staff.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302099,"UMC presents quarterly operations update and outlines state‑level legislative priorities",1572,11076000,12648000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886&start=11076&end=12648","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886/thumbnail_11076000.jpg","/articles/6302099/El-Paso-County/Texas/UMC-presents-quarterly-operations-update-and-outlines-statelevel-legislative-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302099-dd3f1b0aaede083b8e7506427cbb7e31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172612&Signature=QQJPxrNUh0L8wos3y4AYhVkcAayaHeYCMJ-zppkpEsXymAp7lEfvIrT20Xu9ijU266zUflslieJTDP2xUt3SddiznIyAwCosZyWs5btEW40uMZmkK8NgOmzjfMdjlbFBn01Axnj1faOqZ-zxsVGGoiiQAxJ-ODcniA5irJmtLcwaGdWqfJGJoHzOeDgQt4DNfIU9byRonXi5O5Q8j4XfqpWB7hSs7qyB7P8S-1QMEwFdYQ1Xfrzrfu8zaaQ28yzmMnbQwcqN2K~fr-Ea3y~cUpxCunKnOyRjQEjEghlUejk-j0Hx7ZT7hp1VDI4rvASiP9QY3~Nq5CL~podF1o78xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the El Paso County Hospital District and its affiliates detailed clinical expansions, a bond‑management timeline and several legislative priorities during a quarterly briefing to the county commissioners on Monday.

Jacob Sintron, president and CEO of the hospital district, described new clinical services and accreditations — including El Paso’s first urology procedure performed with a Da Vinci single‑port robotic system, the expansion of ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) capability, and geriatric emergency‑department accreditation. Sintron said those additions are intended to reduce patient travel out of the region for specialty care. He also reviewed outreach and community events tied to UMC’s 110th anniversary.

Michael Nunez, chief financial officer, presented key operating metrics for the fiscal year. He said inpatient admissions, emergency department visits and outpatient volumes have shown growth and that the district’s days‑cash‑on‑hand and current ratio were affected in part by the timing of premium payments to El Paso Health. Nunez noted that a large premium payment to El Paso Health was received in December and a second payment arrived in February, improving the cash position.

The hospital district and its partners also discussed bond planning. District staff said new federal rules require that 85% of bond proceeds be spent within three years of issuance; that timetable affects how and when the district will schedule draws for construction and equipment. Maria Zampini, chief operating officer (presented by staff), and others are coordinating project phasing so the bond‑funded projects can meet that requirement.

On state policy, Reuben Vogt and other district officials outlined several priorities the district will pursue during the Texas legislative session: preserving hospital-district-owned managed‑care organizations’ (MCOs) procurement protections for Medicaid contracts; opposing proposals that would eliminate or restrict hospital facility fees; preserving local financing options for hospitals (maintaining carve‑outs from proposed rollback‑rate changes); and defending the statutory definition of standalone children’s hospitals to protect reimbursement levels for El Paso Children’s Hospital. District representatives said they are tracking roughly 1,100 bills, with 62 flagged as high‑priority for the district.

Commissioners voted to accept the quarterly report by motion from Judge Samaniego and a second from Commissioner Coronado; the motion carried in open session. County staff noted the hospital district will continue to coordinate with the county and state delegation on capital requests, including additional funding the district and partners are seeking for a cancer center expansion and for developing a state psychiatric center site.","UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital leaders briefed commissioners on clinical program additions, a bond timetable, and active legislative priorities including protecting El Paso Health’s managed‑care role and requests for state capital funding for a psychiatric center and cancer center expansion.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6302104,"County approves incentive agreement to advance Schneider Electric expansion talks",440,21432000,21872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886&start=21432&end=21872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2482627-99acb8c3d48a3688cffbf740a1fbe886/thumbnail_21432000.jpg","/articles/6302104/El-Paso-County/Texas/County-approves-incentive-agreement-to-advance-Schneider-Electric-expansion-talks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6302104-b8b2871f4789c4f2e9414e4b44aa5663/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172612&Signature=HNxtCeZkgEtfVShr4i7gNDIlYRCzy9YwCBqMtkewtWNSka9iqDLViI4mfwe~JTX4VQjuLVu9So-ZRrnZ3nsq8j78qQJidw~9Owrz6G7Oa5QCuuwMq8hkWR7tRyMWcekFsXAKGGpnRVGAAOuc-mkH9q3e2ru4SVpYPN7eXoeAPtDICbxYFB9Rj9pa3ZxAnez8m8C-DDVv5T-caNF-nodqG8Yf2oxeODtpw48HO1xyPrzit8YXzyc~Ry2gseR9ranEncB9-pnCHP9SNKTB7forIdktqKyEjC79vMa7Me5F~rr~J8FBcTKgMvKKaexZjml7imzIElGKZLp2apC6ZsnGoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","El Paso County’s commissioners on Monday voted to approve a Chapter 381 economic development agreement that begins a structured incentives process to support Schneider Electric’s evaluation of a possible manufacturing expansion in the region.

The agreement — to be signed by the county judge — does not finalize a relocation or expansion; it creates a framework of incentives and conditions Schneider and a commercial partner must satisfy if the company elects to proceed. Roberto Ransom, director of the county’s Economic Development Department, described the project to commissioners as a capital‑intensive proposal that could bring about $50.3 million in investment and more than 500 full‑time jobs if the company makes a final commitment.

County officials and economic-development partners said the vote clears an important procedural hurdle. “This milestone marks the beginning of a series of efforts aimed at guiding the company towards their final decision,” Ransom said during the presentation. John Barela, who has led county business recruitment efforts, thanked the court and partners for the “team sport” of economic development and called the opportunity “phenomenal,” while emphasizing additional steps remain before any final announcement.

The court’s action authorized the county judge to sign the Chapter 381 agreement with Schneider Electric USA Inc. and Plexar LLC (contract number 20250166) and approved the draft with negotiated redline edits presented in the backup. Assistant county attorney Evatt Lucas provided the final motion language used to carry the vote.

The contract creates a conditional structure of incentives tied to investment thresholds, job creation and performance requirements over a multiyear period. County staff, legal counsel and outside advisors said the agreement contains clawbacks and reporting obligations typical of Chapter 381 arrangements, and that execution of public incentives would follow verification of the company’s performance against those conditions.

Commissioners and staff said the county negotiated the structure to protect taxpayer interests while remaining competitive in a contested site-selection process. County Manager Betsy Keller and the county legal team worked with Schneider representatives and regional economic partners during the negotiations. The court voted to approve the agreement by a motion from County Judge Samaniego and a second by Commissioner Coronado; the motion carried.

County officials said they will return to the court with any subsequent, specific incentive disbursement requests that require formal authorization. Until Schneider executes final investment documents and satisfies the agreement’s conditions, the county’s action remains preparatory rather than a payment or transfer of funds.

Proponents said the deal could generate industrial jobs and supplier activity in the region; opponents were not recorded during the public hearing portion of the item.

The county will post the executed agreement and associated compliance materials once signed and countersigned by the parties.","El Paso County commissioners authorized a Chapter 381 economic development agreement to support Schneider Electric’s proposed $50.3 million advanced-manufacturing investment and potential creation of more than 500 jobs, while stressing that final company commitments and further steps remain outstanding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners adopt multiple resolutions recognizing community groups, procurement month and athletic achievements

County highlights $40 million ARPA investment connecting Lower Valley neighborhoods to sewer service

Emergency Service Districts 1 and 2 present clean audits and update budgets as volunteers decline

UMC presents quarterly operations update and outlines state‑level legislative priorities

County approves incentive agreement to advance Schneider Electric expansion talks