El Paso Water and Public Service Board to further discuss 2027-28 budget
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Public Service Board and El Paso Water are scheduled to hold its second workshop discussing it’s 2027-28 fiscal year budget.
The meeting comes more than a month after EP Water’s original proposals to the PSB for the budget of the upcoming year back on Sept. 30.
In that previous meeting, EPWater presented four budget scenarios to the PSB. Each had different investment levels, service impacts and monthly rate and fee increases for customers.
Wednesday, the PSB is expected to narrow the four budget scenarios or identify a preferred scenario for the budget.
Budget Scenario Projected Outcome Rate and Fee Changes Accelerated reliability Largest capital investment. Faster pipeline replacement to reduce the risk of breaks and outages. Increase of $7/month Strategic Prioritize the highest-needed capital projects while balancing the system’s reliability, affordability and financial risk. Increase of $5/month Lean Reduces capital and operating expenses by delaying 21 projects and eliminating 140 positions. Increase of less than $4/month High-risk Lowest capital investment. Significantly defer or cancel capital projects at four treatment plants, including the Pure Water Center, and two other locations and eliminate 300 positions. Increase of less than $2/monthAccording to the utility, at the lowest end, the combined water, wastewater and stormwater budget is 27% lower than the current year’s $1.2 billion budget.
EPWater said the high-risk scenario would put $31 million in grants at risk and create potential regulatory violations and contractual risks.
It also said the lean approach would trigger a slower incident response and put $8 million in grants at risk.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at EPWater’s headquarters in East El Paso (1154 Hawkins Blvd.). EPWater confirmed that the meeting is open to the public.
After Wednesday’s meeting, three regular PSB meetings will take place leading up to Jan. 13, 2027. The PSB is scheduled to vote on the 2027-28 budget during the January meeting. If approved, it will take effect March 1.
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