August 2008 - Posts

• El Paso County To Inspect On-site Septic Tanks

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                                                      Thursday, August 28, 2008                          (El Paso, Texas) Thursday, August 28th, 2008 – County residents in need of a septic tank inspection will now have to contact the County of El Paso, on-site sewage Department. As of September 1, 2008 the County of El Paso will take over the on-site inspections and regulations of septic tanks. The new disposition comes after County Officials established that the inspections will be less costly if performed by the County personnel. Linda Gallegos, Health Inspector Supervisor of the On-Site Sewage Department, stated the assessments of existing and new septic tanks are required by a state law and necessary to maintain the health safety and well-being of county residents. “A failing septic system can release pollutants that damage our environment and our surface and groundwater,” Gallegos said. Consumption of contaminated water can contribute to the outbreak of many serious diseases like hepatitis and typhoid fever. Under the State of Texas Law, home-owners are required to have their waste units inspected on a yearly basis and failure to comply could result in fines up to $500.00 The County Attorney’s office is currently working on developing an inter-local agreement to provide services in the municipalities of Clint, Socorro and the Village of Vinton is under development. Two weeks ago, the members of Commissioners Court approved, by unanimous vote, the hiring of three professional inspectors and a clerk to open the newly created On-site Sewage Department. As of September 15th, 2008, the new office will be located at 14612 Greg Road, in the Montana Vista area. In the meantime, the On-Site Sewage Inspections Department will temporarily be located in the Road and Bridge Department main office located at 500 E. San Antonio, Rm. 407. For Additional information you may contact Linda Gallegos,Health Inspector Superevisor of the On-site Sewage Department at (915) 546-2015                                                                                                                               ##### Posted Aug 28 2008, 04:24 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Certificate of Compliance, on-site sewage department, septic tank

• Condado de El Paso Inspeccionara y Regulara Fosas Sépticas

  PARA DIFUSION INMEDIATA:                                                                                                       Jueves, Agosto 28, 2008                          (El Paso, Texas) Jueves, 28 de agosto, 2008 – Los habitantes del condado que necesiten realizar inspecciones en fosas sépticas ubicadas en sus propiedades de ahora en adelante deberán de contactar al recién creado Departamento de Inspecciones de Drenaje. A partir de Septiembre 1 del 2008, el Condado de El Paso se encargara de realizar las inspecciones y verificar que la instalación de las fosas sépticas cumpla con el reglamento establecido por el estado. Esta nueva disposición obedece a que oficiales del Condado establecieron que las inspecciones realizadas por personal del Condado serian menos costosas. Linda Gallegos, Supervisora de Inspectores de Salud del Departamento de Inspecciones a Drenaje, indico que la evaluación de fosas sépticas nuevas y existentes es un requisito estatal al igual que una necesidad para mantener la salud y bienestar de los habitantes del condado de El Paso. “Una fosa séptica defectuosa puede generar sustancias contaminantes que pueden dañar el ambiente y el agua del subsuelo”, indico Gallegos. El consumo de agua contaminada puede contribuir a la propagación de serias enfermedades como hepatitis y fiebre tifoidea.  Bajo las leyes del estado de Texas, los dueños de propiedades deben de realizar inspecciones anuales a sus tanques sépticos y las personas que omitan hacerlo pueden estar sujetas a una multa de hasta $500.00 La oficina del Procurador del Condado se encuentra desarrollando un acuerdo Inter-gubernamental con el fin de proporcionar los servicios de inspección a las municipalidades ubicadas dentro del condado como lo son Clint, Socorro y la aldea de Vinton. Hace dos semanas, los miembros de la Corte de Comisionados, aprobaron con voto unánime, la contratación de tres inspectores profesionales y un administrador y operar el nuevo departamento de Inspección de Drenaje. A partir del 15 de Septiembre del 2008, la nueva oficina estará ubicada en el 14612 Greg Road, en el área de Montana Vista. Mientras tanto, el Departamento de Inspección de Drenaje estará albergado temporalmente en el Departamento de Caminos y Puentes del condado, ubicado en la cuadra 500 Este de la calle San Antonio, Oficina 407. Para información adicional puede contactarse con Linda Gallegos, Supervisora de Inspectores del Departamento de Inspección de Drenaje al teléfono (915)546-2015.     Posted Aug 28 2008, 04:19 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Fosas Septicas, Drenaje, Certificate of Compliance

