El Paso County Commissioners Court holds public hearing on budget, tax increase

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Monday morning, El Paso County commissioners will begin budget hearings for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The proposed budget could include a tax increase for El Pasoans.

Aug. 3, commissioners voted to use the voter-approved tax rate as a budget ceiling for the current proposal. That tax rate is $0.504717 per $100 of taxable value for tax year 2026.

In addition to the county's voter-approved tax rate, the proposed rate consists of a maintenance and operations rate of $0.441718 and an interest and sinking rate of $0.062999 per $100 of taxable value.

Commissioners are considering a $542 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027.

The commissioners court hasn't adopted a property tax rate. In a news release, it said it may adopt a lower rate, which it has done before.

During the hearings, the commissioners court will look into proposed programs, services, projects and the effect of the budget and tax rate on taxpayers.

Budget hearings began at 10 a.m. Monday, and will continue 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Public hearings for the budget will continue next week on Aug. 17 and later on Sept. 14.