Property owners in El Paso will soon notice a hike in their tax bills as the result of voter-approved bond measures passed in November 2024. The bonds, which fund major infrastructure and health-related projects for both University Medical Center (UMC) of El Paso and El Paso County, are now beginning to impact property taxes.
Last November, El Paso voters approved a $396.6 million bond for University Medical Center to fund more than 20 projects across the county. The bond includes $207.6 million dedicated to expanding health care services and clinics, $134.5 million for upgrades to the main hospital—such as new surgical suites and observation beds—$24.5 million for a burn center and critical care units, and $30 million for a planned cancer center in partnership with Texas Tech Health El Paso.
The average homeowner will pay approximately $72 more per year for the hospital district portion alone. While UMC initially estimated a $90 increase, Chief Financial Officer Michael Nuñez told El Paso Matters, the hospital issued only $275 million in June. The remaining $122 million is expected to be issued in either fall 2027 or spring 2028.
On Tuesday, UMC presented to the El Paso County Commissioners Court its proposed tax rate of 24 cents per $100 of property valuation, along with a proposed $1.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, about $200 million more than the current year, because the increased budget accounts for new facilities, expansions, and approximately 140 additional full-time staff members.
Under that rate, the owner of an average-value home ($221,726) would pay about $534 in hospital taxes. The taxable value of homes can be found on the El Paso Central Appraisal District website at EPCAD.org.
While property taxes make up about 10% of UMC’s revenues, the majority – around 46% – comes from patient service fees, which would be around $874 million of its projected 2026 revenue. That means only about $175 million in taxpayer dollars would go toward the hospital district’s proposed budget.
Commissioners Court plays an oversight role in approving the hospital district’s tax rate and budget.
