County To Use Certificates Of Obligation For Improvements

EL PASO, TX — Major improvements for the county will be paid by a bond issue, but taxpayers won’t foot the bill. Instead, in a deeply divided vote on Monday, county commissionersdecided toissue certificates of obligation that will finance various projects, totaling some $73 million.

The bond passed by a vote of 3-2, with Commissioner Dan Haggerty and County Judge Anthony Cobos opposing the plan. The majority of commissioners claimed certain improvements were needed now. “Part of the challenge that we have is that we’re a growing county, a growing community, our facilities are aging,” said Commissioner Veronica Escobar.

The sheriff’s office, county courthouse and county parksareamong the projects which stand tobenefit, county officials said.

Commissioners spent more than an hourin sessionwhittlingthe bond down from $80 million.About seven million dollars was trimmed, but that wasn’t enough to satisfy opponents, who said all certificates of obligation should be voted on by the public.

“These numbers are arbitrary figures nobody has really sat down and crunched on,” Haggerty said. “It’s way too quick, too unnecessary and just wrong.”

Those favoring the measure said no tax increase was needed, as the county’s bond rating is solid enough that officials are able to borrow this type of money.

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Written for broadcast by Darren Hunt

Edited for KVIA.com by Kevin Pytcher