• County Courthouse to Close for Holiday Celebration

  (El Paso, Texas) Wednesday, August 27, 2008 – In observance of Labor Day, the El Paso County Courthouse will be closed to the public on Monday, September 1, 2008. Commissioners Court’s regular session will not take place. The central offices of the District and County Clerks will not provide any service to the public, neither their satellite offices located on the Westside, Northeast and Lower Valley. We urge the community to take this into consideration and plan ahead in case there is the need to use a service provided by the county. For example; application for passports, birth and marriage certificates, deeds, etc. For your convenience, the county courthouse and its satellite offices will be open during regular office hours on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th of August, 2008. Normal operations for all offices and facilities will resume on Tuesday, September 2, 2008. For more information please call (915) 546-2000 or access the county website, www.epcounty.com .                                                            ######### Posted Aug 27 2008, 04:58 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Closings, Labor Day, Courthouse Closed

• Edificio del Condado Cerrado por Dia Festivo

  El Paso Texas, miércoles 27 de agosto, 2008 – Con motivo de la conmemoración del Día del Trabajo el edificio del condado y sus oficinas satélites estarán cerrados al publico el día lunes primero de Septiembre. La sesión regular de la Corte de Comisionados se realizara el día 8 de Septiembre. Solicitamos a la comunidad que considere dicha medida en caso de que necesite realizar algún trámite o solicitar algún servicio en el condado de El Paso. Para conveniencia de los residentes, el edificio del condado y sus oficinas satélites, operarán de forma normal el 28 y 29 de Agosto y se reanudaran operaciones el próximo martes.                                                                                                                                                   #########   Posted Aug 27 2008, 04:53 PM by alazcano with no comments

• Border Violence and the Impact on Thomason Hospital

  Monthly Community Meeting  (El Paso, Texas)— The on-going drug related violent incidents across the border and their direct impact on Thomason Hospital will be the topic of discussion during Pct. #1 County Commissioner Luis Sariñana’s monthly community breakfast meeting. Guest speakers attending the early morning meeting will be: Thomason Hospital CEO, Jim Valenti, and city of El Paso Chief of Police, Greg Allen; El Paso County Sheriff Chief Deputy, Dolores Messick, and Texas Tech School of Medicine Regional Dean, Dr. J Manuel de la Rosa. What: Monthly Community Meeting When: Wednesday, August 27, 2008  Where: Mike and Ana’s Restaurant, 1850 Trawood, El Paso, Texas, 79936 Time: 7:30 a.m.   Posted Aug 26 2008, 02:52 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Thomason, injured, Level I Trauma center, drug violence

• El Paso County Commissioners Court Highlights

  Public Hearing Dates Set for Hospital District Tax Rate (El Paso, Texas) - In today’s meeting, the members of the Commissioner’s Court accepted unanimously to propose a tax rate for the El Paso County Hospital District of $.18 per $100 home valuation. Before the tax rate is adopted, the members of the Commissioner’s Court are required to hold a public hearing to receive public comment from county residents. The first hearing will be Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. in the County Judge’s Conference room located on the 3rd floor of the County Courthouse, Suite 301. The second hearing will be Monday, September 8th, 2008 12:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Court Chambers, located on the third floor of the County Courthouse. Thomason Hospital CEO, Jim Valenti, informed the members of the commissioner’s court, the proposed budget and tax rate will give the Hospital District another year of positive earnings. After the two hearings the Thomason CEO will return before the court to request approval for the adoption of the tax rate.    Public Encouraged to Voice Their Opinions about the Proposed Pay Raise for Members of the Commissioner’s Court The proposed salary increase for the members of the El Paso County Commissioner’s Court continued to capture the attention of several county residents which voiced their opinions during today’s regular meeting.  After this morning public comment the County Judge, Anthony Cobos, encouraged county residents to attend the meetings and voice their opinions about the proposed salary increase for the members of the court. The proposal was made Thursday, Agust 21st, 2008 during budget sessions. In  a 4-0 vote the court decided to adopt a proposed salary increase from $55,789 plus an $8,000 vehicle allowance to $85,894 with no vehicle allowance. The El Paso County Budget for the fiscal year 2008-2009 will be adopted Monday, October 6th, 2008.  Posted Aug 25 2008, 04:19 PM by alazcano with no comments

