Texas Border Business
El Paso, Texas — The City Council voted to direct the City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to develop the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget that looks at options to decrease the overall property tax rate.
The policy action—sponsored by City Representative Isabel Salcido and co-sponsored by Reps. Cassandra Hernandez and Henry Rivera—aims to reduce the financial impact on the City’s taxpayers and maintain City services, facilities, and projects.
The El Paso City Council has adopted the City’s budget without increasing the property tax rate in Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022. Additionally, the Council has also approved decreases in the property tax bill for senior citizens or residents with disabilities.
In the last seven years, City leadership has strengthened El Paso’s financial stability by achieving $227 million in cost savings; eliminating a $7.8 million General Fund deficit in 2014; eliminating a $27 million operating deficit in the mass transit department; tripling the fund balance by increasing it by more than $73 million; captured State sales taxes for downtown hotels revitalization; and led the City of El Paso team to achieve zero audit findings for six consecutive years.
RESIDENTS ASKED TO CHIME IN ON CITY PRIORITIES
Currently, the City is inviting residents to share their views on what city services are most meaningful to them through the annual budget survey: Chime In!
The survey is available in English and Spanish via the Chime In! banner on the City’s homepage at www.elpasotexas.gov. The survey period runs through May 31, 2022.
Engaging the public early in the budget process is a best management practice that allows the City to align its investments with priorities identified by the community, as well as with the City’s Strategic Plan and the City’s mission to deliver exceptional services to support a high quality of life and place for our community.
Under this engagement campaign, the public will have additional opportunities to participate in the budget development process including social media polls, focus groups, and a series of public meetings that will be scheduled prior to the adoption of the new budget.
Survey responses will serve as a guide for prioritizing the City’s budget, which annually must be adopted by August 31.
