Ivan Niño, candidate for El Paso City Council District 5
Name: Ivan Niño
Occupation: City of El Paso representative for District 1City of El Paso representative for District 5
Relevant Experience
I have more than 15 years of experience in local and county government, with a career spanning county government, the state court system, and municipal service. Today, I have the honor of serving as the elected City Representative for District 5.
Since taking office in January 2025, I have focused on delivering on the issues residents talk to me about every day: public safety, affordability, streets and traffic, infrastructure, parks, economic opportunity with better jobs, and making City government more accountable and responsive. That experience has helped me build a proven track record of moving priorities forward, from major infrastructure and street improvements to public safety investments, parks, lighting, and neighborhood quality-of-life projects.
Most importantly, I have worked to keep District 5 front and center in the decisions and conversations taking place at City Hall. I understand how government works, I understand the needs of our community, and I have demonstrated that I can turn resident priorities into action and results.
Personal
Ivan Niño is a lifelong El Pasoan who has called District 5 home for more than 30 years. Born and raised in El Paso, he grew up in a small-business family, with his parents owning a flower shop and jewelry store in Downtown El Paso. Their example taught him the importance of hard work, perseverance, service, and giving back to the community that helped shape him.
A graduate of El Dorado High School, Ivan continued his education at El Paso Community College and the University of Arizona, earning an Associate of Arts, Paralegal Certification, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He has also continued his professional development through training in court management, Lean Six Sigma, and project management, reflecting his commitment to effective, accountable public service.
Ivan has more than 15 years of experience in public service, with a career spanning county government, the state court system, and municipal service. His experience includes serving as a State District Court Administrator, Chief of Staff for District 5, and now as the elected City Representative for District 5.
Ivan believes strong communities are built when residents are heard, neighborhoods remain engaged, and government works in partnership with the people it serves. Since taking office, he has focused on the issues residents raise every day, including public safety, affordability, streets and traffic, infrastructure, parks, economic opportunity, and making City government more accountable and responsive.
His approach to public service is rooted in listening, showing up, and working alongside residents to move community priorities forward. He remains committed to keeping District 5 front and center in the decisions and conversations at City Hall and to ensuring that growth, investment, and opportunity translate into a better quality of life for the people who call El Paso home.
What is your position on data centers?
I do not believe hyperscale data centers belong in our neighborhoods. Residents should be at the forefront of any discussion about where these projects are located and how they may affect water, energy, infrastructure, utility costs, and quality of life. I share many of the concerns residents have raised about the long-term impacts these projects can have on our community and limited resources.
Since taking office, I have not voted to approve any agreement for a hyperscale data center. All existing Chapter 380 agreements related to data centers were approved before I joined the City Council.
Those concerns are why I supported the development and adoption of the City’s Data Center Policy Framework. I believe the framework strikes a much better balance between economic growth and protecting El Paso residents, natural resources, infrastructure, and utility ratepayers. It prioritizes community engagement and evaluates long-term impacts on infrastructure and utilities. City Council also established the policy direction that future hyperscale data centers should not be actively recruited, pursued, or incentivized by the City.
I have co-sponsored Council action advocating for protections so residential ratepayers are not left paying utility costs associated with large data centers. I also supported the City’s opposition to El Paso Electric’s proposed McCloud Generation Facility because of concerns involving cost, infrastructure demands, transparency, and potential risks to existing ratepayers.
My position is that economic development should not simply be development for the sake of development. It should lead to economic mobility for El Pasoans. That means better-paying jobs, opportunities for our local workforce, support for small and locally owned businesses, expansion of our tax base, and long-term financial opportunities for El Paso families.
As the City updates its broader economic-development policies and incentive standards, I want us to establish clearer expectations for public investment and ensure that growth provides measurable benefits to the people who live here.
Responsible economic growth and protecting our community do not have to be competing goals. My priority is ensuring that residents, our natural resources, infrastructure, and utility ratepayers remain at the forefront of those decisions.
What would you do differently to reduce property taxes?
Affordability has been one of my priorities since taking office. I believe City government has a responsibility to recognize the financial pressure facing homeowners and families. Reducing the property-tax burden requires more than adjusting the tax rate. We also have to address the underlying growth of City spending and make fiscal discipline part of the budget process year-round.
During this year’s budget process, I made a motion directing staff to conduct a citywide operational efficiency review focused on materials and supplies, outside contracts, and professional services. The goal was to take a closer look at major expenditures, identify duplication and opportunities for savings, evaluate contracts, and ensure taxpayer dollars are being used effectively.
I also voted against the initially introduced voter-approval tax rate and voted against the proposed budget multiple times as we worked toward a better agreement. Ultimately, City Council adopted a lower property-tax rate than originally proposed. I have also previously supported exemptions that provide relief for seniors, and residents with disabilities.
Going forward, I would continue line-by-line reviews of major expenditures, scrutinize outside contracts and professional services, competitively rebid contracts where appropriate, reduce unnecessary spending, pay down debt when financially responsible, and require measurable results from taxpayer-funded programs.
We also have to grow El Paso’s commercial and industrial tax base. A stronger tax base means homeowners are not asked to carry an increasingly large share of the cost of City services.
I would not begin with across-the-board cuts to police, fire, streets, parks, or services for seniors and veterans. We should first make government more efficient, protect core services, prioritize spending, and make difficult decisions about lower-priority expenditures before asking taxpayers to pay more.
What’s your position on the Deck Plaza project?
At a time when residents are asking us to address streets, public safety, traffic, parks, and affordability, those core responsibilities must remain our priority.
I believe the proposed Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza has the potential to reconnect parts of Downtown, create additional public space, and support economic development. However, any City investment must be financially responsible and clearly demonstrate a benefit to El Paso taxpayers.
Before supporting a significant City investment, I would need to see a complete funding plan, clearly defined long-term maintenance obligations, substantial participation from state, federal, private, and philanthropic partners, and a clear return for our community.
I would consider exploring limited City investment if it leverages substantially greater outside funding, does not require a property-tax increase, and does not come at the expense of essential City services. I would not support the City or local property taxpayers becoming the primary financial burden for the project.
What are your plans to ensure transparency and make sure you are accessible to constituents?
Transparent government means residents should be able to understand how decisions are made, how their tax dollars are being spent, and why their elected representatives vote the way they do.
Transparency also requires accessibility. Since taking office, I have made it a priority to hold community meetings, visit neighborhoods, meet directly with residents and stakeholders, and communicate about projects and decisions affecting District 5.
I believe you cannot effectively represent a community if you are disconnected from it. If reelected, I will continue to be accessible, answer questions, listen to concerns, and be accountable for the decisions I make. District 5 has been and will continue to be my #1 priority.
What makes you the best candidate?
What distinguishes me is my experience and proven track record of delivering results for District 5.
Two years ago, I asked District 5 voters for the opportunity to serve. Today, I can point to real progress. I have dedicate my full time to serving the community that shaped who I am. We moved the long-awaited Montwood Drive Extension toward construction, broke ground on Phase II of The Beast Urban Park, invested in dozens of street and traffic improvements, expanded street and park lighting, opened Fire Station #38, advanced a new citywide Anti-DWI initiative, improved parks and recreational amenities, and continued working to strengthen basic City services.
Affordability has been one of my top priorities since taking office. I have pushed for greater fiscal accountability and have opposed simply asking taxpayers to pay more without first examining where City government can operate more efficiently. I supported increased tax exemptions for seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans, and I have voted against every utility rate increase.
There is still important work ahead. I am asking voters for a full term because I have demonstrated that I will listen, show up, work with people across our community, and continue delivering for District 5.