• Schedule for 2008-2009 Budget Sessions

  Budget Sessions with County Judge and Commissioners To Be Held in the County Judge’s Conference Room located at El Paso County Courthouse Suite 301 500 E. San Antonio, El Paso, Texas, 79901    August 20, 2008, Wednesday 9:00 a.m.        Nutrition 9:30 a.m.        General/Veterans Assistance, PC Electric and Gas 10:00 a.m.      Ascarate Park, Pool, Golf Course, Sports Park 11:00 a.m.     Community Services Department 1:30 p.m.        Rural Transit 2:00 p.m.        Elections Department 2:30 p.m.        Facilities Department 3:30 p.m.        Domestic Relations     August 21, 2008, Thursday 9:30 a.m.       Communications 10:00 a.m.     Human Resources and Risk Pool 10:30 a.m.     Information Technology Department 1:30 p.m.       Constable 6 2:00 p.m.       Constable 2 2:30 p.m.       Constable 3 3:00 p.m.       Constable 5 3:30 p.m.       Constable 1  September 2, 2008, Tuesday 9:00 a.m.      Public Defender 10:30 a.m.     Adult Probation 1:30 p.m.       Council of Judges, County Criminal Court 2 DWI, Drug Courts 3:30 p.m.       Road and Bridge  September 3, 2008, Wednesday 9:30 a.m.        Justice of the Peace No. 6 Place 2 10:00 a.m.      Justice of the Peace No. 1 10:30 a.m.      Justice of the Peace No. 5 11:00 a.m.      County Judge and Commissioners and Commissioners Court Services Dept. 2:00 p.m.        Justice of the Peace No. 2 2:30 p.m.        District Attorney, District Attorney Special Account   September 4, 2008, Thursday 9:00 a.m.       District Clerk, District Clerk Records Management Account 10:00 a.m.     Tax Office 11:00 a.m.     Medical Examiner 1:30 p.m.       Agricultural Co-op 2:00 p.m.        JPD 3:00 p.m.        Justice of the Peace No. 7 3:30 p.m.        Justice of the Peace No. 6  September 9, 2008, Tuesday 1:30 p.m.        Planning and Development and Agua   Dulce Community Center 2:30 p.m.        County Clerk, Criminal Fee Collections 3:30 p.m.        BCMHC September 10, 2008, Wednesday 9:00 a.m.      County Attorney, Child Protective Services 11:00 a.m.     Life Management 1:00 p.m.       Justice of the Peace No. 4 2:00 p.m.       County Tourist Promotion Allocations (Hotel Motel)     September 11, 2008, Thursday 9:00 a.m.       Sheriff’s Department                     (Sheriff Academy Training, Commissary, LEOSE, Law Enforcement,  Detention, Jail Annex, Security) County Attorney, Child Protective Services 11:00 a.m.    Purchasing Department                            Posted Aug 19 2008, 03:24 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Budget Season, Fiscal Year, Operative Budget

