El Paso county commissioners approve tax rate hike

UPDATE: In a 4 to 1 vote, commissioners pass the proposed rate, which is the highest rate the court may adopt, without seeking voter approval. 

Under the approved rate, homeowners with the average value home in the county will pay approximately $104 more than last year.

According to county documents, commissioners had the option of approving either the current tax rate, the no-new revenue rate, or the proposed voter approval rate.

Documents show this rate would create $34.4 million in additional revenue, including $14.7 million to go toward capital projects, $2.7 million toward new positions, $3.5 million toward step increases and $13 million for the fund balance. 

Some of the major budget items that are driving increases are the law enforcement collective bargaining agreement, which accounts for 5.4 million dollars of the budget.

The adjustment to employee minimum wage comes at a cost of 7.9 million, and the August third shooter's trial expenses at 1.25 million of the budget.

Commissioners have previously approved a 16% salary increase. Those increases will be included in the budget, which is yet to formally adopt.

UPDATE: Commissioners voted to postpone the 2024 budget hearing to Sept. 11

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso county commissioners are scheduled to vote to adopt a new tax rate for the county and take action on the 2024 budget amid a salary increase controversy.

According to the published schedule, Commissioners have the option of approving either the current tax rate, no-new revenue rate, or the proposed voter approval rate.

The current 2023 tax rate is 0.42 cents per $100 property valuation, the no-new revenue rate is 0.40 cents per $100 property valuation, and the voter approval rate is 0.45 cents per $100 property valuation.

If the no-new revenue rate is approved, that would translate to an increase of about $21 a year on an average value home.

The current rate would translate to an increase of about $45 more a year in county taxes on an average value home.

According to county documents, in the proposed rate, which is the county’s voter approval rate, homeowners in the county would pay $836 in county taxes – $104 more than last year.

The voter approval rate would also create $34.4 in additional revenue.

Also included in the budget are changes to the Elected Official Wages of $266,081.

County Commissioners voted to give themselves a 16% raise last week. They also voted to give other county employees a raise.