County Postpones Star Decision For Two Weeks

EL PASO, Texas — It’s an El Paso landmark, but county leaders said Monday they need more time to decide if they will help pay the cost of keeping the “Star on the Mountain” lit.

County Commissioners say the $45,000-a-year price tag to keep the star going seems awfully steep.

A big hunk of that price tag goes to leasing the mountainside property on which the star actually sits.

County Commissioners say they will use the two weeks to try to negotiate a lower lease payment.

Right now the El Paso Chamber of Commerce Foundation is in charge of the star. For the past several years, they say, Western Refining has picked up the bill. Now that Western Refining has decided not to renew their agreement, El Paso Chamber of Commerce President Richard Dayoub says the city and county might consider splitting the tab and using taxes paid by hotel and motel guests.

It’s a tab that includes some surprising components. “The majority of the cost of the star is in maintenance — and upkeep,” Dayoub said.

Commissioners also floated the idea of going back to lighting the star only during the holidays or even using solar panels to power it.