• Complete Count Committee For 2010 U.S. Census

  El Paso, Texas, August 18, 2008 – Today, members of Commissioners Court adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a “Joint Complete Count Committee” to encourage participation in the 2010U.S. Census.             The resolution sponsored by El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos and seconded by Pct.1 Commissioner Luis Sariñana was made in partnership with the City of El Paso to promote participation in the 2010 U.S. Census through outreach programs and events bringing positive awareness.             Ceci Villa-Ross, the local census coordinator, thanked the members of the court for supporting the resolution. “Having a complete count will give the government a better idea about the population growth and social needs of El Paso County residents and this community will receive the right funding from the federal and state governments,” said Villa Ross.             The U.S. Constitution mandates that every ten years every person to be counted to better apportion representation in the three levels of government.   Posted Aug 18 2008, 02:48 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: 2010 U.S. Census

• Maquiladora Goods Inteligent Transportation Pilot Project

  El Paso Texas, August 18, 2008 -- The El Paso County’s Secure Border Trade Demonstration Project (SBTDP), as well as an agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), was approved unanimously by the members of El Paso County Commissioners Court. The $3.6 million pilot project funded through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Coordinated Border Infrastructure (CBI) Program will equip three El Paso/Juarez maquiladoras with 30 heavy-duty tractors/trailers with state-of-the-art intelligent transportation system devices. This kind of technology will serve to secure the cargo and transmit key data into a central repository, where the data will be analyzed by software agents to detect anomalies, which may compromise the security of the protected cargo. Bob Geyer, Director of the county’s Rural Transit Department, explained to the members of the court that the objective of the SBTDP is to increase the security and efficiency related to the movement of goods and people at the Mexican and Canadian borders with the United States. “The cargo will be tagged with radio frequency identification labels and will be monitored during their travel. If for any reason, the truck leaves their prescribed course an alarm will sound alerting the program administrator about possible irregularities with the protected cargo,” Geyer said. “It will also expedite the crossing process through the local ports of entry and improve the region’s air quality,” he added.  The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI)’s Center for International Intelligent Transportation Research will be responsible for developing and coordinating a technology monitoring system and a quality control plan for the project. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection field office in El Paso has agreed to participate as an advisory stakeholder group for the technology monitoring system. The process for request of proposal will be initiated during the fall season.  Posted Aug 18 2008, 02:39 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Transportation, Maquiladora, Secured Border

• Sharing the Ride, Saving the Wallet

  The new El Paso County Vámonos Vanpool Program, launched in March, gives Community residents an alternative way to commute to work.   The program’s main purpose is to help out with soaring gas prices, reduce traffic congestion and emissions and offer alternative transportation.   “We are able to offer this program to all El Paso County residents through a federal grant.  It is an excellent solution for considerable savings at the pump,” said Judith Flood, Program Manager.    The van pools are administered by VPSI, Inc., a Michigan company that provides the vehicles, insurance and maintenance service for vanpools in the United States and the Netherlands.   To take advantage of the vanpool, simply gather a group of between five and fourteen commuters to share a van.  The group designates a primary volunteer driver from within the group, who will collect a predetermined monthly fee from the passengers.      Flood said that it is very simple to participate in the program. “If additional riders are needed to complete a group, we access the company’s local online database for existing vanpools they may join or for riders to complete their group.”   Currently, there are 6 Vámonos vans already on the road here in El Paso County and the program manager is expecting 7 more vans for groups forming through the summer.    The program offers from 7-passenger minivans to 12 or 15-passenger customized vans.   Flood said transportation costs account for 18 percent or more of the average American household's income; however,  an average van pool passenger can save up to $5,000 in commuting costs per year, compared to the cost of driving alone.   In addition to cost savings, Vámonos Vans are a simple way to reduce your personal carbon footprint.  Nationally, it is estimated that in one year, each 15-passenger vanpool will conserve more than 300,000 commuter miles, 13,000 gallons of fuel, save passengers more than $40,000 gas dollars and reduce the CO2 emissions by 36 tons.   The impact in a year is equivalent to restoring 6.2 acres of pine forest.  To schedule a presentation of the program, please contact Judith Flood at (915) 351-2042 or visit our website at www.vanride.com Posted Aug 12 2008, 02:45 PM by alazcano with no comments Filed under: Vamonos Vanpool, ride