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El Paso Local Pulse: Property Tax Dip, Hotel Tax Audits, and Community Updates
Published 8 months, 3 weeks ago
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Good morning, this is El Paso Local Pulse for Saturday, August 2, 2025.
We begin with an update from city hall where officials are proposing a lower property tax rate. Even as rates look set to dip, rising home values across the city may mean monthly payments stay about the same for many of us. City leaders are also working to restart the long-stalled Pellicano Drive expansion, an effort that could soon bring long-needed relief to drivers in the east. Meanwhile, an audit shows some El Paso hotels owe about 1.4 million dollars in back taxes, with collection notices just sent out. That could mean more city services down the line.
Our weather today is mostly cloudy with a high near 97. If you are making plans for the weekend, expect a hot Saturday with temperatures up to 99 and, by Sunday, a toasty 102, so be sure to stay hydrated if you’re heading out to events in the city’s parks or downtown plazas.
Turning to real estate, homes continue to move quickly, with listings closing in under 30 days in many neighborhoods through the east and west side. Rental demand also remains steady as folks relocate for work or school. Speaking of jobs, Indeed lists just over 8,500 current openings in the El Paso area, with employers from Walmart to Costco and FedEx looking to fill positions. Customer service roles averaging about 18 dollars an hour are drawing interest, especially as remote work options expand after training.
On the education beat, new records show Lamar Elementary in central El Paso is struggling with low staff numbers and enrollment. Yet, a recent survey across EPISD schools reveals students are reporting a growing sense of belonging, a positive sign with the new school year starting soon. And there’s reason to celebrate at the El Paso Zoo, where beloved Galapagos tortoise Pancho is back, relaxing in a newly upgraded habitat.
Our community calendar is packed. Today at the Sun City Sawdust DIY Studio on Redd Road, you can try your hand at Japanese Kokedama or join a tea-tasting group noon at the El Paso Museum of Art. This evening, the popular Jazz Around Town series brings local musicians to The Dusty Tap, while Zin Valle Vineyards hosts live acts all weekend. Tomorrow at Southwest University Park, El Paso Locomotive FC takes on Las Vegas Lights in a key home match—tickets are still available and kickoff is at 7.
On the business front, we’re seeing a wave of small business openings from local tech startups to food trucks, a hopeful sign for the city’s recovery. However, some older retail spaces, particularly in central El Paso, are quiet as lease renewals remain uncertain.
Turning to crime and public safety, the past 24 hours saw police making a high-profile arrest after a video surfaced of a driver speeding at 112 miles an hour down I-10 East. In other incidents, a house fire in northeast El Paso yesterday left three people injured after careless smoking near an oxygen tank. Crime Stoppers has released this week’s most wanted list, urging the public to stay alert and call in any tips.
Before we go, a feel-good story from UTEP—dental students have launched Smiles for All, a new program offering sensory-friendly dental care to children with special needs. It’s just the kind of dedication that continues to make El Paso a caring and resilient community.
Thanks for joining us this morning. Subscribe to keep up with all the latest that keeps El Paso moving. This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
We begin with an update from city hall where officials are proposing a lower property tax rate. Even as rates look set to dip, rising home values across the city may mean monthly payments stay about the same for many of us. City leaders are also working to restart the long-stalled Pellicano Drive expansion, an effort that could soon bring long-needed relief to drivers in the east. Meanwhile, an audit shows some El Paso hotels owe about 1.4 million dollars in back taxes, with collection notices just sent out. That could mean more city services down the line.
Our weather today is mostly cloudy with a high near 97. If you are making plans for the weekend, expect a hot Saturday with temperatures up to 99 and, by Sunday, a toasty 102, so be sure to stay hydrated if you’re heading out to events in the city’s parks or downtown plazas.
Turning to real estate, homes continue to move quickly, with listings closing in under 30 days in many neighborhoods through the east and west side. Rental demand also remains steady as folks relocate for work or school. Speaking of jobs, Indeed lists just over 8,500 current openings in the El Paso area, with employers from Walmart to Costco and FedEx looking to fill positions. Customer service roles averaging about 18 dollars an hour are drawing interest, especially as remote work options expand after training.
On the education beat, new records show Lamar Elementary in central El Paso is struggling with low staff numbers and enrollment. Yet, a recent survey across EPISD schools reveals students are reporting a growing sense of belonging, a positive sign with the new school year starting soon. And there’s reason to celebrate at the El Paso Zoo, where beloved Galapagos tortoise Pancho is back, relaxing in a newly upgraded habitat.
Our community calendar is packed. Today at the Sun City Sawdust DIY Studio on Redd Road, you can try your hand at Japanese Kokedama or join a tea-tasting group noon at the El Paso Museum of Art. This evening, the popular Jazz Around Town series brings local musicians to The Dusty Tap, while Zin Valle Vineyards hosts live acts all weekend. Tomorrow at Southwest University Park, El Paso Locomotive FC takes on Las Vegas Lights in a key home match—tickets are still available and kickoff is at 7.
On the business front, we’re seeing a wave of small business openings from local tech startups to food trucks, a hopeful sign for the city’s recovery. However, some older retail spaces, particularly in central El Paso, are quiet as lease renewals remain uncertain.
Turning to crime and public safety, the past 24 hours saw police making a high-profile arrest after a video surfaced of a driver speeding at 112 miles an hour down I-10 East. In other incidents, a house fire in northeast El Paso yesterday left three people injured after careless smoking near an oxygen tank. Crime Stoppers has released this week’s most wanted list, urging the public to stay alert and call in any tips.
Before we go, a feel-good story from UTEP—dental students have launched Smiles for All, a new program offering sensory-friendly dental care to children with special needs. It’s just the kind of dedication that continues to make El Paso a caring and resilient community.
Thanks for joining us this morning. Subscribe to keep up with all the latest that keeps El Paso moving. This has been El Paso Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease dot ai.
For more http://www.quietplease.ai
Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI