County Commissioners Offer Extension On Audit

County Commissioners made a resolution on Monday to allow them to remove appointed county officials from their offices. The move came the same day that a meeting was held behind closed doors discussing Carlos Sandoval, the board commissioner for El Paso County’s Emergency Services District 2.

Sandoval, who spent most of his time during the closed door meeting outside, said it was simply a coincidence that the two items came up during the same day. Another board member, who works with Sandoval, also offered his resignation within days of the meeting.

“I think it just happened to be a coincidence,” said Sandoval.

County Judge Veronica Escobar didn’t seem to agree. While she couldn’t discuss the specifics of what occurred behind closed doors of an executive session, she did tell ABC-7 that issues have arose.

Ask specifically whether she agreed with Sandoval’s assessment that things were fine she paused for a few seconds before smiling and responding, “no.”

Escobar said she was waiting to make further comments until an audit is revealed for Emergency Services District No. 2, but said last year’s audit raised some flags.

The audit was expected to be filed by June 1, the deadline for all such agencies, but an extension was filed on Monday during County Commissioner’s court. That allows for an additional 30 days to pass before the audit is due, the second time in as many years they’ve filed for such an extension.

The extension was passed by a 3-1 vote with County Commissioner Dan Haggerty casting the only “no” vote.