El Paso ‘Quality of Life’ Bond Election Tentatively Set for 2011

At a Thursday financial planning meeting, El Paso City Council informally set a date to ask voters to give a thumbs up or thumbs down on a new quality of life bond initiative.

Aiming for a November 2011 ballot, the city will ask taxpayers for $100-150 million to spruce up parks, libraries or possibly construct new, big-ticket attractions.

Some of the ideas for bond projects coming out of the Mayor John Cook’s office include an aquarium, an IMAX theater or a downtown arena.

Representative Steve Ortega says he knows it may be hard to convince El Pasoans to pay for things they may want but not really need.

“We’re living in times where the public dollars are limited,” Ortega told ABC-7.

“I want to make sure that we stretch that public dollar by investing in projects that will stimulate economic development.”

But Representative Eddie Holguin wants to remind the voting public not everyone on City Council thinks this is a good idea.

“It’s not just building these new facilities, it’s the maintenance and upkeep which is the main cost for years to come,” said Holguin.

The election is not yet set in stone. City Council first plans on holding public meetings to get voter input on potential projects.