El Paso County May Face $43 Million Budget Gap
El Paso County could face a multimillion-dollar shortfall next year if voters reject a 1% tax increase on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The county commissioners expect departments to request a total of $43 million more than is currently available when they start presenting their budgets on Monday.
The tax measure would raise an estimated $75 million a year. The money would be shared with the eight cities in the county and go mostly for public safety and health agencies.
County officials say if the voters reject the increase, they’ll have to cut some services. They blame flat tax revenue and rising costs for the projected shortfall.
Tax-increase opponents accuse the commissioners of using scare tactics.
Credits: KJCT8