El Paso County’s Commissioners Court on Nov. 24 approved the creation of project accounts and budgets to allocate the remaining amounts of the $155 million in general-obligation bonds approved by voters in 2024.

Budget Director Carmen Ariat de Candelaria explained the approach: the board previously approved an initial issuance; the current action creates four funds corresponding to four bond issuances (initial $11.87 million already approved; second issuance estimated at $25 million; a third tranche at about $78 million and a fourth around $40 million). Establishing the accounts allows the county’s Capital Improvements Program to encumber funds for larger contracts that will span more than one issuance.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about phasing and the need to encumber funds for multi-year contracts; the court voted to approve the item.