This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
City of El Paso Residents Face Fee for Street Repairs
The city of El Paso is considering charging residents and businesses a monthly fee of up to $11 to help pay for street repairs without having to issue more debt.
A proposed Transportation User Fee will be presented to the El Paso City Council during a work session Monday. While no action will be taken at the meeting, if the proposal moves forward in the coming months, it could mean residents would see a monthly fee of between $4.40 to $11.37 – or up to about $140 a year.
The fee would cover repair and maintenance of existing streets, alleys, sidewalks, signs and signals – basic services the city for years has struggled to fund.
The city estimates about 50% of the city’s 6,100 streets are in fair to very poor condition based on the Pavement Condition Index that determines at what levels streets need to be repaired, resurfaced or reconstructed.
Street repairs are now funded by voter-approved debt under the $226 million 2022 Community Progress Bond, non-voter approved certificates of obligation and pay-go fees from the city’s general fund. The city has budgeted about $104 million for the streets and maintenance department, including salaries.
“It’s (current funding) barely just keeping us at the level that we need to be at, as far as our street condition,” Robert Cortinas, chief financial officer and deputy city manager, told reporters Wednesday. “If we don’t do something soon, eventually, we’re going to run into a situation where our streets will not be able to be resurfaced.”
The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 300 N. Campbell St. It will be streamed live.
Musician’s GoFundMe Campaign to Rebuild His Smile Reaches Goal
Russell Kalman is closer to the surgery and dental work he needs to reclaim his smile and the ability to chew, thanks to meeting a $13,000 goal through a GoFundMe campaign to pay for necessary surgery and dental work.
“The most impressive donations are my old neighborhood childhood friends whom I haven’t seen since 1968 when we went off to different middle and high schools,” said Kalman, 67, a longtime El Paso musician and theatrical production specialist.
Kalman was diagnosed with Stage 4 laryngeal cancer in 2022, and had to have most of his teeth removed before the surgery. That left him unable to chew, and made him self-conscious about smiling. Most of the treatment needed to remove the remainder of his teeth and provide dentures wasn’t covered by insurance, so Kalman’s family started a GoFundMe campaign.
After a Nov. 5 El Paso Matters story about Kalman, the GoFundMe campaign received more than $7,000 in donations, pushing the longtime El Paso musician past his fundraising goal.
“It truly shows that this city can come together and make something so positive for a single person,” said his wife, Kat Tyler. “I know that everyone that donated knows and loves Russ. We are grateful, humbled and blessed by everyone.”
Kalman and Tyler will meet with medical professionals to plan the next steps for replacing his teeth.
Where To Get Free Flu Shots in El Paso
The city of El Paso offers free flu shots at all four of its community clinics to people ages 6 months and older. The flu shots are available through the Texas Vaccines for Children and Adult Safety Net programs.
Immunize El Paso has already administered its supply of vaccines from the city health department and no longer offers free flu shots, a spokesperson told El Paso Matters. The nonprofit continues to offer low-cost flu shots and accepts most major insurance plans.
Adults ages 19 and older who have no health insurance qualify for free flu shots with the city of El Paso, as well as children younger than 19 who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, American Indian or Alaskan Native or enrolled in CHIP. There is a $10 administration fee per shot, but clinics will not turn away eligible patients if they cannot pay the fee.
People do not have to make an appointment and can walk into any of the city’s clinics:
- Lower Valley, 9341 Alameda Ave., 915-212-0758.
- Northeast, 9566 Railroad Drive, 915-212-6626.
- Downtown, 721 Mesa St., 915-212-0756.
- West, 7380 Remcon Circle, 915-212-8890.
More info: bepowerflu.com.
The post City of El Paso weighs new street repair fee; musician’s fundraiser reaches goal appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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