County commissioners hear presentation on sheriff’s office budget

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso County Commissioners unanimously voted to cancel an agenda item to hear from the county sheriff's office about its fiscal year 2026-27 budget and staffing issues. The item made its way back to Monday's agenda.

The item directs the county to provide direction on the sheriff's office budgetary or staffing issues.

El Paso County budget officials estimated the sheriff's office ended the last fiscal year with a deficit of roughly $7.9 million. Pending grants could reduce that amount.

Officials said the numbers aren't final because the auditor is still making adjustments, including about $1.3 million in additional payroll accruals.

Monday, Director of Budget and Finance Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria went through a presentation with information current as of Oct. 14.

Arrieta-Candelaria said the adopted budget was more than $136 million. A revised budget showed $144 million. Arrieta-Candelaria said nothing changed since the last presentation and reported a net change of $7.7 million.

As of right now, she said the deficit for fiscal year 25-26 is $7.6 million. Again, she stressed the numbers aren't final.

Arrieta-Candelaria asked for a motion to get direction on the special operations for a budget amendment. They are not posted for action on this item, so they will just receive direction, according to the city attorney.