El Paso City Council Regular Meeting - August 18, 2026

The El Paso City Council met on August 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:35 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, and action on a wide range of items, most notably the adoption of the FY 2026-2027 budget after extended debate, a formal request to state and federal regulators regarding a Marathon Petroleum refinery emissions event, and a letter to Governor Greg Abbott seeking clarification on data center development directives. The council also approved discretionary fund allocations, utility affordability advocacy, and several routine items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the August 4, 2026 meeting.
• Approved the termination of Contract 2024-0095R with WestStar Title, LLC for default and disqualified the company from city contracts for three years.
• Authorized an interlocal agreement with the Texas Municipal League Joint Self-Insurance Fund for Group Critical Illness Coverage per HB 4144.
• Approved appointments and reappointments to various boards and commissions, including the Municipal Management District No. 1, City Accessibility Advisory Committee, Women’s Rights Commission, and others.
• Noted P-Card transactions and campaign contributions.
• Awarded Solicitation 2026-0229R for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update to H2O Partners, Inc. ($88,010).

The consent agenda was approved unanimously with revisions (postponement of item 4 and item 6, and a correction to item 13).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jesse Romero (item 27) urged council to act as fiduciaries for taxpayers.
• Mark Wancho (item 31) spoke in support of the Borderland Mountain Bike Association’s Lost Dog Trailhead renovation, highlighting the trailhead’s history and need for upgrades.
• Gilbert Morales (item 33) described his family’s health issues linked to the Marathon refinery, including his wife’s lung cancer, and called for action.
• Alfredo Borrego (item 33) recounted the August 4-5 emissions event, noted the refinery’s failure to notify residents, and demanded fence-line monitoring and reduced emissions.
• Gabriel Garcia (item 33) lived two blocks from the refinery for 63 years, criticized the lack of notification, and urged council support.
• Sylvia Cepeda (item 33) presented data from a community survey: 62 people reported health effects, including two hospitalizations. She noted the emissions exceeded limits for sulfur dioxide by 3,600 times and for propylene by 3,200 times.
• Ariana Eiker (item 33) called for accountability and transparency, linking the incident to broader concerns about corporate influence.
• Linda Favela (item 33) stated the refinery canceled a meeting with neighborhood associations and requested an emergency alert system.
• Claudia Contreras (item 33) praised first responders and called for a lawsuit against Marathon.
• Jay Mania (item 34) criticized Governor Abbott’s data center directives and Meta’s lack of concern for El Paso.
• Talon Montoya (item 34) warned that the data center would create a public health crisis and urged council to act.
• Michael Clark (item 27) asked council to consider homeowners’ affordability, arguing that property taxes should not be a “piggy bank.”
• Elizabeth Crawford (call to the public) spoke about abortion and the “culture of death.”
• Claudia Contreras (call to the public) advocated for stronger animal cruelty enforcement.
• Albert Rivera (call to the public) complained about police enforcement of noise ordinances for bars.
• John Moise (call to the public) argued that rising non-emergent EMS calls strain the fire department budget and blamed public health mismanagement.
• Patricia Osman (multiple items) criticized the city’s handling of contracts, campaign contributions, and discretionary spending, and called for transparency.

Discussion Items

• FY 2026-2027 Budget Adoption (Items 27-29): The council debated the proposed tax rate of 0.809487 ($132/year average impact) versus alternatives. After multiple amendments failed, a motion to adopt a rate of 0.798000 ($105/year average impact) was approved 6-2. The amendment included $78,000 for public spay/neuter services. The city manager stated the budget does not cut services or employee positions. The corresponding tax levy ordinance was approved 6-2. (Vote: 6-2, with Representatives Trejo and Limon dissenting.)
• Marathon Petroleum Refinery Emissions (Item 33): The council unanimously approved a letter to the TCEQ and EPA requesting a joint public meeting within 30 days (or as soon as available) to address the August 4-5 emissions event. The letter also requests enhanced monitoring and community notification. The vote was 8-0.
• Data Center Directives Letter to Governor Abbott (Item 34): The council unanimously approved a letter seeking clarification on whether the governor’s directives apply to non-ERCOT areas like El Paso. The letter will be drafted by the city attorney and signed by the mayor. (Vote: 8-0.)
• Utility Affordability Advocacy (Item 30): Unanimously approved direction to amend the state and federal legislative agendas to include policies strengthening consumer protections, transparency, and affordability for utility ratepayers. (Vote: 8-0.)
• Lost Dog Trailhead Renovation (Item 31): Unanimously approved the use of $10,000 in District 1 discretionary funds for the Borderland Mountain Bike Association’s trailhead renovation. (Vote: 8-0.)
• Chihuahuita Recreation Center Computers (Item 32): Unanimously approved $2,000 in District 8 discretionary funds for computers. (Vote: 8-0.)
• Other Items: First reading of ordinances for a helistop, utility easement vacation, and hotel occupancy tax on short-term rentals (items 19-21) were approved unanimously. Public hearings and second readings for property conveyance, risk management office creation, and bridge toll simplification (items 22-26) were also approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adopted: The FY 2026-2027 budget was adopted with a tax rate of 0.798000, generating $3.1 million in contingency for future collective bargaining. The average homeowner impact is $105/year ($9/month). The vote was 6-2 (Trejo, Limon opposed).
• Marathon Refinery Letter: The council will send a formal request to TCEQ and EPA for a public community meeting, fence-line monitoring, and improved notification. Unanimous.
• Data Center Letter: A letter to Governor Abbott will be drafted by the city attorney, seeking clarification on the applicability of his directives to El Paso’s non-ERCOT grid. Unanimous.
• Utility Advocacy: The city’s legislative agendas will be updated to prioritize utility affordability and consumer protections. Unanimous.
• Discretionary Funds: $10,000 for Lost Dog Trailhead and $2,000 for Chihuahuita Recreation Center computers were approved.
• Routine Approvals: Consent agenda, first readings, and other ordinances passed unanimously.