It is unfortunate that EPISD has become an issue in the upcoming congressional election.
Like most of our readers, we don’t know the details relating to alleged wrongdoing at the board and employee levels.
If bad acts have been committed why is it that these people have waited until now to speak up?
Should we now expect to start learning about problems over at the county?
We deserve better
Brutus
3 Comments | 
City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District, Federal Government | 
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Posted by Brutus
With the resignation of our county judge it is possible that we might see a change in commissioners court’s spending habits.
Possible is the key word here. It is important that we try to influence who the commissioners choose to replace her.
With the “holdover” provision of the Texas constitution in place it is possible that commissioners court will do nothing to replace the county judge. To us, that would be unfortunate.
Of the four regular members of the court, two have been advocates for fiscal prudence while the other two seem to be more inclined to spend more money.
It looks to us like the swing vote here will be the commissioner that used to be the city’s chief of police. There has been talk of him throwing his hat in the ring and running in the next election for county judge.
If we can influence Mr. Leon to vote for a county judge replacement that wants to reign in spending, we could have a win here.
The word on the street is that there are portions of the county government where savings could be realized by reducing personnel but that the current judge won’t allow it. She evidently does not want to hurt her congressional chances.
An appointed county judge–especially one that will not stand for election–could make the necessary reductions without worrying about the political costs.
We deserve better
Brutus
3 Comments | City government, County Government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
Well the numbers are unfortunately in.
For those that live within the EPISD geographic boundaries you will see a substantial increase in tax rates from every one of your taxing entities except the county.
The increases are interesting:
The county will not impose a tax increase on us this year. Maybe we should get some of our other elected officials to run for congress.
We deserve better
Brutus
11 Comments | City government, County Government, El Paso Independent School District | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
Unfortunately our county hospital has recently updated its website and no longer posts the backup materials for their agenda postings.
Now we can see from a posted agenda that there will be a review of the hospital’s financial statements but we will not be able to see those statements.
They do post the financials in a separate place after the board has reviewed them, but that does not allow members of the public to address the board as things are happening.
This is not good.
We deserve better
Brutus
1 Comment | County Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
There are two bills being considered in our Texas legislature that would limit property tax increases that cities and counties can hit us with.
Currently a city or county can increase their property tax rate by 8% a year. Anything over that subjects them to a roll back election. The process is a difficult one for the citizens and is almost never successful.
One of the bills would limit the increase to 6%, the other to 4%. Both would also automatically trigger a roll back election. That would give the voters a chance to approve or disapprove.
Elected officials from across the state are actively trying to kill the bills. Their position is essentially that they need the money for things that we must have.
Why not let the voters decide?
The answer is simple.
We deserve better
Brutus
4 Comments | City government, County Government, State Government | Permalink
Posted by Brutus
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