City Council Meeting 10/13/2026

The City of El Paso City Council meeting on October 13, 2026, included action on fees, public art funding, and a water-infrastructure grant application. Council approved a revised FY2027 fee schedule 5–3 after reconsideration: food-establishment inspection fees were consolidated, including an increase in one category from $174 to $344, and animal-services adoption fees were restructured to allow greater flexibility for discounts. Council also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding supporting El Paso Water’s application to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission’s Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant program for expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Center; no grant amount was stated. The grant would support a water-infrastructure project, and a speaker raised concerns about potential effects on water rates and competing drainage needs.

Council also considered an amendment to the 2026 public art plan that would redirect $225,000 in projected savings from the Arts Festival Plaza water-wall project among four other allocations. Proposals discussed included a $25,000 increase for the East Side Regional Park project, a graffiti-abatement pilot at Dick Shinaut Skate Park, and a District 1 trailhead project; staff said the program’s funds are restricted to public art under a 2006 ordinance. The transcript does not capture a final vote on this amendment. Other discussion included transit service adjustments and a proposed analysis of zoning options for about 799 properties, but no related procurement award was identified.