County budget update: general fund on track; detention costs still above contract rates
February 19, 2026 | El Paso County, Texas
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Carmen Aria de Candelaria, El Paso County Budget and Finance Director, briefed commissioners on Feb. 19 about the FY26 general fund and special revenue funds and flagged detention-related costs and revenue timing.
Aria de Candelaria said the general fund budget is $495.5 million and special revenue funds total roughly $76.8 million as adopted (later revised to about $78.3 million with recorded donations). Year‑to‑date revenue through January was about $269.37 million, and staff reported collections and encumbrances consistent with the fiscal schedule. The presentation highlighted that January is a large month for property tax collections and noted that sales‑tax receipts did not yet show an unusually large increase in the county's January figures.
On detention costs, staff reported the county’s contract rate with the U.S. Marshals Service went into effect Feb. 1 and that prior estimates used in the budget assumed a lower per‑detainee charge. The budget presentation showed blended current cost estimates above the contracted reimbursement rates, meaning the county continues to monitor and reconcile charge‑for‑service projections and expenditures.
Budget staff laid out next steps for the FY27 process, including a March 18 virtual budget informational session and a strategic planning session on April 7. No budget votes were taken at the Feb. 19 meeting; staff will return with more detailed analyses and any recommended amendments as needed.
Aria de Candelaria said the general fund budget is $495.5 million and special revenue funds total roughly $76.8 million as adopted (later revised to about $78.3 million with recorded donations). Year‑to‑date revenue through January was about $269.37 million, and staff reported collections and encumbrances consistent with the fiscal schedule. The presentation highlighted that January is a large month for property tax collections and noted that sales‑tax receipts did not yet show an unusually large increase in the county's January figures.
On detention costs, staff reported the county’s contract rate with the U.S. Marshals Service went into effect Feb. 1 and that prior estimates used in the budget assumed a lower per‑detainee charge. The budget presentation showed blended current cost estimates above the contracted reimbursement rates, meaning the county continues to monitor and reconcile charge‑for‑service projections and expenditures.
Budget staff laid out next steps for the FY27 process, including a March 18 virtual budget informational session and a strategic planning session on April 7. No budget votes were taken at the Feb. 19 meeting; staff will return with more detailed analyses and any recommended amendments as needed.
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