Special City Council Meeting 6/23/2026

The City of El Paso Texas held a Special City Council Meeting on June 23, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing the third quarter financial reports and discussing the FY 2026-2027 budget workshops. The council reviewed revenue and expenditure projections, noting a slight surplus and strong sales tax performance. Key budget drivers included salaries, benefits, and contractual services, with particular attention to public safety and IT contracts. The council discussed potential reallocations of funds, including a motion to allocate $430,000 of ARPA investment interest revenue to sustain the Welcome Center, a homelessness triage facility serving about 50 people daily. This motion passed initially but was later reconsidered and ultimately failed after a tie-breaking vote by the mayor. Additional budget requests included funding for animal shelter spay/neuter programs and concerns about consultant spending were raised, with plans to review consultant contracts for efficiency. The council also addressed tax rate impacts, property tax exemptions, and the need for long-term financial sustainability. No immediate changes to the proposed 2.8% tax rate increase were made during the meeting. The session concluded with recognition of staff efforts and acknowledgment of ongoing budget work.