The El Paso County Commissioners Court is considering a proposed $0.504717 property-tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. If adopted, the higher rate would allow the county to collect substantially more property-tax revenue from residents.

At the same time, the proposed county budget includes a 4% compensation increase for elected county officials.

We believe taxpayers deserve answers before Commissioners Court moves forward.

We are asking the El Paso County Commissioners Court to:

1. Reject or reduce the proposed $0.504717 tax rate.

Adopt the lowest responsible tax rate necessary to provide essential county services rather than automatically increasing the property-tax burden on residents.

2. Give taxpayers full transparency.

Clearly explain how much additional property-tax revenue the proposed rate would generate and exactly how that money would be spent.

3. Publicly disclose the proposed pay increases for elected officials.

Taxpayers deserve to know how much County Commissioners and the County Judge would receive under the proposed compensation increases and when those increases would take effect.

4. Explain why elected officials’ compensation is being increased while taxpayers are being asked to pay more.

Residents should not be expected to accept higher property taxes without a clear explanation of why those additional revenues are necessary.

5. Look for savings before raising taxes.

Commissioners Court should identify spending reductions, efficiencies, and other alternatives before placing an additional financial burden on homeowners and taxpayers.

6. Give voters a meaningful opportunity to have their voices heard.

If the county ultimately adopts a tax rate that qualifies for a statutory rollback election under Texas law, we ask that taxpayers be allowed to exercise their rights under that process.

Why this matters

Property taxes don’t exist in a vacuum.

Higher property taxes can affect homeowners’ monthly budgets, housing affordability, escrow payments, and the overall cost of living in our community.

We understand that El Paso County needs to fund essential services. This petition is not a demand to eliminate necessary county services.

It is a demand for accountability, transparency, responsible spending, and taxpayer participation.

If the county believes a higher tax rate is necessary, taxpayers deserve to know exactly why.

And if elected officials are receiving compensation increases at the same time, taxpayers deserve to know that, too.

Our message to Commissioners Court

We are the taxpayers who fund county government.

We deserve to know where our money is going.

We deserve transparency about proposed tax increases.

We deserve transparency about elected officials’ compensation.

And when a tax increase would significantly affect the people of El Paso County, we deserve a meaningful opportunity to make our voices heard.

Please sign and share this petition.

By signing, you are asking the El Paso County Commissioners Court to reconsider the proposed tax rate, prioritize responsible spending, provide complete transparency regarding the proposed budget and elected-official compensation, and respect the rights of El Paso County taxpayers and voters.

**Our county government works for the people. The people deserve a say.**