Comments on: County proposes $49.5M fix to gov’t building crisis

By: Ruth

Ruth — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 23:16:57 +0000

I concur with Jane above. The Health and Human Services department on Spruce and the Health Department on Union are currently where the people who need the services are. If these offices move to the Intel building what plans does the county have for helping the people who need the services get to where they need to go? Do they intend to expand bus lines to the new site?

I have worked with the uninsured/underinsured populations of our community for the past five years. Transportation is a major barrier to available services. Does the county intend to add to the problem or figure out ways to alleviate them instead?

By: Rick Wehner

Rick Wehner — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:27:39 +0000

Ok. So as county elected officials. we spend years pandering to the ‘no-tax’ crowd in order to stay in office by telling the public how well the county is doing for so little money. We repeatedly, at BoCC meetings, remind the public that EPC has the lowest tax rates on the state.

Then, defer maintenance on publicly owned buildings to the point they are no longer usable because of the low tax rates.

So the obvious answer is to just go out and buy a new one with ‘free’ money.

My question: where is the free money going to come from to maintain this building?

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 20:17:13 +0000

@Tom

I’d have to go with “yes” on that one, haha. By that, I mean, “Yes, we shoudl elect fiscally responsible government employees.” And I’m not talking just locally.

By: tom

tom — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:41:35 +0000

Incredibly fiscally irresponsible on the part of the government employees – elected and hired. Is this not a High-Rent area? Does this action take a badly needed high tax revenue producing property off the books? Would it be a better financial decision to rent the building so that it continues to produce tax revenues?

Would it be a great idea to elect fiscally responsible government employees?

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:23:46 +0000

The moves sound logical EXCEPT – BIggest concern – How do the people needing H&HS services GET to the Intel building? Bus service better improve dramatically out that direction – is there a line item to pay the city for that? Now the buildings are where the people are – then the people will have to figure out how to get to where services are, and we are talking many many people without cars.

By: Ken G

Ken G — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 03:52:16 +0000

USOC was one thing, now El Paso is going to leverage us taxpayers out…..when will the BS stop.

By: Rob Gentrie

Rob Gentrie — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:08:03 +0000

S. Martin – You are part of a chorus that continues to repeat the same mantra – repetitive but not thoughtful. It is akin to me suggesting that you spend far too much on junk food, when I have no idea what you spend. It would be far more productive if you would spend some time studying the budget and understanding what County government has already done in the way of cost reductions and savings. With an understanding of the budget – not simple I grant you – you could participate more effectively be engaging in useful conversation.
This sounds like a carefully analyzed approach that can have multiple benefits.

By: Like it'll matter .....

Like it'll matter ..... — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:45:39 +0000

……. a great idea, if it works.
…….. i’m sure there’ll be many who’ll be glad to see more office workers & clientel in the GOGRd corridor.
….. now, get Centennial Blvd. built thru to the freeway !

By: S. Martin

S. Martin — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:38:57 +0000

But no where did I see staff reduction savings which would result in reduced staff costs and surely with current conditions (ie. business down) there is not the participation in public offices, record keeping etc. etc. Private enterprise is having to address cost savings why not government.

Sounds like the County administrator’s proposal might have addressed only part of the problem. The rest of fixes needed might be addressed in an upcoming bond proposal? Which we have seen happen before.

Seems it works that way a lot of the time.
Sincerely,
S. Martin