This is your Friday update, which takes a quick look at the week ahead and some developments that El Paso Matters is following.
City Bond Issue Up For Vote: Three city of El Paso bond requests to fund street improvements and park upgrades and to implement climate control measures will be on the Nov. 8 ballot as City Council voted this week to let the voters decide. Each proposition will be voted on individually. The proposed bonds are:
- Proposition A: $246.48 million for street improvements, including new sidewalks, streetscapes, traffic controls and planning;
- Proposition B: $20.8 million for parks and recreation facilities;
- Proposition C: $5.2 million for renewable energy and resource-use efficiency improvements and planning.
City staff will host a series of community meetings in the coming weeks to share information about the ballot propositions. The funding also provides for the bond’s interest and 2% for the Public Art Program.
EPISD Hires Former SISD Interim Superintendent: Marta Carmona, who led the Socorro Independent School District for about nine months, is leaving to the El Paso school district. The EPISD Board of Trustees approved Tuesday Superintendent Diana Sayavedra’s recommendation to hire Carmona as deputy superintendent of academics. Carmona’s start date has yet to be decided, according to EPISD spokesperson Liza Rodriguez. Carmona was interim SISD superintendent from late May 2021 through mid-March, while continuing in her role as internal auditor of curriculum and instruction. She is the second Socorro administrator to be hired by EPISD in recent months. Marivel Macias, a former SISD assistant superintendent, was named chief organizational transformation and equity officer in May.
West Nile Virus: Two cases of the West Nile virus have been confirmed in El Paso this year, the city’s Department of Public Health announced. The patients include a male in his 60s, residing in the 79932 ZIP code with no underlying health conditions, and a female in her 80s, residing in 79936 ZIP code with underlying medical conditions. Both patients were hospitalized as of Tuesday. In 2021, El Paso reported 18 cases of West Nile virus. All 18 cases resulted in hospitalization and two resulted in death. About 80% of people who contract the mosquito-borne virus have no symptoms, according to the health department. But symptoms can include fever, body aches, headache, vomiting and swollen lymph glands. People can protect themselves from the virus by wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing, and by removing standing water from around the home.
