The $396.6 million University Medical Center of El Paso bond proposal is on its way to approval with 63.5% of the early vote, while two of the five El Paso County capital improvement bond proposals are gaining strong support, early voting results show.
On the county bond proposition with the most support, 64% of El Paso voters are in favor of establishing the county’s first animal shelter, while nearly 55% support the proposition that would improve Ascarate Park and other county parks.
The three other county propositions garnered less than 50% of the early vote, with Election Day results expected later Tuesday night.
In the race for El Paso County commissioner in Precinct 1, Democrat Jackie Arroyo Butler has a significant lead over Republican Claudia Rodriguez with 56.2% of the vote to represent the Far Eastside. A third candidate, Libertarian Ryan Woodcraft, trails behind.
Precinct 3 incumbent commissioner Iliana Holguin didn’t have a Republican challenger in the general election, and was effectively reelected during the March primaries. The precinct covers the vast portion of the Lower Valley.
UMC El Paso Bond
The UMC bond would expand health care services and clinics throughout the county, including a geriatric center in Central El Paso and a health center in Horizon City. It would also fund surgical suites, equipment, beds, laboratory services and parking at UMC, as well as a burn center and critical care unit at the main hospital.
The bond includes $30 million for the comprehensive cancer center, set to begin construction in January 2025 and open in 2026. The cancer center is a joint project between UMC and Texas Tech Health El Paso, but taxpayer funds can only go to UMC to fund construction and equipment, not payroll and day-to-day operations.
The bond raises the UMC portion of the average homeowner’s bill by about $95 a year for 10 years and about $52 a year for the next 20 years after that.
County of El Paso Capital Improvement Bond
The ballot featured five different capital improvement bond propositions which totaled $323.8 million. Voters could decide on each proposition separately.
The bond proposals and their impact on county taxes on the average-value $200,000 home broke down as follows:
Proposition A: $95.6 million for Ascarate Park, other county park upgrades; $18 a year impact
Proposition B: $26.7 million for new medical examiner offices; $5 a year impact
Proposition C: $63.3 million for new county annexes; $13 a year impact
Proposition D: $105.5 million for County Coliseum renovations; $20 a year impact
Proposition E: $32.7 million to establish county’s first animal shelter: $6 a year impact
If all five propositions were to be approved, the owner of a $200,000 home would see a $60 increase in the county’s portion of their tax bill.
Commissioners Court for three years cannot issue certificates of obligation – debt that doesn’t require voter approval but is repaid with property taxes – for any project that isn’t approved. The court could take a bond out to voters again in the future – as early as the next election.
County leaders are considering issuing up to $175 million in certificates of obligation for other projects not under the bond proposals on the ballot.
El Paso County Commissioners
Butler, 37, is the senior policy advisor in Precinct 1; while Rodriguez, 39, is a former city representative and businesswoman. Woodcraft, 41, is a former U.S Army chief warrant officer.
The elected Precinct 1 county commissioner will take office in January and replace Carlos Leon, who is retiring after serving two terms on the court.
Holguin, 47, of Precinct 3, is an immigration attorney who was first elected in 2020. She defeated Democratic challenger Virginia Rodriguez in the March primary, winning 77% of the vote.
The court comprises four commissioners and the county judge who serve four-year terms. Commissioners are paid $133,466 a year. Commissioners Court oversees about 3,000 employees and a budget that stands at about $584.5 million for the 2025 fiscal year.
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