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Yesterday our Chief Instigator, returning from work in Italy, called the El Paso County Commissioners Court from Newark Liberty International Airport to comment on agenda item 9A, which was a discussion about issuing $471.7 million in new debt, including $173.8 million in certificates of obligation.
We invite you to listen to his comment here:
We also invite you to listen to the replies of Judge Samaniego and the Commissioners, starting at about 6:02 on the County video.
Commissioner Leon suggested that Grossman never attended a County outreach meeting but in fact he did, at Franklin High School, and was struck by the low quality of the presentation.
Judge Samaniego and Commissioners Coronado and Stout went on the defensive without addressing the question of voter trust. They (disingenuously) suggested that the lack of state funding is forcing their hand, as if the proposed expenditure did not include well over a hundred million dollars in non-essential projects!
Notably, Judge Samaniego doubled down on his opinion about why so many El Pasoans are leaving for other counties, denying that our absurdly high property tax has anything to do with it.
As always, Commissioner Holguin was the voice of reason, questioning whether it is even necessary to issue certificates of obligation rather than general obligation bonds and inviting her colleagues to consider capping the proposed debt issuance so as not to increase our property tax.
She revealed that the numerous County outreach meetings were attended by only 800 people, a miniscule number.
WILL THE LIBRE INITIATIVE COME TO THE RESCUE?
It is extremely significant that Enrique Romero, Engagement Director of the Libre Initiative, showed up to speak in person. He reminded the Commissioners Court that his organization successfully collected 35,000 signatures in September 2022 and killed the proposed $346 million UMC certificate of obligation.
Although he did not make a direct threat, it was pretty clear from his comment that Libre is prepared to repeat the feat should the County try to avert the will of the voters again.
Listen also to the comment by Jenny Solo, who made some very important points about the County and its intentions.
Please write to the Commissioners Court and tell them never to issue a certificate of obligation short of the most dire emergency:
countyjudge@epcounty.com; commissioner1@epcounty.com; commissioner2@epcounty.com; commissioner3@epcounty.com; commissioner4@epcounty.com
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