University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) will receive additional funding beginning October 1, 2025, after El Paso County Commissioners voted to restore the county property tax rate to its 2024 level.
The new rate, $0.458889 per $100 of property value, is an increase from the current $0.426323. County officials said the adjustment was necessary to cover operational costs and to support projects tied to the voter-approved UMC bond package passed in November 2024.
Of the two adjustments driving the change, one directly impacts UMC: A $0.013597 increase in the Interest and Sinking (I&S) portion of the rate will help pay down debt from the 2024 bond, which includes funding for hospital expansions and clinic improvements across the county.
UMC accounts for a significant portion of the county tax bill, alongside schools, municipalities, and emergency districts. County officials noted that El Paso County itself only collects about 16% of each property tax dollar, with UMC as one of the primary recipients of dedicated funding.
“As every member of the court pointed out, there are not a whole lot of places for us to cut. 70% of it is mandated and much of that is public safety,” said County Commissioner Sergio Coronado, as reported by ABC 7 news. “This is a responsible tax-rate considering all our circumstances (Operation Lone Star and federal cuts).”
UMC leadership has previously said the bond projects will strengthen access to health care by expanding specialty services, upgrading facilities, and adding new community clinics to meet the needs of El Paso’s growing population.
A final public hearing on the property tax rate is scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Alicia Chacon County Commissioners Courtroom. Commissioners are expected to formally adopt the rate following the hearing.
