El Paso County's $542M budget proposes tax increase, pay raises

El Paso County's Commissioners Court introduced a preliminary $542 million general fund budget Monday that would require property tax increases of roughly $164 per year on the average home valued at $194,879, according to El Paso Matters.

The court proposed a voter-approval tax rate of about 50.4 cents per $100 of property valuation, which would result in a county tax bill of $1,159 on that average home—a 16.5% increase from the previous year. The county could adopt a lower rate if commissioners choose to cut $40 million from the preliminary budget.

Major spending increases include about $4 million for pay raises and benefits tied to collective bargaining agreements, and a $5 million increase for a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment and 2.5% step salary increases for non-collective bargaining employees. The Sheriff's Office requested $161 million for the next fiscal year, roughly $24 million more than the current budget. The county has countered with about $152 million as the two negotiate toward a final figure.

Jail overtime costs have driven much of the increase. The county's jails spend nearly twice as much on daily overtime compared with two years ago. The Sheriff's Office and county are implementing a new staffing strategy to reduce overtime expenses, though no new positions are being authorized in the coming fiscal year.

Other preliminary budget items include increased spending for judicial salaries, economic development, and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Culture and recreation, health and welfare, and public works will see spending reductions.

The general fund covers day-to-day government services including public safety, county jails, courts, elections, and administrative offices, supported primarily through property taxes and fees. The preliminary overall budget includes an additional $128 million for enterprise funds, capital projects, and debt payments.

A public hearing on the tax rate is scheduled for August 17. The county will adopt its final budget in September, ahead of the fiscal year beginning October 1.

On the same day, the El Paso County Hospital District and El Paso City Council will also present their proposed budgets and tax rates for the coming fiscal year.