Latest news with #DavidStout
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
County creates arts committee, pilot program in each precinct
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Commissioners Court approved during its meeting on Monday, May 5 the formation of an arts committe and pilot arts program for each precinct. The County is also taking steps to move forward with creating an arts master plan. County Commissioner David Stout's office made the announcement. 'Arts are critical for a healthy community. We have amazing creative talent in El Paso. The County is here to engage with them and support their efforts,' Stout said in a news release. 'Especially in a community that doesn't have a lot of capital investment from outside, public art is an efficient, cost-effective way to invest in ourselves.' Stout's office said there are several benefits to having a public art program — improving local sentiment and supporting tourism and travel to the area. A 2017 study by America for the Arts said that El Paso sees an annual $103.4 million economic impact from the arts and the arts supports the equivalent of 4,000 jobs. The impact produces millions of dollars in combined revenue for restaurants, bars, hotels and motels, transportation and government, Stout's office said. The El Paso County Arts Advisory Committee is being established as a pilot committee to provide advice to the County Commissioners Court and the County's chief Administrator to advance and enrich the arts and cultural activities and policies within El Paso County. This includes developing and implementing an arts master plan, Stout's office said. El Paso County was put aside at least $100,000 for the arts master plan and $55,000 for each precinct and $55,000 countywide for arts programming, Stout's office said. Monday, the County contracted with the El Paso Community Foundation to manage the arts programming. Further, the County is procuring an agreement for an arts master plan, which the arts committee will have a role in developing, Stout's office said. 'This action today is the result of discussions that began during Covid, when the arts became essential for people who were staying home and staying safe, but artists themselves were not able to work publicly,' Stout said. 'I am proud of our administration for developing policy to address both the economic and community development aspect of public art, and grateful to the Court for ongoing support and for the vote today.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
El Paso County Coliseum bond proposal may head back to voters in May
EL PASO, Texas (EL PASO MATTERS) — More than $100 million in improvements to the El Paso County Coliseum may be placed on the ballot in May – just six months after voters narrowly defeated the bond proposal. El Paso County Commissioner David Stout on Thursday pushed for the proposal to be placed on the May 3 ballot and for staff to prepare an outreach strategy 'to help push it across the finish line.' While the court took no action, the county judge and the three other county commissioners expressed support for putting the proposal on the ballot. The County Commissioners Court would have to vote whether to call for an election by Feb. 10 for the proposal to be placed on the May ballot, which will also include various school board races. The coliseum discussion came during a capital planning meeting where commissioners also reviewed funding options for public works projects such as flood control, first-time water and wastewater services, and technology and security updates that were not included in the November bond proposals. The county's financial advisors presented various funding options to pay for the projects – including issuing up to $35 million in tax notes and up to $100 million in certificates of obligation (COs) this year. Neither of those debt plans require voter approval but are both paid through taxpayer dollars. Commissioners Court would need to vote whether to issue a public notice on their intent to issue COs in early March. The notice is required to give taxpayers time to provide input or petition for an election instead. The $105.5 million bond proposal for renovations to the coliseum and its adjacent buildings on the November ballot failed by fewer than 700 votes, with 50.2% of voters opposing the project. The proposition included renovating seating, improving ADA accessibility, installing a new roof and air conditioning system. It also called for renovating the Sherman Barn next to the coliseum into an event and music venue, reconstructing the roller rink into an open air pavilion. Deputy County Administrator Jose Landeros told El Paso Matters that if the court calls for a May bond election, the proposition would likely be for the same amount and for the same work. Back in November, it was estimated the coliseum proposal would raise county taxes on the average-value home of about $200,000 by about $20 a year. Voters in November also turned down the $63.3 million proposal for new county annexes. However, voters approved $155 million in bonds for an animal shelter, park improvements and a new medical examiner's office. The approved projects were estimated to result in a $29 increase to annual property taxes on a $200,000 home. County leaders had previously indicated that any proposals that voters rejected could be brought back in a future election. The coliseum doesn't fall within approved uses of certificates of obligation. Commissioners on Thursday expressed interest in putting the coliseum on the ballot as soon as possible because of a Senate bill before the Legislature that seeks to limit local governments' ability to ask voters to reconsider failed bond propositions for five years. County leaders have been discussing funding sources – including general bonds, certificates of obligation – for its multi-year capital plan since at least fall of 2022 when the court waded through a slew of quality of life and essential public projects they wanted to address. Under state statute, counties cannot use COs for any failed bond proposal for three years. COs typically are used for larger-scale public works projects, though bills before the Legislature seek to amend the definition of public works to exclude public safety or judicial facilities and administrative office buildings. Other bills seek to limit the use of tax anticipation notes for projects voters turn down in a bond election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UMC: 2 new accolades show commitment to elders
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — University Medical Center of El Paso announced Tuesday, Feb. 4 what it is calling a significant milestone in its efforts to deliver quality health care to the Borderland region and older residents in particular. UMC said it has achieved two significant new accreditations — Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and a Level 2 Age-Friendly: Committed to Care Excellence Recognition for its outpatient clinics from the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI). 'As many members in our community age, they require more specialized care. This accreditation and designation, coupled with the geriatric center that will be built in Central El Paso, are prime examples of our focus toward seniors and their care. We are honored to be accredited as a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department and to have Age-friendly designated outpatient clinics to maintain the highest level of care for patients of all ages,' said Jacob Cintron, president and CEO for the El Paso County Hospital District. The GEDA program is a national initiative that recognizes hospitals equipped to handle complex health issues among older patients, UMC said. To obtain this accreditation, UMC's Emergency Department at the UMC Main Campus implemented specialized geriatric training for staff and screenings to identify potential risks in patients, such as cognitive impairment and fall risks, the hospital said. As an Age-Friendly Health System, UMC's Outpatient Clinics have also implemented a set of evidence-based interventions specifically designed to improve care for adults age 65 years and older, the hospital said. 'The country is aging, and El Paso is no exception. The median age in El Paso in 2000 was between 28-30 years of age. Now, it is estimated at 34 years of age. The need is clear to health professionals and it must be understood by the public and policymakers, as well. This is one piece of the puzzle to ensure our elders are able to age with dignity,' County Commissioenr David Stout said. 'I am grateful to the community members who brought this opportunity to our attention, and to the Hospital District for moving on the initiative.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
