El Paso County Financial Report Shows Smart Decisions Equal Savings

The battle is over, but not the war.

El Paso county commissioners announced Monday we not only survived last year’s budget crunch, but the county also saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Still, the worst is not over. Taxpayers will have to prepare for what’s coming from the Texas state’s capitol next.

Many communities across the state are facing a budget crisis, but thanks to three years of salary cuts, furloughs and careful spending, El Paso county has managed to keep financial stability.

Financial auditors had warned the county that they could be $10 million dollars short for the year if changes were not made.

“We not only did not spend the $10 million, but we have $200,000. That’s remarkable. I would have never guess we would have gotten that,” said county Commissioner Dan Haggerty.

But even with all the savings the county managed to rack up last year, the state could be about to make severe budget cuts that may severely affect El Paso, especially in terms of health care.

“It will, I think, almost definitely mean a tax hike for University Medical Center. The way they’re cutting Medicaid, they way they’re cutting doctors, will be devastating to the hospital district,” said County Judge Veronica Escobar.

That means even though the county won the 2010 financial battle, it will be up to decisions made by the state when it comes to winning the budget war.