Commissioners to consider water, energy program

The El Paso County Commissioners Court is considering establishing a countywide water and energy efficiency program that could benefit business owners.

The Property Assessed Clean Energy program helps commercial, agricultural, industrial and multifamily residential property owners to obtain low-cost, long-term loans for long-term energy efficiency improvements and water conservation equipment.

On Monday, the Commissioners Court will vote on whether to adopt a resolution of intent to establish a countywide program under the PACE Act, approved in 2013.  A public hearing will be scheduled for Aug. 29 when the item is intended to go before the Commissioners Court for final approval.

“The PACE Act authorizes cities and counties in Texas to work with private sector lenders and property owners to finance qualified improvements using contractual assessments voluntarily imposed on the property by the owner.  In exchange for funds provided by a private lender to pay for the improvements, the property owner voluntarily requests that the local government place an assessment secured with a  senior lien on the property until the assessment is paid in full,” according to background information provided by County Administrator Betsy Keller on Monday’s agenda.

Also on Monday, the Commissioners Court is set to vote on the county’s proposed tax rate for the new fiscal year 2017. The Commissioners Court is considering not increasing taxes and adopting the current tax rate of 45.26 cents per $100 valuation. The current tax rate is under the county’s 2017 fiscal year effective tax rate of 45.61 cents per $100 valuation.

The Commissioners Court will meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday on the third floor of the County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio St.

Aileen B. Flores may be reached at 546-6364; aflores@elpasotimes.com; @AileenBFlores on Twitter.