Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Will your El Paso County tax bill really drop under the new rate?
Make time for Family Day Fiesta on the El Paso Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, El Paso? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will your El Paso County tax bill really drop under the new rate?
- How much more will El Paso homeowners pay after this budget vote?
- Why did El Paso quietly delay a three-year ban on WestStar Bank?
Also on today's calendar: Family Day Fiesta and 1 more event.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Toasty conditions, with a high of 103 and low of 77 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Toasty conditions, temps: high: 105, low: 78.
- Friday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 102 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. El Paso County adopts lower tax rate but homeowners may still pay more (elpasotimes.com) — El Paso County commissioners have approved a slightly lower "no-new-revenue" property tax rate, but many homeowners may still see higher bills if their property values rose. Budget officials say residents without valuation increases could save about $17, while others will pay more, and speakers at the meeting urged leaders not to raise their tax burden. 
2. Divided El Paso City Council raises taxes after hours of tense budget debate (elpasomatters.org) — El Paso homeowners are facing about a $105 increase in city property taxes after a divided City Council approved a $658.6 million budget and new tax rate for 2027. The decision follows tense debate over service levels, public safety contracts, and council pay raises, and comes as county and hospital district tax rates are also being set.
3. City of El Paso staff recommended 3-year ban on contracts with WestStar Bank, subsidiaries (ktsm.com) — El Paso city staff recommended a three-year ban on contracts with WestStar Bank and its subsidiaries after finding the firm allegedly exceeded its authority under a real estate services contract, but City Council quietly pulled the item for further review. The $300,000 agreement, approved in 2024 to streamline title and closing services for city real-estate deals, remains in place while an additional administrative review is completed.
4. Final reports show Marathon El Paso emitted 60 tons of SO2 (ktsm.com) — State regulators say the Marathon El Paso Refinery released nearly 60 tons of sulfur dioxide during an early August process upset that produced strong odors many El Paso residents reported smelling. Finalized TCEQ reports detail multiple contaminants, intermittent flaring and efforts to limit emissions, while noting monitored air levels stayed below exposure guidelines as the investigation continues.
5. iFLY El Paso permanently closed (kvia.com) — Indoor skydiving venue iFLY El Paso has permanently closed, the company announced in a farewell message thanking local flyers for seven years of memories. The West El Paso attraction, which once benefited from and then lost a city incentive agreement, had hosted inclusive events like All Abilities Night before reopening under corporate ownership in 2025.
📸 Around El Paso
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in El Paso
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Family Day Fiesta →
Mesilla Plaza, Calle Principal, Las Cruces
10:00 am - National Junior Ranger Day
Chamizal National Park 800 South San Marcial Street, El Paso, TX 79905
10:00 am - Full Moon Nature Therapy Walk
Franklin Mountains State Park FranklinMountainsStatePark Map&Directions
8:00 pm - Annual Foodways Garden Harvest and Salsa Demo →
Fort Selden Historic Site, 1280 Fort Selden Rd, Radium Springs
10:00 am
Saturday August 22
Thursday August 27
Saturday August 29
📣 El Paso Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Back-To-School Dance
Vista Del Sol El El Paso, TX 79936 - Montwood Feeder Literacy Night
Elfida Chavez El El Paso, TX 79936
5:00 pm - MHS Feeder Literacy Night
Montwood Middle 12000 Montwood Dr, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
5:00 pm - MHS Family Literacy Night
Helen Ball El El Paso, TX 79936
5:00 pm - Boys Soccer vs. Sybert
Montwood Middle 11710 Pebble Hills Blvd, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
8:00 am - Softball vs. Sybert
Montwood Middle 11530 Edgemere Blvd, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
8:00 am - Baseball vs. Sybert
Montwood Middle 11530 Edgemere Blvd, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
8:00 am - Girls Soccer vs. Sybert
Montwood Middle 11530 Edgemere Blvd, El Paso, TX 79936, USA
8:00 am
Thursday August 20
Saturday August 22
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- We still haven't found my child.
I'm reposting. If you all have seen her please reach out. Her name is Harley. We would be so grateful to have her back home. (Nextdoor Tierra Del Este 69) - Hello everyone , I woke up this morning to check on my dogs , and they weren't in there cage.
The little door was open . They took off . Here next to Eastlake High-school they are both French bulldogs . Girl and Boy, the girl is black and… (Nextdoor Emerald Isle St)
- Remington Hospitality posted a job opening for El Paso Doubletree Rooms Division Manager in El Paso. Apply here.
- Allegiance Staffing LLC posted a job opening for Housekeeping in El Paso. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near El Paso here.
Ok El Paso! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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