EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Commissioners Court is being asked to begin the process needed to close its Migrant Support Services Center at its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 25.
Commissioners are being asked to approve and authorize County Judge Ricardo Samaniego signing and issuing termination letters to five different groups that have provided humanitarian support services to migrants.
Termination of these contracts would mean a “gradual slowing down of operations ending in the closure of the El Paso Migrant Support Services Center,” the County said.
The item is listed on the Commissioners Court’s consent agenda, which is reserved for items that are expected to be non-controversial and needing no discussion. Consent agenda items are usually approved unanimously.
Also on Monday’s agenda, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, is scheduled to make a presentation recognizing Commissioner Carlos Leon’s years of public service.
Leon, a former El Paso Police chief, is retiring at the end of the year after serving three terms on the Commissioners Court
Jackie Arroyo Butler, currently Leon’s senior policy adviser, was elected Nov. 5 as the new commissioner for Precinct 1.
Also scheduled for Monday, commissioners are scheduled to discuss and “take appropriate action” on the County’s multiyear capital improvement plan.
The agenda item is a continuation of the series of capital planning workshops and exercises undertaken by the Commissioners Court over the past year to identify funding needs and opportunities for infrastructure projects, the County said.
The item will also include a discussion on the recent capital improvement bond questions that were up for voter approval on Nov. 5. Voters approved three of five bonds that the County had asked for approval on.
The County will also discuss funding for “essential public purpose projects” using certificates of obligation in 2025 and 2028. Certificates of obligation are a way for the County to borrow money and pay for projects without needing voter approval.
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