El Paso City Council Is Talking About Raising Taxes While Giving Out Bonuses To City Employees

City employees will be getting a bonus this year.

El Paso City Council said yes to a $500 to $1,000 bonus structure as part of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2016.
Non-uniformed employees who have worked for the City for at least a year will be eligible for the one-time $1,000 payment.

A $500 lump-sum payment will be available for employees who have been with the City for less than one year.
The bonuses will cost the City about $2.6 million.

City Rep. Claudia Ordaz voted against the bonuses saying there are budget problems that needed to be addressed before bonuses were granted.

The City is looking at raising property taxes to pay for, among other things, the voter approved firefighter raises, 30 police cadets, and fifteen 911 Communications Dispatch Center workers. That increase could be around $30 a month on a $100,000 home.